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!

The workspace question - how to make room even when there seemingly is none

Numerous articles out there discuss whether you should set up your workspace in a separate room or integrate it, say, in a corner of your living-room. For many, the question answers itself because they simply have no spare room they can turn into an independent workshop. Some live in such restricted spaces they can´t even organize everything craft-related in one part of a room. Instead, they store it all under the bed or in a closet and, whenever they want to work, clear the dining table and gather it all up again at the end of their session.

Depending on your personality, the latter is a potentially frustrating solution. In my case, having to make a fuss over beginning a work session is a deterrant. I just want to get right down to the task. Also, clutter drives me bonkers and even affects my ability to concentrate. I am extremely lucky I was able to set up a workshop in the "maid´s room" of our house (posh - and some not so posh - families in Costa Rica often have live-in maids, who are lodged in ridiculously tiny rooms). It might even prevent relationship problems. My hubby doesn´t mind chaos and filth as much. If I did not have my own workshop, but kept my supplies in the main building, and found his dirty socks or empty soda bottles mingled amongst my equipment, trouble would be on.

My workbench. Materials and tools are kept in the removable drawers.

Hence, my advice is to assess how much isolation you need personally in order to be productive and enjoy your work. If you share your house with other people, no matter how close they are to you, ask yourself how to design your workspace in such a way that they will respect it. If you cannot physically remove yourself from the areas of common use, is there a way of practically setting your workspace apart within them? Can you get a desk and storage units exclusively reserved for your materials and tools? Maybe paint the walls a different color in "your" corner of the room or put up a paravent to add some visual definition?

If you find you can´t fit any more furniture into your home, think twice. You may need to declutter. It has happened to me a few times that I believed I lacked storage space and, after throwing out a bunch of things discovered that everything fit nicely in the availaible space. Sometimes, I even ended up with clear areas that hadn´t been there before. If you are not a natural at sorting stuff, I recommend you read "The life-changing magic of tidying up" by Marie Kondo. Don´t let yourself be put off by the high-flying title. Despite the author being an almost compulsive perfectionist, she offers down-to-earth and motivating tips. Even if you don´t have it in you to follow all of her instructions, just taking some of them to heart will already make a difference. Kondo´s book is a quick and useful read you will not regret. Her nuclear strategy is: first declutter, then organize. So far, every time I have proceeded this way, the results have been positively surprising.

Do read this book! And no, I am not receiving any money for suggesting it.

As for the creation of your workspace, go through the following questions, answering "yes" or "no" ("no" meaning you need to move on to the next one):

1) Do I have a separate room I can equip as my workshop?

2) Is there a part of a room I can set up as my workspace?

3) Can I create more space by decluttering and reorganizing my belongings?

Even if your answer to all three is "no", try number three anyways. It is almost certain you will achieve some improvement, and probabilities are high it will be enough to give you more freedom in the use of your home. Conditions for creative work may still not be perfect, but every attempt should be made to optimize them within the given circumstances.

I am very interested in hearing about how you have arranged, or plan to arrange, your workspace. Of course I am also happy to answer your questions and help solve any problems you might have. Just post your comments below.