Jewelry Classes Online Program Curriculum

The goals and values of Ashworth College; time management; creating a realistic weekly and monthly study schedule; the nature and purpose of assessments; how to study effectively to prepare for and take an online examination; developing the skill sets necessary for success in the twenty-first century.

Evaluating your business idea; setting yourself apart from the competition; market testing; investment funding and donation funding; qualities of an entrepreneur; crowdfunding and angel investors.

The value and meaning of jewelry; three guidelines for jewelry design; definition of a designer/maker; importance of learning good technique; expressing and finding your style; finding your creative community.

The origin of beads and their role in human history; the religious and symbolic meanings that have been attached to beads over time.

Different types of equipment used in jewelry making, including pliers and cutters; various findings used in jewelry making, including beading wire, clasps, crimp beads, crimp knot covers, ear wires, head pins, jump rings, and three-strand connectors.

Importance of researching where to buy your jewelry supplies and what to look for; low-cost options for bead buying; shopping online and through catalogs; selecting and buying the best tools; creating a shopping list; getting started with photography.

Different types of hues; color value and intensity; warm and muted colors; developing your eye for color; using white and black in designs; the role of metallics in a piece of jewelry; using textures; types of color schemes; considering shape and style in different jewelry pieces.

Working with jump rings, crimp beads, and tubes; crimp knot covers with nylon-coated wire; bead societies; materials that can be used in jewelry making; coordinating beads, wires, and crimps; bead size and the right wire; using crimping pliers.

Creating simple loops, single-wrapped loop, and double-wrapped loops; creating a multistrand necklace and earrings.

The business of jewelry design; pricing factors; overhead costs; materials, labor, and sales commissions; tracking expenses; benefits of making multiple pieces; important photography tips.

Advanced stringing techniques, including knotting and right-angle weave; suggested supplies to use when creating a right-angle weave design; thread and thread visibility; plotting on paper; mixing different beads; using different bead sizes.

Advanced wire-working techniques; creating Danish clusters, spiral earrings, and wire frames; considerations for using heavy-gauge wire.

Finding your themes; noticing repeating elements; understanding your unique signature.

Defining copyright; the relationship between copyright law and jewelry design; protecting your work from copyright infringement; recognizing the boundaries you need to respect when taking inspiration from the ideas of others.

Crafting distinctive pieces; function and form; benefits of making your own findings; basic forging tools and techniques.

Using color trends in jewelry design; being aware of trend cycles; classic and trendy colors; color and fashion forecasts; using professional forecasters; fashion magazines and blogs; deciding how trendy you want your designs to be.

Importance of taking good photographs of your jewelry; creating simple still-life setups; photography equipment options; techniques used to improve the quality of your photographs.

The importance of creating a cohesive brand; identifying a color scheme, theme, and other distinctive elements that identify your brand; different types of logos; designing a logo, business card, and packaging that match your overall design; elements of presentation; when to hire a professional graphic designer.

Creating attractive jewelry displays for craft fairs and trunk shows; organizing and displaying your jewelry; photography tips for jewelry displays; researching and hiring a photographer; working with models.

Selling your work on Etsy; showcasing your shop; pricing your work; online promotion; creating your own jewelry website; organizing, advertising, managing, and hosting trunk shows; applying to and participating in craft fairs; considerations for participating in out-of-town craft shows.

Defining ergonomics; the importance of a comfortable seat; choosing the right table; having adequate lighting; incorporating good working conditions and habits; listening to your body.

Using reclaimed materials; going to yard sales, antique and thrift shops; resources for finding and maintaining your creativity when designing jewelry; advanced jewelry-making techniques.