Yesterday at the indy bookstore job, a young woman brought in a box of earrings she's made to sell. Very simple earrings she's been selling at the bazaars for $15 dollars. Very simple. One small bead above one large bead, some times a piece of shell, with minimal wire work, if there's wrapping it's one coil and there are wire ends poking out. $15. She arranged them on a dusty black stand with no cards or adornment and set a price of $17 because it's a consignment situation.
It is very important to me to respect the customer that might buy my product. I don't think the customer is gullible or stupid when they are looking at my work. I think finishing work is very important and presentation is a very inexpensive way to show a customer that I give a shit. I find her display of sloppy work on a dusty plastic stand offensive and disrespectful.
I have to add that I have had previous encounters with this young lady's attitude toward jewelry selling. It went something like this: " I can sell out in a day and completely restock in the evening" ...as she wrapped wire in s shapes with glass beads to make a dainty necklace for sale to my former boss.
After my thrilling day at the November bazaar, I can firmly say this is not a post related to envy at her apparent commercial success. It's just plain annoying that she uses her skills to look so cheap.
4 comments:
I agree Kelly. I use to sell at this Gallery & there was one person who's jewelry sounds a lot like the person you mentioned. She sold out all the time...I sold one piece. It probably took her 15 minutes to make a bracelet. It took me 15 hours. She then informed me that MY prices were too high! Nice, huh? And no, I don't sell at that gallery anymore.
This one has suggested my prices are high for embroidered pieces. She acted like she wanted to buy something that took me ages to finish then cringed at the price. $17 for earrings that cost her $3 to make isn't expensive?
There are some words I'd like to use to describe the "young woman" you are writing about. However, as this is a non-profanity laden site, I shall refrain.
Your stuff is much nicer anyways! Yours is the type that wife and I buy when she's looking for jewelery, show's real craftwomanship, not the cheap n easy stuff.
Thanks Dave, I appreciate it. I try to sell only stuff I'd be willing to buy. I'm probably being naive but that's why I keep my day job, so I can afford to sell art!
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