Career Jewelry Making Advice: DON'T DO IT! Jewelry Design, Jewelry Repair, Creating a Jewelry Line. 

I will never stop! No matter who tells me that im not cut out for it! I absolutely love it and wouldnt want to do anything else with the rest of my time on this earth! You're right its not for everyone!

Everything you said is absolutely correct. And you can never have enough tools...

LOL. I actually got ANGRY when I heard the first few lines! I was alllll prepared to say 'who do you think you are?!' as I head out to my studio, laptop in hand, listening to the rest of the post. THANK YOU for this. This week has been hell week in my studio. So many things have gone wrong, and each and every time they did, I started again, and each and every time I started again (or augmented an original plan to accommodate the mess up), I ended up with a lovely new piece. Here it is week's end, and I'm looking at a lineup of all of the things I made, and in none of it is any clue that I struggled so much in my studio. That lineup is what makes me keep going. (Also, I now know what NOT to do in about 5 different ways based on my mess ups this week, and I've also learned 5 different ways to improvise or reroute plans).

Great advice for anyone wanting to get into the jewelry business. 😂 100% true! The first few years if any profits, go into buying new tools and growing your studio. Hardest business I’ve ever started but it’s the one that has made me happiest. Starting your day creating and looking forward to seeing a finished piece that you’re working so hard at, is well worth the struggles. And if you have a bad day, keep calm, go paint for a couple of hours or meditate and your creativity will come back to you allowing to finish that masterpiece. Then sell it and go buy another tool with the profit. 😊

Workshop heaven! There will be a line of tool salesman heading for your workshop and you after seeing this with their new products. A different character completely from a flash salesman. Love it, must buy a few more bits of kit, but no bench or even floor space left! You know you are in trouble when you sell thousands of bits on ebay over 4 years but still cannot see any difference or any bench top free.

That's what I've always liked, the repair, and retrofitting of existing jewelry 😊

Im still here Doug,I've been teaching disabled people how to making jewellery and I've now taken on a apprentice, i always pick up tips from you and this channel,I'm the same as you Doug when i comes to jewellery repair 😊

Thank you so so much for doing this Doug, love your mission and vision and I'm definitely going to follow you in the future!

Man, Doug this is very inspiring, I’ve been watching video after video after video and have gotten so many great ideas thanks to you, Thanks man

A fantastic journey Mr. Doug!!!🎉😊

WOW! I am impressed by your studio!

I love what you said about repair being good for your heart. Beautiful!

Thanks for sharing your shop and thoughts! I couldn't agree more with your advice. It takes a kind of stubborn dedication to keep going sometimes but it's worth it. I'm hoping to create a line of jewelry soon with a particularly special message and purpose if I can sort out the logistical and production challenges in my limited shop. Keep up the good work and God bless!

I'm glad I came across this post. Not because of the advice to quit, but the encouragement to keep going. I am definitely going to have to watch more of your videos.

My dad was dabbling with jewelry making back in the 70’s before I was born, so I never really knew what he loved about jewelry making in general. But after watching this video I am just now starting to realize what he was so excited about when he was making his jewelry. Doug I would like to know more about the jewelry institute and what it takes to make a great piece of jewelry for myself and someone who can enjoy wearing it.

Jewellery as a way of life! I love these words! This is more than an idea ! It’s My dream my goal… To fully amerce yourself in the creative process is to me as needful as the air I breath 💓💓💓

Thx Doug for the advice...perfect timing as i have these very same questions

Thanks Doug!

We are so fortunate to have guys like you and John that give and give and give all for the love of jewellery making; thank you so much 👍😊

Finally someone has put into words what I've tried to explain why I do this. Thank you!

Andrew Berry introduced me to you. Fascinating Tour Doug. You certainly have dedicated yourself to your passion and vision. Good sound advice. I'm definitely in, however the weather turns. I've known it since I first came across Andrew at the very start some months ago. Cheers and all the best.

You are my people!! Thanks for the helpful advice and info, creating jewelry is a true passion of mine, I started with lapidary and thought, if I'm cutting and polishing up all this, why not learn to set in silver!

Awesome, Doug !

I recently filled the government paperwork for my jewelry making business in Greece and I just saw this terrifying title 😱 and because your advices have helped me a lot the last five years that I trained myself I didn't know if I should watch that video to learn I made a huge mistake 😂 but I am brave and I watched it 😁 great as always 😊 Thank you sir

thank you so much for this video i really needed this and i will reach out to you soon. I set a goal for my self for this year i want to pursue a jewelry repair/custom jewelry making career

How lovely to see you again Doug. I hope you’re well, you sure look well. Yep, I’m still creating. This is who and ❤what I am now. Xxx

Great video

Me to 38yrs ! In the blood 3rd generation ! Thank you cool stuff !

A brilliant video! New subscriber from the UK. And I really wish we had jewellers like you in this country! I've been making jewellery (yes we spell it differently😀) for around 12 years or so now as a hobby. I agree on the tool thing, I ended up having to build a workshop at the bottom of my garden for all the tools and equipment I've bought over the years and it's STILL not big enough! I'm still doing it as a hobby but I do pay for training with a master Jeweller based in Australia. I've stalled a little recently but I'll get back into it as I always do. It's a lifetime thing for me now, I'm too far in to stop now.

