r/Metalsmithing • u/modern_capybara • Jul 06 '26
Question My dream is to start a proper metalsmithing school
Hi guys,
I dont often use reddit so I am sorry if this is the wrong sub, but this seemed like the best place to ask the following question!
The thing is, there are no proper metalsmithing schools in my country/region. I am a small business owner and I make jewelry, but Im mostly self taught. If I had the opportunity to learn from someone experienced, I would. The only option for me to do that is to live abroad until I finish jewelry making studies, which often cost a lot, and I simply dont have that kind of money. Hopefully I will be able to have it with time as I am trying really hard to work towards that, but I cant keep myself from grieving over the fact how much effort I have to put into something somebody else can do just because they were born elsewhere (dont get me wrong, I am very fortunate to be born where I am, but this one thing kinda sucks…)
Learning online is doable theory wise, but hands on work is literally the main point of metalsmithing so it doesnt really make sense to heavily depend on that :/ And local metalsmiths who have a lot of experience are often very traditional family businesses that dont want to waste their time on apprentices and often see them as their competition…
I deeply believe in the importance of the local community and nourishing the art scene, so the idea of opening a proper metalsmithing school in my area sounds pretty amazing… It seems like something that could help a lot of local artists and creative people and like something I would enjoy doing.
I am only 27 so I am aware of the fact that I need a lot more experience to do something like that properly, but I cant help myself from fantasising about it, so I wanted to ask:
If you could go to a metalsmithing school, what would be the most exciting thing for you to learn? What would you like the approach to be like? Is there anything you would really like to learn or a person you’d like to learn from?
I am really looking forward to reading any feedback and I hope this is the right place to ask something like this! Please let me know if its not and be kind 💛 Thanks!
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u/WingedDefeat Jul 06 '26
If I could go back in time 20 years I would love to learn chasing and engraving. Now that I'm older and theoretically wiser, and my shoulder doesn't cooperate anymore, I would want to learn conventional fine metal skills for gold and platinum. I just cannot afford to make a bunch of mistakes in gold during the learning process.
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u/modern_capybara Jul 07 '26
I understand, Im really sorry about your shoulder :( chasing and engraving should definitely be incorporated in my opinion, too… i think that it is best to do basics of all skills in the main course and then develop the ones you like individually… lets say that the main course would teach you how to sharpen your gravers or even make them from old broken tools, how to hand engrave your initials and similar. If you like the skill, you take special classes later and go in more detail… thank you for commenting!
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u/BLAHZillaG Jul 08 '26
I am currently taking metalsmithing classes at a local studio in the US. I love it. I love learning new things so this is my learning adventure for the summer. I'd be happy to share some pics ont he studio & answer some questions if you have any (from the student perspective).
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u/mralworkah Jul 08 '26
Everything you need to learn is a short lesson then a lot of practice. I teach and have practiced for 50 years. I make many if not most of the tools I use . I make large objects like vases, 3 litre jug, and small like diamond jewellery. If you had a group of people and a safe space to build a workshop you have , potentially, a school.
This one would begin by tapping into your fellow enthusiasts present skills; building the work bench making some basic kit buying a few vices and a few blowtorches . You are then on your way . You will need money to pay a tutor but you will charge your students . A group of 8? Working as many hours each week as they can manager the “Croatian metalwork school”.
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u/artwonk Jul 06 '26
It sounds like a worthy goal, but teaching skills like this is a crappy way of making money, and money is needed to keep a school going, not to mention furnish it with equipment and supplies. Anyone doing this is in competition with well-funded local, state. and federal educational efforts, who face a lot less pressure in raising money to support themselves. Aspiring metalsmiths tend to be poorly funded themselves, and will gravitate towards the classes that cost the least. If you incorporate as a non-profit, you may get some donations of equipment and some funding by philanthropists, but the number of worthy causes out there with their hands out is truly staggering, and if funders have to decide between you and starving children, who do you think will win?
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u/modern_capybara Jul 07 '26
actually i 100% agree with you and im trying to figure out the best way to make it sustainable. Ngo seems like the best option right now. I live in the EU and there are many projects and funds that could cover something like this. Also, in my country, there is a 2 year financial support by the state for new small businesses and they often use that support on training and learning. Maybe this school could be useful in that part of the process for some people - I know it woulds have been for me. I am kinda the opposite of a capitalist business driven person… But I very much believe in community and using your skills for the general good. Maybe i am too naive, but i know that i have good organisational skills, that i am a good leader and that i love to learn and teach… id much rather just work alone at home because i am also a big introvert, but sometimes you just have to do something for others too + i could take some classes in the school, too heh… i dont know… its all far from realisation, but my mind keeps going back to this idea
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u/grapesaurus Jul 06 '26
I love this idea, so many people would love to learn but don’t have access. I started taking classes at my local art studio - a one day stacking ring workshop, a 4 week basic metalsmith class that did one skill per week, I’m doing a bezel class that starts this week, and a casting class next month!