I will be leaving January 1st for the Revere Academy in San Francisco
and will be doing the Graduate Jeweler Program. Just wondered if
anyone that has been there could give me an idea on how to make the
most of my time there or any other tips?
Thanks 
Brett Garrett
Hello Brett,
There are a lot of things to do and people to talk to. Time and
money are your only limitations.
Vaskin - teaches jewelry cad/cam, room #912
Ronda - teaches granulation
Haracth - teaches hand engraving, room #919 {I think}
Airelio - has an incredible photography tool set up room #752
Sheri - Makes the cad/cam into wax room #941
Plus there is the Masters symposium at Revere itself. There are about
80 jewelers in the building, most are quite willing {if they have
time} to answer questions.
As for the graduate itself, they are great teachers and will have
lots of ideas. I would ask Ronda to set up a schedule to work in
Revere Studio on the off days. Its a little money for a lot of
practice. Well worth the extra time.
Good luck and enjoy.
Ben
There are about 80 jewelers in the building, most are quite willing
We’re right down the hall from Revere (like 30 feet…). Alan invited
us over this afternoon for graduation… One thing I’ve noticed over
the years is how shy many students are. Maybe shy, maybe absorbed,
maybe not outgoing, who can say? So many of them get on the elevators
and walk around without much interaction with the others in the
building. I can’t say why, just that it’s missing a lot. We can’t
have students knocking on the door all the time and taking hours of
time, but on the other hand we are quite friendly and accessable,
too.
That I am aware of, in this building there aRe: At least 80 jewelers,
2 lapidary shops, a good 10 diamond dealers, two low-end color
dealers, two high-end color dealers, a large chain dealer, one RP
machine, at least 10 CNC mills, three induction casters that I know
of, a half-dozen laser welders, several engravers, one laser
engraver, around a dozen diamond setters (one did a million dollar
stone a while back). Otto Frei is next door to Revere. That’s not to
mention the people and the skills and the toys that all these people
are and have - talent, ability, skill, experience. And that’s just
the obvious stuff…
Smile, hold out your hand, and say, “Hello!”
One thing I've noticed over the years is how shy many students are. [snip] So many of them get on the elevators and walk around without much interaction with the others in the building. I can't say why, just that it's missing a lot.
I was at Revere for the Masters Symposium, years ago, and it sure
never occurred to me to walk into any of the other businesses there,
other than Frei! You don’t go to see one doctor in a building full
of medical offices and feel you can go say hello to the others. If
you and others want to encourage students to visit, perhaps you could
discuss with Alan having him tell them it’s OK. They aren’t being
shy so much as respectful of your professional space and time!
Noel
One thing I've noticed over the years is how shy many students are. [snip] So many of them get on the elevators and walk around without much interaction with the others in the building. I can't say why, just that it's missing a lot.
I’ve been to Revere several times (and would LOVE to return when my
finances permit). I have wandered the hallways, gone into a few
places to purchase some stones, etc., but I’ve never wanted to
interrupt a professional while they are working. I would consider it
rude. I hope that I can meet a few more people when I return the next
time. Instead, I usually make Woody and company rich - LOL.
Sandra Graves, Isis Rising
but I've never wanted to interrupt a professional while they are working.
Some things can just be let go of… I’m not sure how, “Be friendly”
turns into “Go knocking on strange doors”. That’s how some people
find that mentor, and others don’t…
The Phelan Building (as it’s called) can be a bit intimidating - 11
floors of marbled halls in a heritage building with largely nameless
doors in largely nameless hallways. But EVERYBODY goes into Otto
Frei one time or another - it’s where the football pool gets
circulated ;} Reach out…
don’t be intimidated by their certificates, or diplomas on their
walls or doors…they too are human…try and get to their coffee shops
where they hang-out…be seen, smile at them and say hello…after a
while they’ll acknowledge you back cordially…then ask them what do
they do?..then you can approach them one-on-one for advice…
remember this…they were in your shoes many years ago…you will build
up a nice group of tradesfolks to share ideas with.
Gerry!