Well the latest is;
I've applied for numerous positions without much luck. Three jewellery positions have come up.
When I applied for a part time position in a small town, they took one look at my CV and thought I was joking. They haven't taken me seriously since, well that is what I assume as they haven't been in touch.
The Signet Group (Ernest Jones) aren't interested at all. And I have formally been rejected by them. One thing I learnt working around the corner from a branch, is that they could do with someone like me.
Another independent retailer would like me to do everything I can for them, using every skill set I have, with no flexibility, a half hour lunch break, 2 hour commute and just under £7/hour. Unfortunately this isn't enough, even though it would be fun and there is no possibility of advancement.
So what do I do now? Do I work in a job with no relation to jewellery whatsoever? I can't do that. Self employment is definitely the route for me. My wife has managed to secure a full time local job, and this has relieved an awful lot of pressure from me. Breathing space is certainly appreciated. I've been referred onto the DWP's New Enterprise Scheme through the job centre. In Devon this is provided by Business Information Point Devon, which luckily for me, is just up the road from me in Okehampton. They offer a business mentoring program and help with finding and applying for funding.
I have to provide them with a comprehensive series of completed worksheets and a business plan, which they will review, and then onwards an upwards.
I fully intend to use every part of my knowledge and experience in my new venture. Everything from jewellery and silverware repairs to buying and selling, valuations and commissions to name but a few. I'm coming out fighting!
Why am I sharing all this with you? For many years I have provided help and advice to people starting out in this industry and acknowledge how tricky it is. Now is another phase. What next? Hopefully this will provide a bit of an insight as to what is involved, the highs and lows and hopefully a success story at the end. I'm very lucky to have a few positive people around me that have agreed to "tell me straight" when I need it.
Take care,
Damian
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Saturday, 7 June 2014
All change
Change is good. Probably the best thing that'll happen to me. I'll be fine. It's just the shove you need. These are the first things that people tell you when you announce that you've been made redundant. This is what has happened to me.
I've been with my last employer, Brufords of Exeter, for just over 19 years, but in March I was given the news that the business was to close after 115 years trading due to redevelopment of the Guildhall Shopping Centre where the business was based. Well that was a shock. I had suspicions of course, but the confirmation, that was a different thing all together. I had sold people their engagement rings, wedding rings, eternity rings, Christening presents for their children and just recently an 18th birthday present. I'd been through all the landmarks of their lives. No more.
All of the staff worked through a pretty rigorous closing down sale for about 6 weeks and managed to clear all but 3 small pieces of stock. Then the clear out began. All of the "come in handy bits" and surplus display, packaging and everything else was thrown out and recycled where possible. Then packing up the final bits and pieces to move to an office for the winding down of the business.
What now? What do I do? in the local area (Devon) there aren't any full time positions available for me and the multiples think I'm taking the mick when I apply and they see my CV. What can I do that will keep me interested? How can I combine all of my skills and knowledge? I'm jewellery through and through, I love this trade and I don't want to leave it. People think that my redundancy package is enough to set up a shop of my own. They seem surprised when I tell them how much it is likely to cost.
Well, I think self employment is the only option. I want to keep my plan slightly fluid so I can adapt as needed. I have a few ideas but I'll keep you posted.
Take care,
Damian
I've been with my last employer, Brufords of Exeter, for just over 19 years, but in March I was given the news that the business was to close after 115 years trading due to redevelopment of the Guildhall Shopping Centre where the business was based. Well that was a shock. I had suspicions of course, but the confirmation, that was a different thing all together. I had sold people their engagement rings, wedding rings, eternity rings, Christening presents for their children and just recently an 18th birthday present. I'd been through all the landmarks of their lives. No more.
All of the staff worked through a pretty rigorous closing down sale for about 6 weeks and managed to clear all but 3 small pieces of stock. Then the clear out began. All of the "come in handy bits" and surplus display, packaging and everything else was thrown out and recycled where possible. Then packing up the final bits and pieces to move to an office for the winding down of the business.
What now? What do I do? in the local area (Devon) there aren't any full time positions available for me and the multiples think I'm taking the mick when I apply and they see my CV. What can I do that will keep me interested? How can I combine all of my skills and knowledge? I'm jewellery through and through, I love this trade and I don't want to leave it. People think that my redundancy package is enough to set up a shop of my own. They seem surprised when I tell them how much it is likely to cost.
Well, I think self employment is the only option. I want to keep my plan slightly fluid so I can adapt as needed. I have a few ideas but I'll keep you posted.
Take care,
Damian
Thursday, 29 May 2014
Tips and tricks
O.K., right where do I start this one? There are many little bits of information, tips, tricks and techniques that you pick up over the years that make life in this trade just a little easier. Many of these aren't in any published texts or they are scattered far and wide.
