It was a very, very long time ago, but I still remember it fondly and with gratitude: I was very lucky to have the best trainers a goldsmith apprentice could wish for: Bernd Rips and Dagmar Kleimann-Rips from the goldsmith studio "the forge“ in Bocholt on the Lower Rhine. Many of my current craftsmanship skills began there and were shaped in the best sense by two excellent goldsmiths. During my training as a goldsmith, the Münster Goldsmiths' Guild announced an apprenticeship competition on the topic of “Classic Jewelry Design” in 1990. I entered my own design, implemented it, and my two trainers then submitted my necklace to Münster.
Of course, I was completely surprised and speechless when I found out that I had won first prize in this apprenticeship competition. I was so perplexed that I even turned down an invitation to a radio interview out of sheer excitement - much to the delight of my training company 😉.
I will always have good memories of this valuable and exciting time. Bernd and Dagmar: Thanks again for everything - and sorry about the interview 😉