Soigne welcomes Paul Tanner, metalsmith guest teacher.
Friday, October 22nd, 2010Soigne is please to welcome Paul Tanner. Paul started his jewellery career through the co-op education program at his high school in Victoria, BC. Working at a number of shops, he did a variety of jobs including casting, repairs and fabricating silver jewellery and silverware.
After high-school graduation, Paul continued on the path to becoming a jeweller by working for several companies in the Victoria area and learning a range of skills. He worked at company called Porter Bolton, where he learned mass-production casting by making the brass badges for Princess Patricia’ s Canadian Light Infantry, and learned repair work by working on items for Birks. He also worked at a studio called Goldman Jewellery, where he completed commercial repairs for 13 Peoples Jewellers stores. Paul then moved to Shimmer Design Studio/ Atkinson Diamond Setters where he learned diamond setting in bead, channel, gypsy and pavé styles, and continued to hone his custom work and casting skills.
After many years of knocking on doors, Paul got an apprenticeship with Idar Jewellers, where he completed a four-year apprenticeship in three years and learned how to make hand-fabricated jewellery, to do engraving and stone setting and to fine tune his casting work.
After over five years with Idar, Paul moved to Van Isle Jewellers and Francis Jewellers, where he continued to practice his fabricating skills. Paul retired from commercial jewellery after 10 years in the field, but continues to create special custom pieces for private customers, friends and family.
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