When my two current guests – a doctor with her own practice and her 17-year-old daughter – arrived on Saturday morning my studio As we entered the former stables of our half-timbered house, the gentle scent of a crackling fire and tiny shimmering silver shavings filled the air. This "mother-daughter weekend goldsmithing course" was a gift from the two of them to themselves – a shared break away from everyday life, from the stress of school and work.
The two first let their gaze wander around the room. Unusual hammers and tiny files, countless small drills and milling cutters, strange machines, and some historical equipment as decorations – everything had a magical quality. "So beautiful and cozy. A wonderful workshop atmosphere," said the mother.
By the way, my guests were incredibly well prepared: When I asked them whether they had any ideas or wishes about what they wanted to achieve during their weekend together, they immediately placed finished printouts of jewelry pieces on the table, some of which were really perfect for this mother-daughter course.
The mother wanted a jewelry set consisting of a pendant in the shape of water lily leaves and matching earrings. She had seen it somewhere a long time ago and hadn't forgotten it since. For her daughter, she wanted a beautiful ring in the shape of an opening blossom, with a faceted gemstone ball in the center. And if time allowed, perhaps a small pendant made of delicate silver blossoms.
The hours flew by. The two worked side by side, constantly sharing their experiences and enthusiasm about the progress of their work. The mother helped her daughter clamp the sawblades, and both immediately got to work with intense concentration.
When they finally held their finished pieces of jewelry in their hands on Sunday afternoon, they looked at each other with pride. With the water lily jewelry set, their mother's long-held wish had come true. The daughter's delicate ring glittered in the light. "It's perfect," she said quietly.
As the two happy jewelry owners said goodbye to me, they gave me another wonderful gift: "We'd love to pack not only our new jewelry, but you too." Could there be a greater reward for a weekend like this?
As they made their way home together, the delicate, feminine ring sparkled on the daughter's hand and the mother's jewelry set felt just as fabulous on her - all symbols of a weekend full of closeness, patience and the art of transforming special moments into hand-crafted pieces of jewelry made of silver and gemstones.
In the end, it is hardly surprising that the daughter has a very special career aspiration:
She wants to become a goldsmith.