In 2015 I also completed a special order.
This time my 2nd son Thierry Christophe invoked my skills with Metal Clay.

He wants to give his girlfriend Melody Kong a pendant as a birthday present.
Melody lives in China, not exactly next door.
He is determined to deliver the gift personally and he wouldn’t be my son, if he wasn’t so resolute pursuing his goal, as I’m used to that. 

Early October Thierry asked me for this assignment and he had a clear idea of the final design.
He partially gave me free hand, however, a number of details were so important to him that I decided to involve him fully in the process.
So the design at least had to comply with the following criteria: 

A two-dimensional koala bear on a bamboo trunk
A genuine blue sapphire in a bezel
At the front depth and color by the application of UV-Resin
At the back an engraving in Cantonese 

Okay . . . which was quite a challenge.
​After all Melody is a slender young woman with a beautiful, sweet appearance.
Then you don’t come up with an oversized pendant.
No, the design must be in proportion.
 
So I have about two months, because he seriously will bring the gift in person.
How understandable, because of the enormous distance they have to communicate only through digital highway, the loss starts taking its toll.
He books a ticket to be in China with the Christmas season,  having at least five weeks with his one and only.
 
Great, so much love!
I can’t help but continue working and ensure that the pendant is ready on time and according to personal preference.
And despite my busy schedule, I succeeded.
​Melody  now wears the pendant.
 
Attached pictures show what Thierry intended for Melody.
I feel very proud that I was allowed to carry out this task.
 
Dear Thierry and Melody, I look back on an extraordinary, loving project and wish you both all possible happiness and love.
 
For always in my heart !

Over the past two days, Jane Mol visited again our picturesque Harderwijk.
Not everyone celebrates St. Nicholas, so we planned this weekend for a course level 2. Like the last time Jane stays overnight. This saves travel time, precious time that we need for the pieces.
 
Jane arrives in time and we start immediately. She feels not quite fit. Still, she goes steadily in the design of the pieces, using the required proper techniques. At noon we enjoy delicious sandwiches and at the end of the first day we enjoy a nice dinner at "De Boterlap".
 
The next morning we start early again with the finish of the pieces, including riveting, applying gold foil, setting the natural stone, patinating and polishing.
 
And despite the fact that Jane didn’t feel totally fit, she got it done! Everything is ready, it became beautiful jewelry. Two intense days filled with socializing, conversation, creativity and techniques.
 
Jane, thank you and good trip to Nieuwehorne.
Now on to your Higher Certificate!