[Jewelry making - Article 00494] - Re: [Orchid] Certified Bench Jeweler

[sbright]

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    Hi folks. Interesting conversation.  To me though, joining a union is
    kind of like paying somebody for your job.  I believe you should be
    able to get what you're worth on your own merits.  Also, as an
    aspiring bench jeweler (who owns a blue collarish store which is
    about 20 years old) I can see it from both sides.  Bench jewelers
    don't want to speak with customers, or pay the bills, or worry about
    the rent, etc but since their hands build the thing that the
    customers pay for, they feel that they should earn $150,000 per year.
     If the number in your mind is any different than that, it probably
    is still high enough to represent a state of no worries.  I know this
    is how I feel. 

    Store owners, on the other hand, have to worry about all of the
    behind the scenbes stuff, they cashed out every dime they had way
    back when to start the business and now feel justified in making the
    salary they do.  I know I do. 

    The trouble, is that one can't live without the other.  I've yet to
    see a successful one man or woman operation.  You simply don't have
    time to do the work and make a friend with the customers, fix the
    computer crash, pay the taxes, deal with the watchmaker (horror),
    pull your own wire, etc.  I KNOW that as soon as I start mixing the
    investment for my casting, the phone rings 2 or 3 times.  That's just
    the way it goes I guess.  I do it for the gratification.  It's the
    retail side of my business that pays the bills. 

    Also, I have spoken to a few jewelers about a position in my store. 
    They all want a salary, not piece work.  What gives?  I watched my
    dad do piece work for years and make a decsent living. 

-Stanley Bright


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