I hoping I can share a few random bits now and a few more as we go along. The things I take for granted were recently highlighted by a friends need. This post will deal with watches and clocks in particular but there are more to come. Please understand that many of these processes use chemicals and acids. ALWAYS read the warnings on any chemicals and stick to them! Warnings are there for a reason.
How do you change the colour of a screw or fixing to blend with existing screws or fixings?
If you are using brass, copper or silver fittings and need to darken them down you can use "Liver of sulphur" or Pottasium Sulphide as it is more correctly known. This is often supplied as "rocks" that can be used as they are, simply place an item to be coloured in an sealed container with a few "rocks" this will induce a light "tarnish" and may take some time. If the "rocks" as dissolved in water things speed up a bit and the colour can get much darker. To make things black use it with hot water and the process is very quick. Make sure that parts are rinsed off thoroughly or the process will continue. If you mess it up and need to start again, polish it off with tripoli and rouge, put it in a silver cleaning solution and start again.
Steel: Steel has been traditionally "blued" for along time. This involves placing parts in a crucible with bluing salts and heating. More often steel screws and other parts have aged and turned almost black. This effect can reproduced by imersing the part to be coloured in warm safety pickle or Sulphuric Acid. The metal will start to fizz, take it out rinse well and check the finish if it needs to be darker, repeat the process. Take care with this as it is an etching process and is much more difficult to reverse. If possible try not to treat screw threads and don't put springs or bearings in as it weakens springs and corrodes bearing surfaces.
Just a quick one.
Take care,
I hoping I can share a few random bits now and a few more as we go along. The things I take for granted were recently highlighted by a friends need. This post will deal with watches and clocks in particular but there are more to come. Please understand that many of these processes use chemicals and acids. ALWAYS read the warnings on any chemicals and stick to them! Warnings are there for a reason.
How do you change the colour of a screw or fixing to blend with existing screws or fixings?
If you are using brass, copper or silver fittings and need to darken them down you can use "Liver of sulphur" or Pottasium Sulphide as it is more correctly known. This is often supplied as "rocks" that can be used as they are, simply place an item to be coloured in an sealed container with a few "rocks" this will induce a light "tarnish" and may take some time. If the "rocks" as dissolved in water things speed up a bit and the colour can get much darker. To make things black use it with hot water and the process is very quick. Make sure that parts are rinsed off thoroughly or the process will continue. If you mess it up and need to start again, polish it off with tripoli and rouge, put it in a silver cleaning solution and start again.
Steel: Steel has been traditionally "blued" for along time. This involves placing parts in a crucible with bluing salts and heating. More often steel screws and other parts have aged and turned almost black. This effect can reproduced by imersing the part to be coloured in warm safety pickle or Sulphuric Acid. The metal will start to fizz, take it out rinse well and check the finish if it needs to be darker, repeat the process. Take care with this as it is an etching process and is much more difficult to reverse. If possible try not to treat screw threads and don't put springs or bearings in as it weakens springs and corrodes bearing surfaces.
Just a quick one.
Take care,
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Returns refunds and exchanges.
Christmas is coming!
The sights. The sounds. Great food and un-wanted presents!
It happens, you get given a gift that falls a little short of the new Aston Martin you wanted. In fact it could fall short of anything that might be thought of as tasteful. What do you do? Take it back of course. But it is very important to KNOW your rights rather than state that you know your rights.
Firstly, find out what the returns policy of the seller is. Most online or mail order companies are obliged to give a 28 day returns policy without question. This is for un-used items Some items may be exempt such as goods with a short shelf life, earrings, body jewellery, cosmetics and a whole heap of other stuff. The general rule I apply is, if you had received this returned item as a gift, would you want to use it (underwear for example)?
A retail shop doesn't have the same compulsory return time. The original idea being that you have had time to try the item on, feel the quality, check it over and consider the purchase, things you can't do without seeing it physically. Most returns to retailers are at their discretion with the exceptions of faulty items, goods un fit for the purpose sold (chocolate teapot?) or anything previously agreed.
Returns rather than refunds are more widely accepted, as the retailer retains your business. Refunds hurt the finances and also, my personal opinion, I think its a little un-ethical to refund to someone who didn't purchase it.
Now, don't think you can damage something and claim a refund because its faulty. Retailers know there products. They know when they've been tampered with and can refuse both exchange or refund on this basis. You could take them to court if you wanted, but its not a nice way to be found out as a liar! I have dealt with many people doing this over the years and it only hurts them. They take away their opportunity to do what many people do with an un-wanted gift, and sell it on ebay.
Rule one when buying. Mkae sure you understand the returns policy and don't buy if you don't like it.
Rule one when returning. Understand the returns policy and be prepared for surprizes. (many people buy in sales or faulty goods). I've had more than one person try and return something purchased 9 months previous that was half price in a sale. I've even returned items to find they were on offer when purchased e.g. a £20 book that was sold as a promotion for £4, and a train set that retailed for £40 sold as damaged for £8. Small fry I know, but you get the point.
