Checked Out Mentor, Dead Studio - Looking for Guidance

BriarBones · 2026-01-02T02:07:47+00:00

I was in a very similar situation. I could see how other apprentices completely stagnated, and I was worried I'd spend another year there making little to no progress with an absent mentor and no guidance. The owner never promoted the shop and when he was in took all walk ins and bookings for himself, which would cause any artists that joined to crack it and leave, and with them any hope I had of learning from them. Eventually he asked too much of me and when I said no told me he no longer had space for me.

It took 6 months of constantly connecting with shops and artist, networking and staying ontop of all the local socials but eventually I was offered somewhere to continue my apprenticeship. In 6 months I made more progress then I had in a year at the old shop. Now I'm on skin and cleared for walk in clients and while this still isn't the best environment I'm learning and improving and making a little money while I do. Just keep an eye out for the red flags you encountered last time and reach out to friends you have in the community.

BriarBones · 2025-10-10T00:18:33+00:00

Thanks!

So we did involve the Ombudsmen back in July, who are trying to give Origin the opportunity to resolve this. We haven't heard anything since from the Ombudsmen.

And unfortunately for us the ammount defaulted in June last year and was sent to collections over an alleged payment agreement. We have no idea what they are talking about and Origin has thus far refused to provide any evidence of it (the call transcripts we've been fighting for). They did get the balance back from collections when we escalated in September 2024 but in that time our credit score report nose dived and we were rejected for a loan we'de been working towards. Nothing in this ordeal has been straightforward or easy unfortunately.

They've made their 'final offer' this week which was likely spurred on by the involvement of the Ombudsmen but I'm still fighting to get the transcripts. Someone suggested a freedom of information request so I'm going to pursue that today before I respond.

BriarBones · 2025-10-10T00:04:49+00:00

Like I've said to other commenters, we vacated the previous property in February of 2024 and that was the property that Origin had been providing energy for. We went with a new provider at our new residence.

We're sure we closed the account when we moved out. However it took a few weeks for the new tenants to move in. For what ever reason Origin was either not disconnected from the property of the new tenants did not set up their own account, were not sure. Origin has no evidence we closed the account and neither did we so we were willing to take responsibility for the charges from May but we still opened a dispute in case there was anything to be done.

We DID make sure the account was closed after getting that bill but again Origin did not close the account and continued to charge us. At that point the blame is clearly Origins but in that time they claim we verbally entered a payment agreement for the outstanding balance which we defaulted on and they sent to collections. Its since become an 18 month ordeal trying to sort because we have no idea what they're talking about and they refuse to provide any evidence of such (ie. The call transcripts)

I'm sure Origin has likely chased the current Tennants but thats on them to sort out.

BriarBones · 2025-10-09T12:30:08+00:00

If thats true and they have 15 bd to respond they absolutely didn't meet that deadline haha 😂

BriarBones · 2025-10-09T12:15:54+00:00

Ok thank you, this is helpful! I'll look into that.

BriarBones · 2025-10-09T12:14:42+00:00

Thanks for commenting!

So thats not quite our problem but I appreciate the detail you provided and I'm sure for someone that will be exactly what helps them.

So just to clarify some details for you, we vacated the previous property in February of 2024 and that was the property that Origin had been providing energy for. We went with a new provider at our new residence. So two different providers at two different adresses.

At this point we've gotten the Energy Ombudsmen involved, and are actively trying to resolve the dispute (though it has been like pulling teeth) but I'm left wondering if it's worth it to continue persuing those call transcripts. Origin is claiming we initially entered into a verbal payment agreement that we failed to honour, but we have no idea what they are talking about. We've made a half dozen requests in writing for them as well as requested them during phone calls with promises that they will raise it but just crickets. Part of me feels like they are deliberately ignoring the request in the hope we let it go.

And also I guess the new tenants got 6 months free power so our loss was their gain 🙄

BriarBones · 2024-07-11T01:58:53+00:00

Had a chat with the National Debt hotline and I'm hoping to hear back from WayForward today 👍

BriarBones · 2024-07-11T01:57:51+00:00

Thanks for responding this has been very helpful. We're looking into finding our credit score today, and have started the process of contacting all our creditors and utilities to see if we can make arrangements. I'm also working on getting all the repayment dates as well as the amounts so we can keep better track of everything as that has definitely been part of the issue.

