Short story:

Yesterday I downed champagne – had to treat it like herbal medicine.  I’m teetotal and was offered a drink but the automated Annie said, “Thank you” instead of, “Sorry, I don’t drink”. :/  Thankfully I was in the workshop alone, otherwise my actions would have been mistaken for something much different.

To do (mainly IE issues):

1. Fix footer;
2. Add padding on main menu links;
3. Change colour of main menu links (I realise that they’re not easy to read);
4. Do something about the “Quaint” link, to make it look more visible;
5. Add more to to-do things as I’m sure there are more problems elsewhere.

By the way, is anyone else having problems with Firefox crashing – quite frequenty as well?  It’s such an issue that I’ve been tempted to temporarily revert back to using IE. O.o  Not a good sign for any browser when users are being reduced to that, is it?

The one thing that really hits my nerve is when people assume my course is a doddle. An art/craft course is not a stroll in the park.

Anyway, back onto the point. I’ve been getting home late…about half 6. Strangely enough I’m not tired even though I woke up at 3 in the morning (yesterday), sometime. I did have my reservations about whether four hours sleep would be safe enough on the road but I felt very awake and chirpy, which is good for other road users. To be honest, I don’t mind coming home late during the winter because I quite like driving at night.

So, when I’m not at uni, I’m either at work (sometimes Saturdays as well) or working on projects. I’ve not seen my best friend for what seems like months. I’ve not even had a chance to visit my sister at her uni. There is no way I’m driving to Leeds by myself, no way. Especially since I lack any sense of direction.

Oh, and I’ve got an exam at the end of this year. O.o I’m quite bad at exams but the fact that it’s to do with history…is just the icing on the cake. Exam > Annie (hah).

Here’s a question: if I were to design and make a keyring, what would you want? I’m pretty sure my manager wants it in silver and there’s two key fobs. Any ideas? Anyone can make a suggestion, I’ll let you know my boundaries as the suggestions come but just as long as it’s nothing too complex I’ll be okay.

My entries are very choppy… /end of randomness

Tools

You need to use Friday to purchase necessary tools for the first project and you are
strongly advised to ensure that they are colour coded in some way for ease of
identification. You will need the following tools to begin with:

• Dividers
• Scribe
• Centre punch
• Steel rule
• Engineer’s square (optional)
• Piercing saw frame
• Saw blades
• Drill bits
• Emery paper and buff sticks
• Hand file
• Needle files

Phew! I’ve still got them from my first two years of uni. 

In readiness for Tuesday you will need to collect visual images to inspire the design
for a Puppet using one of the following themes:

• The human being
• Animals
• Insects
• Flowers
• Aliens

These can be in the form of magazine cuttings, photocopies, Internet research,
photographs, sketches etc. The images should be selective and provide you with
shape, form, and detail from which you can develop a character with interesting
features and personality. Bring these with you on Monday along with a sketchbook,
pencils and coloured media of some description. You will begin to create a mood
board based on your chosen theme, which will provide design inspiration for the first
project. The inspirational mood board should not be smaller than A2 and should be
displayed in the studio.

Was given this project on Friday, worked on Saturday. Even if Saturday was free I think I’d still be lost for inspiration. I’m definitely ruling out aliens as a source of inspiration – I’m narrow-minded like that. Now, if only I had a magic 8 ball…

How is everyone?

Gosh, I’ve neglected this site.  The past weeks have been up and down, I’ve never experienced such a roller coaster of emotions.  This last week has been back to the norm so I’m back to being my perkylittleself.

Apart from going to work, I’ve been a hermit (blame tiredness).  Resorting by means of Internet to buy clothes.  Of which I only brought two  – a three-quarter sleeve geek top and a band/fan-girl top.

The geek top was brought from Primitive State, whilst the tee was brought from MAM Store Merchandise.  Web developers beware of the latter site.  You have been warned.    Oh and for any IE users you won’t be able to view the actual contents of the latter site *shrugs*.  Surprisingly the packages came quick so I’m one happy customer.  Psst, click on the thumbnails to view the full, larger photos. 

On a different note, I had my month of fame.  The Hockley Flyer (issue July 2008) published a small section on me.  Above the page is a photo – unfortunately – taken after the award ceremony of me and the Deputy Chairman.  Next to that photo is an image of my brooch (the house one).  Then underneath the photo is the small written section.

JQA Students Award for Craftsmanship

On 18th June, choosing the winner of this year’s Award was a joint partnership between Marie Haddleton and Rev. Mary Gilbert. The work of Annie Li was chosen and she received a cheque from JQA for £150.

The Awards Ceremony was carried out in St Paul’s Church the following day and the JQA was represented by JQA Deputy Chairman Ross Bellamy.

