Link reflection:
The abilities and skills that were most useful coming into LINK was my ability to be open minded, a quick hands on learner, organized, artistic, and a good listener. These skills were important because I was learning a new form of art that I had not done and I would have to be opened minded about the ways they would be teaching me and the assignments that I would given. My ability to learn quick was important as well becasue if I were able to learn really fast, this would allow me more time to get projects done and to be challenged. Being an organized person was important because having an organized work space will help to find your materials and tools much easier. My artistic abilities and creativity was very important because if I applied these skills to my jewelry then the finished projects would be unique with a personal touch. Being a good listener is always an important skill to have because if your mentor gave you a set of instruction and you didn't listen or didn't follow them then your project would be wrong.
The most important skills that I gained during this LINK experience was independence, time management, patience, problem solving, and strong work ethic. I developed independence during my internship becasue my mentors still had their daily jobs to do during the day. My mentor would give me a set of instructions and teach me how to do it and let me get to work. While they were both at work I would be making on my project everyday and I would have to figure out what to do and not what to do, I had to rely on myself to make the right decisions for my project. Time management was important my mentor and I would set deadlines on when I should finish certain sections of my project by the end of the day. During LINK I would start a project and my mentor would challenge me or give me a deadline on were I should be once they get back from work or finish it with in a day or two. Near the end of LINK I had to leave a day earlier and I had a four days to finish four projects and I had to use my time wisely and set goals for myself to finish as much as I could in a day. By the time I was leaving I finished all of them perfectly on time and this was due to my strength in time management and planning out the lengths of the projects. Patience was a huge skill that I developed during LINK because it takes lots of patience to make jewelry, if you rush it then you'll start seeing lots of mistakes in your work and you'll end up making it look bad and possibly have to restart. In my LINK internship I found out how important patience is when making jewelry because at the beginning of the LINK I wanted to be able to make a piece of jewelry really fast so that I can start a next piece. I found out the hard way of that it takes time, while I was working I would rush and I would see a lot more mistakes in my work and these mistakes would either set me back a day or I would constantly restart the project because I wasn't taking my time on it. Another example of not being patience during my LINK internship was when I hurt my hands a lot more because I either wasn't paying attention or rushing. I hit my hands multiply times with the metal and wooden mallet, cut myself with the saw and stuck my hands with the needle. I got blood blisters, bruises and cuts during this but it was bound to happen during the jewelry making process but it can be prevented if you take your time and breath. So I started taking my time more serious and I noted that my work was coming out a lot better and my hands were not being damaged as much. It was taking a little longer but my work would be more professional and beautiful. Problem solving was another important skill I developed during LINK because I would either be working by myself while my mentors were working and if I had a flaw in my work then I would have to problem solve on how I could fix it or make it look better with the mistake. While I working as a silversmith there were mistakes that showed up in my work and I would have to find out how I could fix it and make it flow better while the final product would look like it was just one whole design. The final skill that I developed during LINK was strong work ethic. I developed this skill by taking these projects seriously and was able to produce the best work that I could. Once I was given a task or project I was determined to finish it and work hard during the process. I worked from 8 o'clock in the morning to Midnight everyday. I did have multiple breaks but my work times didn't really affect me. I choose to work this long because I was really dedicated to completing my projects all while learning more about the history of all the different techniques. I would work on my free time and I wanted to use the whole day to work and learn. I felt like three weeks wasn't a long time so I decided to use as much time as I could during my LINK internship.
I grew during LINK by challenging myself everyday and overcoming any issues that were presented during the three weeks. During LINK I was presented with many challenges and I would find a way to overcome them so that I could get pass them and grow more and more. For example there were times I would start overthinking on my projects, and I would end up sitting there for about thirty minutes trying to figure out which colors to use and the design that would go well with it. This was very frustrating for me becasue I would get stressed out and I would be wasting time sitting there trying to figure out what to do. My grandparents told me that this happens to them and any artist becasue once you start overthinking something it blocks your ability to work and could effects the project. I had to find a way to overcome this mental obstacle. I would either find a way to clear my mind or take a break away from the project. Once I felt I was ready then I was able to accomplish a lot more and grow as a well rounded artist at the same time. I learned how to just go for it before I started overthinking and before I started to have self doubt. Another way I grew as an artist was with confidence. I would finish a project, but I would not like the final project and thought that I could do better but my mentor said that even if you don`t like it there will always be someone out there that will like it and want to buy it. They told me that since it was my first time I should be proud and confident about each of the final projects I made. I became a strong artist mentally because it takes a lot of skills and techniques to do this type of art, I may not have gained all of the skills but this gives me opportunity to develop and improve.
My internship was important to this Pesata Creations because this was the first time that my grandparents have taken an intern and I wanted to be a good representation of Animas High School. I wanted to have a great experience with them so that they could think about taking in more interns in the future. I think that it was important that I was there becasue if I was able to be a good intern then they would be open to taking in more interns and they could get more people to learn about Pesata Creations, their name would get out to many areas in the United States. An intern would be learning new techniques and life skills that they can apply to any future interest.
This internship experience has helped me plan my next steps towards college and a career by showing that I can continue Native American jewelry making in the future. I would eventually be able to go to school for this and other types of art and pursue a career. But I feel learning Native American art techniques from my family and elders adds more to my experience. I can continue to learn from my family history and share with others the importance of my culture. Native American art is seen worldwide and is considered unique on its own. I feel it is important carry on that tradition and continue to add more modern techniques for future generations. This internship helped learn different forms of art and if I learn multiple types then I'll be able to see which one I enjoy and use as a possible future career. Learning many types of art techniques is helpful as I feel I can apply it to anything.