Andrew Abramovitz: Pop of the Tops

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Pop of the Tops

RECYCLED BOTTLE TOP EARRINGS

A must have ‘POP OF THE TOPS’ product for all fun-and-earth-loving people!
Being environmentally aware through recycling, a master goldsmith has transformed popular South African bottle tops into a trend-setting range of earrings that are unique and pop-art-chic.

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Andrew Abramovitz

Objectives

· To share knowledge and experience in goldsmithing
· To work towards a group empowerment in a dynamic, progressive and creative environment

Experience

1979 – 1987 LH Keder Manufacturing Jewellers. Cape Town
apprenticed Goldsmith tutored by two master crafts people namely Mr L Jason and Mr B Mossick qualified as a Goldsmith in July 1985
A member of the Nyanga East Art Centre. Exhibited alongside linocut, sculpture ceramics and art-works

1987 – 1988 MiLaden Berlin, Germany Journey Man
Experience in the European goldsmithing industry for 1 year. Created jewellery from porcelain

1988 – 1990 Jewel Craft Pretoria, South Africa Artisan
Employed in a commercial workshop. Combined as both sales person and artisan

July 1990 – 2002 Mandrelink Pretoria, South Africa
Established own goldsmithing business
Registered exporting concern. Initially produced handcrafted chains. Expanded to include rings, earrings, pendants, cufflinks, tiepins, tie slides and pillboxes
established exclusive clientele. Produced work for President Mandela used as gifts to various heads of states, dignitaries (such as princes, etc.) around the world

1996 – 2000 Technikon Johannesburg, South Africa
Lecturer employed at Technikon Witwatersrand in Johannesburg training students in goldsmithing, skills training
and monitoring of students

February 1998 – August 1999
Acting head of the Jewellery Design department

Education
1976 – Standard 10 Woodmead High School Johannesburg
1985 – Goldsmithing Diploma Olifantsfontein Trade Centre Gauteng
1999 – Registered for a National Higher Diploma (Jewellery Design & Manufacture) Cape Technikon Cape Town
“A study into the Atteridgeville Goldsmith Training Project as a viable solution in the beneficiation of South Africa’s precious and semi-precious raw minerals and metals”
2000 – Qualified with a National Higher Diploma (Jewellery Design & Manufacture) Cape Technikon Cape Town

Interests
Reading, theatre, cinema, hiking, music and poetry

Personal Particulars
Date of birth : 9th August 1957
Gender : Male
Marital status : Divorced (two dependant)
Nationality : South African
Health : Excellent
Drivers License : Code 08

Achievements
April 1996 : Invitation by Finance Ministry to exhibit at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (UNCTAD). Dignitaries and heads of states from more than 188 countries attended
May 1996 : Invitation by Finance Ministry was extended to exhibit at the Information Society and Development Conference. (ISAD) G7 - An exhibition primarily for foreign dignitaries and delegates
September 1996 - Present: Initiated the establishment of the Atteridgeville Goldsmith Art & Design Training Project (a jewellery school) at the Atteridgeville Technical College. Formed a Section 21 Company – Director of Vukani-Ubuntu Community Development Projects
January 1999 : Devised the skills test to determine the disadvantaged student potential for jewellery manufacture. 12 students enrolled at the Atteridgeville Goldsmith Training Project
May 1999 :One first year student winner at the Anglogold “Riches of Africa Competition
October 1999 : Curriculum written and laid down for the Atteridgeville Art and Design Training Project approved by the Jewellery and Precious Metal Industry Training Board
January 2000 : 30 students enrolled at the Atteridgeville Goldsmith Training Project
January 2000 : Invited by UNOPS (United Nations Small Business Development Programme) and D.T.I (Department of Trade and Industry) to join a mission to the jewellery manufacturing industry of Italy
April 2000 : Anglogold sponsors and commissions the Atteridgeville Goldsmith Training Project to manufacture items of adornment for the Anglogold/MNET “Faces of Africa” fashion contest.4kg of 18ct gold was worked in the township of Atteridgeville. A first in the history of South Africa
April 2000 :Full time employed as Director of Operations of Vukani-Ubuntu. Head of the Atteridgeville Goldsmith Training Project
May 2000 : UNOPS, DTI, National Union of Mine Workers, Harmony Mine, Free State Goldfields, Virginia Town Council approves the go ahead of Vukani-Ubuntu to duplicate the Atteridgeville Goldsmith Training Project in Virginia. This Project starts
July 2000 : Visit Bamako, capital of Mali on an educational fact finding mission. Studied the ancient goldsmith techniques still in practice. A wonderful source of reference
August 2000 : Former President Nelson Mandela recognises the development work undertaken by Vukani-Ubuntu
October 2000 : Vukani-Ubuntu receives the Silver Productivity Award from the National Productivity Institute
March 2001 : 1st year student finalist in the Anglogold “Riches of Africa” Competition
March 2001 : Mentored and manufactured 152.50 grams of 22ct gold for the Riches of Gold” Competition
March 2001 : Resigned from Vukani-Ubuntu as both Director of Operations and Head of the Atteridgeville Goldsmith Training Project
April 2001 : Formed own cc “Mandrelink Goldsmithing”. Start up capital from the Khula Bank Incentive Scheme
March 2002 :Closed Mandrelink Goldsmithing to be self employed
April 2002-2005 :Embarked on a journey of self exploration in terms of goldsmithing
2005 :Started “Linking Gold Thru You” specialising in corporate gifts
2006 :Explored other mediums using traditional goldsmithing techniques namely stylised framed artwork for corporate gifts, Gender friendly. Perspex tubes incorporating precious and semi-precious stones
2007 :Explored avenues using goldsmithing as a metaphor of self in group participation
2008 :Used scrap material to recycle into items of jewellery using minimal jewellers equipment. Goldsmithing techniques

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Pop of the Tops

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Mapungubwe and Origins of Goldsmithing

Mapungubwe and Origins of Goldsmithing

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