Nothing to dampen that amazing enthusiasm Aaron, but when you are finished, you will be an artistic technician..the artist comes along after you are thoroughly at ease with your craft and your media. If you love making beautiful things, then this is definitely the place to be working. I decided long ago, that I would provide the creative grease and put my ideas into the hands of artistic experts, like you may become, who then translate them into three dimensional things of beauty.
Having your own shop is difficult, but very rewarding. Most important of all is to show your work to as many people as you can, so that you can start building a base of clientelle that appreciate both YOU and your WORKS. Once you have the knowledge about metals and in particular , stones, it is good to help educate your clientelle too, so that they can make informed decisions about these most expensive and special stones and pieces of jewellery.
If you keep close tabs on them, their birthdays, anniversaries and special dates... phone and/or send cards.....over time they will remember to include you in the celebration of those special dates as the person that memorializes them with your special creations. [I have even had the glorious chances, twice now, to be a part of the actual moment of being engaged ...even photographed one of them for the participants.]
Now that was really exciting seeing the look in her eyes when she saw his creation made just for her. You should look forward with much excitement, Aaron, as this is one of the most rewarding creative careers out there.
