[Jewelry making - Article 00744] - Re: [Orchid] Non-traditional, non-precious materials

[Deborah Mosch]

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Hi August,

    (Tried your personal email address, my laptop would not send to
    you.) 

    Sorry it's taken me this long to respond. I love all the comments
    from the orchid people. It's nice to know there is a small faction
    of die-hard designers who "embrace" losing money for the sake of the
    art... okay "embrace" was the wrong word. "Accept". 

    Tesora has made not one cent -- and it has nothing to do with the
    fact that it's a website -- it's just that we are both so involved
    with other things - jobs, life, you know - to maintain and add to
    it. Of course it also could have something to do with the fact that
    people might not like what they see. 

    As far as how I got my work into boutiques: I researched on-line
    boutiques in areas that I knew I would be visiting last summer -
    made appointments with ones that I liked and that were willing to see
    my work - and took a deep breath each and every time I walked into
    one. It's really horrible putting yourself out there, but you must do
    it. A few places loved my work and bought some pieces outright. A few
    places were not interested at all, and one place tried some on
    consignment. I've had stuff sent back to me though -- now that is
    depressing. So, getting the work in is hard but feasible - keeping
    it there is another thing. Remember, too, that the shop usually takes
    40% commission. 

    I will always think of myself as artist / designer, no matter what
    the scale or medium. I am enjoying the functional aspect of the
    jewelry and can't imagine stopping, even if no one ever buys another
    piece. But oh man, that would be terrible! All my inventory! I don't
    want to become someone who gives up and ends up selling all my stock
    of great stuff on E-Bay! 

    I've been flat on my back all summer due to an embarrassingly clumsy
    fall down my deck steps, carrying a big plant. Broke some tiny bones
    connected to my vertebrae. So no gardening, no driving (to look at
    junk stores!). Currently I'm re-thinking things like closures -- have
    to re-do every one of my finished pieces -- and there are about a
    hundred, no kidding. That is my least favorite part, the closures --
    although I can imagine actually getting involved with the design of
    just the clasps... maybe that should be my next project... 

    It's difficult being a student and working outside of school - I did
    that as a student. Now, years later, I am a professor teaching at a
    private art college.

Keep going,
Deborah

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