I didn’t even know, my manager told me.  Nice surprise.

Earlier this morning I got my results from uni.  The nice postman Tony signed it for me (recorded delivery), leaving a note: “I signed this for u OK.  Tony (it’s early 8:15)”.  Thanks Tony.    I got three destinctions.  Woohoo!  I am absolutely over the moon.

Finally, I have made a less than mediocre layout.    Bear in mind I’m still tweaking it here and there so it’s not completely how I pictured it in mind but any suggestions are welcome. 

Now, I think it’s time to relax and enjoy the extra day of the weekend we have in England.  Have a great bank holiday!  Anyone up to anything?

• ND2 Design Crafts
• The Jewellery Quarter Assoc. Prize for Craftsmanship
• Weston Beamor prize for casting

Read on to know the nitty gritty detail.

As my previous post mentioned (referring to I Won, I Won) I had to call the office lady to say that I was going.  I was told I won an award the awards ceremony would start at 8pm (mAward y mum was told the same time on Wednesday).

After work I got ready and actually made the effort (less than 24 hours notice didn’t give me much to work with, I lack formal clothing…), I wore a dress *shockhorror shockhorror*.  Yes, that’show rare it is to see me in one.    My whole family came which was great, and the first!  We arrived a few of minutes earlier only to find that the doors were closed.  That could only mean on thing…the ceremony had started.  I didn’t want to go in because it’s hugely disrepectful to turn up late and interrupt.  We went into anyway and caught the very end of the show; the end speech.  My tutor came up to me at the end and told me it started at 7pm.  I could only stand at the back of the church embarassed and apologetically.  I couldn’t believe I had turned up nearly an hour late.  I don’t know how many times I apologised that night but I was thoroughly annoyed with myself.  I was introduced to…I’d know if I was actually there…I think, the people who gave out the awards.  Did the firm handshake.  My tutor then passed me my envelopes.  I stood there completely amazed.  My mum had told me I won two but I specifically heard “an” in the phone call so to win three was just surreal.

Later on I was introduced to…Weston Beamor representitive?  I’m failing to remember.  The pictures were taken and I saw Bobby (classmate).  Congratulations to him for winning the Sutton’s Award!  His work is very unique.  Congratulations to Chloe (classmate) for her award also, I would have gone to speak to her but I have to work today so I couldn’t stay long – not that I did anyway. 

That’s all for now.  I’ll probably post a picture of my dress after work, I’ve got to shoot off now.  Have a nice day! 

The manager of my previous GAP year job called for me and asking how uni. was.  He said that the camera department needed help and that I was the first person who came to mind.  That surprised me itself, I’m not a memorable person – too quiet.  I took up the offer and now my holidays will be spent like a full time employee.  Pretty cool I think, although I’m a bit of an odd ball.  You know, loving uni. and not minding work.

I have to draw the line though when Mom asked if I could swap my Wednesday jewellery job to Saturday, so to spend the weekdays working at the camera department.  I don’t know how private school pupils survive – going 6 days a week – but I’ll be pooped.

So I’ve had Monday and Tuesday off…score.    To think the security guard at uni. told me to take a break and not work hard.  That’s life though and I’m weirdly happy about working.

It’ll be guaranteed that I’ll be driving to the wrong place though.

*Goes to concoct a list of interesting things to post about*

[edit 18.06]Er…scrap what I said earlier, I am working 6 days a week.[/edit]

The only other person who can advise me is my manager. He said the casting would take 10 days, time which I don’t have. I’ve been given reading week to complete my medal. He had a look at my drawing and said it’d be quicker to make it straight out of silver, I thought that. He’s offered to let me use his workshop during the week (except Wednesdays when it’s my work day). The silver has been taken care of but I’m going to try and pay him back.

This is the schedule:

Sunday – Get ideas for the Adventurous Moissanite competition. I’ll also be working on those after workshop hours. Get my templates for the medal sorted.

Monday – Work out the metal thickness. Scribe templates onto silver, saw out the silver and file edges nice and flush.

Tuesday – Get the layers soldered together, probably not the base though as that will be engraved later.

Wednesday – Go to work like always.

Thursday – Get the base of the medal engraved. Thank you to the guy who’s going to do that (sorry, I can’t remember his name – he just got mentioned this morning).

Friday – File and get the medal looking nice and polished. Possibly get some texture but if I can’t then I’ll quickly get it done at university, where I can buy a texturing wheel.

Saturday – If I get the renderings for my design done then I’ll pick one for the rendering project which is due in on the 29th February.

Phew!

Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement.

<edit @ 4/02>Just remembered I also have to get a jewellery design rendered and make more designs for my saucer.</edit>