Federation week 05’ at William Holland

I was lucky enough to attend William Holland during Federation week with a really good friend, my daughter Britney Hamilton. Britney had won a junior scholarship during Federation week. She couldn't attend unless she had a chaperone that would be attending the class with her, twist my arm.

We left Jacksonville, Fl at 5am Sunday morning and didn't stop until we got to Dahlonega, GA around 10am, site of Americas first gold rush. We visited the museum and at that time in the morning there were very few patrons so we were able to see everything in the museum in a very short time. This left us with plenty of time to eat lunch pick in one of the small colorful restaurants that lined the square around the old town hall, now the museum. Afterwards we visited the two local gold mines and panned for gold. I was very impressed with the mine tour at the Consolidated Gold Mine.  Before we know it, 5 hours had passed and we needed to make our way to the school.

Checking in, unpacking and touring the facilities took all of about 15 minutes. Now what, no TV, not to many people showing up right away, just two blank faces staring back at one another. 6 o'clock, dinnertime. Yea, something to do. By now most everyone had arrived. We fixed our plates and joined a crowded table and quickly started up conversations with everyone around. Let the fun begin. Now I know why they don't have any TV's, you don't have time to watch'em with that many people to talk with.

Monday 9am, class begins. We were taking Beginning silversmithing and our instructor Allen Jewel who greeted us and sat us down for instructions and the rules of the classroom. The classroom was organized and optimally laid out for teaching. Allen's beginner class was the basics to the max. We learned the hardest or longest way to do cut silver by using a jeweler’s saw. Thank God for the inventive nature of mankind to invent wire cutters.

        The curriculum was very defined and structured to let you combine learned skills as you progressed. The ease and assurance that our instructor gave to us made for an open and expressive atmosphere. Every one was at ease and the creative juices quickly begun to flow. Each day that passed, we all learned something new and each student contributed an insightful view or question that led to a class discussion.

        Tuesday night an auction was held with donated items from that week’s students and instructors. Britney got in on the action and scored really well on a couple bags of beads. I didn’t do to bad myself. But I would have some financial explaining to do when I got home, to the tune of  $120.00. I could already see it coming.

        The weekly schedule called for a half day of class on Wednesday. We all wanted to have an extended day of class rather than a short day. Good luck for me that I over heard of a possible rock trip guided by a student from another class for Wednesday after lunch. Britney and I ate lunch like piranhas and bolted off to the parking lot. Our guide was taking us to see some big lady up in the hills; I mean we went to the Chunky gal mine to look for corundum.  Absolutely stunning, what a beauty place, you couldn’t ask for a nicer collecting site or better conditions. Sun-lit valley entering into a canopy-covered stream with a cool breeze and trickling sunshine. We had a truly WONDER-FILLED field trip. The camaraderie of the rock hounds and wonders of exploring this extraordinarily beautiful site combined to create one of the most memorable experiences. One of those stories I’ll tell over and over again. By the way, we didn’t find any corundum.

        Thursday is auction night. Students and instructors alike are invited to swap and sell what ever they may in the cafeteria. I did pretty good selling rock slabs. Lets just say the accountant wouldn’t have to know anything about the auction. I didn’t have to pay off Britney either as she was doing some trading on her own with other tables.

        As the week progressed our silversmithing skills became sharpened and expressive Ideas were crafted into beautiful pieces of jewelry. I have an appreciation for learning the skillful ways of the silversmith. I need to buy a jewelers saw now. We really had a great time. The lodge was quaint, the instructors very knowledgeable, the classrooms well equipped and everyone you meet instantly became a good friend. I think it was all the more special sharing the experience with my very good friend and daughter, Britney.

Thank you SFMS and Thank you William Holland.

Jason B. Hamilton JGMS

06-24-05