Annie

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]

Bleh…I’ve started this post numerous times now. I’m sorry if I sound thoroughly annoyed or as if my life is over.

Just to get straight to the point, I got my brooch - you know, the fine jewellery one that I kept keeping excited about? - on Saturday. My manager took the “unfinished” brooch, from the setter and I wasn’t even told about it.

Prior getting the stones setted, the brooch was finished perfectly and made to my satisfaction. *Gets off high horse* On Saturday my excitement vanished - I hid it well though amazingly. The stones look beautiful but, to me, the way they were set didn’t look very well done. I didn’t say anything because I don’t know how to set stones or how the end product should look. I also dismissed my negative opinions as me being high maintenance about my work. I went to polish the brooch and found that one edge had been bent out of shape. I was told it was because of the schla…German-sounding-word that I don’t know how to spell, or pronounce for that matter. I also found all sorts of markings on my piece which is what I tried to avoid when making it.

Today, I went into uni. to show my lecturer and she said that the setting hadn’t been done well. Another lecturer clarified that as well. With advise I was told to go see a different stone setter to see if he could neaten up the settings - pave and bevel setting. New stone setter said he could. It’ll cost me £20 and I’ll have it by tomorrow.

I am absolutely gutted, especially since that was by far the best work I’d done; and one that I was most proud of. As you can see (figuratively speaking…) I have no pictures. That’s how sad I was about it. I only have myself to blame, as I should really check people’s other repairs/work before I give them mine.

Woo, my brooch is currently in queue for being set. I have pictures of the stones but the photos are bad quality so I haven’t put pictures up.

This post has won an Annie Award for being the most pointless.

[edit @23:03] Oh and many thanks goes to Bali for supplying the stones. Now, if only I remembered the names of the gemstones. Let’s see…

• Pink sapphire
• Green emerald
• Tourmaline (greens and orange/yellows)

Gah, I can’t remember the others - that’ll bug me until no end. I’ll go find them out, my manager will know.

Thanks should also go out to Alan, who is going to set my stone despite have tons of other repairs to do. A final special thank you goes to my manager, Andrew for sponsoring the stones (if it weren’t for him the brooch would still be bare, heh). Thank you all very much!

Okay, this is beginning to sound like an award speech. Annie out. [/edit]

Warning! This post will contain a few pictures, so, heads up dial-up users ;).

It’s fun! Using the big cameras (yes, I know, I have the terminology down! :D) are a lot of fun, although at first glance they look daunting and heavy. The pictures I took from them were bad so I opted for my digital point and click camera. Now, what would a post like this be without pictures? Here’s a few out of the hundreds I took of my makings :).

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