Annie

If there’s one trait I dislike it’s confusion.  It’s not good for me nor anyone else.

Have any of you entered competitions?  If so, do you usually get a confirmation letter of application and then a letter/e-mail saying your application has been accepted?

Last week I made the most of my opportunities as the lecturer advised.  I asked work if I’d be able to have two days off (that’s the length of this competition), applied…blahblahblah but still haven’t heard anything from…well…anyone.  First I was given three days to decide on entering - I swear I was having a dumb moment.  Now I’m wondering what’s happening, am I an entrant?  Or was I deemed not good enough?  I need to know so I don’t waste petrol travelling to Birmingham.  The competition is next Thursday.  O.o

The site doesn’t say anything about when applicants will be notified of their acceptance, only “*Please note that the process of selecting and preparing competitors for a WorldSkills Competition is long and rigorous. Subject to eligibility, outstanding winners of relevant UK/National Finals will be long listed, after which they will be assessed alongside other contenders in accordance with our selection procedures.” - worldskillsuk.org.

Thoroughly shocked.  Three awards, three awards are staring me in the face:

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

Read on to know the nitty gritty detail.

Read the rest of this entry »

Why, oh why must I get bored of my layouts so easily? Read the rest of this entry »

At the age of 20 and almost at the end of my course, it’s time to really make a decisive decision on my future.

For months I’ve been debating whether or not I should continue to the higher level of my current course. My path is not clear yet; I have no decisive answer as to what I want to do.

Reality has hit me today that I must make a decision and I don’t have a lot of time. Earlier this morning I received a letter from my university, making me a conditional offer. I know I’m not guaranteed a place yet because my final project will be the defining one. You’d think, since I’ve been thinking about it for over a year that I’d already have an answer but I don’t. I’m stuck in two mindsets. I could only wish that my answer was an easy one.

I want to apply but there are problems. Money being the main obstacle. Although I have a job (very fortunate because it’s hard getting into the jewellery business) I’m still not gaining any income and with petrol prices increasing right before my eyes (at the moment it’s 104.9p), it’s going to cost me a horrendous amount of money for travel alone. Going by train won’t make much of a difference. Putting travel aside, I still have to pay for the course, precious materials, tools and potentially more.

Although I’ve managed to get through the two years and still holding the passion from my second week of starting this course (let’s face it, the first week always seem slow) I still don’t feel as if I have the backing of my parents. My dad doesn’t say much to me in terms of university but he’s one of these dads where you have to read his facial expressions to know what he’s thinking. My mom wasn’t too keen on me taking this course anyway, as she was worried that it wouldn’t guarantee me a job for the future. She’s right but that counts for any course, right? Although they seem alright with it all now I still don’t think I have their happy with my decision.

If it weren’t for my colleague (from my first job) and my cousin I’d probably have listened to my mom. Also, if it weren’t for my job then, I wouldn’t have been able to pay for this year or last.

I was going to see how the situation with work went - whether I’d be offered a full-time job because I’ve been getting subtle hints :P. However, I have under a month to respond to the letter.

What to do? What to do?

[edit on 22/04] I’ve sent the application form. [/edit]

Is this my future?  In jewellery?

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 :P.  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.