I'm NOT a Gentleman, this is why...

 

There is a humongous amount of information on the web about being a gentleman, and when writing an article this becomes a bit of a problem, however after reading quite a bit I managed to summarize the general conception in four categories and came with my personal description of what a gentleman is and how he should behave.

Sad thing is... I discovered that I am NOT a gentleman (yet), there are various things I have to improve in order to earn that title, Is it worth it? It is for me, it's a modus vivendi, a way of living and doing things gracefully. 

Do you consider yourself a gentleman? Check out this list and find out. Remember, you have to score ALL things on this list: 

 

 1. Social skills and behavior: A gentleman...
 
- has not good but great manners on the table.
- keeps a PG-13 language.
- takes success humbly and defeat gracefully. 
- offers to help when help is needed.
- is always punctual.
- treats bosses and subordinates with the same respect.
- returns the favor.
- pays his debts.
- knows that there is always an exception to a rule.


2. Appearance: A gentleman...

- cleans up after himself.
- wears flattering clothes (Regardless his fashion style).
- possesses at least one well-made dark suit.
- smells good.
- never slouches.

3. Personal relationships: A gentleman...

- is esplendid with his signicant other.
- makes plans with his significant other.
- always keeps his word.
- never kiss and tells.
- pays for a round of beers when out with his friends. 
- knows when to speak his mind and when to remain silent.
- gives advices only when they are requested. 
- gives compliments sincerely and often.
- listens. 

4. Tradition:

Now, before looking at this last segment, keep in mind that the statements here may sound sexist and/or outdated, but some of the things described are THE "trademarks" of  Gentlemanhood and they have endured throughout time and are also aknowlegded by almost EVERYONE, regardless, age, gender  or sexual preference.

A gentleman...

- opens the door.

- has a firm handshake.
- gives his jacket.
- gives up his seat.

And finally.. A gentleman always pays on a first date.

So, this I considered as the most "universal" list of gentlemenhood, 90% of them are merely attitude and few of them required money. I wish I would ellaborate on every single one of the points exposed, maybe in the future I will!

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to check my sites!

http://alekseidesign.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/alekseidesigncr/
https://www.instagram.com/alekseidesign/

 

Skull Symbolism: Why do people like skulls so much?

Have you ever wonder why the human skull is so vastly used? Not only in the modern world in fashion trends, jewelry, street art, tattoos a rock bands and such but also throughout the entire human history.

Hamlet, Shakespeare 

Skull symbolism is present in every culture, you can find that it in literature, major plays such as Hamlet, used in several art works by world class known artists like Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dalí, and even pre-colombian cultures managed to carve beautiful unique quartz skulls in a way we can not replicate today.

Salvador Dalí

Frida Kahlo

Crystal Skull

Skull meaning is beyond its aesthetics, it´s a symbol of our mortality, a visual connection of how fragile is our life and how certain and imminent death is, hell! even the most popular depiction of death is a skeleton in a black cloak, most commonly know as the "Grim Reaper".

Grim Reaper

So it's not about looking badass, it's about the fragility of our humanity and our fascination with death, when we die, only our bones remain, it is the last thing that time manages to fade...

Thanks for reading!

Don't forget to check out my stuff at: www.alekseidesign.com

Free for All

It has been a while since the last time I posted, but I have a good reason, my office job has changed it's way of work so these past days have been very time consuming.

I started this week with some cool shots from Finland! It is so rewarding when customers show their love!

facing dragons

custom made spartan bracelet

Meanwhile at the jewelry workshop, tons of stuff are happening, good stuff!

Brass anchors and silver skull

New rubber molds are coming and new designs with them! Making my own beads it's what will eventually set me apart from others bracelet makers, what will make my brand special and unique.

But... workshop work is not the only work! (I wish!) showing the products is a great part of it, share them on all social media and make sure to reach as many people as possible. That's why it is so important to have a little fun!

 

"Don't let any part of your dream job to be boring or dull"

Much work is coming, ideas are materializing, organizing is the key, everyone says, and I thing it's true! Time is precious!

Growing Pains

This week was all about growing, my Instagram Official Page reached 3000 followers this week, I feel blessed and humbled for the support I have!

My skills carving wax have been improving and growing as well, I can work faster and more confident, my fox bead turned out great, the surface is nice and smooth, and it will be ready for casting next week.

 And I managed to make some anchors as well!

 It is not easy to make a business grow when you have a full time job and a family, it´s all about mastering the art of timing.  I am passionate about jewelry, and also good at it, that´s why I have to make an effort, give the extra mile, see the big picture, work harder, make smart choices and above all... endure!

Custom made Fox Bracelets

I gotta say that carving this fox bead has been a great task to do, even though I lost my first carved piece, that actually helped me, when I started carving the second piece, I felt more confident and it showed.

wax block ready to be carved

The tricky part was to put the ears into place and make them fit so they had a natural look.

Fox bead

It still need a lot of work, but I am happy with the result so far, I still have to drill the hole for the cord, lessen the overall surface, and empty the bottom part. Hopefully all of that will be done this week so I can make the first casting before making the mold.


Don't forget to visit my site, suscribe to this blog and support my raft!

Two Career Man

As Creative Engineer of an international company I enjoy all the perks that an employee has, I have stability, private health insurance, possibilities to grow and so on.

I am very used to this kind of life, I have been working that way for almost a decade. It was never my plan to work for someone else, when I was younger I had a small company that failed miserably for a lot of reasons, but mostly because I didn't have the guts to do it all by myself.

Now that I have ALEKSEI, a small but successful business I can see clearly that in order to achieve my goals I had to become a stronger person. There are a lot clichés about being an entrepreneur, but I can say that self-confidence and perseverance  is what makes the difference, well, at least in my case.

I used to mock people that didn't know what they wanted in life, in my 20's I had all figured out in my head, but now that I am 30-something, I am in front of a sea of choices and I have no idea where I am heading, but I love that!

 If have my family's love and my health with me, I don't really care where I'm going as long as they come with me!

"I am the Master of my Fate, I am the Captain of my soul"

Invictus

The next step: Wax Casting my own beads

I have been taking a wax casting workshop for a while now, even though I have great bead suppliers, I feel that I have to do this to be taken seriously as a jewelry designer.

if you want to check my brass anchor bracelet you can check here:
http://alekseidesign.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=95

And here for my sterling silver Limited Edition Bracelet:
http://alekseidesign.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=99

But the main reason is because I have always had a natural talent for sculpting things, even as a child I used to carved small pieces of chalk.

Yesterday I received an email, a possible new customer asking me for a fox bead, it will be a challenge but Im up to it! This may be my first custom made bead for someone!