Mass Production of Dichroic Beads -- Opinions???
GlassOrchid
I'd like to open up this topic for discussion. I had a student early last
spring who came up from Mexico to learn to make dichroic glass beads. She
subsequently went back to Mexico and has started to mass produce dichroic
beads for export to the US market. You may have see the ad in Bead & Button.
Now today another gentleman from Mexico called me wanting to buy dichroic
glass. As we chatted it became clear that he also was working on starting up
a mass production business in Mexico. None of his partners have any
experience with fusing or dichroic glass but are on the curve to learn and
start this business to take advantage of the appeal dichroic glass has these
days to the American bead buyer. Both these companies found me on the www.
It seems that the American market is on the verge of being inundated with
mass production, fused dichroic glass beads and probably jewelry.... since
both these companies are in the silver jewelry production biz as well.
What do you guys think about this? Will you continue to buy American made
dichroic glass beads and jewelry that is handmade by the actual artist? Will
you buy both? Do you think a flood of imported glass will hurt the dichroic
glass bead & jewelry business in America? Do you think that the non-beady
type consumer (jane-buyer) will migrate to this less expensive, imported
jewelry? Or is it more likely that this will just force the American glass
artist to move into more one-of-a-kind, higher quality and more expensive
modes?
Also, do you think it wrong for me to teach them and/or supply them? My
opinion is that it is not wrong... if I don't do it then someone will. They
are determined to learn and to buy and will do it somewhere else if not from
me.... but I'd like your input just the same.
Nancy
Glass Orchids
http://www.GlassOrchids.com
Sooz
is handmade by the actual artist?
I think it's the same as lampwork -- there's cheap, mass-produced lampwork, and
exquisite, more-expensive lampwork done individually by artists. The dichroic
that is mass produced was bound to happen -- I'm surprised it didn't happen
sooner. Of course, I'm simplifying the issue in my answer, but I'm sure others
will embellish it.......
Sooz
I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart's affections and the
truth of imagination. -- Wilke
Dawn Christ
news:BQl_7.10841$jk5.1...@news02.optonline.net...
<snipped for brevity :o)>
:
: What do you guys think about this? Will you continue to buy American made
: dichroic glass beads and jewelry that is handmade by the actual artist? Will
: you buy both? Do you think a flood of imported glass will hurt the dichroic
: glass bead & jewelry business in America? Do you think that the non-beady
: type consumer (jane-buyer) will migrate to this less expensive, imported
: jewelry? Or is it more likely that this will just force the American glass
: artist to move into more one-of-a-kind, higher quality and more expensive
: modes?
Hi Nancy,
I think it's the same thing that has come up with lampwork artists that compete with
mass produced lampwork, etc... there is some basic educating of the consumer that
needs to take place. Of course individual artists are more likely to experiment &
push the envelope of the medium. They will create one of kind pieces that cannot be
bought through mass produced arenas. I think that it will be important for artists
like yourself to continue to educate the consumer in the difference. I find nothing
wrong with it... I still incorporate mass produced lampwork in some of my pieces while
making my own lampwork, *but* I make sure that the consumer knows the difference...
: Also, do you think it wrong for me to teach them and/or supply them? My
: opinion is that it is not wrong... if I don't do it then someone will. They
: are determined to learn and to buy and will do it somewhere else if not from
: me.... but I'd like your input just the same.
I think it's great that you're teaching them, and supplying them. Keep it up :o)
:
: Nancy
: Glass Orchids
: http://www.GlassOrchids.com
:
:
:
:
:
BeckiBead
raise awareness of dichroic glass to an all time high, and those who have been
doing it for years will also profit.
Cream always rises to the top.
Becki
Mike Schackel
had to compete with *imported* work for years. In the beginning, you might
see a slow down in purchases due to the mass production of this type of bead
making but quality and one-of-a-kind pieces will eventually prevail. Also
more public awareness of what actually goes into creating these unique
pieces of art will be forth coming. As far as instructing them, I would,
why not? I for one am glad that you decided to teach your art form!
Victoria
"GlassOrchid" <glass@EATSPAMDON'TPOSTITglassorchids.com> wrote in message
news:BQl_7.10841$jk5.1...@news02.optonline.net...
Sooz
secret. Knowledge is power, sure, so it's no surprise when people are
reluctant to share, but it's spiritually bereft to do such a thing.
Kaytee
>dichroic glass beads and jewelry that is handmade by the actual artist? Will
>you buy both?
Both, probably-- if the import type "match" with the art beads color-wise, I
would probably use them as "spacers" or such.
>Also, do you think it wrong for me to teach them and/or supply them?
No-- better they get it "right". Go for it!
Kaytee
MoonFancy
buy factory-made bread at the store. Simple, fast, good. Other times, I make
bread from scratch. Not so simple, not so fast, excellent. The homemade bread
is SO much more appreciated by my family. Same thing would go for, say, a
machine-stitched quilt from a store versus a hand-stitched quilt made by your
grandmother. I've bought hundreds and hundreds of mass-produced beads. They
make pretty things. They do. But I wouldn't cry if I lost a bracelet made
with a thousand of them. I would, however, deeply mourn the loss of even a
SINGLE handmade, exquisite, one-of-a-kind beauty. No assembly line in any
bead factory will ever come close to recreating the absolute splendor of a bead
made with the two loving hands of a true artist. -- Beckie
Bonnie Espenshade
a
quality product no matter what it may be. If you want to
make
a fine piece of beaded jewelry you must have high quality
beads.
Just the same as using gold or silver findings instead of
base
metal or plastic.
--
Bonnie
NJ
kathy
item was identical to the one made by the artist, but much less expensive, I
would have to choose the more economical bead. Chances are that there
should be a great difference in appearance, like India Lampwork V.S. Artist
Lampwork (for lack of a better name).
I don't think that you teaching someone what you do is bad. As you have
said, someone is going to do it anyway.
Kathy
"GlassOrchid" <glass@EATSPAMDON'TPOSTITglassorchids.com> wrote in message
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Cynthia Parker
what is best suited for their project. At least you are teaching them the
right way to produce. Whether they choose to follow suit is their decision.
Keep up the good work.
Cindy
"kathy" <mikh...@mwt.net> wrote in message
news:3c3a1...@corp.newsgroups.com...
Karleen Page
your training, they will produce excellent beads! I also think that it's
wonderful to be able to make such loveliness available to a wider market.
But I'm also sure that there will still be a market for quality,
individually made, works of lampwork art. Just like you can buy water
glasses from WalMart for everyday use - and some of them are very pretty -
but you can also buy crystal from more upscale stores - for special occasion
use.
--
Bead Blessed!
