Honest opinion needed re: bead name

Hi Kalera,

I like the "Shaman's Flowers" better myself, just because it does sound more upbeat. I would agree that "suicide flowers" along with the explanation, might put people off. I dunno though. I'm curious to hear what others have to say. To me, "Suicide Flowers" might work with something funky or comical.

I'm sorry about your brother. That's so sad.

Oh Kalera... I'm so sorry about your brother. As for your question, I guess what I would ask myself is this: Which name more reflects MY reaction to the bead? In other words, it sounds like this was a visceral experience for you. I wouldn't lessen it by choosing its name based on the sensibilities of others.

It's *your* art. If people don't like the name you give it, then they don't have to look at it or buy it.

Egads. I'm a little cranky today, eh? LOL!

Tinkzilla

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Kalera Stratton :

]I ]would like to name the series after him, and the first thing that came ]to my mind was "Suicide Flowers", along with an explanation of the ]name... I would like people who buy them to think about the value and ]joy of life, as well as the sorrow and waste of suicide, which was so ]brought home to me by losing him. Would that be too macabre, and end up ]turning people off from purchasing them? Should I go with my first ]instinct, or choose something more upbeat, like "Shaman's Flowers"?

could we see them, first?

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

(Jewelry) newest creations: ----------- The measure of the menace of a man is not what hardware he carries, but what ideas he believes.-- Jeff Jordan

Kalera,

I have to agree with Tinkipoo on this one. It's all about your feelings on these sets. I wouldn't be a bit put off with suicide beads because I've lost dear ones to that fate myself. I'm so sorry about your loss as well.

Either way, I support you and your art. You are a warm and wonderful person with many things to share including the joys of life.

Starlia

Hi Kalera, I'm sorry about your brother - mine is not out of this world, but has taken himself out of our family so it feels almost the same - except there is hope he will find his way back still - so not the same... but I do sympathize... anyway... what about something else - I'm thinking Lost Soul Flowers maybe... only because of this website I know of:

It might not fit your brother's situation but maybe it will give you some ideas of what to call your series - assuming you are still looking for something to call them. Can't wait to see them...

I think the name "Suicide Flowers" will lose you sales. If you choose to use the name for your own satisfaction, go for it, but it will impact sales negatively, in my opinion.

I also think it will affix the the notion of suicide in your mind to work so closely on these beads with those thoughts in mind.

I would suggest you find a similar image with less painful emphasis for your beads. Funerary Ware, Gifts for Passing, Gifts for Charon, Fluer de Mort, New Life from Death (ie Spring), For the Journey, Crossing the Bridge. Beauty from Pain.

I would feel honored to see them.

Tina

How about Joyful Life Florals? Or Celebration Garden Series? Emergent Destiny? Serene Strength? Something that is uplifting and encouraging. We live in a culture of death and too much morbid imagry surrounds us IMHO. Sorry about your brother too. Hugs, Karleen

Things often have a name, and then we call it something else. .. for instance.. you are Kalera... you are also known as a lampworker, mother ,... So, its name, where its power lies, can be Suicide Flower but you can call it something else on the selling page. Im not convinced Im making sense except to myself. :-) Diana

And you know, in another vein, including Shamanism, giving up something/someone's name is a way of taking away it's power.

Tina

"Suicide" is a bad word to a lot of people. I'd probably choose something safer. Having said that, however, I can understand what this must mean to you, and my advice would be to go with your gut. Those who want to "get it," will. In the end though, whichever one you go with will be the right choice because it'll come from the heart, regardless of reason. :)

I'm so sorry about your brother.

Kalera,

For whatever reasons, it'll certainly polarise people IMHO...

Sometimes, I don't think this is a bad thing.. and I'm a believer in instincts... Go for it, I say..

Mavis

Yes! Thats what I was talking about! There are a set pf books... ahh. .Rick Cook's (his wife posts on rctq) talked about how letting someone know your true name was giving up your power. It was an analogy for some computer programming mumbo jumbo but the lesson was clear... Naming things is an important job. Diana the books were Cursed and Consulted and Wiz Biz, nice SF stuff mixed with computer programing.

I would vote for Shaman's Flowers

Merriam-Webster suggests: Main Entry: felo-de-se Pronunciation: "fe-lO-d&-'sA, -'sE Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural fe·lo·nes-de-se /f&-"lO-(")nEz-d&-/; or felos-de-se /"fe-lOz-d&-/ Etymology: Medieval Latin felo de se, fello de se, literally, evildoer in respect to oneself

1 : one who commits suicide or who dies from the effects of having committed an unlawful malicious act 2 : an act of deliberate self-destruction : SUICIDE

*hugs* Margie

I would call them "Remembering Shaman"

Shirley

In article , Christina Peterson writes

Kalera: I have had 2 suicides in my family, and the thought of buying something labelled with the word suicide would turn me off, sorry. It would remind me all the time (as if i'm not reminded enough) of the losses, and no matter how beautiful the beads are (and I'm certain they are) I couldn't buy them

I guess you have to let your heart decide. If you made them for commercial purposes, then you quite likely might have to find a less controversial name.

If you had made them to keep or give to a family member, etc., then calling them Suicide Flowers would be fine.

It is a question that has so many answers.

Good luck with making the decision, and be happy that Shaman is among beautiful flowers forever.

This I agree with. It's a hard thing to name and to let go of something that represents and means so much to you. I've read the names suggested here and like them all. I wish I could help more by thinking of some names for you. (((((((Kalera))))))) The fact that you created this art that is so meaningful to you moved me to tears.

I like that the best - "Remembering Shaman"

Me too. Maybe you could put in the description that the bead is "in honour of much-loved brother Shaman, who died in 1997" then put a little something about valuing life and making the most of each day. Then buyers will be aware of how special this bead is and remember to appreciate life. Something like that would make me feel honoured to be the bead's new owner.