Workshops, Teaching and Mentoring
Workshops
I regularly teach short courses and workshops. If you would like to enquire about my next teaching engagements or if you’d like to make a time for a private one on one session, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
You can reach me via vickijewel@hotmail or vickijewel99@gmail.com if you have any questions.
I also teach a variety of classes in Melbourne at CAE during the day, in the evenings and on weekends. These range from learning basic skills to work metal through to using the rolling mills and other more specialised equipment. Check out their available courses here. I teach for various textile and other institutions including San W Workshop in Shanghai, the Sturt Workshop in Mittagong, Melbourne Museum, Craft Victoria, Monash University, South West Tafe, Heide and Studio 2017 amongst many others.
Classes cater to both adults and children across all skill levels. These range from ½ day to 1 day workshops through to week long workshops. They cover working with textiles, plastics of various kinds and through to learning basic metal skills or developing and honing already embedded skills.
Mentoring
Mentoring is another educational area Vicki can work and can help in. She is available for one on one mentoring and able to guide emerging makers and artists in a variety of areas. These include for example — approaching galleries, developing research skills, developing collections and ranges through to running a business.
Her extensive experience as a writer also enables her to read, edit and proof proposals, for example research and grant applications, as well writing reviews, articles and interviews.
Case Studies
Internships
Maddie McCann – Final year student studying jewellery at Rhode Island School of Design (RISDI) Providence, USA. Maddie completed a one-month internship with Vicki in February 2014.
2014. Maddie came to Australia and spent a month working with Vicki. Maddie spent time making production work, visiting suppliers, looking into the running of a micro business and how a professional studio/workshop is set up. Vicki was able to introduce her to the Melbourne jewellery community.
Business Development
Carolyn Kinnard – Carolyn came from Edinburgh in Scotland in 2015 to work with Vicki after completing a BA in design and Applied Arts degree at Edinburgh College of Art in 2011.
Vicki introduced her the North City Four jewellers and she undertook a residency there alongside assisting Vicki with her collections. During her year in Melbourne Carolyn was able to clarify her thoughts on whether to pursue a career as a craftsperson and she has gone on to have a bright future
Research and Writing
Lindy McSwan — Lindy was seeking to apply for her Masters Degree at RMIT and sought advice and mentoring on writing and editing her research proposal.
Vicki worked with Lindy over two days to refine her theoretical framework, concept and methodology for her research. Lindy was subsequently successful and accepted into the RMIT Masters Program.
Testimonials
Vicki’s willingness to share both her business insight and practical knowledge with me was invaluable to my development as a jeweller and is something that I will forever be grateful for. Following on from my time spent working with Vicki I developed my own collection of jewellery and started my own business. Without her feedback and advice I’m not sure my business would be so successful.
Carolyn Kinnaird
Mentee from Edinburgh
Through my participation in the Melbourne jewellery and object community, I have known Vicki Mason for more than 15 years. Vicki is a highly respected, experienced, and active member of this community. She has always offered me support and encouragement as I have developed my practice.
In 2017 I was struggling a little in writing my research proposal and application to the Master of Fine Art by Research program at RMIT University. With an appreciation of how highly competitive the application process was, I needed some research writing advice and editorial expertise. I was aware Vicki had been the recipient of many grants, awards, and residencies and that she had been an examiner of Post Graduate final examinations in the gold and silversmithing discipline. So, I approached Vicki to seek her assistance and expertise with my research proposal.
I asked Vicki to be completely honest in her review of my draft to help give me the best possible chance of being offered a place. Vicki’s many years of experience in writing and editing in a research development context were invaluable in helping me focus on the core concepts of my proposal to hone what became a successful application. I will be ever grateful to Vicki for her guidance, honesty and most importantly encouragement.
Lindy McSwan Master of Fine Art – by Research candidate RMIT University December 2020
Get in touch
Interested in learning more? Simply fill out the inquiry form below
