Winners of the Ganoksin Orchid Raffle 2010 are Announced!
Many thanks to our friends at Rio Grande for their generous donation
for making the Ganoksin Orchid Raffle 2010 a hit!
Rio Grande is your online source for innovative jewelry-making
products, great service and technical know-how. Whether you are just
starting out or are a seasoned professional jeweler, metalsmith or
artisan, Rio Grande share your passion.
Also, a HUGE thanks for those who participated in purchasing a
Charles Lewton-Brain's eBook.! Thank you!
and (drumroll please).... the lucky winners are...............
$5,000 Rio Grande Gift Certificate goes to
Lawrence M Saber
of Sabushka Design, Perth, Australia
http://ww.sabushkadesign.com
It all started at the beginning of 1981 when I started my
Apprenticeship for a big Manufacturing Jeweller, in
Johannesburg, South Africa. After doing my Trade Exam and
passing it, I went to run a Workshop for a friend of mine (a
fellow apprentice). After a year and a half I decided to go out
on my own. As I had no tools etc. I chanced upon someone who was
emmigrating to the USA and offered to buy his tools. I ended up
buying his Company (including 5 Benchworkers and customers) The
first 6 months were a huge learning curve for me, as I sorted
the "wheat from the chaff", client and staff wise, as well as
learning how and how not, to run a business.
From then on it was all hard work and learning curve after
learning curve until I started to build a reputation for
creating / producing High Quality, High End Jewellery. In that
time (about 12 years) I trained 4 Apprentices and realized that
I loved teaching what I knew to others. I decided to start a
small school, as well as continuing with the business. Not only
did I teach, but I learnt from the students, at the same time.
In all I ran my business for 16+ years and mostly loved every
second of it.
In August 2001 I emmigrated to Perth in Western Australia, where
I was offered a job as Workshop Co-ordinator for one of the big
Manufacturer / Retailer Co's here. I lasted around 18 months
there, before deciding that the "Corporate" kind of environment
was not for me. I then got a job as a bench jeweller. By a
process of elimination ie: the Head Jeweller leaving, to go to
work in Italy, I became Head Jeweller and worked at the Company
for 3 and 1/2 years, before finally deciding to go on my own
again.
I really enjoy starting from a blank sheet of paper, to a
concept sketch, to a final sketch and then on to the real stuff
- 24kt Gold granules, Copper and Silver for alloy, maybe some
Palladium - Melting and alloying into 18kt Gold Bar / Ingot and
then rolling and forging and cutting and filing and soldering
and polishing, maybe settting some stones, final polish and
finally - that sense of accomplishment - the piece is done and
it looks good. Thats what it is all about
.....................................................
$5,000 Rio Grande Gift Certificate goes to
Robyn D. Kleinhans of Colfax, CA. USA
I have joyfully been teaching a jewelry design and rendering
class at the California Institute of Jewelry Training (CJIT).
I did most of the custom design and sales in a fine-jewelry
store in the late 80's.
I have just returned to the bench afer a long sabatical - I am
happily working away, waking up my skills! I first began metal
fabrication as a teen-ager. After getting as far away from
jewelry, and the industry, as possible to pursue other artistic
avenues, (rebel against the family jewelry business!) and raise
my own family, - I have come full circle, and begun to embrace
this as a wonderful gift!
.....................................................
Orchid Members - Please do your part and continue to purchase supplies, books
and services from those who believe in the magic of Orchid and Ganoksin.
Thank you everyone for your support!
Hanuman
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