More Resources for Learning and Travel!

Here is a link to some upcoming Conventions and Expos that should provide any attendee some excitement and opportunities to learn new techniques or procedures in the Jewelry making field.

Jewelry Shows and Expos

If you have it in your budget, make the effort to attend a show to get your juices flowing and get yourself fired up about making jewelry! It is always a good to learn new things and make new friends. Let Providence work for you. Here is a saying from Goethe that I really like:

Commitment
Until one is committed there is hesitancy,
The chance to draw back,
Always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation)
There is one elementary truth,
The ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
That the moment one definitely commits oneself
Then Providence moves, too.
All sorts of things occur to help one
That would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision
Raising in one's favor
All manner of unforseen incidents and meetings and material assistance
which no man would have dreamed would have come his way.

Good time to buy Silver

Heads up! If you haven't been watching the price of silver, it just dropped about $3 an ounce in the past couple of days.

Like I have stated in a previous post, I am not an expert on financial subjects or trading commodities, but I do pay attention to the news. One week ago the Fed made a bunch of moves to shore up the US economy -- like cutting the Prime interest rate and pumping money into some banks, etc. It is all too complicated for me to think I know what is going to happen next... I don't! However, I would say that if you depend on buying silver to produce your goods, it is a good time to buy. I doubt that the spot price will drop much more and will eventually creep back up.

Remember the spot price is relative. It does seem like it hurts to pay 3x what we did just a few years ago, but everything else is more expensive too, so it really is just a reflection of the weak dollar, oil prices, etc. Personally, I'm happy that I am involved in the Arts and live in this modern age when I can readily get silver (at any price) and express myself this way producing my own adornment so I am grateful.

So, prepare your order and call it into your supplier first thing Monday before the market takes off, in order to save some money.

PMC classes

I just got notified of the schedule of PMC classes being offerd by Rio Grande. It is a good program -- by receiving your certification you are able to also teach a class plus you receive some good discounts on materials and get a membership to the PMC Guild. Here is the link: Rio PMC classes

If you are a serious jewelry maker and you haven't yet tried using PMC, I would recommend it. Personally, I don't think it will take the place of traditional silversmithing but it is allowing many people to create beautiful silver pieces without all the tools and equipment normally required.

I'll be teaching a PMC/silversmithing class in the summer. If your in the area (Arkansas), check it out: PMC Class

Also, here is the link to the PMC Guild