August 01, 2008

The Graduate

Summer Pastures off Hwy 42 Oldam County Kentucky

Mr. McGuire:I want to say one word to you.
Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
Benjamin: Just how do you mean that, sir?
Advice given to the young Benjamin Braddock played brilliantly by Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate"

Retired Jeweler: Im sorry this isnt going to work out but you have a great future ahead of you. You survived Charlie's and can do anything...anything you want
Hokulea: OK...I guess
Retired Jeweler:I will call you when I get back. I am sorry this wasnt my decision and I really want to do some music some Last Friday night, maybe next month... you will be working by then I am sure
Hokulea:OK...I guess

dialouge between myself and the jeweler I was going to be working with after I finished school. His boss got cold feet and told him to fire me. Im sure I looked like Dustin Hoffman did, stunned and overwelmed.I honestly think this aspriring professional musician might have been sorrier to see my voice go than me.

Its been quite a week here in The 'Ville. I wasnt sure this time last week how things were going to go when I told Charlie yet again that I was done with Jewelers school. He had been so critical of everything that I did and while he had been fawning over the other gal in the class, he had been ignoring me for quite sometime. However insted of trying to talk me into staying, he had bigger fish to fry as a whole crop of new student is banging on his door wanting to give him money so he printed up my diplomas without any discussion and thanked me for comming...

I walked out the door a Graduate Bench Jeweler, certifiable. It took a few days to sink in, but I am thrilled that I have gotten this far and cant wait to see how things will go from here.

I went right away to the shop that wanted me to fill in while their jeweler was away and started right in doing repairs and helping out in the store. They had moved to this location two months ago and are still sorting out the mess of boxes that contain not only the inventory of this shop but several other bead and lapidary shops inventory that had been bought on the cheap in closeout situations and was a jumbled mess. I was helping mostly to clear a space where I could set up a bench and space to work. I was also trying to pay it forward by buying business cards (which they thought too expensive...Free at VistaPrint hello!...)Personally, I think the money and brains lady owner was uncomfortable with my presence in the store because I know more about running a business and getting it off the ground than she does. But who is to say? Like Jerry said, I survived Conner's I can do anything and it will show on a bench test, I just need to get out there and find some place that needs my help

Getting my first (I did do some work this week and was paid for it)and last check from the shop was a surprise to me, but it has freed me up to think about other possibilities. I took up beading to learn enough to help out at the shop. I have a bunch of stuff here and people like the things I have made for myself, so I am going to take the supplies I have a make a bunch of stuff for a consignment shop here in town and see if it sells. I hope to find a graphic artist to make a logo for my "line" Firefly Designs and hang tags so I can market my designs effectively. After all this is new merchendise. I never thought that I would go this way but it is fun and I hate sitting around the TV with nothing in my hands to do.

There are 182 jewelry stores in the Metro Louisville area. There are also Pawn shops and gold buyers that do repair. I am bound to find someone that needs some help. I just need to practice my craft before I open my own place. It would be nice to have a mentor that could help me refine things before I go off on my own...but I am prepared to do just that should I need to

Woody went to work this week at a carlot in Neosho Mo about 30 miles from home. But there are not too many cars on that lot so how do you sell what you do not have??? pretty silly if you ask me. He is looking around for another place to jump off to and I am glad for him. He needs to do something to stay occupied and focused. He doesnt seem to be in any hurry for me to come home

At this point I am not either. I am still trying to find myself. This has been a trying time and it was very hard on me but I feel 100 percent better now that those certificates are in hand. they are a ticket to my new life. I am full of hopeful thoughts and prayers


My wall of Fame, Five Diplomas frame number six is for a blowup of my business card that I had printed

Labels: Artisans Fine Jewelry Repair, Business start up, Conner School, Firefly Designs, Woody, working