Karleen/Vibrant Jewels
http://www.vibrantpages.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
JustBead auctions
http://www.justbeads.com/auction/SellerAuctions.asp?User=21770
Check out our Amazon Bookstore! Discounted Beading Books!
http://vibrantpages.com/jewelry/welcome.htm#BOOKSTORE
"GlassOrchid" <glass@EATSPAMDON'TPOSTITglassorchids.com> wrote in message
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Lori Sousa
>that is mass produced was bound to happen -- I'm surprised it didn't happen
>sooner.
IMHO, a lot of the fused dichro sold by US artisans looks pretty "mass
produced" as in: random, not organized, thrown together. (not yours, Nancy!)
Lori Sousa
Briarrose Designs
handcrafted jewelry, traditional care, contemporary flair
Sooz
produced" as in: random, not organized, thrown together.
I agree.
Pam East
have to say I know people here in the USA doing mass produced fused glass...
and it looks it... It was bound to happen. If you can profit by teaching the
art, go for it!
Pam
"MoonFancy" <moon...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020107164704...@mb-mq.aol.com...
rainbow
it is that you can't stop cheap amateurs from doing what cheap amateurs
do. Do what you do, Beki is right about cream rising to the top. Worry
about your own customers, who should, by now know what you are. Don't
borrow trouble by worrying that this will get all out of hand. This
specific thing is why, for me, teaching is not an option. I hold all my
cards close to the vest in both fields, very close to the vest. I had at
one time wanted very much to seelitsand patterns and let some of my
designs float out to the public. But not now. Some of my own techniques
are different than what people do and I decided that my own retail and
wholesale customers were the most important. In the future I might. But
not until I am completely bored with and have used up all the
possibilities with those techniques. Never give your weapon to someone
who will use it on you. People copy and you never get deserved credit.
Unless you really want to publish and teach .... then the inevitable
will happen. In my life as an entertainer I have taught a number of
folks who went out and used what they learned against me.
Rainbow
Beadesignr
>Also, I've always thought it reflects badly on any art when the knowledge is
>secret. Knowledge is power, sure, so it's no surprise when people are
>reluctant to share, but it's spiritually bereft to do such a thing.
Long ago, beadmakers on the island of Murano were threatened with death if they
told any glass secrets.
Evalynne
http://www.beadsuncommon.com
Beadesignr
>it is that you can't stop cheap amateurs from doing what cheap amateurs
>do. Do what you do, Beki is right about cream rising to the top.
I doubt that Stephen King would be worried if cheap writing courses in other
countries taught people to crank out horror novels.
Evalynne
http://www.beadsuncommon.com
Sooz
they told any glass secrets.
See? Yikes! Aren't we more evolved than that?
Sooz
used what they learned against me.
Well, yeah, but the perfomring arts is more jam-packed with venality than any
other field of endeavor.
GlassOrchid
figured I'd do it here in one.
First, thanks for all your support and kind words.
Second, most have confirmed my thinking on the subject. I've seen lampwork
from India for a long time and the difference in the quality is very
apparent but I guess they have their place. I don't buy them though. I do
buy mass produced Czech beads and use them to accent my glass pieces. I
guess we'll have to wait and see how it plays out over the next few years.
Some of us may have to change our lines and offer fewer 'production' type
work and more intricate, one-of-a-kind things.
Third, I've been teaching for most of 2001 and now in 2002 I will be
teaching in 4 different places. When I move to Maine (in June) I'm opening
up a school of my own. My husband and some others warn me about sharing 'too
much' of what I know but I can't abide that. If I'm going to teach then I'm
going to do it right and that means sharing 100%. I have had a problem with
copying a few times but I try not to let it bother me. Copiers are never as
good and by the time they get that good, if ever, I will have moved on to
other designs, styles, techniques etc... It's better to be at the head of
the herd than at the back with the wolves yapping at your heals <smile>.
Fourth, yes, I see a lot of fused dichroic work that I don't think is up to
par being sold but it is being bought too! I think there is a market for all
types of dichroic work at different levels of understanding and price
points. Over the last two years I have noticed that more and more cusomters
know what dichroic glass is but I think, with the influx of imports, it will
be important to continue educating the public about both the material and
the process used in making the pieces.. i.e. why those made by the artist
are special. Teaching classes also serves to educate... lots of students are
just doing it for fun and once they take the class they have a new
appreciation for the work! I'm sure this is so with lampwork too. I'm glad
that some of my students continue to pursue glass and even start their own
businesses.... and if they emulate me ... (copy)... well... that's a
compliment too and eventually they should settle into a style of their own
anyway....if they don't then they won't be much competition anyway because
it means they aren't growing and their work will become stale.
So I guess the bottom line is that it's good to share and there may be some
adjustments necessary but life and business will go on ;)
Beadesignr
>they told any glass secrets.
>
>See? Yikes! Aren't we more evolved than that?
>
This was a few centuries ago!
Evalynne
http://www.beadsuncommon.com
Pam East
about the teaching issue. I've had many teachers over the years, and I have
to say, I've learned as much about how to teach from the bad ones as the
good ones. Sometimes learning what NOT to do can be very helpful! lol.
Anyway, for what it's worth, here are my (very lengthy) thoughts on the
matter.
I've had two experiences with teachers who withheld information.
The first was the one who taught me enamel bead making and refused to tell
me where to find supplies. She wanted me buying retail from her exclusively.
On one hand I can see her point. After all, that was why she was offering
the classes. It makes sense if your supplying hobbyists. But by the time I
asked her about it I was going pro and needed a wider variety of colors and
I needed to get the stuff wholesale. It was very frustrating. It ended up
taking me almost 6 months just to find out who manufactured the enamel, much
less where I could get it wholesale. Although I was extremely irritated
with the woman who withheld that vital bit of information, I can't deny it
was her right to do so. Protecting one's sources is SOP I guess. What I
came away with from the experience was a desire never to put my own students
through that if I ever became a teacher. I have stuck by that. I tell
people where to buy everything, including some of the things I sell. Easy
for me, I suppose, since I'm not trying to sell enamel for a profit, and
many of the items I sell are exclusive to me as the manufacturer. I
shouldn't really pass judgment in this case. But I really think withholding
resources makes for frustrated unhappy students.
The second "bad teacher" was much worse. I took my first wire-wrap class
from her. She deliberately left out key steps, and demonstrated inferior
techniques. She was afraid of competition, so she subtly sabotaged us. I
was taking these classes with a view to turning the knowledge into profit.
I had every intention of turning right around and producing jewelry for
sale. I want to make it clear I wasn't copying her finished prodcuts. She
was teaching us skills, not "make & take crafts", and my finished designs
were much different than hers. My whole goal was to showcase my enamel
beads, something she didn't do or use at all. Anyway, I guess I intimidated
the heck out of this woman. She didn't realize what I was doing the first
time I took a class, but she saw me at a craft show later. The next (and
last) time I took a class from her she ignored me completely. She wouldn't
answer any of my questions, and she would turn her body so I couldn't
clearly see what she was doing. To say it was a frustrating experience is
putting it mildly. I PAID for that class!
