My Dream of Becoming a Jewellery Maker

Well, I should have posted earlier but my internet access at home was not so good for the last few nights. And now its lunch time so I steal some time to tell you what happened yesterday.

First of all, I thought my dream is really turning into reality when I saw a position vacant for a Jewellery Maker in the paper last Friday. Interesting right? Without wasting time, I called the number and arranged for the interview. The voice on the other side said that it is ok if I don't have the qualification as training will be provided and I can bring some of my pieces as proof of my creativity or ability in making jewelry....No problem there.

Packed all my pretties (remaining ones) and yesterday, at 2pm I showed up at the place for interview. Nice place and jewellery on display and for sale. Salivating already...:). I introduced myself and apologize that I didn't bring my resume as it will be irrelevant with the post I am interested with....yeah! an environmental management and social study background wouldn't help me in this application...I think...hoho. And it was proven when I showed him my pretties. To make the story short, after some chit chatting (yeah the interview is very informal), I am hired on the spot! WOW! What a great feeling...feels like jumping up and down really.

THEN, we came to discussing the wage, a very important part as you know the current economic condition is not that good...fuel price increase, followed by others, etc. etc. at the end of the day, our pay is just enough to pay off loans and other basic necessities of life.

My shocked when I heard what he will be paying/month must have shown very clearly on my face as he did say "By the look on your face, I think you will not accept this offer" (Note: must try to hide my true feelings better next time). Oh well, this is the first time where I am hired on the spot in an interview, so its such a waste that I really really! really! really!need to reconsider the offer. To pursue my dream or........I did not tell him this but what he is offering is just enough to pay for my monthly car loan. So, you can imagine roughly how much it is.

I didn't know jewellery maker is being paid this low (less than RM1000k/month). Maybe its fair as he said, he hires inexperience people and they will provide all the training needed. Do you have any idea how much is a jewellery maker being paid? Leave me a comment...

All in all the interview went smoothly and I am happy to know this young man. He is a gemologist and the owner of the jewellery outlet/s. He is hiring 7 jewellery makers this time around for his business expansion.

Finally last night I decided to decline this offer (must call him tomorrow), although with a heavy heart. I don't think I can survive with that salary. If I don't have to consider the pay, I would have accepted on the spot. But that is life. We need to weigh between reality and dream.

Wire Weaved Cross ala Iza

In my previous post here, I have shown you this piece only partially. If you are a wire wrap jewelry enthusiasts, you may have seen this familiar piece of cross one time or another in the www. Yeah! This is Iza's inspired cross involving lots of wire weaving and long hours. This piece is wire weaved with 29ga stainless steel wire (yeah a bit stiff for weaving) over 19ga stainless steel wire but I am very satisfied with the outcome. Managed to weaved them close and tightly. The stones are peridot. The focal was weaved herringbone style.

What I got from Ikea

Found this vase at Ikea recently. Just nice to take photos of my my wire wrap pieces.

Stones from Hong Kong

Yippi! So happy today as I got these goodies in my mail. They are from my sister. She got them during her recent trip to Hong Kong.

Garnet - flower shaped and round.

Not sure about the light blue stone but the other two are labradorite and jasper

Pearls, I love pearls especially the coin pearls

Cat's Eyes - all perfectly rounded.

Tulip Brooch - Second One

My second tulip brooch was completed today. This time around with some changes, namely the focal bead, leave and the pin (shorter). You can check out the first one here.

Wire Weaving

Spent whole day today weaving wires. Something I have been wanting to make till today...weaving 3 wires together. Weaving with 29ga stainless steel wire is quite manageable. The weaving turned out quite neat and tight.
The first pix is a trial piece while the second pix is the finished piece. Can't show the whole piece yet....:P