Very true!

I have to agree with you, I loved doing it and did it for years, I worked for someone else for a few years and then started my own shop with nearly no money, I did the repairs as well as casting and custom design and I worked around the clock 2 - 4 days straight and got about 2 - 4 hours worth of sleep between times and was scraping to pay the bills,I finally got really burned out and had to do something else, I did a good job but I was not fast enough at it to make enough money doing it to make it worthwhile, so if the person is slow at doing any of it they need to find something else they like or can do so they can make a good or at least a decent living. I have a friend of mine that has or had a jewelry supply in Oklahoma City that was putting in a school like you are talking about but the insurance was too high for it to be worthwhile for him to do it, however I don't think his was a nonprofit so that might make enough of a difference where you can make yours work, I hope things work out for you.

I was scared your video might scare me away, but then I was like, Well its best to know the good, the bad and the ugly so I'd better watch. Glad I did! If I lived in SD I would totally be interested in classes. Maybe you can teach online jewelry classes some day?

Duuuuuuude you are not lying! I have wanted to be in this business for my whole life. I love what I do. it’s a compulsion

I've been making wire jewelry for 3 years now.. And I'm ready to start making real jewelry now.. Making wire jewelry is fun.. But now I'm ready to take it to the next level

My first reply, thanks. Thinking Chasse and Repousse, an idea, having pulled a large old transformer apart there are some marvellous thin plates of iron. Cut one into a shape with a pair of scissors ( or Wiss aircraft sheet cutters) place against soft metal sheet but put1mm sheet Neoprene on the opposite side and roll through the roller. Would it bulge like repousse on the other side and could then be chased or perhaps lightly patterned, just an idea. I am not a jeweller, so apologies if this is old hat. Soft drink cans can also be cut with scissors and of course cut outs could be made also. If the stencil was made on the laser cutter then there is vast potential, including photos of cats etc, very tacky but good profit

Niche market so interesting

I find it funny you said run.... Sadly I'm unable to run, I'm lucky to be able to walk on a good day. I better stick with it

so I'm a teenager who took a "what's the best career for you?" quiz and I'm afraid I'm about to jump into a rabbit hole, wish me luck!

Smart man

I'm probably in the minority here, but I think I'll keep jewelry as a hobby 😂 I've gone back and forth on the question of going pro for about a decade. I'm middle aged and have certain responsibilities, etc. No worries though, it's still a great hobby and I love it. My weekly class at a local art center is a big part of my social life. I'm open to changing my mind some day, but for right now this is where I'm at 😊

I am considering creating some jewelry designs, it would dovetail nicely with an artistic business I already have. I think, as an entrepreneur, that knowing something about scaleability, revenue streams, and budgeting/pricing is very, very helpful.... as you create, you can think, how can I monetize this - and mindfully retain the creative aspect that I love. :)

I cant do repair work - too nervous with the resposibility

Good advice lol. I’m too far in though. I need an apprenticeship

Getting tools , gee that is hard living in Australia . Getting better tools besides beadsmith is very hard . I find I need tools with a better grip but they are too expensive to get from the USA. Tools let me down on advancing from just simple jewellery because of the bad tools here. Kym

Hello, thanks for sharing your story & tutorials. My career in law enforcement introduced me to the world of jewelers & jewelery making back in 1994. At the time, I was assigned to a task force investigating jewelry thieves. We were trained by members of the jewelry alliance in how to recognize or identify gold & diamonds. As a result, I spent some time in jewelry stores back rooms watching jewelers do their magic. It wasn't long b4 I started buying new & used tools. I took a couple of training courses & impressed myself with how I became a silversmith. A few years later, my main job became too demanding, so I put all my tools away. Recently I retired & picked up where I left it, buying more tools, crating a small studio & making some very nice pieces that I sell mainly through Facebook marketplace. I love the craft & love to hear about people like you. Thanks..

Don’t forget about all the people that want nice things that they can’t afford to buy, but can afford to make for themselves

two years ago I was put in a wheel chair because of an accident , some time shortly after I ran into a tutorial video and being broke from not being able to work I replicated what I saw to produce a gift for a freind , ive been hooked ever since , i dont have many tools but i would love to find a way to learn more , i would love a chance to speak to you about what my options would look like or how to go bout finding an apprenticeship if you have the time to speak with me that is

I want to do jewelry but I don't have any space in my room to put equipment or make a setup/studio. :[

If you don’t mind could you send me in the right direction for diamonds? I’m wanting to start to practice making jewelry.

You need a microscope. The quality of my engraved belt buckles improved drastically when I bought mine.

I just recently obtained some draw plates. I’m looking for a temporary draw stand holder until I’m able to upgrade to a proper stand for the draw plates. Please reply your suggestions.

You ever get into filigree? By hand

How much i need money to start off jewelry business thank you

I'm CAD Disainer if you want ayam kamig

Yeah I guess if more people did it there wouldn't be enough business for you!

And now after I've made a fortune add got to go all over the place I am a disgruntled old man that's going to boohoo and tell you not to do it

DOug thank you for the inspiration, what is your email again so I can reach out to you im very interested in your schooling thats offered.

I left before all the good advice, can I still be one of your people.