• opinions - random stuff

    Practice makes perfect *, (* but only if you do it right.)

    This old vaudeville joke about Carnegie Hall, which opened in 1891, has been around so long, that no one knows who first said it. Made famous by Jack Benny (1894-1974), the vaudeville, radio and television comedian, it is probably the most quoted guidance on the importance of practice in order to learn a skill. This quote is about music and musicians, not jewelry, but it has become the default advice on how to learn just about anything. Unfortunately, it is probably the worst advice you can give someone to help them master any skill.

  • Education - Jewelry

    Your first and most important tool as a jeweler

    Lon Putman handed this to me over 30 years ago and told me it was going to be the most important tool I would ever use. And he was 100% correct. I use it every time I go into my shop. Many times when I am not even in my shop. When people visit my shop to learn, I start by telling them that this is the most important tool they can ever have as well