INTRODUCTION
Melissa Peens is a local clockmaker from Pretoria. The craft of clock making is fading away, and little by little, the craft will die out. It is important to restore and renew the craft of clock making.
MELISSA’S STORY BEGINS
Melissa services and restores all types of clocks for a living, from wall grandfather clocks to modern wristwatches. Her Step grandfather and Father did clock making as a career ever since she could remember. Her father took over the family business but was unable to do so for long. Her grandfather needed someone to help him to stay afloat, and she then decided to start her clock journey by servicing and washing the parts and sorting the clock pieces for him. Her school aptitude tests result confirmed that she was made to work with complex machinery.
MELISSA’S CAREER
If you are not in rhythm as a person, then you will never get the clock to tick in the right rhythm. She has been doing this for sixteen years, after a ten-year apprenticeship. Her work comes first because time is money, every minute counts. She follows the motto “the early bird catches the worm”. With every part and every tool in its place she started to blossom in her craft. It took a couple of years for her business to turn profitable. The parts of the older clocks that she works are not available anymore. Therefore old clocks need to be purchased that are irreparable and then utilise their parts for repairs.
WHAT MAKES YOU TICK?
Having your own time, with no schedule, it is just you and the clock in front of you. To take on the responsibility and be determined to make the clock tick one more time. The most important lesson Mellisa has learnt is to be patient and to work with precision.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT
What brings her the most joy is when she makes a clock tick again. She finds it rewarding when the client’s face lights up, knowing that they have more time with their unique clock. The clock could represent someone that they have lost, but the fact that the clock is still ticking makes them feel as if the person is still with them. Melissa believes that this craftsmanship with time will fade away as the generation of today does not have the will or determination to take the time to learn the craft.
CONCLUSION
Shining the light on Melissa’s craft has opened my eyes to realise the value of clockmakers in the world. As a designer that forms part of the craft industry I feel I must emphasise the importance of breathing new life into the craft of clock making.