Tool Kits for Jewelry Making Workshops
by Lynda.
(Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania USA)
For jewelry making workshops, should I include tool kits in the price or let them just use the tools?
Do I need to have tools for each person or can they share some of the tools?
For instance, if we are making ear wires do I need to have mandrels for each student?
Do I need to have a roll of tape for each student? Can that be passed around?
Maybe a price point for each student could include purchasing a tool kit or just using the tool kit.
How do you do this?
Lynda
Comments:
Tools for Jewelry Workshops
by: Rena
Hi Lynda,
Whenever I’ve taught jewelry making to groups, I bring tools for them to use.
I made a bulk-buy purchase of about a dozen cheap sets of basic jewelry tools (each set has round nose, flat nose, and chain nose pliers, plus side cutters and end cutters). They’re not high-quality tools, but they’re fine for the workshops I’ve taught.
If I have more students than tools, they have no problem with sharing tools among themselves – which also helps everyone get to know each other and feel relaxed.
For items I have in more limited quantities, like mandrels, tape, etc., people don’t mind sharing and taking turns. They understand that the use of tools is part of the workshop, and that I’m not a full-fledged jewelry school.
I wouldn’t worry about having tools available to sell to your workshop students, unless you’re also selling jewelry-making kits for them to work at home that would require tools. But if you are selling take-home kits, then the tools would be a nice add-on sale.
In my own experience, most students are interested in making jewelry as part of a workshop (or sometimes coming to my home studio to make a one-on-one special jewelry project) – but their interest level isn’t keen enough for them to want to own any jewelry tools.
Usually if they’re interested in getting into jewelry making on their own, they’d like to browse through jewelry supply catalogs or websites to choose the tools and supplies that fit their specific interests.
Workshops/Jewelry Kits
by: Jamie Santellano
Hi Lynda,
I’ve taught some workshops recently, and made kits for the workshop according to the project being taught. My kits didn’t include the pliers.
In the description of the workshop I have a section that informs the student of what they should bring with them to the workshop. The list includes the pliers; however if they don’t have a couple of pairs of the proper pliers being use for the project then I let them know that I have a few pairs on hand for loan during the workshop.
I also sell pliers and other materials and supplies in case they would like to take to practice that night at home.
This keeps the cost down on the kits for the workshop, keeps my costs down on the creation of the kits, and lets the student decide if they enjoyed creating what they’ve learned and want to continue.
I agree with Rena about the student possibly wanting to go home and conducting their own research on tools and supplies.
Some tools can be shared, which Rena mentions and in my workshops I’ve never encountered a problem with that.
I feel that the more you teach the more you learn what works best for you and your workshops.
Good luck to you!
Jamie Santellano
www.santellano.com
Tools: share or sell?
by: Beadsophy
I teach classes and also attend them at regional shows. In my experience, it is fine to have tools available to share. Students also like to have me explain how to select a good tool. Having some available for sale is a nice add-on. I see more people buying tools at the regional shows than I do at the LBS, probably because attendees at regional shows are usually already serious beaders.
Where do you teach?
by: Lisa W.
You didn’t mention the circumstances in which you’ll be teaching, and I think that makes a difference in how you might answer this question. In your home, in a bead shop, at a craft show, at a community college, at a jewelry party? Are these first-timers?
I ran a couple of workshops for a friend’s church, and she was fine with my giving a supply list so students would be prepared with their own tools. I had a few extra, just in case, and it worked out well. Borrowers usually know they have to share, and a gentle mention about how patient and helpful everyone is can help ease tensions (especially when they aren’t!).
I teach now at a local bead shop, and I always have a supply list for the owner to give students when they sign up. My classes usually require a lot of tools, so I bring whatever I can haul, and I mention that if they were unable to bring some of the tools, they are free to borrow mine as long as they pass them on to those that need them. Even with the list, you would be amazed at how many people how up without a single tool! The shop is great, and also purchases supplies to keep in the classroom, but that happens gradually. The shop also sells tools, so students are encouraged to buy them if they like the work and the tools are conveniently right there.
Teach a coupe of simple classes that use few tools, ask students to bring their own. Have some to lend those who are without. After your first couple of classes, you’ll know how you want to proceed, and you can use the money from those first classes to get some student kits, or some better pliers that you can recommend for sales. I know a few people who carry their own little tool store in their trunks!
Tape, scissors, tape measures, rulers, etc, are all easy to lend and pass around. Bring extra of everything (beads, tools, wire, etc) just i case of the unforseen circumstance.
Good Luck!
mandrels
by: Lisa W.
By the way, be inventive! Mandrels can certainly be shared, but mandrels for each student can also be as simple as a bic pen, a dowel or pvc pipe cut into sections, or the handle of another tool.
Tool use
by: Twisted1
I agree with everyone above, having both supplied tools for use and purchased sets for my students to buy. I prefer to supply the tools. One item of note when tools are supplied or shared, use a disinfecting cloth to wipe down all shared items. Not only is this a good practice for students, this has cut down on MY colds a lot!
Tools Tools
by: Pegi
I also provide some tools and get others for purchase. I have a short report that describes the workshop and everything they will need. I let each person know what I have (inexpensive tools) and that I can have some better tools for purchase. The report explains the tools needed and what to look for (like no ridges on pliers).
I usually supply them with enough materials to complete the workshop and make another 1 or 2 pieces at home after the workshop. I found many of the students put it aside after the workshop and then forget some/much? of what they learned. By having materials for another piece or 2, they reinforce what they have learned.
About 1/3 want to get their own tools and the rest are happy sharing. those who want their own tools get more information from me and, usually, I order them to have for the workshop.
I also have a free biweekly beading club for anyone who has taken a workshop. About 1/2 end up coming for a few meetings; but 20% keep coming for a while. It’s free so I don’t get into much teaching and but several have signed up for more workshops after beading club for a month plus.
Good Luck. I’m sure you’ll be great! I really enjoy my workshops.
To buy tools or not to buy
by: Mermaid’s Purse
Well good for you for offering classes. I would suggest making it optional for the student to buy a prefab kit of tools from you. Make it available at every class…they may not want it in the beginning but by the 2nd or 3rd time they’ll want the tools ( cash in your pocket )
For giving the class I would be sure that each student had what they needed to work. Buy in bulk depending on number of students and spread out the cost to the students…make it part of the cost of the class. Buy cheap..wholesale, or even a local hard ware store sells a lot of implements we use for cheap.
Have fun, be creative, Happy Teaching.
Fair Winds and Calm Seas,
Deborah Leon
www.mermaidspurseseaglass.com
jewelry kits
by: Selby Girl
When I teach I have a max of 8 people in a class.
I have tools on hand for everyone to share. Generally I’ll have about 6 pairs of pointy nose pliers but I only have 2 sets of round nose pliers. I’ve been teaching for a few years now and have never had any problems. I prefer people to use my tools to save them the expense of buying them, as they pay for the classes and the beads they use.