The next time I wanted a wire wrapping class I went to "the goddess". Lynn
Merchant. She is the teacher who taught my first wire-wrap teacher. She
also invented a good number of the techniques and is considered the premier
wire-wrap artist in the country. I was VERY fortunate to have had the
opportunity to take her classes. Under her instruction I found out all
about the things the first teacher had withheld from me. My technique went
through the roof. She held back NOTHING. I ended up taking a lot of classes
from her. She was the most amazing teacher I've ever had and I will be
eternally grateful to her not only for the wire techniques she taught be,
but for showing me what a truly great teacher is. Again I made a promise to
myself. If I ever decided to teach Lynn would be my role model. I would not
withhold information from my students, no matter what the cost to me in
acquiring it to begin with. I have never regretted that decision.
When deciding to teach you have to keep some things in mind. You can never
forget that those people PAID for your class and for your expertise. I
think you're cheating them if you instruct them in inferior techniques or
withhold critical information in order to retain "the upper hand" as it
were. I'll tell you right now that 99% of them are hobbyists. Most of them
will NEVER go pro with it, no matter what they say in class. I hear tons of
"gee I could sell this stuff!" but as you all know, a lot more goes into a
successful business than enjoyment of making a craft product. Most of them
will never get beyond buying a few materials. The 1% who DO have that drive
might indeed take what you've taught them and go out and really use it.
There is nothing illegal or immoral about this. People the world over take
classes in order to learn or improve job skills. When you pay for a class
you have the right to do whatever you like with the information you take out
of it. If that really makes you uncomfortable than you are probably not
ready to teach.
Ask yourself this: Are you an artist/crafter who's looking to make a few
bucks teaching on the side? Or are you a teacher using the "production
artist years" to create a stepping stone to a new type of career?
I began demonstrating bead making at craft shows right when I first began in
order to attract people to my booth. It worked with a vengeance. All I had
to do was turn on the torch and I was surrounded by crowds of fascinated
people. What I discovered was I got more joy out of sharing the wonders of
bead making than I did from making and selling jewelry. I have the soul of
a teacher. I began thinking about making a video barely a year after I
first started making enamel beads. It would be three more years before I'd
actually do it, but the seed was there. I used those years as a production
artist to work on my craft, refine and improve my techniques, to push the
limits of my ability; and I continue to work on refining and expanding my
skills to this day. But my goal almost from the beginning was to teach. I
LOVE sharing bead making and wire wrapping with my students. I love seeing
the joy of discovery on their faces. I enjoy being the one they turn to
with their problems and I get real satisfaction from helping them to
overcome hurdles. I know some of them will go on to sell thier creations.
As far as I'm concern, their success is my success!
I know I've gone on rather a long time with this post, but this one was a
hot button for me. I want to make it clear that I have ZERO objections to
full time artists/crafters teaching on the side to supplement their income.
It's not neccessary to have the soul of a teacher (although it does help to
have some teaching ability) But if you should decide to teach, I would
encourage you to do it right and really give your students what they've paid
for. If there is some aspect of your work you don't want to share, than
that's a subject you should not be teaching. Many of us have worked in a
variety of crafts and media over the years. Teach the ones you were good at,
but have left behind for one reason or another. Either that or really
realize that most of your students will never be compitition to you. Accept
the fact that a few of them will and don't let it bother you. I've found
that happy satisified students will end up giving you all the credit anyway.
:o)
Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. lol
Pam East
www.pinzart.com
GlassOrchid
we won the war we insisted that their glass chemistry be exported. That's
why there were no companies in the US like Bullseye before that. Holding
their glass chemistry and techniques so close to the vest allowed them to
virtually corner the world market. Dale Chiluly (sp?) was the first American
to be ALLOWED into Murano to study .......
It wasn't so very long ago....... my Dad remembered milk being delivered by
horse drawn cart.....no TV, no phones....no men on the moon...... We're very
jaded indeed! Heck ... we expect kilns that run on household current... and
maybe next year.....solar powered kilns so we can fire for free!!!!!
Nancy
Glass Orchids
http://www.GlassOrchids.com
"Beadesignr" <beade...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020108154159...@mb-cp.aol.com...
rainbow
performing art, have given everything. We're not talking venality, here,
BTW. We are talking technique and such. And it is that, a technical
skill as much as any other. You have to be unafraid that what you teach
won't come back to bite you. When I was doing other jewelry in the
1970's, I made a classic grave mistake. I believed a woman who said she
wanted to learn my then tchniques of featherworking, she was a fellow
craftsperson in another area and we taught her. And before you could
shut the door on her, she was peddling our designs, made in an inferior
way, not quite like ours. All it did was make us look good. We have
always taught with an open heart and a desire to teach. But we have
learned that we do not give out info on anything we are currently using
or doing with our work, or we are going to see it before we are done
getting our mileage out of it and have moved forward to something else.
We have worked damned hard to learn what we have and worked hard to
design and make our products and market them, only to have them copied
and sold, would really hurt us. I won't be teaching this spring, what I
will be making for Christmas next year. It's been the hadest lesson,
leaned in the hardest way, to protect myself and what I do. It has
occurred to me to design classes that woud teach things specifically for
one technique or purpose or design that I have now moved beyond.
Rainbow
GlassOrchid
to make a little extra money though. I sell my finished work wholesale and
retail, I sell beads and jewelry components wholesale and retail and I sell
glass and other supplies too. All of these are integral parts of my
business, as teaching is. In this day and age, a person has to work every
angle they can in order to make it as an artist. Having multiple income
streams is vital.
I also love to teach. I originally (a lonnnnngggggg time ago) studied art
education to teach in elementary school but I didn't complete the final
student teaching because I lived in NYC and the schools were not enjoyable.
So now... oh... 20+ years later...here I am... teaching a form of art....
life is funny. I think teachers teach regardless of what they seem to be
doing otherwise <smile>.
Regarding sources, I too tell my students where to buy supplies even if I
sell the same thing. I do remind them that I too sell x y or z..... hey....
gotta plug your stuff. Most of my suppliers are wholesale so they can't buy
from them unless they are going to go into business and then they SHOULD buy
wholesale! I give my students a resource list and I post it on my site for
them too so they can click the links. I don't believe in holding back
either. To do so seems to me to be unethical. I share what I know for free
too if someone asks me....
There is only one time that I can think of that I did not share and it was
when someone emailed me and asked me how I made a particular piece. The
question was couched in such a way that it was apparent that the person
wanted to make one (or more). I told her that I usually had no problem
sharing but in this case it seemed she wanted to make some of 'x' and that
it was a copyrighted design. Even then I felt bad having to tell her that.
