[Jewelry making - Article 00073] - Re: [Orchid] Wholesale catalog frustration

[Gary Bourbonais]

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Hi Neil.....

>     Well consider this. You are running a business and you have
>     overhead. And then there's shipping and credit card fees. It COSTS
>     YOU MONEY before you even order the finding. I spend about $40-50K
>     annually on mundane findings. Spring rings, clasps etc. There has
>     to be return on that investment. Has to. Or I'm out of business
>     quickly enough. Profit is not a dirty word, heck, its the point,
>     no? If I was only charging labor I might as well just go be an
>     employee. 

    I trade with Rio upon occasion, both directly and co-op..... 

    I myself, would never do a catalog "trick" to a jeweler that's doing
    his/her own bench...I know enough from my efforts in learning just
    what a true craftsman can do, that I cannot.... 

    Yet..... 

    There's another thing an accompished jewelry crafstman is
    selling......and that's his/her ability to create, and/or make, on
    demand or concept..... 

    Back in the 80's I wanted a 14K Yin-Yang pendant created for a
    certain lady friend... 

    There was a buddy I had grown up with, who had moved out West and
    taken up as a jeweler... 

    Called him up and described it to him.......disk (about 1/2") with
    bail, sheet gold for part of the emblem, the balance open......no
    stone.... He said no problem...... When it was done, he said the 
price
    was $100, with a fine chain....the 80's, remember..... 

    I did not hesitate for a second.... It turned out the work was well
    done.....but then I had grown up with the guy, so knew it would be... 


    Now....there were shops in Milwaukee (East Side stuff) that had very
    similar pieces......at better prices.... 

    On the other hand....... 

    "Honey.....I had this *made*, from scratch, for *you*...." 

    Probably the best $100 I've ever spent, on anything....... 

    We're still friends, and hang out together, occasionally........ 

    Not too long ago I asked....."You still have that Yin-Yang from back
    when we were young(er) and (more) foolish....?" 

    And of course, she does......... 

    *That's* what you're selling... 

Gary W. Bourbonais
A.J.P. (GIA)
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