First stop - the last remaining glass button pressing hut in Czech Republic, located in Smrzovka. We were able to watch buttons being pressed and ground by the last two button pressers alive. Once they retire, new button production will be over.
After watching button production, in which Stefany tried her hand at grinding the edges of a button, we drove to the sales room to watch the painting process applied to buttons, then the main reason
we then drove to the sales room to watch the painting process applied to buttons, then the main reason we were there - purchasing of stock buttons. A good time was had by all.
And Phaedra had to come back for even more. just one more button...
Second stop - glass factory and jewelry manufacturer. Beads are piled in tubs everywhere. Not a pretty warehouse, tubs of beads piled on top of tubs of beads. Sold by weight, we have to fill up bags and weigh them to figure out how much they will cost. Turns out they are pretty inexpensive! Upstairs in the finished jewelry room some of us purchased necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
Always under pressure to keep up the schedule and not be late to the next appointment, Guy the time cop makes everyone aware that we must finish up our selections and get on the bus.
Third stop - a small cottage industry bead pressing factory deep in the mountains outside of Jablonec.
Unfortunately, it was too late to observe production, as the equipment had been shut down for the day, but the owner showed us how it worked. Again, the main reason to be there was purchasing of stock, and that goal was accomplished without any problems. We were even able to do it without being hassled by Guy to hurry up.
Fourth stop - a peacock finishing coating factory in Zelezney Brod. Originally we were told the entire stock had just been sold to one customer and we were going to skip this factory, but due to a miscommunication we ended up there anyway. As it turned out, there was stock to purchase and the machines were working overtime to coat all the uncoated beads a customer had purchased. So we were able to watch the production of peacock beads and buy stock. Fantastic!
Last stop of the day was to a fire polish factory where the faceting of pressed beads is conducted and then fire polished. Production was observed then the main goal was accomplished - purchase of stock.
Mission accomplished and the bus ride back to the hotel.
With just enough time to make a pitstop in our rooms, we all met in the conference room for a presentation by three Prague artists who drove up to Jablonec to show us their Viking design jewelry and titanium pendants and earrings. After being able to scoop up some really nice pieces we ordered food and swapped stories about beads and best purchases ever, then off to bed by very tired but happy bead buyers.
Another successful day.
No comments:
Post a Comment