Where do you even start? Which, and how many, materials and tools to begin with.

Basic tools for wire working

If you are starting your project from scratch, that is, if you are about to materialize your ideas for the first time, you are facing a couple of choices regarding materials and tools. You can acquire tons of them on the internet or at brick and mortar stores. It is quite easy to overspend, especially if you are inexperienced and buy things because it appears safer to have them than to lack them, "just in case".

You need to find a good balance between buying the necessary and, at the same time, bringing home enough supplies to allow for some creative experimentation and failures. Yes, failures. Your results will not be perfect right away. Be prepared to take back apart some of your first pieces or even throw them in the trash. Better still, get accustomed to loss, because no matter how sophisticated your skills get over time, some pieces are bound to come out below standard. Take these incidents as a sign that you are learning and use them as opportunities to sharpen your judgment regarding the quality of your products.

Far from leading by example, I started buying supplies before I ever intended to open a shop. I accumulated materials and tools gradually and unsystematically, probably wasting a lot of resources with my thoughtlessness. In retrospect, it would have been wiser to sit down, research jewelry making techniques, pick out a few and buy the specific supplies needed for those. Just to name an example: if you choose wire wrapping earrings and knotting necklaces, get a generous, but not exaggerated, amount of the basic tools and materials required, and begin practising.

Brass eyepins

Given that especially in the initial phase you will lose a certain quantity of supplies to your developing technique, do not invest in the most pricy ones right away. Agreed, wire wrapped earrings made with sterling silver, blue tourmaline and tahitian pearls are insanely beautiful - but ruining them is expensive and guaranteed to make you feel wretched. Start with copper or brass before you endeavor working with silver. You can upgrade the materials you are using bit by bit, as you become more secure handling them. Also, you don´t want the monetary value of your materials to stand in the way of learning. You need freedom to fail, even freedom to get frustrated and just slam a misshapen project into the trashcan without feeling guilty or going broke. Only buy supplies you are able to honor.

The same goes for the tools. At the beginning, a complete, professionally equipped metalsmithing workshop will be several sizes too big for you. If you just won the lottery and can also afford your personal, sexy, live-in metalsmithing tutor, forget what I just said. But seriously: master simple techniques and learn to use basic tools first. Every time you feel you have learned enough to expand your knowledge further, add something new to your repertoire of skills. This implies you need to be honest with yourself and assertive in self-evaluation. Without letting merciless perfectionism tear you down, do ask yourself if you are happy with whatever piece you just finished. If not, make changes or do it all over again. Don´t be afraid of trial and error. They´re part of the deal.

I once worked with an amateur sound-engineer who had gotten into considerable debt by acquiring advanced recording equipment. In the end, we never got anything done because he was buying these things faster than he could learn to operate them. He was addicted to the hunt for high-tech gadgets which would then catch dust in his studio. Sometimes he resold them to avoid eviction or cover some other basic need. This is what I mean when I recommend to buy only those supplies you are "able to honor": buy them with a clear conscience, handle and keep them respectfully. Eagerness is great, but it is best for yourself and for your progress to remain down-to earth at the same time as passionate.

Take classes or buy instruction books only if they teach you skills you can apply under your present circumstances, or require moderate adjustments. I have to admit I once ordered marvellous books on textile jewelry design, but the techniques they display are so advanced they are not immediately useful to me, and won´t be for another while. Although they are wonderful to look at, I probably would have done better choosing different sources of instruction or simply holding on to my money.

So, if you are buying supplies for the very first time, here is how best to go about it:

• Research basic techniques, then pick between one and three you wish to start out with.
• Get tools and supplies corresponding to your skill level.
• Buy amounts that allow for failed attempts and creative experiments.
• Start with materials of moderate cost (never poor quality, though!).
• Visit classes or read books to learn applicable skills.
• Be self-critical, but never self-destructive.
• Honor your resources (be a conscious buyer, handle and keep your supplies with care, give them a proper space).
• Expand your knowledge and production scope gradually as you become more accomplished.

Share your experiences and views in the comments section, I will be happy to hear form you!