How does it make you feel?

On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 14:21:34 -0500, Diana Curtis wrote (in message ):

I'm a consumer of components, rather than a creator, but it's an interestng question. I suspect that the closest feeling would be something like maternal pride, like when I see the kids do something really well.

BTW: Love the aliteration: "Pusher of Paua Shells!" Harry, consider that to be your next job title! :-) I love it.

Kathy N-V, Bead hoard (say that ten times fast!)

Thank you. I have been pondering on what the meaning or underlying meaning of the message may or may not have meant. After some thought I took it to be an interest as to weather I was pleased with the item made. I do love Paua shell and do not look to make a huge profit from the sell as can be easily seen by my prices. My primary goal was to introduce something beautiful to those who have not seen it. I hope I have not offened anyone with my post or sells? If I have I am sorry and will refrain from doing so in the future. I just wanted to offer a product that is unique and perhaps bring some joy to others.

Harry

Don't you dare stop!

Tina

that is unique

You know, Harry,

You have as much right to be hare as anyone else. You don't need anyone's OK any more than I do. Didn't Louis allude to that in a recent post. That men, and not just women, can get convinced that it their job to please and serve others? I'm glad you're here. But you don't need anyones approval to come and enjoy this group (even if occassionallya thicker skin is useful).

Tina

that is unique

OH, no, i think you took her wrong. Diana wouldn't ever say anything meant to offend. She just wanted to praise your product, and is delighting in how beautiful it came out in a finished product. Diana's one of my best friends in the whole world, so I feel pretty confident in saying that she meant no offense.

Actually I've always wonder how an artist feels when the finished piece diminished the element she or he created. Or when you make a great piece and the giftee gives it to a kid because it's the wrong color or whatever. (Something they would not do with a piece of jewelry from a store).

Tina

I took the "pusher of Paua shells" bit as an attempt at affectionate teasing of Harry. Perhaps it would have been clearer if Diana had stuck an emoticon onto it; one of the limits of this kind of communication is that facial expressions and tones of voice don't come thru.

Celine

Same here.

Probably would have helped. Not everyone visiting here is as familiar with Diana as some of us.

Carol in SLC My newest creation:

Two thoughts about this, from a maker of finished pieces:

1) What you've described here is analogous to the person who spends 6 months writing a short story and then sends it out... and gets a rejection letter. It would be foolish to pretend it doesn't hurt. It would be equally foolish to pretend that it's not going to happen sometimes. Consider it an occupational hazard of being in any creative field of endeavor. 2) When someone gives me an item that for one reason or another I don't find suitable, but I can think of someone else who would like it, I will frequently pass it along to that person. I think of this as honoring the *intent* of the person who gave me the item, which was that it should give pleasure. If the pleasure given is at one remove, it's still pleasing someone. And yes, I've been known to pass on "jewelry store" pieces as well, rather than having them languish unappreciated in my own jewelry box.

Celine

Glorious and giddy!

Oh, you guys, I think Diana meant this in a good way - not in a negative way.... correct me i I am wrong, but I think she meant how do we feel seeing our pieces made into jewelry....I don't think there was underlying negative meaning at all. Diana's not like that, from what I can tell.

Yes, completely. After all - I am a bead pusher, because I make beads. We are all bead dealers - like drug dealers - because beads (and Paua shells!) are addictive. We love this about ourselves. :)

Well, I try not to look at it as being diminished, but as being different from what I personally do with the things I make. If someone gave one of my creations to a child because it was the wrong color....hmmmmm, I am not sure. I would either be happy for the child, or I might feel the need to explain the kind of work that goes into the piece. I've never had that happen, so I am not sure how I would feel. I have seen some of my beads made into things that I didn't feel were quite right, but that's a subjective thing. I try to tell myself that this person's vision of beauty is just different from my own, and not necessarily wrong. It's hard, though - a couple of times I just cringed. No one here, though!!

You always have such a good way of saying things, Celine. I totally agree with both statements!

You're exactly right, Kandice!

Maybe I'm weird, but when I make things that are to be incorporated into more finished pieces (like beads or murrini), I feel complemented when someone chooses to use MY work in THEIR piece. They do not have to use my items, I'm not the only glassworker out there. But after it leaves my hands, it becomes part of the other artist's piece and I have no control over that. Of course it is always nice when my tastes and the jeweler's tastes are similar so that I like their work, but if our tastes weren't somewhat similar she probably wouldn't use my beads. The only time I had any real feelings about the finished piece was when someone used one of my beads along with some other people's in a gallery show and gave credit to all the beadmakers but me. Probably just an oversight, but it still stung a bit. Oh, and Harry - Rock on with those shells man!

Noooooo!!! Do not stop!! Please! The last thing I wanted to do was offend anyone here. Perhaps if I rephrase my question it would help? But Harry.. .in no way do I want to push you out of here. What a delightful contribution you are to this group, I would sorely miss you and your posts! What I was asking is...as artists and creators of beads and beady things how does it make you feel when someone buys your work and transforms it into jewelry, or .. whatever.. and it becomes something else entirely in your eyes.. a thing of even greater beauty. I asked because I saw Harry's reaction to his Paua shell being wire wrapped, and while I could tell he was pleased I wanted to know more .... what his *or any other artist * first reaction is.. other than WOW. :-) Again, let me apologize for not making my question clearer. Diana

I hope Harry doesnt feel offended by my question too...I didnt mean to single Harry out.. all artists and creators of bead were welcome to share their reactions to seeing their works transformed by other artists.