Personal…

I have been recently accepted as an ‘associate’ member of the ‘Craft council of Ireland .The ‘Council’ is the highest instituted in the republic of Ireland with regards setting a standard of perfection for the artisans and craftsmen to aspire towards.The Craft council of Ireland is a international brand and is responsible for both having the Irish name internationally respected also contribution to the creation of employment.However this blog is not to promote the “Craft council of Ireland,but rather to examine the ‘council of me’ The bar has been raised.

This award has brought with it a thought process which was unexpected.What is an award ? is it a piece of paper you hang on the wall or I tell all the followers and friends and inflate my ego ,or is it a tool which I can use to help the business .There is nothing wrong with both those on there own,but surely there is a lot more involved ,for me the above is without any merit or dept and is hollow at best.

What are the consequences of receiving an award,
? Apart from the obvious ,which is the object,what else is been said ‘around’ the subject.As I see it the award is saying a lot more of what is expected from the ‘degree’ ‘student’ .Let me say at this stage that I don’t expect perfection from myself or others ,but I do except(phrase from another fellowship ) “turning the gaze towards perfection”.

In applying to “The craft council of Ireland” for acceptance of membership I was making a statement about myself and about them .When presenting this statement I am saying that this is my work and I humble ask you to examine and make a judgement as to what standard I am at.Implicit in this statement I am accepting the authority of the ‘Council’ and the direction or otherwise they offer.Most importantly is that I present my skill and my product to the marketplace at the standard expected from myself and the “Craft Council of Ireland”.
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