V, away, down, tap tap tap and tap tap tap

I am so excited about my first class last night! After going through the syllabus I watched Roger make a sterling band ring last night. He worked quickly and meticulously. Some of the other students paid attention but I'm not sure they had any idea how easy he made it look. No doubt they will know the first time they hit sheet metal with a saw. I was amazed!

It was great for me to start at CityArts with a teacher who fostered creativity and valued the individual learning process. I know my experiences of the last year hashing things out in my own studio have invaluably shaped me, but I'm relieved to know there's a definite future of smoother sailing ahead.

I am certain this class is going to be the reason I continue making sheet metal jewelry. Already in one night I watched/learned enough valuable information to literally pay for the cost of my class. (ie: buy a hammer at Lowe's for $20 or buy 5 at the freight store for $20.) The hints and tips about supplies and studio set-up are also huge. (ie: put your bench pin on a C-clamp and you can move it wherever you'd like.) The basic instruction I watched last night is going to save me hundreds of tears, and hundreds of dollars, too. (ie: V, away, down, tap, tap, tap and tap tap tap, a way to make a ring perfect and not ruin inches of metal in the process.)

It's going to be quite a privilege to have an instructor who enjoys teaching "secrets" and truly wants to turn out quality students.