[Jewelry making - Article 01282] - Re: [Orchid] Non-jeweler designers at shows

[Jim Reitze]

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    Perhaps we need to be looking to another source for the answer on
    this one. The show promoter.  What is the stated purpose of the show,
    and what type of work are they seeking?  Is this a show of 'all
    original' work that is intended to showcase the highest skills of the
    artisan?  Or is it a more commercially oriented show intended to give
    artisans a place to display and SELL their work?  Promoters should
    make it abundantly and concisely clear what is and isn't acceptable. 
    They should jury based on a selection of the type of work the artist
    intends to be showing and offering for sale.  And they should
    adequately police the show to ensure that the work on display fits
    the stated content and intent of the show.  In any case,
    misrepresentation and dishonesty should not be tolerated. 

    As far as the argument as it seems to be going, what is 'right',
    what is 'wrong'?  As long as the work is presented honestly and is
    within the guidelines of the show, what does it matter what means of
    production is used?  If you have a problem exhibiting next to people
    who use reproductive casting, don't do that type of show.  Complain
    to the promoter.  Whatever, but as long as that person is within the
    rules, the only courses of action that are appropriate are to protest
    for a rule change or boycott the show. Don't attack other exhibitors
    who are trying to make a living. 

    I sometimes carve waxes for one shot pieces.  I often make originals
    either in wax or metal that are intended for production runs.  This
    allows me, like the painter who gets prints, to offer my pieces to
    those who could not afford one of a kind pieces.  It allows me to
    make sales that put dinner on the table when I could not make the
    volume of sales I need with only 1-off designs.  For the record, I
    don't do my own casting or mold making.  I leave that to a
    sub-contractor.  I do not have the money or time to invest in a
    casting set up, or the desire to learn to do it all properly.  My
    expertise is in the creation of the originals, and that is what I
    enjoy doing.  Leave other parts of the job to those who do that well. 

    I also fabricate some one of a kind works.  I have cut stones in the
    past (cabs, not faceted), but generally buy these now, as again, I
    have no desire to do this part of the process myself, and no longer
    own the equipment.  My lapidary work at this point is generally
    limited to a very little inlay work.  I do repairs, I do custom
    orders where the customer provides the design and I do the building. 
    Sometimes I must take a concept and create the design, too.  I also
    work as a subcontractor doing production for a designer.  In other
    words, I am not so full of myself that I find myself 'above' certain
    aspects of the business.  I have to make a living and support a
    family.  There are some things I would rather not have to do, like
    repairing junk from Wally world and other discounters, but it needs
    doing, and I am pretty good at it.  So long as we are not
    misrepresenting ourselves, I don't think there is anything wrong in
    casting reproduction, using production assistants or subcontractors,
    or doing whatever we need to do to make a decent living.  We are all
    better at some things than others, capitalize on that. 

    As for the shows, live within the rules.  And promoters, make sure
    the rules are clear and applied fairly and equally. Thanks folks for
    allowing me my rant. 

Jim
http://www.forrest-design.com

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