Take care
The sights. The sounds. Great food and un-wanted presents!
It happens, you get given a gift that falls a little short of the new Aston Martin you wanted. In fact it could fall short of anything that might be thought of as tasteful. What do you do? Take it back of course. But it is very important to KNOW your rights rather than state that you know your rights.
Firstly, find out what the returns policy of the seller is. Most online or mail order companies are obliged to give a 28 day returns policy without question. This is for un-used items Some items may be exempt such as goods with a short shelf life, earrings, body jewellery, cosmetics and a whole heap of other stuff. The general rule I apply is, if you had received this returned item as a gift, would you want to use it (underwear for example)?
A retail shop doesn't have the same compulsory return time. The original idea being that you have had time to try the item on, feel the quality, check it over and consider the purchase, things you can't do without seeing it physically. Most returns to retailers are at their discretion with the exceptions of faulty items, goods un fit for the purpose sold (chocolate teapot?) or anything previously agreed.
Returns rather than refunds are more widely accepted, as the retailer retains your business. Refunds hurt the finances and also, my personal opinion, I think its a little un-ethical to refund to someone who didn't purchase it.
Now, don't think you can damage something and claim a refund because its faulty. Retailers know there products. They know when they've been tampered with and can refuse both exchange or refund on this basis. You could take them to court if you wanted, but its not a nice way to be found out as a liar! I have dealt with many people doing this over the years and it only hurts them. They take away their opportunity to do what many people do with an un-wanted gift, and sell it on ebay.
Rule one when buying. Mkae sure you understand the returns policy and don't buy if you don't like it.
Rule one when returning. Understand the returns policy and be prepared for surprizes. (many people buy in sales or faulty goods). I've had more than one person try and return something purchased 9 months previous that was half price in a sale. I've even returned items to find they were on offer when purchased e.g. a £20 book that was sold as a promotion for £4, and a train set that retailed for £40 sold as damaged for £8. Small fry I know, but you get the point.
Take care
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Do it right.
A very recent event has provoked this one. This is written as the result of a few thoughts.
You should always try and shine in your own right and not at the expense of others. If you try and bring others down just to make you look better, you are obviously not quite good enough.
The sure way to get ahead is to help and support others when you can. You never know, it may get re-paid. If you do it the other way, I don't think there is much chance help. This stands whether you are an individual or business.
"Never aspire to have more, aspire to be more." One of my favourites and something I try and abide by.
More of a rant, but think about it. It's easier to insult than compliment.
You should always try and shine in your own right and not at the expense of others. If you try and bring others down just to make you look better, you are obviously not quite good enough.
The sure way to get ahead is to help and support others when you can. You never know, it may get re-paid. If you do it the other way, I don't think there is much chance help. This stands whether you are an individual or business.
"Never aspire to have more, aspire to be more." One of my favourites and something I try and abide by.
More of a rant, but think about it. It's easier to insult than compliment.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Thats not my ring!
"That's not my ring!" How many times have I heard that when returning a customer's repair? I've lost count. When a ring comes in for restoration when it's usually worn out. A ring may get very worn and lose a lot of metal over 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years of constant wear. When it gets returned from restoration, it should look different from when it was last seen. After all the metal from the ring has been replaced it should look a little different. It's a bit like looking at a photo of yourself from 20 years ago and then looking in the mirror (provided you are over twenty). My money is on the fact that you look a bit different. Remember this when you pick up a repair next.
This isn't always the case of course. If you have an antique piece that needs a small sympathetic repair it should be almost invisible. I know of one person who always brings up old silver-set jewellery to bright and shiny. This is purely a matter of opinion, but I think it should continue with its darkened look and continue to look old.
If you had a spoon or fork from an antique canteen of cutlery that needed a repair, would you want it returned all brightly polished? Or would you prefer a slightly duller "butler" finish. A butler finish has had minimal hard polishing to preserve the pits and scratches that have added to the pieces patina over the last 100 years. This would blend in with the other pieces much more naturally.
Never under-estimate the time and skill involved in a good repair and always remember that a fair amount of judgement is used as to the right way to approach it.
Just a quick one this time.
This isn't always the case of course. If you have an antique piece that needs a small sympathetic repair it should be almost invisible. I know of one person who always brings up old silver-set jewellery to bright and shiny. This is purely a matter of opinion, but I think it should continue with its darkened look and continue to look old.
If you had a spoon or fork from an antique canteen of cutlery that needed a repair, would you want it returned all brightly polished? Or would you prefer a slightly duller "butler" finish. A butler finish has had minimal hard polishing to preserve the pits and scratches that have added to the pieces patina over the last 100 years. This would blend in with the other pieces much more naturally.
Never under-estimate the time and skill involved in a good repair and always remember that a fair amount of judgement is used as to the right way to approach it.
Just a quick one this time.
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