The Creative Dimension Trust Alumni Interview: Ilia Chakarov
Hand Engraving
Ilia Chakarov is a Goldsmith-in-training at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, which he enrolled on after completing three courses with The Creative Dimension Trust. We are delighted to interview him to see how he is getting on.
What course(s) have you attended at The Creative Dimension?
I have done Hand engraving, Silversmithing and Jewellery making.
What brings you back each time to our courses?
The thing that makes me come back each time is the friendly environment and opportunities created by the teachers and staff from the Creative Dimension Trust.
What skills have you strengthened whilst going to our workshops?
Discipline, resilience and attention to detail are the key skills that I’ve strengthened whilst attending the workshops. This has allowed me to grow my own creative knowledge.
”Doing these courses has taught me many things, discipline being the most important, as it has helped me develop my other creative skills faster and more effectively.
Handmade Silver Ring
Do you have a maker who inspires you to progress?
Angus Macfadyen, as he taught me during my first workshops (Hand engraving and Silversmithing) and has shown me many things which have helped me gain more inside knowledge into the trade I want to go into.
What particular area of art / craft do you feel you want to go into, and why?
The particular skill I would go into would be Silversmithing whilst still learning aspects of hand engraving, as they are crafts I can mostly relate to.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
In 5 years time I wish to see myself as an apprentice in the Goldsmiths’ Apprenticeship programme.
What are you working on at the moment?
Currently I am part of the Goldsmiths’ Foundation program where they are teaching us the skills needed to become a successful crafts person within this trade.