I've learned a lot about teaching from my students as well... many have
taken other classes and tell me what they liked or didn't like about that
other class. Sometimes they pass on good tips the other teacher shared with
them. Many ask questions I'd never think of too! Or mess up in new and
wonderful ways!!
Anyyyyyywayyyyyyyyyy,
Sooz
time? The awe!! I was STUNNED.....I stood outside and stared at the moon, and
I could NOT conceive of it......Now I'm engaged to a man who was born into a
world where men walked on the moon before he was born! Life's so weird.
Sooz
inspirational.
Howard M.
An amateur is a person that performs some craft, or science, or art for the
love of it. A professional is one that performs the same for profit - that
is a professional relies on his/her performance for a living.
An amateur is not necessarily less talented than a professional. I have
worked with many professional software programmers far less talented than
many amateurs. During the Renaissance through Victorian times, and even
today in a few fields, many advances were the discoveries or inventions of
amateurs.
In this case, apparently there will be some factories set up in Mexico to
employ professional (not amateur - they are being paid for it) bead makers
that may well be less capable than many amateurs. The product will be
inexpensive, and probably cheap. But much will probably be pretty and very
salable for the price.
The rivalry is not amateur VS. professional. The rivalry is skilled VS..
mediocre, craftsman VS. artist, or maybe dedicated VS. profiteering.
In answer to the original question - we live in a world conditioned to buy
at the local 99 cent store. There will always be a place for quality, but
the competition and difficulty in reaching that market will increase as
people employ (exploit - what ever) cheap labor to produce adequate but
mediocre products.
Should you train possible competitors? That is a very personal decision.
Trade secrets are not dishonorable. OTOH passing knowledge to others
(excluding nuclear bomb theory) is usually ultimately a benefit for
humanity.
I would base my decision on whether to train on personal monetary gain. We
live in a capitalistic world (like it or not), and capitalistic theory says
that society works only if we each protect our own greedy interests.
My personal feeling is sadness for the artists who rely on their craft for a
living. Competing against a labor force coming from poverty and moving to a
standard of living similar to ours for much less money - that may be a
difficult transition. But there is some joy in seeing people able to move
from poverty to a better standard of living.
In a related vein - last week I saw a beaded necklace priced at about $60.00
at a local store. It consisted of nice but not unusual beads, with a focal
pendant that was a Chinese pottery shard. The pottery shard is pretty, but
priced less than $2.00 in FMG, and with a dubious quality setting. (I know,
I bought 10 of them - $2 shards, not $60 necklaces!) The capitalistic
moral - get it while you can, then adjust price/quality/marketing/whatever
if conditions change.
-Howard M.
(Don't ask questions if you don't want to hear an old air bag blowing!)
"rainbow" <rainbo...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:28084-3C...@storefull-2113.public.lawson.webtv.net...
Howard M.
"Pam East" <p...@pinzart.com> wrote in message
news:KuK_7.250067$BX4.13...@e3500-atl1.usenetserver.com...
> In our discussion of mass produced Dichroic beads, I got to thinking more
> about the teaching issue. I've had many teachers over the years, and I
have
> to say, I've learned as much about how to teach from the bad ones as the
> good ones. Sometimes learning what NOT to do can be very helpful! lol.
>
> Anyway, for what it's worth, here are my (very lengthy) thoughts on the
> matter.
>
<snip>
Lee Thompson-Herbert
Sooz <diva...@aol.comgoaway> wrote:
>>In my life as an entertainer I have taught a number of folks who went out and
>used what they learned against me.
>
>Well, yeah, but the perfomring arts is more jam-packed with venality than any
>other field of endeavor.
Nah, you're just less likely to get a really high-paying gig, since there
are so many other very talented people out there. Jewelry and painting
sometimes involve convincing the discerning conneseurs that your paint-
splattered attrocities are worth big bucks. Then again, considering some
of the things I've done on stage, it's really not any different from
being a musician. ;}
The real question falls across all trades where uniqueness will help
you make money. Why do you teach? If you teach, why in the world would
you expect your students to _never_ compete with you?
--
Lee M.Thompson-Herbert l...@retro.com KoX 1995, SP4
Head Muso, White Rats Morris
Member, Knights of Xenu (1995). Chaos Monger and Jill of All Trades.
"A head-on collision between Morticia Adams and Martha Stewart"
Rachel M
in
> order to attract people to my booth. It worked with a vengeance. All I
had
> to do was turn on the torch and I was surrounded by crowds of fascinated
> people.
Wow enamelling doesn't always need a kiln. That is such good news for
someone like me who always types 'enamel' into the search field when auction
cruising! I've looked at your site and am interested in having a go (she
says!) Do you think it's worth having a play with the cold enamels you can
buy before I think about shelling out on a torch and all the other equipment
(beacuse I can guarantee that there'll be no such classes locally), I'm not
sure that it will be that authentic compared to the hot stuff (!)
Cheers
Rachel
Pam East
No artistic endevour is ever wasted. If you'd like to try enamel paints go
for it! You'll always learn something. But it won't, in any way, show you
what it's like to work with hot glass.
You might be surprised to find out that enamel bead making isn't all that
expensive. Assuming you live somewhere in the USA, your "investment" in a
torch will only be about $30. I got mine at Home Depot! It's a Bernzomatic
TS4000 propane torch. That's another cost saver, the gas you use is straight
propane. VERY cheap and easy to get. And it's true! You don't need a kiln!
I don't even own one. Enamel is MUCH softer glass than lampworking glass.
You can literally anneal it in a crockpot.
If you'd like to look over step by step directions for enamel bead making,
as well as a list of tools and equipment you'll need, I've got it all
written out at http://www.pinzart.com/classes/instruction.html This will
give you a good overview of the process. It's really easy.
Enjoy!
Pam East
www.pinzart.com
p...@pinzart.com
Bonnie Espenshade
>
> Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. lol
>
> Pam East
> www.pinzart.com
Hi Pam,
I have only taken one craft class (weaving fiber & bead
neckpieces). In that class the instructor and I ended up
sharing many ideas and techniques. If I ever where to take
another class I would hope to have an instructor such as
yourself.
I shall wear my swap beads with pleasure and pride. Thanks!
--
Bonnie
NJ
http://hpphoto.com/home/ViewMyAlbum.asp?coll_id=876614
http://www.users.fast.net/~maebe/index.htm
Pam East
I'm glad you liked the beads and earrings! The swap was a lot of fun. I'll
definately want to do this again sometime.
Pam
"Bonnie Espenshade" <ma...@fast.net> wrote in message
news:3C3C4B7E...@fast.net...
