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

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.

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]

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

‘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]

I’m in my second year of university and have – for months – been thinking about whether or not I should continue with the next level of my course.  Yesterday (Tuesday) I was approached by my tutor – Eimear, she asked me whether I was thinking of going onto the HND course.  I replied indecisively, mentioning that petrol is a weekly refill.  Also my job is more like work experience so I don’t get paid.  That justifies the fact that I can’t – independently – afford to keep the travels going.  At the moment my dad’s giving me money but I really don’t want to have to rely on him.  Plus I feel a little bit guilty about him giving me money, that’s besides the point though.  She found out how far and long I have to travel, to and from uni.  Let’s just say it takes me 1 to 2 hours to get there, and the same back.  Coincidentally another tutor comes from the area so she’s heard how the travelling is.  She insisted that I should apply to the higher course asking with enlightenment, “What could you do besides jewellery?”.  No answer left my mouth.  Eimear mentioned that she was shocked when she looked through the enrolment forms and mine wasn’t there.  She said I could get a grant and possibly live in Birmingham during the semesters, as an option.  Being persuaded is probably the biggest compliment I could get during university because it’s giving me the impression that maybe I could go somewhere with this.

End result?  At the end of the day I asked where I could get the form, Eimear said I needn’t fill one out, she’d tick my name off (VIP treatment or what, haha.  Only joking of course).

Today I went to work and was given a piece of paper by my manager.  It’s a flier about a competition being held.  Titled “Adventurous Moissanite” and subtitled “Charles & Colvard’s 2008 jewellery design competition”.  He thinks I should enter because it could open the doors for me.  I thought I’d give it a go.  I read about the “Professional Category” and “Student Category”, Andrew (my manager) offered to buy me the materials I needed.  *Shock* he must have a lot of faith in me because the price of precious materials is expensive.  So, during reading week (next week) I’m going to research and get some ideas.  For the “Professional Category” I have to make an “adventurous and dramatic” ring.  Should I make it as a finalist I will have to make a matching neck piece.  The “Student Category” only requires designs.  Still though, they’ll be a lot of work involved.  It’s a good confidence boost (:)), the fact that he complimented me on my abilities doesn’t hurt either .  It has to be said that I am a little weary because the deadlines are June/July.  It might seem a long time now…but it’ll fly by.  Especially since I’ve got projects and an exhibition for uni.  I’ll be optimistic, I’ll put all the effort and time it takes.  If all goes well I could be on my way to Hong Kong (love it there)!

I think I better ask for an entry form then.