As a jewelry and Metal Clay instructor, I mentor in the classroom regularly. I love the feeling of helping someone obtain the "Ah ha moment" in their artwork and business endeavors. So I decided to take it to a whole new level.
I still remember the experiences I had as an apprentice when a jeweler friend of my mother took me under his wing at age 13.
That one-to-one time meant so much to me and helped me in areas "I" needed. Building my self-esteem, helping me to put away doubts, and seeing where my talents were strongest.
I'd love to have this same opportunity to assist someone else like someone helped me and with the experiences I've accumulated I'm doing just that!
I've been involved in the Jewelry Field in many aspects since my first apprenticeship, over 25 years. I've done it all:
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Retail Jewelry
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Wholesale Jewelry
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Jewelry Sales
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Craft Shows
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Jewelry Teaching
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Speaking Engagements
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Writing Jewelry, Advice and Technique Articles
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Juror
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Jewelry Awards
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Artworks displayed in magazines, books, exhibits and more
I've also had 12 successful years as Owner of Gage Graphics and Design, a graphic design, and publishing company.
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Publisher of a magazine circulating 120,000 copies
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Marketing and PR
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Graphic Design
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Identity, Image Development, and Branding
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Designing Ads
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Point of Purchase Displays
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Fundraising
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Ad sales
I'd like to share with you all my knowledge and experience. To get started, fill out the form on the below, and we'll build success together! Holly Gage, mentor at your service.
Personal and Small Group Mentoring Sessions
Your jewelry business is personal to you, so take a personal approach
Let my areas of strength help your business to grow to the next level with Go to Meeting
online mentoring. Intimate one-to-one and small discussion groups are casual and enjoyable, but packed with information and tips designed for "YOU" and the growth of "YOUR" business.
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Write a complete business plan
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Develop your artist's voice
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Refocus your business
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Engage in a private class or group class complete with demos and handouts
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Use your experiences within to develop the artist within
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Take your business to the next level
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Develop a wholesale line of jewelry
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Get published
Each Goto Meeting session feels like we are sitting across the table with each other. Holly will guide discussions on business and creative development sharing her wealth of knowledge to help you on a successful path.
In group classes, each person will have a chance to share his/her experience during the session and Holly encourages students to talk and share during and in between sessions.
Topics Options for your Group
Becoming a Jewelry and Metal Clay instructor
See classes pre-scheduled on the Workshop Page
To register use the form at the bottom of the page
3-week sessions, 60 mins over Go to Meeting
If you love people and enjoy making jewelry and working with Metal Clay, you may have considered teaching. What’s not to love? You get to be with people with similar interests; students treat you with love and respect; you get to have a passionate career, and someone actually pays you to do it. It is very rewarding as your students learn new skills, and you watch them grow.
What will make your experiences go smoothly is being organized and prepared:
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Write a lesson plan.
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Qualities of a good teacher.
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What everyone wants to know about teaching here and afar.
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How to promote your classes.
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How to propose a class to an art facility or school.
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The Art of Designing a Signature Jewelry Line
10-week sessions, 90 mins over Go to Meeting
See classes pre-scheduled on the Workshop Page
To register use the form at the bottom of the page
Are you ready to make a line of jewelry of your own design? Pieces that can be identified as yours without your name next to them? Pieces that help you find the Voice inside longing to sing?
Our discussions include:
• Achieving cohesion in your work.
• Discussing jewelry themes; jewelry styles through the ages; color usage; technique usage;
materials, and more to help you express your voice.
• How to research, explore, experiment, and discover while releasing preconceptions
and boundaries of creativity.
• Assigned Creative Development homework for interpreting these concepts in your own work.
• Studying what makes a cohesive line of jewelry through the review of living artist examples.
• Creating an artist statement to clarify your direction and purpose
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Designing with Intention
10-week sessions, 90 mins over Go to Meeting
See classes pre-scheduled on the Workshop Page
To register use the form at the bottom of the page
It is frustrating when your mind's eye sees it one way and your jewelry execution falls short. I am offering this course for those who have no design background and want to be able to answer for themselves why a piece of jewelry isn't working, looks off balance, or doesn't have the tone or feel you intended.
The course combines learning the concepts, seeing and identifying them, and then trying them out with hands-on experiences.
Our discussions include:
• Principles of design including:
The use of line, movement, form, function, color,
balance, focus, pattern & more in creating gorgeous jewelry
• Methods for fully developing your jewelry design ideas.
• Informative handouts on each topic.
• Assigned Creative Development homework for interpreting these concepts in your own
jewelry designs.
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Business Planning with an Artsy Twist
6-week sessions, 90 mins. over Go to Meeting
To register use the form at the bottom of the page
Let's bring fun and support to Business Planning!