Rachel M
I managed to completely miss that page when I looked at your site earlier -
suddenly everything becomes clear! I'm not in the States but have a torch,
passed on by a friend who decided jewelery making wasn't for her, the only
issue now is creating a fire and kitten proof work space! I'll definately be
looking into this
Cheers,
Rachel
>
Lori Sousa
>love of it. A professional is one that performs the same for profit - that
>is a professional relies on his/her performance for a living.
you're right of course, Howard. the confusion arises because, in the old days,
an amateur remained an amateur because no one in their right mind would PAY for
their creations. (think of the sterotypical English lady dabbling in
watercolors) These days, becoming a sucessful professional artist or
craftsperson involves a lot more skill than the craft in question. Marketing,
business savvy, web-site design, etc. (sometimes the non-craft skills are MORE
important - look at Britney Spears and Dreamsicles)
>In a related vein - last week I saw a beaded necklace priced at about $60.00
>at a local store.
snip
>The capitalistic moral - get it while you can, then adjust
price/quality/marketing/whatever if conditions change.
Yes but Howard - the necklace was still AT the store - you can't count this one
a sucess yet!
Lori Sousa
I will take a class from you any time! Thanks for your wise and inspirational
words.
Lori Sousa
I have NEVER understood the logic behind this! (anyone out there who agrees
with the practice, please explain!) I guess if you are running a retail (bead)
store, it might make sense - your profit is all in markup on the beads. But if
you are *creating* - how can it possibly be that important?!? Yes, I can tell
you where to buy the cheapest Delicas (at my LBS, nyah,nyah! <g>) and rainbow
can teach you peyote stitch, and you can take a class in color theory - but if
you can't combine these into a pleasing combination of colors and shapes,
worked with a high level of craftmanship, and finished in a professional manner
- I'm not worried!
I do have 2 exceptions to this tho - if I have a design idea that I think might
make a saleable pattern or a magazine article, I don't teach it or even sell it
until after the artice is signed sealed delivered. I also carry business cards
from my local LBS, to answer the perennial question of "where do you buy your
beads" I don't give them my major suppliers, because most of them are
wholesale, and the folks asking don't want to buy wholesale. And I do resent
folks who seem to want me to write out a list of names (and addresses!) in the
middle of a busy fair. Therefore the cards - and it makes the shop owner happy
w/ me too!
Lori Sousa
>world where men walked on the moon before he was born! Life's so weird.
OK, that does seem strange! Can't possibly be any adults around like that -
the moon landing wasn't that long ago, was it? Heck I'm still just a kid - it
can't have been 30-odd years ago! (and how did my kids get to be over 20?!?)
Dawn Christ
news:20020109150015...@mb-mc.aol.com...
:: you where to buy the cheapest Delicas (at my LBS, nyah,nyah! <g>)
LBS?
All my best,
Dawn
---
May-Christ Designs: Contemporary Lampwork
http://www.maychristdesigns.com/
Across the Miles
http://members.tripod.com/dawn_christ
Bev Brandt
I usually lurk here. Lampwork is one of my glass obsessions. The other
is stained glass and I've been working on that lately.
Anyway, I wanted to hop in with a "me too" and an example. Great post,
Pam! (That's the "me too" part.)
My first lampwork "class" was an afternoon at a museum. Really.
Anyway, the instructor was technically pretty good, but she didn't act
as though her heart was in it for some reason. She didn't hold back on
and technical information *except* that her "boss," the artist that
ran the glass exhibit, didn't give us any other supplier but *her.* I
already knew better being on the Delphi Glass mailing list! (Retail,
yes. But I've learned since then.)
Even so, I decided that lampwork was a great new obsession, so did the
friend that I took the afternoon "class" with and we ended up at a 6
week course at a local studio.
The instructor we had was such a blast! I vividly remember her showing
us how to make latticino and what fun she was having. She made it look
like play. "Let's add a little of this and Oo! That color looks neat!
Hand me that rod over there..." and so on. I remember her insisting
that we weren't making "mistakes," that we were "thinking outside the
box" or something equally as funny. What a blast! "Oh no hon! That'll
work! Put some swirlies here and call it 'primitive.'"
Not only was she a fun and good instructor, she made her main income
from selling her work. And she simply didn't seem to care if we were
better than she was - we weren't of course! She was (is) one of those
people who just had a great creative gift and an exuberant
personality. I hope to have her as an instructor again. (This time, I
go for the third glass obsession...kiln work!)
My $.02 (US) as a student.
Bev
Nita
(and how did my kids get to be over 20?!?)
>
We Must have gone to sleep in a fairy ring and slept for 20 years,
( very vauge recollections of an Irish folk tale )
Nita
BeckiBead
= Local Bead Store
I tell people on the internet all the time not to share their sources. Not if
they want to stay in business that is. Most of us are smart people and can
find it on our own, but it would truely hurt some very small, one-person
businesses to give up their sources. When it doesn't hurt, I tell. When I feel
anxious about it, I don't.
Designs are a different thing -- those I share freely.
Becki
Sooz
long ago, was it? Heck I'm still just a kid - it can't have been 30-odd years
ago!
Hee hee, Lori! (and he's 28)
Sooz
Well, I thought so -- but then she said "local LBS" and I got completely
confused.....
Sooz
?????
Sooz
showbiz is not necessarily a nice place. But neither is fashion. People go up
in flames in both areas of endeavor......and the art world, certainly. Hell,
the cops I know are all bitches, too! Hmm. However, the stakes are so high in
the showbiz world that people will do ANYTHING to get an opportunity. It's not
like a cop (or a veterinarian, or a bus driver) can become world famous and a
zillionaire in a year or three, like you can in the film biz......see what I
mean?
Rachael W.
to tease my husband who is about 10 year older than me about all the history he
saw that I only read about.
Rachael
There isn't a bead that I don't need!
http://www.geocities.com/fleur22/index.html
Fleur-de-Leigh Designs
Sooz
history he saw that I only read about.
Rachael, I adore you, so I am weeping with sorrow that you missed out on the
Beatles......waaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
BeckiBead
Men in Uniform.
Becki
Pam East
"Rachel M" <rachel.mu...@icl.com> wrote in message
> Thanks Pam,
> I managed to completely miss that page when I looked at your site
earlier -
> suddenly everything becomes clear! I'm not in the States but have a
torch,
You managed to miss that page because there's currently no link to it from
anywhere in my site. It's my special gift to my list friends. ;o)
Pam
BeckiBead
LOLOLOLOL
Becki
Steve & Susan Wright
because we have given that info to the local bead store and they can then
decide to carry the items or to give the source information. Many time the
class or demo is to determine interest before committing to a whole new
inventory line. They offer to order anything for their clients. Often I
carry extra just for that class in supplies so that I can offer an immediate
supply if the store isn't handling that at the time. These are retail priced
according to what the store would expect to get for the items. I also try
to give retail prices when teaching. If the person is truly interested in
buying in volume and contact me after the class away from the store then I
will give sources. So far that has only happened once. That student has
since copied my work and started selling at the local craft fairs. I have
moved on to different work. I feel that I should protect the local bead
store when they have invited me into their business.
