BenchNews

So, a little about myself, a college dropout in 1993, I took a couple of odd jobs before a friend got me into a job polishing jewelry. Just 2 months after starting, I got the opportunity to attend the Holland Jewelry School, where I learned all the basics, and was able to move into setting stones and repair. From there I worked for the same company for 9 years becoming proficient in all areas of bench work, except the custom side of the business. This leads me to 2003 when it was looking to me as if I was going to get stuck being jewelry repairman, in which there is nothing wrong, but not the path I wanted to take. In 2001 I got the enough money together in order to go live in San Francisco for 4 months, and attend the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, a life changing, inspirational event.

At that school, I met the most talented people I could ever hope to meet, and I can’t explain how motivational that is. Upon returning to my home city of Charlotte, I started itching for something more, and when things started going sour at my job of 9 years, I decided to break out on my own. With the kindness of some old trade friends I was able to work temporarily until I got all the paperwork in order to run my own business, and as luck would have it slid right into contract work at the biggest jewelry store in Charlotte. Now with steady business and a free place to do my work, I’m looking forward, and am excited about what comes next. This website being the first step, a chance to share what I have learned, and an opportunity to take my passion for computers and bench work and use it as an outlet to gain some exposure, at the same time helping others get started or move forward in their careers.

That brings me to BenchNews, it’s a lot of work, and I welcome any help or advise anyone is willing to share. So, if there is anyone out there who would like to contribute please contact me or register on the site. I feel it’s innate in a bench jeweler to crave knowledge and to seek out those who are like minded who want to share what they have learned. If you feel the same way, please take time to come back often and see what’s new on BenchNews.

Lee Lally