My early work

[Goldsmith]

Theresa asked on the competition pages, for me to show some of my early work. Well when I started my career I was making regalia from my apprenticeship starting 1961 till I changed employment in 1976.
This is some of the regalia I made during the first part of my career, the first badge was my end of apprenticeship masterpiece which I made at the age of 20 in early 1967. I will add that everything was made by hand, no casting whatsoever.



James

[Nick martin]

Very impressive stuff there James, of a quality I can only dream of achieving. I'm sure you must be very proud of the work you've completed over the years.

Nick

[metalsmith]

They're "the business" ... perfect!

[theresa]

Theresa asked on the competition pages, for me to show some of my early work. Well when I started my career I was making regalia from my apprenticeship starting 1961 till I changed employment in 1976.
This is some of the regalia I made during the first part of my career, the first badge was my end of apprenticeship masterpiece which I made at the age of 20 in early 1967. I will add that everything was made by hand, no casting whatsoever.



James

Wonderful work James, especially at so young an age! Are apprenticeships of this standard still on offer?
If I had my time over again, I would certainly take a different path.

[Goldsmith]

Wonderful work James, especially at so young an age! Are apprenticeships of this standard still on offer?
If I had my time over again, I would certainly take a different path.

Yes Theresa, apprenticeships are still on offer. The Goldsmiths Company see; http://www.goldsmiths-centre.org/pro...ship-programme
My apprenticeship was an indentured apprenticeship, which means it was linked and officiated by the Goldsmiths Company.
To follow on with my early work, when I left my first employer in 1976, I was given the opportunity to expand my skills and make different work. The company that I joined had been formed by ex Cartier goldsmiths and had started making Faberge type work in London. These are some of the pieces I made in my first couple of years at this new company, McCabe McCarty Ltd. I worked there from 1976 to 1985.



James

[theresa]

Words fail me, I can only express my deepest admiration for such exquisite work....