By Month

I’ve only just started my holiday today and already I can’t wait to go back to uni, I’m rearing to go. It may well be because I’m bored and want something to do or the fact that I genuinely love the course. Possible even the fact that I’m high on tea, thus my mind is thinking things, which in a “sober” state it wouldn’t.

Seriously can’t sit still…have to be doing something. (Yes, I realise that, again, it might be the tea.)

In all seriousness though, have any of you felt like that? No? Just me then? Okay.

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]

I “officially” finish uni. today and have to wait eagerly for my results, which won’t come through until September! Cross fingers for three distinctions.

If I still need to finish off old projects then I can do that next Monday and/or Tuesday so that’s why officially is put in quotation marks.

I’m still to get my fine jewellery brooch back and I have to have that back today. Eep, I’m anxious about that and shall go to see him. I’ve been waiting weeks to see the end product. Hopefully I’ll get that back before the exhibition works, it’s one of the very few pieces I’m actually proud of.

Next Wednesday is the family-friend exhibition but I can’t be there because I’ll be too tired after work - we all know that’s a sign to not drive. My family will be busy and my friend will probably finish work late. On the Thursday that week I’m going to be at uni. to sit around playing on Brain Training greet visitors going to see the exhibition. Luckily I’m doing that day because I have to be there - I think it’s that Thursday anyway. The invigilators (right word?) are coming. As long as I don’t look bored - because that’s polite - then all will be good. I’ll also be in on Friday - feels like a work shift and I’ve already had a shift swap - to play hostess, or something like that. What am I actually meant to do?

I’ll be as free as a bird unless I receive a letter/call from uni. telling me to get my butt in, for whatever reason.

As I’ve posted before I was having doubts about starting the higher course but after a lot of talking to my colleagues and family, I’ve decided to go. It’ll be great in a very swotty way, plus, I’m going to actually earn my own money rather than scrounge of my dad so two thumbs up!

I’ll write more soon. 

I kind of (understatement much?) defeated the purpose of having a site. My intention was to showcase my work and post entries on the process. I failed. Miserably.

So, here I am, with work to show you. As the title says it’s my final project, where we - the students - get to chose what we make. With lots of sampling and test pieces my end product is a series of brooches.

The one above is the first of the two. I’m not happy with it because the collective coffin-type-based-prisms are meant to go in a circle but it doesn’t. One of the joints is throwing the circle off. I’ll have to sort that out tomorrow. Even though the piece doesn’t look it, it is in fact made with silver and a singular 18ct yellow gold bit, with a bit of polishing the precious metals will glisten. The brooch pin will hopefully be done tomorrow.

That’s the second one I made. It’s half-polished. The barrel polisher didn’t quite do the job so I’m going to do a bit of buffing and then slap it in the polisher again. Again, the brooch pin is not yet attached.

Yep, that’s it for now. I’ve got a week left to kill so I’ll be finishing off one other project and waiting eagerly for my fine jewellery brooch. I really can’t wait to get it back.

Uni. is almost over, for the final year students that can only mean one thing. Exhibitions. My tutor and I have decided that out of the projects I’ve done, roughly, six of them will be displayed - individually 10 pieces. These include but will, potentially, not be limited to:

• Brooch of the Osaka Castle (a bit part of the castle in Japan);
• My pendant on a snake chain;
• Another brooch I made for my final first year project (the one with the window and cute little curtains);
• The hair slide which was the second piece I made for the final;
• Third brooch from the fine jewellery project. I’ll get that back next week sometime, with the stones set ;
• Cup, saucer and spoon, which I still need to finish;
• The two brooches which are a working production. Buffing is going to be the death of me, I’ve been trying the get the finish for the bits and bobs done for a couple of weeks.

I think that’s it. You’ll have to excuse this image-less post, my pieces are in my locker and I didn’t take pictures of them. *palmface* Oo, you could click on Photography Is Fun because that post will have images of some pieces I’m referring to. :)  If you’re a dial-up user then keep in mind that that post is image heavy, if you wish not to view it then I hope my descriptions weren’t too dire. 

I’m actually quite excited about the exhibitions because I’ll get my own display box - well, if you count one floor of a display box as a box… Apart from having to finish off this project and the silversmithing one, they’re all ready. All I need to think about now is how I’m going to display the pieces, and make a business card. I’ve pictured how I want it (business card) to look I just need my fine jewellery brooch back.

Apart from the 11th June - which is family-friends only - all exhibitions are open for all to see. Just hop to the School Of Jewellery. You’ll get to see the amazing work of the final year NDs, HNDs, MAs (?) and BAs. The next couple of weeks are going to be chaos but it’ll be worth it.

Just one question, it’s not a live or die question but do you think I should go for a landscape or portrait business card?

As a final note, all the best with your exams, everyone.