*Michael's* rant

Their metal beads *are* crap for the most part. If you look carefully, though, you will see real sterling along side the pot-metal.

They're probably perfect beads for beginners. they're readily available, and if the begginer decides that beading is not for them, they haven't put out tons of money.

I buy Blue Moon beads if I see something I like or if I don't need 100's of one style of bead. I don't buy Cousin Corp's "A Touch of Glass" series beads, as a rule, because they're even more expensive for the quality.

If you don't like 'em, don't buy 'em. I think they have their place, though.

Arondelle

I tend to agree. I've regularly used Blue Moon's Czech pressed flowers and leaves, because they are less expensive than those in bead stores. I don't buy their metal or lampwork though. They are a better brand to buy from than, say, Westrim. Blech. Nothing bothers me about this though - once a person decides to learn more about his/her hobby, and once they have experience in the wearability (or lack of) of their materials, they will naturally gravitate to the finer materials, if they wish to have items that wear longer and are more durable. Michael's target market is the beginning hobbyist and crafter - one who makes gifts and things for friends and themselves. Or a person who wants to learn about beading and is just starting out. I don't think their target market is the professional beader or the veteran hobbyist who uses the finest materials. That's usually not cost effective for the large corporation, as they are. Too bad - I would LOVE a bead store as large as Michael's that carries the finest in all materials. Right next door to my house. That would buy my lampwork at retail to sell at their store. LOL. :)

Agreed with both the original sentiment and the responses: there is a place for cheaper mass-produced stuff, but it is at best an annoyance for we "handcraft artisans" (is that a reasonable term for people making craft/art with passion, without sounding too full-of-it?) that many people can't or don't see the difference.

Not only in my limited experience with my own lampwork beads, but much more extensively with my wife's ceramic art and local wineries' output, I know it is frustrating to be selling your carefully crafted work only to hear (sometimes under their breath, sometimes right out loud to your face) "Oh, you can get this *same* stuff at Michael's (or whatever) for much cheaper than this..."

I always have to remind myself that those people are not ones who would bother buying my product anyway. What is it they say: a cynic is a person who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing...

--Dave

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "D Brock" :

]frustrating to be selling your carefully crafted work only to hear ](sometimes under their breath, sometimes right out loud to your face) "Oh, ]you can get this *same* stuff at Michael's (or whatever) for much cheaper ]than this..."

well, that was part of it. the other part of it was the person at the craft fair/whatever venue sitting next to me selling things MADE out of that "stuff" . . . and the buyer probably not knowing the difference.

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

If you're next to someone selling that kind of quality, you're in the wrong venue. There's a place for people who sell Walmart-equivalent, and a place for those who sell the real thing; the problem comes in when they're both in the

Celine

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@mindspring.com (Lee S. Billings) :

]If you're next to someone selling that kind of quality, you're in the wrong ]venue. There's a place for people who sell Walmart-equivalent, and a place for ]those who sell the real thing; the problem comes in when they're both in the ]*same* place. And that's neither your fault nor that of the other vendor, it's ]the fault of the show administrators.

good point. if the said administrators know what they are looking at!

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

venue. There's a place for people who sell Walmart-equivalent, and a place for those who sell the real thing; the problem comes in when they're both in the

Exactly!!!!! Although, I will say that a good vendor knows which shows are going to fit right, with a little research....USUALLY. I've had a couple "through the cracks" shows where the concept of jurying was apparently totally foreign to the alleged juror(s). Hence my general rule to steer clear of new shows.

-- KarenK Desert Dreamer Designs

This is so true - and also, try and remember that if these people *do* buy the stuff made from Michael's materials, the item may not wear as long or stay as beautiful over the years. Once they see that, they will go for quality. I have had many people actually tell me that they like buying high quality because they know it will last.

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Kandice Seeber" :

]I have had many people actually tell me that they like buying high ]quality because they know it will last.

i keep hoping!

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

Although some people are just ignorant of the differences of quality in jewelry. I know my mother was until I versed her on what is "good" and "bad". It isn't that they are intentionally buying "bad" stuff because of whatever reasons, it's that they just don't know the difference. Especially at a craft show (that is free to get in for the public). The more your fee's and theirs are the better chance you'll see a more informed customer. It's a pricier venue, a more "sophisticated" crowd, and probably juried too.

Valerie Website:

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.comREMOVE (Valerie) :

]they just don't know the difference. Especially at a craft ]show (that is free to get in for the public). The more your fee's and theirs ]are the better chance you'll see a more informed customer. It's a pricier ]venue, a more "sophisticated" crowd, and probably juried too.

good points!

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

Oh, yes, very true.