Susan
"Lori Sousa" <lori...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020109150015...@mb-mc.aol.com...
Cynthia Parker
try it soon.
Cindy
Rachael W.
>Beatles......waaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
>
>Sooz
Sooz--
Don't cry! I had every Beatles album when I was younger. I also grew up
with Simon and Garfunkel, Judy Collins and a host of others.
Rachael--who treasures her summer tour book with Sweet Judy Blue-Eyes'
autograph, and her Peter, Paul and Mary concert tshirt with all their
autographs (as well as the hug from Mary that lifted me clear off the ground)
Sooz
started selling at the local craft fairs.
I think someone here said that it was a good idea to not teach work you don't
want copied, or words to that effect. I'm glad it's not something you rely on
heavily for your own production. It raises the question of ethics -- I know
some beaders aren't even aware there ARE bead ethics, that you should not copy.
But others are positively Satan's minions, out for their own interests. I'm
sorry ths happened to you when you were only acting in good faith.
Sooz
WOW! What a concept!!
Sooz
>
>Men in Uniform.
You can HAVE one I know.....my ex-husband. (No, wait, I would NEVER do that to
you, sweetie...)
Sooz
Simon and Garfunkel, Judy Collins and a host of others.
>Rachael--who treasures her summer tour book with Sweet Judy Blue-Eyes'
>autograph, and her Peter, Paul and Mary concert tshirt with all their
autographs (as well as the hug from Mary that lifted me clear off the ground)
WOW! I am SOOOO glad!! And that is SOOOOO COOL!
Lori Sousa
>?????
my point was, Sooz, is there a great deal of talent involved in these items
other than marketing? If you happen to like Britney, substitute your favorite
"more hype than talent" star. And Dreamsicles (I think thats the right name)
are one of those collectible porcelain series, where they all look alike,
except one holds a flower, one holds a teddy, etc (and then you have the
appropriate flower of the month...)
Lori Sousa
Well, there is an ethical difference between sitting AT the store, saying xxx
catalog has these cheaper - that is tacky. But since my public exposure is
mostly at craft fairs, I think I am doing the right thing by sending them to
the LBS. And remember, I sell jewelry, not matls.
Becki - you said you tell people not to share their sources - sources for what?
and what are people selling? If I was selling beads, of *course* I would not
tell the nosy customer where I bought these beads I am trying to sell! But I
still don't see how it hurts me (or the person you are advising) if they are
selling finished pieces and give info about where to buy matls.
After all, if the source is protected too carefully, and no one knows about
them, the "source" won't be in business too long either!
Lori Sousa
>autograph, and her Peter, Paul and Mary concert tshirt with all their
>autographs (as well as the hug from Mary that lifted me clear off the
>ground)
oooh! we knew we liked you! Is Judy still touring? I haven't seen her in
concert for years? And don't try getting any feet-swinging hugs from Mary
these days - she's gotten a little plump!
Kaytee
>
>Men in Uniform.
>
I was in the Navy 6 years (and USNR for 5).
Believe me, after a short time, you find there is the same percentage of total
jerks as in any other population. Maybe in better physical shape on the average
and "better groomed", but no better in any other way.
Paramilitary groups like police are similar to military groups-- they're "boys'
clubs", no matter how many women "integrate" them. And generally, the
"corporate culture" encourages them to "act like boys", despite any legislation
intended to civilize the group.
Kaytee
Kaytee
>these days - she's gotten a little plump!
And, judging from the TV special I saw a couple of years ago, she's lost most
of her vocal range.
Kaytee
Rachael W.
>concert for years? And don't try getting any feet-swinging hugs from Mary
>these days - she's gotten a little plump!
Judy does still tour, and you can find more info at her site
http://www.judycollins.com She respondds to all her emails and posts on the
bulletin board.
Mary was a little plump when I saw her. I saw them on the Lifelines tour in
94. I wanted them to sign my shirt, but the gaurd said no one was allowed
backstage. He consented to bring it back himself. Next thing I hear, "Where
is this Rachael?" "Well, bring her back here!" It was marvelous! Such
wonderful people! Mary is SOOOOOO nice! Such a warm, loving woman.
Rachael
Nita
;o)
--
Nita
* Nita's Jewellery *
"BeckiBead" <beck...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020110060835...@mb-mu.aol.com...
Sooz
talent" star.
look alike
Oh, I see. I thought Britney was selling Dreamsicles (the ice cream) and
couldn't see the comparison to what you were talking about! Okay, I get you
now.
Sooz
despite any legislation intended to civilize the group.
TRUE. They revel in being buttheads for the most part. My dad was a cop, too,
but Old World and courtly, and never macho or childish.
Marilee J. Layman
>>> look at Britney Spears and Dreamsicles
>>?????
>
>my point was, Sooz, is there a great deal of talent involved in these items
>other than marketing? If you happen to like Britney, substitute your favorite
>"more hype than talent" star. And Dreamsicles (I think thats the right name)
>are one of those collectible porcelain series, where they all look alike,
>except one holds a flower, one holds a teddy, etc (and then you have the
>appropriate flower of the month...)
I thought Dreamsicles were ice pops. Oh, a little Googling shows that
I'm thinking of Creamsicles and that Dreamsicles are twee.
--
Marilee J. Layman
Bali Sterling Beads at Wholesale
http://www.basicbali.com
BeckiBead
Becki
BeckiBead
I'm talking about speciality and resale of beads. If I intend to get more and
resell them for a higher price, then I am foolish to give my sources away. I
am usuing that as a general example. There have only been one or two times
when I have refused to source a bead for someone. And that was when I intended
to scarf them for myself, LOL.
Becki
Kaytee
>but Old World and courtly, and never macho or childish.
I knew "old salts" who could be either-- courtly and charming if there was a
"lady" to impress, quite the opposite if there were only "shipmates" (and that
included female Navy enlistees....).
Kaytee
Sooz
to make latticino and what fun she was having. She made it look like play.
Bev, how can you tell us all that great stuff about her and NOT mention her
NAME????
Sooz
"lady" to impress, quite the opposite if there were only "shipmates" (and that
included female Navy enlistees....).
Let's see......you don't know my raised-in-China, Russian, professor-ish
father, he isn't just courtly to ladies, and he wasn't in the Navy, and....hmm.
But of course, you must be right about him.
