[Jewelry making - Article 00857] - Re: [Orchid] PMC in general

[Ann Lacava]

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    I sadly don't view much of this discussion to be related to  PMC and
    its advantages and disadvantages. I think what we have here is the
    age-old fight against prejudice.  It infiltrates every aspect of our
    lives and has since man (and woman) was created. And reason and
    quality and demonstrations of excellence won't change things a bit
    for those who persist in being prejudiced. MY way is always better
    ("MY" being the "royal" my)--and no one is going to threaten it by
    making it different. 

    I worked hard and raised four children with a school-teacher husband
    who loved his job and didn't make much money. There was never extra
    for pursuing my dream of working with silver. (Nor was there extra
    for buying fine, hand-made silver pieces of jewelry.) Eventually I
    took pottery classes and sold enough pottery to make me happy and buy
    my own kiln--then I discovered "ceramics"--the precast pieces in all
    those wondrous shapes that I could glaze or paint in magnificent
    colors!!!! Did I discover prejudice?????  I became 'persona non
    grata' to the pottery world, although I had demonstrated my ability
    to do it "their way." 

    Then I discovered silver metal clay.  My skills will never reach
    those of Linda Kay-Moses or Elaine Luther. But I can work with my
    beloved silver (and weave my chains, making my own rings that Orchid
    taught me to make).  I can root through my deceased mom's button box
    and create "heirloom" earrings I can make one-of-a-kind pieces that
    people love and wear and appreciate. 

    My finished pieces AREN'T brittle--they don't fall to pieces and my
    customers (many of them returning time after time) are happy with
    what they purchase.  I create one-of-a-kind pure silver pieces and
    part of my heart is in each piece. I am well past the age to buy the
    equipment necessary to be a silversmith and learn the trade and in
    many ways, I'm glad I waited so that I could participate in this
    revolution. Have I encountered prejudice????  Oh yes!!  It's the same
    prejudice I felt when a computer was placed on my desk and I said,
    "There is NOTHING that machine will do that I can't make a typewriter
    do."  

    I will always wish I knew more . . . about silver, life, and
    everything else and I read EVERY communication in Orchid and go to my
    metalsmithing books to try to understand something about those things
    I will never do.  But after my loving experience with computers, I
    will ALWAYS try to be open-minded about everything.  I do find myself
    thinking about how much those people are missing who don't explore
    information about things that bother" them--those people who make
    declarations about things they know nothing or little about.  You
    don't have to USE it--just accept its possibility to create new kinds
    of things of beauty. 

    As Rodney King said, "Can't we all just be friends??" 

Craftdreams 
Ann L. Lacava 
158 Overton Lane
Powell, TN  37849
865.938.4180
www.silvermoonreflections.com

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