Julie has done it again!!!

And to me, this is different. She's selling mass-produced Swarovskis that have a set known general value, and not art. Plus, she seems to be selling them at a too-high rate. Art beads are hard to place a set value on - the market decides the price. So we're doing the buying public a favor by talking about her on the newsgroups. :D

You have a bad case of over-kindness. I hope it goes away quickly and we can go back to the straight talk. LOL. There are ways to say anything without hurting someone's feelings, and sometimes when the beads are bad enough? It just needs to be said. Would you rather they heard it face-to-face at a bead show, where you know others are listening? When I did shows, I heard it all. Grows some backbone on you, it does.

Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows

Kandice - That's so funny because I was showing the wildflower set to the librarian that asked me about all the flower books I had checked out. I told her where I sold and she asked if someone would actually pay for those. I told her that I hoped so, but not everyone is the same.

I purchase quite a bit of art, but I would never say anything about what "idiot" would spend that much money. I know for one that many artists are themselves shocked at the prices some of their work makes. It's a good surprise, but still a surprise.

No Tina, I was referring to a seller of crystal, not art beads. I have my favorites there and in my mind they are all good.

BTW, if I gave it some thought I probably know who *you* are referring to...

Well, yeah but, tell us how you really feel Becki. =o)

Beki

Maybe. There is that old adage of buyer beware. I guess because I was raised to be frugal, I assume the rest of the planet is too. Big error in reality on my part, I know. =o\

I think because I am a vendor, its just not "proper" for me to talk about other vendors in a less than good light. The more I thought about my post from earlier today, the more I felt I should have kept my mouth shut. Whether I tried to not sound snarky or not, I did sound snarky. I am sorry about that.

Beki

And, let me add, commenting about another vendor, which I did earlier today.

Thank you for your points Fran, they are good ones.

And Kandice, some folks just have certain roles in the universe. Maybe one of yours is to be a voice of dissent. If it makes even one person stop and think...??

Beki

No, you're not wrong. I think we all need to remember that Usenet is a public forum. There are ways of saying things that don't slam the beadmaker *or* the customer.

I went and looked at the beads in question. Yes, they're lovely. No, I wouldn't pay that much for them... NOW. But if I had several hundred dollars to blow on something, and I *really really loved* one of those beads -- why, then I might

*be* one of those "idiot" bidders. Someone who has broken into the crowd can EASILY get prices like that, because those people don't have the same considerations we do. I've noticed, over the years, that as my income fluctuates, so does the amount I'm willing to pay for a particular item. When I have more discretionary income, it's a lot easier for me to talk myself into spending some of it on a luxury. And all jewelry, let's face it, is a luxury.

The other thing, as some people have pointed out already, is reputation. There probably are dozens of lampworkers whose artistry and quality are just as good as this seller's -- but *she's got the rep*. When people are buying for status, a lot of other priorities go out the window.

Celine

Amen Sooz.

On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 21:38:24 -0500, Dr. Sooz wrote (in message ):

And the best part is that now we can be 100% sure that the "real Becki" is back. Thank God.

Kathy N-V

I would gladly pay that price for such a beautiful bead if I had disposable funds. I don't though. :-(

EWEL SUCHY Lampwork Beads - GLOW Lentil Item number: 2691569082>

why?>>>>

OK DEB - that does it ... Heck -- don't ask me I've THROWN AWAY BEADS that looked like that for gawd's sake.... !!!!

Cheryl last semester of lawschool! yipee! DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

And speaking of reputations, if I'm not mistaken, most of the highest end beaders sell from their sites or from galleries, rather than on eBay. So gallery prices are above the norm for eBay.

Tina

have

Is there a gallery of Lampwork Beads/Jewelry in the Portland Oregon area?

Me, overkind?? LOL That's a good one! Well, in the sense that I don't like criticising other artists' work behind their backs, yes. If someone was here and wanted criticism (or asked why their ebads weren't selling, etc.) and I thought they would actually listen to criticism, I might give it. But talking negatively about an artist (who many people feel makes wonderful beads) when she isn't here posting herself feels really wrong to me.

ROFLMAO - yeah!!!

Yes - the discerning bead collector often has a lot of money and they don't mind spending it on beads! I noticed some of the bidders were known lampwork collectors. I mean, people collect antiques and pay tons of money for them. People collect baseball cards! That one has confounded me for years, but one person's confusion is another person's excitement. Even though I would never spend hundreds of dollars on a baseball card, etc, I would never be mean to a person who did.

Yes - I can't remember the name of it, but I do know that it's participating in the Gathering there this summer.