Karleen Page
explored art at the local library every week for FREE!!! I say we - not only
were there other people of every age, but she INSISTED that I bring my small
children. She liked their work better than mine, she said! LOL Anyhow, she
was always trying to get us to develop our own style - it was NOT one of
those classes where she was trying to teach her own techniques so that we
all became clones of her style. We did water color, oils, acrylics, mixed
media, even print making - always pushing our boundaries - and I learned
that a true critique is a positive thing - she accentuated the positive, and
the negative was couched in terms of - wouldn't it work better if??? She
refused any sort of payment - she did it for the sheer joy of it. What a
teacher! Sad thing is, though, since she died, I can't seem to do watercolor
any more. I don't think she ever held anything back and certainly was
delighted when our work equalled or exceeded hers. What a mentor, I sure do
miss her!
If you want to see some of my work, it's posted here:
http://members.tripod.com/~KarleenP/mahala/Default.htm
After you enter, click on Art Gallery. It's not necessarily my best work,
just the smaller ones we could scan.
--
Bead Blessed!
Karleen/Vibrant Jewels
http://www.vibrantpages.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
JustBead auctions
http://www.justbeads.com/auction/SellerAuctions.asp?User=21770
Check out our Amazon Bookstore! Discounted Beading Books!
http://vibrantpages.com/jewelry/welcome.htm#BOOKSTORE
"Bev Brandt" <bbran...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ec6b667a.02010...@posting.google.com...
<snippercized>
> Not only was she a fun and good instructor, she made her main income
> from selling her work. And she simply didn't seem to care if we were
> better than she was - we weren't of course! She was (is) one of those
> people who just had a great creative gift and an exuberant
> personality. I hope to have her as an instructor again. (This time, I
> go for the third glass obsession...kiln work!)
>
> My $.02 (US) as a student.
>
> Bev
>
Karleen Page
> I tell people on the internet all the time not to share their sources.
Not if
> they want to stay in business that is. Most of us are smart people and
can
> find it on our own, but it would truely hurt some very small, one-person
> businesses to give up their sources. When it doesn't hurt, I tell. When I
feel
> anxious about it, I don't.
I agree... for one thing, we've spent a lot of time researching sources and
also traveling to bead shows and such to get our beads ... it doesn't make
sense to tell your customers where they can get the beads cheaper... as
someone said, most of them aren't buying wholesale. I have had a couple of
customers get rather terse with me when I wouldn't reveal my sources - they
wouldn't meet the wholesale minimums anyhow, but yet they would still expect
me to sell to them at wholesale prices! Plus when you have to buy beads
wholesale, you are buying a large quantity with the risk you won't sell any.
I also have a conflict with my local bead club's attitude - they want me to
order beads at the lowest cost (which means I have to buy in quantity), but
then break the orders down into tiny packages ($1 worth or less) and then
they'll buy maybe $2 worth out of a $50 order. And they want them cheap.
When you are trying to make a living at selling beads, this just doesn't
compute. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I understand why us "middle
(wo)men" are needed, and that our time, design and research talents are
worth something, or should be.
Nita
--
Nita
* Nita's Jewellery *
"BeckiBead" <beck...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020110220759...@mb-ce.aol.com...
Steve & Susan Wright
working relationship for you with them, it also helps the one time maker to
buy from you when they go to the LBS and start pricing at retail, they
quickly realize that the price you charge is very reasonable for the work
and materials. Since I can get supplies at wholesale and volumn discounts I
figure the cost of the materials at average retail and add for time,
creative side and shop/sales expenses. This makes my work slightly higher
than they could do it themselves but not so much that they cringe. Of
course much of my work would be hard for anyone to do without a lot of
experience.
We sell completed jewelry, lampwork beads and fused glass beads and cabs.
When I teach a fusing class I only sell supplies if the shop doesn't carry
them and is looking at adding them. This is mainly a convience for the store
and the student. It means that I have to replace the sold inventory out of
my working supplies so that I can continue to create by pieces and often
that is a hassel. If the store doesn't plan on adding this to their shop, I
give suppliers sources. This often happens when we do demos at bead shops
in lampwork and someone wants to get started. We will have a ready list of
sources and an idea of the total cost of the equipment they see and supplies
to get started. For beaders they often go "Now I understand why lampwork
beads run X" We will often let someone who has been watching for along time
give it a try. Again "now I...."
Susan
"Lori Sousa" <lori...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020110141146...@mb-fq.aol.com...
Steve & Susan Wright
their formula and suppliers?
Susan
"BeckiBead" <beck...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020110221137...@mb-ce.aol.com...
Steve & Susan Wright
compensation. One way you could handle this is to add a handling fee and a
minimum purchase of any one item or supplier regardless of the group. Say
for example, each person pays a $5. surcharge for the order.
Our metal guild goes together once a year on an order but the person doing
the work is the one that wanted to do the large order as he uses alot of
metal. Everyone uses the same source but when we go together we get volumne
discounts. He gets a surcharge based upon the number of different sizes
each person orders. We haven't had any problem with someone objecting. The
one time it came up, we suggested that they handle the order since the one
ordering doesn't have a surcharge. Didn't want to do the work for any
reason or $$. Everyone benefits, he covers his time with the surcharce and
get his metal at much better prices than he could without the large order,
the rest of us get great prices also and the surcharge doesn't off set the
savings. He does collect sales tax from those without a wholesale license
and requires copies for those that do.
Susan
"Karleen Page" <jew...@vibrantpages.com> wrote in message
news:Ecv%7.21183$Vz3.2...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
MoonFancy
>I remember her insisting
>that we weren't making "mistakes," that we were "thinking outside the
>box" or something equally as funny. What a blast! "Oh no hon! That'll
>work! Put some swirlies here and call it 'primitive.'"
I love, love LOVE people like that, Bev. You don't meet them everyday, either.
I wish I could know your teacher. Not only does she sound like a great
instructor, but a wonderful person too. Lucky you to know her! -- Beckie
bluemaxx
"Night Face"!! Wow... nightmare stuff, but a great painting
nevertheless!! :)
--
Linda
"Karleen Page" <jew...@vibrantpages.com> wrote in message
news:O1v%7.21146$Vz3.2...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
: Your post reminds me of my art teacher, Bev. Her name was Bea
: >
:
:
Sooz
instructor, but a wonderful person
And she obviously had some great teachers who instilled a love of the work/play
deep inside her, too.
Lori Sousa
>
"twee"?
Lori Sousa
>also traveling to bead shows and such to get our beads ...
see, you are talking about selling *beads* again - not finished pieces. I keep
running into this attitude in the larger craft world - if you are making
hand-crafted, hand-painted furniture, how can it hurt to tell where you buy the
*paint*?
This attitude only makes sense (to me) if you are buying and reselling with no
"value added" - no change in the item. Am I just lost here? Or is everyone
here who says "don't tell your sources" referring to non-changed items?
