Hello fellow Orchidians, I wondered if any of you would like to offer
some advice in the job hunting arena. Specifically on the recent
thread of apprenticing. I have recently moved to London, England
from Toronto, Canada. After 2 1/2 years of study in the jewellery
arts program at George Brown College, I’m thoroughly dedicated to
the craft, just inexperienced. I had my first gig at the Toronto
Outdoor Art Show and it went swimmingly, and I’d like to do more
shows in the future. But first, a job. How does one go about getting
an apprenticeship these days? Should I just contact the Goldsmiths
Hall and other local organizations, with resume in hand? Or do I
simply find someone who’s work I admire, and see if they will take
me on? These may seem to be silly questions, but I think someone out
there must have had success with it. I can’t tell you how useful
this site has been to me, and appreciate any advice you can give.
(Many thanks to David Huffman for his thoughts on the subject.)
If many of you regular Orchidians are reading the names of Stephanie
Morton, Judy Pottins and now, Erin Mac. They all have one thing in
common…which is! They are all graduating students of George Brown
College here in Toronto, Canada in the Jewellery Arts course.
Stephanie and Judy are and were past students of mine…:>)
Just had another young-minded gemmologist visit me at my office/shop
today, his name is Ken Byron who is a very youthful 70 yrs young. My
“youngest” student. I’m trying to get him on “Orchid”. Not only did
he take my Gem Setting 1, he is now going to enrol in “Gem Setting
2”. Some of my “mature” students schlepp far and wide from many areas
of Ontario…such as Niagara-On-The-Lake (90 miles away), London (120
miles) and near Hamilton (60 miles also). Every Thursday evening they
arrive on time. For what are their reasons? To watch, listen, learn,
understand and above want to familiarise themselves with the most
difficult aspect of this trade, namely, Diamond & Stone Setting. I
have seen Ken, for instance, nearly give up on the third night doing
some of my home projects, he now setting C-Z’s in my sterling silver
patterns with greater ease. I told him a part of learning is to
experience frustration, and he sure did!
Judy is my fav. student, ask her many four legged patients…D of
V.M. All of my many students of my many semesters come from a varied
walks of life, all with one goal, that is to learn this wonderful
discipline of ours. I am just their facilitator.