| SM Publications |
| Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver. |
| SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales |
|
|
|
|
The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993 Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !! General Silver Forum
|
| REGISTER (click here) |
How to Post Photos
|
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 General Silver Forum
 Old Newbury
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Old Newbury |
|
middletom Posts: 467 |
posted 11-09-2016 08:28 PM
  
Hello, all. I've been away for some time, concentrating on other matters. I want to let you know the latest at Old Newbury Crafters. Chloe has left us to go back to school, pursuing her Masters degree. She will be at it for three years and most likely will not come back to us for she wants to teach. A Masters will certainly get her a job at a good school. We wish her well and will miss her a great deal. So, I am the last silversmith at the company. I am well and enjoy getting back into the thick of flatware making, but it is a bit lonely there. Dan, our finisher, is having big health problems and is approaching retirement, so I may soon have to do all the finishing, also. As Dan made all the hollow knife handles that job will fall to me, also. I did it many years ago so I guess I can pick up the torch again. We still suffer under the ownership which cares not one bit for the company or its uniqueness or its history. I have to assume that when I can no longer do the work the company will disappear. Very sad, indeed. I am sixty-nine now and though in good health I can't depend on that lasting forever. My best to all, Geoff Blake IP: Logged |
|
Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 11-10-2016 09:39 AM
Welcome back Geoff. I am sorry to hear that Chloe has returned to school and is not likely to return. I would think that her time with you learning about silver smithing and the overall business would be worth more than any Master's degree, but if that is what she wants then I guess it is for the best for her. It is sad to hear that you are the last smith, and may soon be the last smith and finisher. I can only wish the owner wakes up and acts before it is too late to save such an historic workshop. On the positive side he has not just closed the place down entirely. best, IP: Logged |
|
asheland Posts: 935 |
posted 11-10-2016 10:21 AM
Glad to see you posting Geoff. I am also sorry to hear she left the shop. I hope things turn around and they get some new silversmiths in there. IP: Logged |
|
middletom Posts: 467 |
posted 11-13-2016 10:43 PM
The problem here is that the owner will never wake up and correct the situation. He apparently has no real interest in the company except being able to tell people he owns a silver company. The other thought which may be closer to the facts is that he is allowing it to go down hill so he can write off the losses on taxes. It is my understanding that there is a gentleman who wants to buy the company and build it up, but the owner does not refuse to sell, he refuses to even acknowledge the communication from the prospective buyer. It is discouraging to me to be the last one. I would like to pass this craft on to someone else for I feel it must survive. The present owner is not the one to make that happen. Geoff Blake IP: Logged |
|
Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 11-14-2016 09:05 AM
Do you know who the potential buyer might be? IF you are the last silver smith and soon will be the last finisher, you are pretty much the heart and soul of the company. If the owner will not sell, then one possibility is for the potential buyer, if he or she is well and truly committed, to try to lure you away to become the nucleus of a new company and have you be the Yoda for a new cadre of smiths and finishers? Were I to be interested in starting a new company that is what I would do. IP: Logged |
|
asheland Posts: 935 |
posted 11-14-2016 01:34 PM
I agree with Kimo 100% You have all the expertise.  IP: Logged |
|
middletom Posts: 467 |
posted 11-15-2016 09:46 PM
Kimo and Ashland, It is interesting that you suggest going elsewhere with the help of the person hoping to buy. I know the man's name but nothing else about him except he has big bucks. He has been interested in the company for some time. I have long thought it would be wonderful if someone such as he should decide to start a new company because Old Newbury is unavailable. That would leave the current owner with the name and the tools. I think it would be possible to replace many of the tools if one has the funds. I have no idea whether hiring us workers away would cause the owner of Old Newbury to give in and sell the name and the tools, but I would like to think it could happen. Well, I feel well and am still able to swing the hammer, so I will stick to it. I love making silver flatware and I don't golf so staying here is what I can do best. We have a number of Christmas orders, not the extent of years past, but enough to keep me working briskly for the next couple months. Geoff Blake IP: Logged |
|
asheland Posts: 935 |
posted 11-15-2016 10:03 PM
Whatever you decide to do, you'll make great silverware! I've seen your work in person on several occasions. It's excellent! IP: Logged |
All times are ET | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a
|
1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums. 2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development). 3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post. |
|
copyright © 1993 - 2022
SM Publications
All Rights Reserved. Legal & Privacy Notices |