What if you had someone who would hold your hand every step of the way?
Or you had a band of cheerleaders to get you through the process?
Or you had a supportive group to bounce ideas off?
A business plan is the backbone of the direction you want to take your business. You will no longer aimlessly be trying a bit of this, and a smidge of that. You will be doing every business function with determination and purpose. You will learn to work smart vs work hard and enjoy your business more while you are doing it.
After you finish your business planning you will no longer wonder who your customers are, how to target them, and where they shop. You will be able to identify your resources, your competitors, and a marketing plan, You will set a plan for making the elusive customer “your customer” by setting forth a plan of action that works.
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The Perfect Mix
(Number of class sessions will be based on individual need, 60 mins over Go to Meeting)
To register use the form at the bottom of the page
Building a business is like creating a strong resume. All of your experiences, activities, and business functions should work together leading to a strong business profile and focus. You want to be working “smart” and maximizing each activity versus working “hard” where you are doing lots of different activities not lending strength to each other. The discussion will focus on selecting the activities strongest in your business mix while removing the activities weighing your business down.
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From Putting Out Fires to Fireworks
(Number of class sessions will be based on individual need, 60 mins over Go to Meeting)
To register use the form at the bottom of the page
Are you too busy putting out the daily fires to focus on the big picture of studio time, business development, and other necessary functions to run your business? You are not alone! Learn powerful strategies for weeding out the clutter and the things getting in the way of you and your bench. The discussion will focus on scheduling an effective work/studio day, prioritizing your “to-do” list and eliminating it, and making decisive moves allowing you to focus your attention on why you started a jewelry business in the first place.
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Empowering Your Destination
To register use the form at the bottom of the page
1-week session, 90 mins over Go to Meeting
Be unstoppable as we break down some of the barriers getting in the way of your own success. Group discussion will cover the fears and doubts we set up to protect ourselves, but only hold us back and strategies to overcome them.
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I’m In!
1-week sessions, 90 mins over Go to Meeting
Do you want to get published? It may be closer to reality than you think. Magazines and book publishers are always looking for images and content to fill their pages. So what are they looking for you ask? Our group discussion will center on the common hurdles and the key things publishers seek in a good-quality submission.
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The Jury Is In, Photo Critique
1-week session, 90 mins over Go to Meeting
To register use the form at the bottom of the page
Improve your chances of getting juried into your favorite shows as you experience a real live photo critique session. There is no better insight than when you are part of the process, and sitting on the other side of the jury table. This group discussion will be conducted a bit differently than the others:
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You will get a formal invitation and link to upload photos to a “secret board”
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Each student will submit 3 works to the board – no one outside the group will be able to view the submissions.
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Holly and each student will critique each piece aiming to narrow down the choices to only 5 of the group members. Even the amateur will quickly see what is involved, as they engage in the same process and decision-making as the real deal.
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Drawing in the Crowd?
To register use the form at the bottom of the page
1-week session, 90 mins over Go to Meeting
At a show fair, you have a couple of seconds to attract the attention of the craft show aisle hugger. Learn the elements of drawing them into the booth, branding your name and style, displaying your jewelry, and keeping them engaged. Booth pictures will be shown and discussed. Feel free to submit booth photos as part of the discussion. You will get a formal invitation and link to upload photos to a special board on Pinterest before class begins.
Here's how it works:
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Prior to class, I will send you a PDF file of the lesson where applicable.
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Students should arrive to Go to Meeting 5 mins. prior to the first class.
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Go to Meeting has a built in clock and it will keep track of time for us.
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With multiple sessions, if you miss a class, you can catch up at the next session where I will give a quick review of the prior session.
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Bring any creative development homework to the next session, when applicable.
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Although we are all in the jewelry field with several questions, staying focused on the topic of the evening is suggested.
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Holly Gage cannot be held responsible for technical difficulties arising from Go to Meeting. Checked your equipment PRIOR to the start of our sessions together. Other people on your personal network may also impede the session, so it is recommended that only one person in your household should use the network at a time.
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Please turn off cell phones and other distractions during class. I set of headphones may be helpful.
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If technical difficulties prevent an individual from communicating during the group session or impede an entire session, I will communicate with that person after the session to rectify the problem. If technical difficulties disrupt the session, make-up time shall be added to the end of the session.
Note: Please be considerate, your enrollment affects the run of the class, so cancellations less than 3 weeks will be non-refundable. Also, please be on time for class, and test your equipment prior to class as this affects all participants involved. I am happy to run a test with you if need be.
Registration:
Please Fill out the request form below and hit the send button. In the Message area please include your:
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Name
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2 choice options for request dates, and length of time
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City, State, or Providence
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Phone number
I will return your e-mail with exact date and confirmation.