Lynn, thank you for sharing these helpful insights for smooth jewelry classes.

Thanks again for all the great advice!

That gave me enough confidence to fill out all the paperwork involved to become an adjunct teacher, of a non-credit jewelry class, at my local technical college. It has been an amazing experiance. I have taught 6×30 hour classes this year and am looking forward to next year. Each class I teach has taught me something new about teaching classes. I have had people with me since the first class and always get a beginner or 3 in each successive class. Now the older students even help me with the beginners. 🙂 We always have a great time. It’s so much fun to see someone who didn’t think she was going to be able to do it ‘Glow with pride’ when something she did turns out gorgeous.

During the break between this class and the one before I put up a website (thanks to google sites) so I could have a place for them to go while they are at home to find supplies and patterns. The web is so full of helps. It doesn’t make them want to stop classes just because they can do it at home. They want to have me there to help when they have a problem and we all love the fellowship.

I Love teaching & my students are awesome.

I have taught jewelry making at kids’ birthday parties and for adults. My recommendation would be to talk to the store. Ask what other instructors have done in the past. I would imagine that a store owner wants people to buy from the store. If it is a beginners class, do not assume that they have beads or tools in order to complete the project. For a class like that, I would charge a reasonable instructor fee and a separate supplies fee. Good luck.

For the steampunk workshops I had access to a nice selection of miscellaneous beads, rejected metals, and donated goodies (like watches & broken jewelry). These were part of the jeweler’s group workshop stash and were included as part of the workshop fee. I also provided a recommended tools list and encouraged participants to bring their own stash of broken jewelry, trinkets, etc. to use or share with the class.

I really enjoyed teaching the workshops and found we all learned more from what didn’t work out as planned. It is easier to work through problems with the support of creative people!
I hope your workshop was a success!

1) the student who is just feeling things out and not sure if they are interested or not. these students aren’t ready to make a financial commitment to buying everything it takes to pursue it more than just one class. but…the nice thing about your classes is that they give them a chance to try it out, and decided if its something they are interested in going further in. and if they are, you have a primo opportunity to guide them in the right direction (what supplies to buy, where to get them, etc).

2) the student who already knows this is what they want to do and have made the commitment to learn / grow. they usually have their own supplies, tools, beads, etc. which is good.

i have yet to teach a class that isn’t full of these two kinds of students. it takes awhile to find the balance between the two, but once you do, it can be amazing. its such an amazing gift to watch a student suddenly get what you are trying to teach them, and to watch the spark grow. it makes all of the other stuff that goes into the classes worth it!!

will you post back and let us all know how your classes go? we’re rooting for you!!

Since what I wanted was to emphasize the technique, I chose not to have the students spend so much time choosing beads, findings, etc. I had more beads and stuff to sell and once I finished, the students bought more beads, wire and findings to take home and play with! The time I saved by providing the materials already packaged enabled me to dedicate more time for individual attention because you’ll always have people who need extra attention!
Good luck with your classes. 🙂

The question as to pricing both the class and kit together is a good one. You’ll have to do a bit of research here and find out what the area you live/teach in is accustomed to and willing to pay for. Some like to take the class and have various kits to purchase seperately and some like everything to be included in one price as they feel they are getting more ‘bang for their buck’ this way. See what your area can sustain and what your possible students might be accustomed to and decide from there.

Next, if you teach a technique vs. a class where your students complete a project, you will want to make certain that there are components/findings/beads handy for your clients to purchase in smaller quantities as this will help aid them in creating different things with the technique you are teacing. If you teach a ‘complete class’, meaning you teach the technique and complete the project or several projects in class, you won’t need to be as concerned about having your students purchase extra items because they should be able to leave with a finished piece of jewelry. Although some of them will probably want to purchase more items so they can go home and re-create what they have just learned.

The flip side of all this is to ask yourself what benefits the store that you will be teaching at the most (i.e. – makes them the most money in the long run and gains them valued customers in the end) and what would make them ask you to come back to teach not only these classes but possibly others and what are your students most likely to be drawn to.

Because you’re thinking this through and asking valid questions I have a feeling your students and the store will be very pleased with your end result! Best of luck with your classes.

I taught these same classes in a bead store for years. Well, not the pearl knotting, but the other two. I assume that the shop owner hopes that people will develop an interest in beading and become regular customers. When you say “large quantities”, what does that mean? By the strand? Before you bring supplies or kits, make sure that the shop owner is okay with that.

For my class, the store provided stringing materials and tools to use during the class. Beads were not included. I gave the beginners a little tour of the store, telling them about the various kinds of beads available. During the tour I would indicate some lower-cost items. Sometimes they brought their own beads. I also brought a number of samples to give people ideas. Most people would choose two or three different beads to work with.

For the wire-working class, I had a demo project in the store, but we emphasized that it was a technique class. Most people were able to complete a bracelet in class if they wanted to. The store provided craft wire and tools for practicing during class. Students could use beads from our bead soup bowl (included), or purchase their own.