Author: Terra Butler
Kelly is a maker, through and through. While metalsmithing is how you know her, this woman is CONSTANTLY making a range of crafts and mediums. Her wedding thank you notes were handmade, featuring a carved stamp of her and her husband. She has been knitting the same gold shawl with the tiniest yarn for at least 7 years. She built the table that is centrally located in our studio where we gather for workshops. She welded the steel displays that we use at shows, loves any excuse to gift wrap, and has started and has completed multiple quilts. I could brag on her for a long time.
To say Kelly loves to work with her hands is a massive understatement. When we meet people at shows or in workshops, they often express a wish to be a maker of some sort. She is immediately excited and encouraging. If you haven' been privy to one of her gushing recommendations to use your hands, I give to you Kelly’s tips to becoming a maker. Enjoy!
Find something you love to make. What do you want to create or improve? Many people are drawn to specific types of materials. Perhaps getting your hands dirty is an important component or maybe you absolutely must work from home. Before you get started, it is smart to consider what sorts of things are important to you. For example, if you hate computers, maybe robotics shouldn't be your thing.
Get educated. There are so many workshops, in-person class, online videos, and educational resources out there. Searching YouTube is a great way to get started. When you are ready to pay for education, sites like Craftsy (www.craftsy.com) do a great job of providing a more thorough online education for a small investment. Don’t forget about your local guilds, clubs, libraries and schools. Often these places are wonderful for learning. If you want to learn metalsmithing directly from Kelly head to Alloy Metalsmithing. Merit Made’s sister company where you can learn directly from Kelly and her team. There’s something for everyone at Alloy Metalsmithing. From beginner metalsmithing classes, to fun make and take workshops, DIY wedding band workshops, to an on going bench membership for the serious metalsmither. Workshops are available to the public as well as the option to schedule private workshops for your friends and family. Private lessons are available too! Whether for fun or to start a serious hobby or business venture, Kelly and the Alloy Metalsmithing team are there to guide you through the process and show you the ropes. Head to the Alloy Metalsmithing page to sign up for your first experience!
Buy some tools and materials. This can be a bit daunting. How do you know which tool is right? Do you get the expensive one or the cheap one? It is really all about budget. Determine what works best for you. I started out with the cheapest tools and materials, because that is all I had the money for. Some of them are still operational today, and some I have upgraded and replaced. It is always a work in progress. That said, great tools can really make a difference in saving time and making a task much easier. We now offer a beginners tool kit with everything you need to get started! Need materials? We’ve got your covered there too with our practice materials kit. Lastly, every Metalsmither has their favorite finishing tools, these are ours.
DO IT! Don’t be scared, you have nothing to lose. Besides, how will you know if you like it if you never try? Seriously, you have to start somewhere. Dive in head first and don’t be afraid to change your mind.
Find and Expert, and become their best friend. We’d love to see you at Alloy Metalsmithing. If you’re serious about becoming a maker or metalsmither our bench membership may be perfect for you! This the best way to learn from peers and experts and get access to Kelly and her team throughout your learning process. The studio is available to you 24/7, you get discounts on private lessons with Kelly, and the chance to bump into her and her team while you work. Experts and fellow makers are happy to share and pass along the knowledge they have. You could also offer to help them. I don’t know a single maker who couldn’t use an extra set of hands. Make friends with like minded creators while honing your craft, we’re not sure it gets better than that!
Support other makers and get inspired. Go to a craft fair. Go to meetups. Join a Facebook group. The maker community is a welcoming place full of knowledge and inspiration. Show support with your presence and if possible, your dollar. These people work hard, and by supporting them you are fostering an environment where makers are respected and can continue creating.
Remember, a maker is simply a person who makes something. Have fun, explore, and most importantly create what YOU want.
Sounds like pretty legit advice to me! I would add be patient; you will not be instantly amazing at your new craft and that is perfectly okay. In fact, it is the process of learning, trouble shooting and perseverance that makes being a maker so awesome.
Now get to it!
xo,
Terra
(maker of mixed media, painting, collages, baskets, textiles, wall-hangings...)