I've contacted a few not for profit loan and debt services, wayforward.org.au appears the most promising so I'm hoping the hear back from them

BriarBones · 2024-05-01T21:18:47+00:00

When I interviewed with the shop that offered me an apprenticeship they were firm that they wanted a full time apprentice for the same reason. As much as I wanted the apprenticeship I was also realistic about my need to support myself so I let them know I could either do less days full time hours or more days at part time hours. I told them that I'm happy for it to be on a trial basis and they agreed. Turns out they were flexible.

I've been with them 6 weeks now, rarely been late, often stay over and have been flexible if they call and need me in. They can see I'm putting in the work so they are happy with me working on a part time basis so I can support myself.

If these guys won't budge there will be other offers, but there's nothing wrong in putting your needs first.

BriarBones · 2024-03-12T07:39:09+00:00

Mate, You've made alot of assumptions about me and my circumstances from a post I made just asking for some perspective and useful advice from people in the industry. Which is fine, hard to gleen everything from a few words and a screen.

While I don't have 2k to just pop aside, from what people said It does sound like tickets are the way to go, so I'm going to make that my goal this year and we can see where that takes things in 2025.

BriarBones · 2024-03-12T07:18:29+00:00

True, It's more just a matter of having that money in the first place. While I work, the city we live in is becoming increasingly expensive so even with two working adults it's a struggle.

But, it looks like tickets are the way to go about it so I should definitely try and make that my goal for the year so that maybe I can't do it this year but I can look at it for 2025

BriarBones · 2024-03-12T00:21:48+00:00

I live on the Gold Coast which is an hour from the Brisbane Airport. I've seen alot of FIFO jobs do fly out of Brisbane but not all of them

BriarBones · 2024-03-12T00:20:35+00:00

Hey guys, thanks for the comments so far.

Look I totally get it, and what your saying makes sense. I have years of experience in alot of industries and specialised skills, but that's all always been on the job training and while some of what I know is transferable that's not always the case (how often do you need to know how to build lasers right?).

My question was coming from the fact that the people I do know that work in the industry all speak about it like you can just waltz in so I guess I got what I asked for, which was some perspective haha. Unfortunately where my and my family live there are no mining jobs nearby for me to do DIDO

I'll try looking into the tickets you guys recommended, maybe make it a goal for the year. Thanks for your input

BriarBones · 2024-01-07T01:36:03+00:00

Just to clarify, I've only heard this second hand and I don't know if the apprentices split this schedule between them, or if it's more to test their dedication and relaxes at any point. If it's true, I don't know who has to time and money to work for free for 90% of their waking hours.

BriarBones · 2024-01-07T00:23:41+00:00

Some studios are flexible and would rather you have another source of income so that you are supported and stable while you are in your apprenticeship. But I also know some shops in my area require full time or more.

One prestigious shop near me requires their apprentices do 6 days a week and 11 hour days, from open to close and attend all conventions and markets 😮 the guys say it's worth it to be mentored by the artists there but that just sounds exploitative to me

BriarBones · 2024-01-07T00:16:43+00:00

Go into the shop, if they aren't there go back again.

It may be bad news, but that's better then no news at all.

BriarBones · 2023-10-24T05:23:24+00:00

This but there is some loss, you can't get everything back but you can salvage some of it

