You’d think that a working in a jewellery shop would be drama-free – unless, of course, there was some robbery or something going on.  Well, not today.

Drama #1

Today I was urgently called into the shop – I don’t normally work Saturdays.  Apparently a customer was throwing a hissy fit due to the fact that her ring hadn’t been finished.  I would usually think “fair enough, it was a week or two since you brought it in” but not this time.  You see my manager is in hospital (Get better soon!)), which was explained to the customer but she (he?¹) wasn’t having any of it and was told her ring would be ready in the afternoon.  I came immediately after the urgent phone call – before 9:30-10am² – polished and rhodium plated the ring.  However whilst putting the finishing touches to the customer’s ring, she came in… ??? What the…it wasn’t even half 10 yet!  Luckily I was just wiping the ring dry by that time.

Drama #2

I started finishing off the polishing jobs which my manager was unable to complete.  Putting the jobs aside for a moment to rub polishing dirt off my clothes³, the door bell rang ( it rings every time the door opens) and I heard a woman sounding traumatised.  I continue on with the polishing as the front of the shop is not a place I should really be.  Then, one of the shop assistants walked in, asked me if I could quickly size a ring down.  I’ve been told that customer was in tears and her husband was acting quite aggressively towards another shop assistant – that’s a story I can’t go into as I don’t exactly know what happened.  Obligingly, I modified the ring and polished.  Job done.  Everyone’s happy, relieved or less annoyed.

Drama #3

There were so many spectacles that I was wondering what on Earth was going on?  Were we being Punk’d or something?  Anyway, one customer came in complaining about a her broken necklace, which had been brought from us about a week ago.  My problem was that when I was given it to repair, the necklace didn’t look right – I know it’s broke therefore it wouldn’t look right.  I mean, the break just didn’t seem normal.  Imagine a necklace made from rose gold and built as a series of links (3 rings then an oval, repeat).  If one of the links had split itself then the original joint would have just split, without any distortion in shape.  However, this link was bent out of shape and split.  Unless the laws of science changed then it wouldn’t be possible.  Something must happened to make the split happen in the first place.  Oh well, it’s been fixed and polished ready for pick up.

All these incidents, and some smaller ones happened before the afternoon.  I was allowed to go home just after 12pm so I could only imagine what may have happened after.  Never in my time working at the shop had I needed to do so many expresso jobs.  Actually that’s not true, I’ve done a few chain jobs but never rings.  So it was an eventful 3 hour day, and I didn’t cave under pressure *thumbs up*.

This kind of day could only happen when the manager’s away…

1. I wasn’t there when the ordeal took place. [↩]
2. Annie to the rescue!! *Superwoman pose*  Sorry, couldn’t resist. [↩]
3. Didn’t think to bring my apron.  I ended up smudging the dirt onto my clothes.  *Palmface*x2 [↩]

So, you think you buy a more than decent product.  Let’s say, for instance, a jewellery cleaner.  Decide a couple of days later you’re going to try it…only to establish that it’s ineffective.  You then turn to your friend, Google.  Find a home made solution and, voila, it works a treat.

Here’s a tip on how to clean your jewellery (I’ve only tested it with silver):

1. Glass jar
2. Fill half way with warm water
3. Add a stripe of aluminium foil
4. Then add one teaspoon of salt
5. Put jewellery pieces in jar
6. Leave for a few minutes, although it works instantly
7. For any stubborn tarnishes just repeat the whole process

Ta-da, your home made jewellery cleaner: free of potent, offensive scent.  Don’t be an idiot like me and waste your money during these tough times.    Much thanks goes to katlnhats.

Here I was thinking my days of being lazy were only going to get sweeter – with the exception of Wednesday when I’ll be at the jewellery shop.

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]

It hasn’t even been half a year since the birth of my site but I’m already thinking of a major overhaul.  I’ll still have the blog so I can continue my natterings – unfortunate for all visitors, I know.    However, the focal point of this site will be jewellery so there won’t be any pages dedication to bakery or music – that’s not saying there won’t be blog entries on them.  I know it seems like I’m pigeon-holing myself but I really want to be able to showcase my designs and makings.  Any non-related jewellery pages will just seem pointless and somewhat redundant.

I’ll start by attempting to design a better layout, hopefully give a more professional look to this site.

Phew! I mentioned in my previous post, Exhibitions that today was the family-friends viewing day. I didn’t think I’d be there, seeing as I had work and people who I really wanted to come couldn’t. I did end up going though, with my sister and my mum – my manager came as well. Unfortunately my best friend couldn’t make it (admittedly her invitation was very last minute), neither my brother nor dad. To be truthful I didn’t want to go because I’m not into award ceremonies or exhibitions.

‘Twas a good evening, it’s strange seeing my stuff on display, with my name next to each piece. Had to call for time off work just to finish my pieces for this but I’m making up for lost work time on Saturday.

A lot of people arrived, I really didn’t expect that many to turn up. Great atmosphere though and there was an amazing pianist. Who – not that it’s relevant – gave me a smile. There was a self-serving catering and free wine, orange juice and all that jazz. I would have pictures but trying to go above everyone else to take them would have been too much hassle, and even then I’d have probably got the back of their heads, hah. Being a short cake sucks sometimes.

Speaking of photos I’ll probably take them tomorrow since it’s my shift of greeting visitors. If that fails then I’ll try on Friday where I’m at uni. from 12pm until 2pm. If all fails then I’m sure the uni. will take pictures.

As for me…well I won’t have any jewellery bits to talk about until later this year when I start the higher level. Don’t know what things I’ll blabber about but I’ll find something.

Oh yes, and much thanks goes to Roger Moore who neatened up the setting, I was over the moon about my brooch. Although I can’t seem to get the finish perfect. Thank you!

[edit on 12.06 @ 15:55] No pictures available as cameras are prohibited. [/edit]