BLOG – 35 YEARS AGO BLOG 27

Over the years I have “won” many certificates although I am not sure the term “won” is accurate. Usually, I am presented with a certificate which celebrates an occasion or recognises some effort on my part. Many have said that I should be certified and that is really a compliment. It is easy to use the computer to make up any style of certificate these days. I know this since I make certificates up for my Beaver Scouts.

I have been awarded many certificates for finishing a course, staying the distance and totally ignoring whether I understood what was being taught to me. Sometimes the result is just to obtain a certificate and do the least amount of learning in the process. Certificates given to me as a surprise are most welcome.

In my studio I used to display as many certificates as I could. Unfortunately, with the atmosphere being hot and cold with a touch of dampness and a leaky roof then as certificate are usually on paper most became unreadable with a couple of years. So, there is nothing on the walls now to shout out how wonderful I am, you will just have to accept my word for it!

There is another side to receiving certificates and that is to present them to others. For years as Editor of the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers I have presented annual certificates for contributors to the BSSG Journal. It has given me immense satisfaction to reward such efforts, and I hope as I now do that these certificates have found a space on walls in the recipient’s own homes.

Living in a small town where I was introduced to several members of the American Navy then on visiting their homes, I learnt what they meant when they mentioned their “Love Me Walls”. A space devoted to achievements manifested by medals, trophies, and the obligatory certificates!

For me now my favoured certificates involve a collage of customer orders and receipts!!!! Disappointing now that it’s all online so I must be content with various emails.