My niece's U.S. high school graduate son has just moved to France,

[elleng]

to start the process of joining the guild to learn metal work like his dad.

His father does 'wrought iron work.' I haven't seen any of his work, but it appears useful and remunerative.

Do WE have any such traditions, join a guild to learn and follow in parent's footsteps? Maybe, I guess: I did attend law school, following Dad's and uncles' and cousin's footsteps!

[lapfog_1]

1. my family had an ornamental iron shop

it's hard work...



and artwork at the same time.

I enjoyed our trips to New Orleans to take pictures for inspiration

[elleng]

2. Beautiful!

[lapfog_1]

3. so much so that this exact location (a few windows down) is where

my wife and I spent our honeymoon.

Maybe not a romantic as Hawaii or Fiji or something, but if you like art, great food, jazz, and a good time, hard to beat New Orleans.

[elleng]

4. REALLY hard to beat!

(Italy was pretty darn good, tho!)

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Schools like this are pretty rare:

http://americancollegeofthebuildingarts.com/

http://americancollegeofthebuildingarts.com/Blacksmithing.php

The European idea of 'guilds' is, from what I understand, a good deal more comprehensive than American unions.

[elleng]

6. Thanks. Interesting.

And I suspect you're right, they're much more comprehensive than American unions.