(I seem to be being a bit of a pain, but I feel like "no, that's not the
question I asked")
Sooz
making hand-crafted, hand-painted furniture, how can it hurt to tell where you
buy the *paint*?
Exactly. Unless it's a vintage source, which are hard to find and are guarded
assiduously by the middle man, I gotta agree with Lori.
Sooz
>"twee"?
Cutesy-poo.
Marilee J. Layman
>>that Dreamsicles are twee.
>>
>
>"twee"?
UK term for sicky-sweet.
crazyred head
do sometimes! I am not sure I can repeat it myself even, as in the
naughty cherub on my about the artist page it was a one time thing ! I
am not very good at explaining what I do so its hard to share some
things! I don't like to much copying, I try to do my own thing let my
creative juices work. I get ideas from others even read the directions
but usually don't follow them either I want just part of the idea or
want to change it somehow! I have attention deficit so I lose interest
quick so I jump from one thing to another that's why I have so many
different areas I like to play in ! I am always trying new things and
combining medias ! LOL here I go rambling LOL opps time for a chocolate
brake LOL I love original works much better then the Copies!
Victoria
http://redcrazy.hypermart.net
crazyred head
Victoria's Art Jewelry
Karleen Page
then run it through a printing press - and you never know what is going to
come out. It was strictly accidental! LOL You create it and then figure out
what it is.
--
Bead Blessed!
Karleen/Vibrant Jewels
http://www.vibrantpages.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
JustBead auctions
http://www.justbeads.com/auction/SellerAuctions.asp?User=21770
Check out our Amazon Bookstore! Discounted Beading Books!
http://vibrantpages.com/jewelry/welcome.htm#BOOKSTORE
"bluemaxx" <amerik...@usa.com> wrote in message
news:qYH%7.161$Tq.707@rwcrnsc54...
Karleen Page
you put it through the press you have to put a piece of printing paper on
top of the glass and wrap it in the printing blankets - guess that goes
without mentioning though.
--
Bead Blessed!
Karleen/Vibrant Jewels
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"bluemaxx" <amerik...@usa.com> wrote in message
news:qYH%7.161$Tq.707@rwcrnsc54...
Karleen Page
> >I agree... for one thing, we've spent a lot of time researching sources
and
> >also traveling to bead shows and such to get our beads ...
>
> see, you are talking about selling *beads* again - not finished pieces. I
keep
> running into this attitude in the larger craft world - if you are making
> hand-crafted, hand-painted furniture, how can it hurt to tell where you
buy the
> *paint*?
> This attitude only makes sense (to me) if you are buying and reselling
with no
> "value added" - no change in the item. Am I just lost here? Or is
everyone
> here who says "don't tell your sources" referring to non-changed items?
> (I seem to be being a bit of a pain, but I feel like "no, that's not the
> question I asked")
>
either. Since I sell both beads, bead kits and finished pieces I guess to me
it's all the same. It was a real revelation for me to realize that there IS
a difference between a retail and a wholesale customer and why. It seems
though that most people that really get into beading start retail and end up
wholesale somehow. When I started, I just wanted to make jewelry for fun,
then the hobby got too expensive, then I found that people seemed to want to
buy beads more than finished pieces so that they could "do it themselves" -
so I ended up selling more beads than finished pieces. But now I'd really
like to get back into making and selling jewelry and let somebody else deal
with the beads! Because in order to really make a beading business work it
seems to me that you have to either deal in very unique and niche type beads
or really get into quantity and stock a lot of the same things all the time,
which quite frankly bores me. LOL And I can't afford to keep up with the
unique stuff. Hmmm, now what was the question, Lori? ....
Lori Sousa
that they are!
Lori Sousa
Have you ever thought of turning these images into bead designs? I think
"inner world" would make a nifty amulet bag!
Karleen Page
know... but thanks for the idea ... will put it into my "roundtoit" file!
LOL I have thought about getting some beading software someday for that
purpose... anybody have any suggestions for good software?
--
Bead Blessed!
Karleen/Vibrant Jewels
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bluemaxx
much darker in mood and color. :)
--
Linda
"Karleen Page" <jew...@vibrantpages.com> wrote in message
news:tPP%7.23845$Vz3.2...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
: OOPS I forgot to mention that after you smear paint on the glass and
: > :
: > :
: >
: >
: >
:
:
Pam East
> box" or something equally as funny. What a blast! "Oh no hon! That'll
Oh my, I HAVE to remember that quote! I always do everything I can to make
my classes a fun day for my students. Jokes and laughter abound. I don't
want them to get discouraged when their first efforts don't look like my
examples.
I have one bead that I teach where I start off by making them a promise. "I
promise you! You're very first saturn bead is going to look hideous!" This
usually gets a good laugh, plus it lowers their expectations and makes them
happier with their accoplishment. That particular bead is a bitch to make.
I almost hate to teach it, but they look at my pretty examples and they all
want want to do "THAT ONE!" It's one of those things with what I call a big
"Ah Ha!" factor. There's just no way to visualize the process and how it's
going to turn out until you do it. Which means your first one never comes
out right. But the second one is almost always 100% better since you now
know how it's supposed to go.
I taught an all day wire-wrap workshop yesterday. I had 10 students and it
was an absolute blast! It was a lively group and all but one of them caught
on to everything fairly quickly. And even that one had a terrific attitude
and had fun. I was on a total high by the time I got home. Exhausted, of
course, but very happy. There's no better feeling in the world than getting
do what you love most and getting paid for it to boot! God I love my job.
LOL
Pam
www.pinzart.com
Enamel Beadmaking Made Easy!
Class Schedule: http://www.pinzart.com/classes/
Sooz
quickly. And even that one had a terrific attitude and had fun.
Attitude is SO important. I took one class that was fairly easy, but I got
almost nothing out of it because the one slow person in the student group
whined non-stop. "I can never do ANYTHING...." "I always do everything
WRONNNG....." She sat right next to me and would not shut up. I tried to
cheer her up and made comments about how it was hard for all of us at first,
she'd get the hang of it......So did every other student there! But she
enjoyed her doom.
She ended up taking up all of the teacher's time and attention. No one
finished the project, though I think we would have been able to with time to
spare if we'd not had so many interruptions. When I called later and spoke to
the teacher, she said there was always a slow learner (I'm a veteran of many
classes, and I know that). I felt I didn't get my money's worth, but I'm not
going to complain any more about it. The store is already fond of me, and
they've offered special favors in the past, so I don't feel cheated. See what
I mean? The one thing that really bothered me was that the teacher seemed to
try to make me feel ashamed of making a complaint, which I felt was out of
line. I mean, this woman (the whiner) seemed almost retarded, yet it was
obvious by some of her comments that she was quite intelligent, just had the
WORST attitude I have EVER seen!
Thanks for letting me vent. Sometimes you just have to bitch and moan.