more pics and descriptions added

I've had this experience, too. The weight of the piece makes a big difference in which kinds of clasps actually -work-. And how well.

Deirdre

there yet.<

I took it as Mary speaking about OTHER people's artist made jewelry, and that she has only really become aware of it as she has started to get into making her own. But that is really beside the point. I don't think any of us want to post here feeling like our words are going to be picked apart line by line as to what we mean.

Carol in SLC eBay auctions:

(click on "view seller's other Items")

My intent was not to pick apart what she was saying, but rather to illustrate that I was hearing mixed messages from her.

Tina

(click on "view seller's other Items")

Probably because people ike pewter and are some times willing to overpay for it.

Tina

>(click on "view seller's other Items")>

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Christina Peterson" :

]Probably because people ike pewter and are some times willing to overpay for ]it.

good point. i love pewter, but i generally only buy it in charm form. it tends to be soft.

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

's not what you take, when you leave this world behind you;it's what you leave behind you when you go. -- Randy Travis

own beads with both hands.

This is the thing I have an objection to - what gives you the right to say things like that about me? I *was* hurt - I have thoughts and feelings and wish them to be respected. I did not say anything disrespectful to Kellie - all I said was if spring clasps tend to fail, then maybe I shouldn't wear the gold necklace my husband bought me from a reputable jeweler. And for that, I was called a smart ass. I have said time and time again that I appreciate the information that I have received here but let's overlook that again.

I am also pissed off - no one deserves to be slammed like you're doing. Who gave you the title of know all queen jewelry artist? I was willing to forget and fade into the background and continue to read the posts to learn more but I am not a doormat for you to walk on and I do not appreciate the things you keep saying about me to others in the NG. A number of people have emailed to tell me that they don't post here because of people like you - how sad! Get off your high horse and go back to your jewelry queen throne and leave me alone!!

Mary Close To My Heart Consultant

Mom to Aimee, dedicated college student and Jacob, CP kid and aspiring mafia godfather

Kellie: It's evident that Mary is basing her experience and her work on what is available in department/retail stores. It's all about what she knows, not what she wants to learn. It's pretty evident also, that if it hasn't happened to her, or she doesn't ask, blah, blah, blah, then what she is doing is alright.

I for one, cannot wear base metal of any kind. I get rashes that make poison ivy look mild. As long as Mary tells me that she's using it, I know not to buy it. But if she doesn't, and I buy it, be prepared for my reaction !!!

As we've said before, the cost for sterling findings is barely noticeable when compared with base metal.

Toggle clasps, or other handmade clasps are some of what can distinguish your work from retail stores. Why do you want to copy what you see, there?

Ah well, I think I agree with you...she just likes to be contrary. Save your breath as I will save mine.

Lisa

yep, i love copper, but can't stand it on my skin. Aside from the fact that it turns my skin black and makes it start to peel. I have to laquer pieces I buy, because, although I love the patina...it just isn't good for me.

and some people can strip the finish off quicker then others. PH level perhaps?>

yeah - my son's skin can eat through ANY SILVER PLATED item in 24 hours!!!!

weird....... Cheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

I don't think it's just you, but it does matter to a lot of people, and it would be a shame to lose their business because of a detail like that.

I assume that if findings are not specified to be sterling (or gold-filled or copper or bronze), that they are not. Cheap pretties are nice, but I do look for care and knowledge in my artisan jewelry. There are buyers both of your type and my type in the world, and as a seller, it is to your benefit to be able to market yourself to both.

I can address this. I save my money to spend on pieces I truly like, and feel are worth the investment. These pieces are NOT disposable to me... I foresee wearing them for a long time. If an artisan has put their knowlwdge and skill into a piece, as well as their time and material expenses, I expect it to cost a fair amount. If it doesn't, I expect a corner has been cut somewhere, possibly only in their confidence, but still *somewhere*.

I totally agree with this. I was a lampwork hobbyist until about a month and a half ago, when I started selling in earnest. I loved every minute of being a hobbyist, because it's a great hobby! Now I'm depending on it for over half my income. That doesn't make me a better person than I was a year ago, it just gives me a different presentation. And I have to be really careful about my presentation, because my livelihood depends on it now!

I'm always kind of mystified by people who post asking for advice, and when you give it to them, they reject it out of hand.

When I posted my website, I was prepared to have it torn apart, and also prepared to make changes. But then, I've submitted my writing for critique by other writers... teaches you to take constructive criticism REAL FAST! Or quit writing. Or just quit asking for critique! :)

Be VERY careful... Michaels will probably fire you if they hear word of that! But then, I think you should advertise your own, independent classes anyway.

I just wanted to add that a very good reason to know your materials well before you sell is that although you may be just getting started, a person who finds your website and wants to order doesn't know that. Just as you assumed that anything they sell at the store must be "good", an uninformed buyer at your site will assume that if you're selling it, it must be "good". Sure, it is good... but good is relative.

There's a vast middle-ground between precious metals and base metal. Base metal and pot metal is usually iron or zinc, which are nutritious but brittle! Brass, copper, and pewter are good for findings. (zinc, btw, is non-ferrous and won't stick to a magnet; nor will brass or copper. There are lots of silver or nickel-plated brass and copper findings out there.)

Y'know, I read your response to Kellie, and I think you're being disingenuous. I don't like disingenuous. You made your comment about the "gold-and-diamond necklace, maybe I shouldn't wear it" (paraphrasing) in a deliberately sarcastic manner, and now you're pretending to be all sweetness and innocence, and I've seen that over and over again in your posts. You asked for critique and suggestions, then rejected every suggestion that was offered, however pleasantly, with a tone that suggested that you were somehow offended by it. Then you defended your own offensive tone by claiming you were attacked and hurt.

Disingenuous.

Oh god, I know this is all old hat by now but here's more disingenuousness. If you were reading and learning from suggestions, why not say "Oh, thanks, I didn't know that, I'll look for some different clasps" instead of reacting defensively about what you were using and then jumping on people for not being clairvoyant and being able to see that you went and took their advice?

If I ask for input, and someone gives me advice I don't feel like following, I thank them politely and go my own way. I don't try to argue them out of advice I asked for!