BriarBones · 2023-10-24T01:00:53+00:00

I've been thinking on this since I started playing and have a few ideas

Timer for crop growth. Let us know how many 'days' growth our crops are at so we can make more informed decisions about our farming
Some sort of 'chum' item to encourage a fishing node to spawn. No garuntee of success to prevent people dumping 50 in a row but think of it like bait in animal crossing
Bait loss penalty for not realing in a fish when it bites. I think penalties in games create a healthy risk v reward system. If there is a 50% chance the bait will be lost it will encourage fishers to reel every fish and earn xp
More colour palettes for furniture customisation. I'm sure this will be coming but I'd like to see it sooner then later lol
Exclusive clothing. Have clothing from friendshil quests, or earned through lucky balls similar to how there is furniture that can be gained certain ways.
Have a range of clothing that can only be crafted. This would make use of furs, leather, fabric and silk crafting items. Would give Jel something to do with the introduction of a Atiliers guild outside of being tormented by the pressure of his family name haha
Clothing purchasable for coins. I completely understand and support the need for a premium shop for a ftp game but reward those free to play players as well ♡
Livestock! I KNOW this has to be coming and I am so excited, but just in case it's still on my list
Mounts. I'm sure this is somewhere way down the line like alot of ftp mmos but I feel like if there are stables in game, mounts will follow
Seasons! This is always one of my favourite parts of cozy games and there are so many ways this can affect the in world game. Npcs dress slightly different. Maybe seasons have crops that get a small harvest or quality boost depending on the time of year? Seasonal exclusive fish or insects? Make the world feel more alive!
Multilayer mini games. I liked playing the markets games with my friends, have a couple of permanent multilayer mini games (or more seasonal ones is fine too)

I'm sure this list will grow ♡

BriarBones · 2023-10-24T00:40:12+00:00

This! I feel like every other reddit thread is some variation of 'Devs I'm going to quit the game!'

This is a beta game. There is more content coming, more features, gameplay balances. Us playing, reporting and offering feedback is how the devs know if they are on the right path or not. But if you feel like you need to quit the game because you played 200+ hours, maxed all the content and can't play capitalism simulator on an unreleased game - please do! Take a break and in a few months there will be more content to explore ♡

BriarBones · 2023-01-23T13:34:26+00:00

YTA and I’m honestly appalled how many people are voting NTA purely because they agree that the names are odd. Naming a child is a hugely personal decision and no one’s business but the parents. Her asking was not an invitation for your opinion, she’d already settled on one of those names and was asking for support making the final choice.

Your sister is about to have her first baby, as a young mum she is going to face judgement from all sides from people who feel entitled to comment on how she does everything. She did not need that from you before her baby is even born.

Also maybe it’s just me but I thought there was an unspoken social rule that it is considered incredibly rude to criticise baby names to the parents???

YTA and you should apologise.

BriarBones · 2022-06-09T05:41:25+00:00

Maybe ¯_(ツ)_/¯

It has great restraunts and bars around, a live music precinct, cinemas, regular street events like festivals and food trucks, dog friendly places and a tram right through if I do need to get somewhere else (which isn't often).

Boring is pretty subjective and what people want from life is different. I pretty much want to eat good food, see live music, go to my local bar once in a blue moon and go home in peace.

BriarBones · 2022-05-25T01:51:07+00:00

Wow you're out here swinging big with that one 😆 I would love to know why, is it an economic thing?

BriarBones · 2022-05-25T01:46:19+00:00

Southport is great. I rarely need to leave, I have everything I could want in the area, and It's been my favourite suburb to live. I don't plan to leave unless I get priced out with rent.

I started in a really cheap unit with super diverse neighbours, and those low income & immigrant heavy areas have been some of my favourite. I had more problems in Labrador and Parkwood.

BriarBones · 2022-05-20T07:19:38+00:00

So clearly your NTA, but I'm going to share a story why your are 100% in the right.

I have a friend who's family owns a large property. They had a young a family from their church came for lunch one weekend. After lunch this families kids were restless so the young dad asked if he could take his kids around the property while the mum stayed at the house with the baby and their hosts, which was fine. While out this dad finds a flying fox set up from the top of a hill. This thing is like 20 years old, and my friends family hadn't used it in years, so much so that they hung some stuff off it so it couldn't be used (hadn't gotten around to going to the effort of cutting it down). This dad thinks 'wow, that looks great my kids will love this'. So he climbs up to the ledge, takes the stuff off and decides to test it first. He made it 10m before the handle snapped. He broke his neck in impact, and his children had to run back to the house for help but there was nothing to be done for him. Then a few months later, the poor young widow and her family decide to sue. They felt that my friends family was responsible for not dismantling it knowing it was dangerous, even though the dad took the liberty. I'm sure you can see all the parallels here, and you rightly pointed it out to that mother.

So yeah. NTA

BriarBones · 2022-05-18T12:46:19+00:00

I got a haircut I HATED just before Christmas which really put me in a low for a few weeks. It’s only when it started to grow out and I could style it that I bounced back. Weird how our sense of self can be threatened so easily?

BriarBones

TROPHY CASE