Now Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are designing jewelry… what’s
wrong with this world?
Sorry, I had to vent because I am just astonished.
Meanwhile and most importantly, Happy New Year everyone
Cameron
Now Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are designing jewelry... what's wrong with this world?
Many things in this world might be called “wrong”. But two sucessful
and creative people deciding that they would like to try jewelry
design or making is certainly not one of them. Teachers in this
field, as well as many fine authors on the topic, and members of
(and even the existance of) the Orchid list strive to help people in
various stages of life and experience with art or jewelry also
discover the fun and challenge of jewelry design. Just because
someone is already well known and sucessful in another field should
not disqualify them from trying this one. Who knows. Maybe they’ll
turn out to be good at it.
Sorry, I had to vent because I am just astonished.
Why? Were THEY astounded when it became known that YOU were
designing jewelry? 
Peter
maybe we should invite them to join orchid i am confident brad pitt
and angelina jolie have talent and knowlege all of us benefit from
given the opportunity to exchange ideas and conversation - best
regards goo
And what is wrong with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt designing
jewelry? Am I missing something here?
KPK
Now Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are designing jewelry... what's wrong with this world?
Here’s a blog post about that, with links to more, from other folks
who are also astonished:
http://www.blisstree.com/jewelryandbeading/celebrity-designer-backlash
Elaine
Many things in this world might be called "wrong". But two successful and creative people deciding that they would like to try jewelry design or making is certainly not one of them.
I’m guessing there is also the belief that ‘real’ jewellery
designers and artisans can’t make movies nor be celebrities.
jeffD
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand
Their celebrity status will get all kinds of attention for their
jewelry. Very likely more attention than most of us who have spent a
lifetime in jewelry design. This quite understandably leads to
resentment and jealousy. Nothing we can do about it. Best to ignore
it rather than let it bug you.
Does it occur to anyone here that jewelry designing and jewelry
making are two different things?
If anyone thinks they are a jewelry designer strictly by virtue of
being a jewelry maker, then I believe they are missing a most crucial
distinction.
Pitt and Jolie will do well. The name recognition is only a part of
it. They’ll succeed because they are artistic professionals who make
it their job to succeed.
One might review this in the context of the recent talent debate.
Apply those same standards (if any were made).
And they will sell stuff because of their name & some identify with
them. And… who doesn’t know them? Just like all the football &
baseball stuff people wear with the numbers of their favorite
players. (aaargh)
Mtlctr
Celebrity jewelry is smart business, especially concerning those
two. There are alot of people who would like to look like Brad or
Angie or have their sweetheart look like them. Buying an adornment
that allows a connection to them feeds on our primordial impulse to
adorn to show status and beauty and belong to a certain tribe
(Hollywood)…
Personally, I can’t stand either one of them and I prefer a found
object over a diamond, but I can understand the smart business behind
this.
There is something to learn from this. Don’t we need to know WHY
people would buy our jewelry, before we try to sell it? The business
minds behind celebrity jewelry have answered that question.
This is no threat to me, because my customer, like me, wears jewelry
for other reasons. But we are in the minority.
Mary Lu
Perhaps Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt could use the skills of the
talented jewelers on Orchid to help them turn their design ideas into
well made jewelry. David
David Luck
http://www.davidluckjewelry.com
I don’t know… I suppose that anyone who is talented in various
ways could decide to and be successful at designing jewelry. (I’d
rather think that they’re going to actually MAKE their designs by
hand – would have more meaning, IMO.)
Here’s what has been annoying me, though:
Here in California (at least, I don’t know if it’s a national chain
and ad campaign)… there are ads from a chain jewelry store for the
"Jane Seymour" line of diamond jewelry. And they show Jane
"designing" “her” jewelry (sarcastic quotes deliberate): Here’s Jane
scrawling a vaguely heart shaped smear in red paint on a piece of
paper - looking thoughtfully at it… Then voila! there are the fine
craftsmen & women of the jewelry chain turning that squiggle into a
diamond pendant - cut to Jane looking happily and approvingly at the
pendant. THAT’S jewelry design?
I’m insulted!
Donna
Many things in this world might be called "wrong". But two successful and creative people deciding that they would like to try jewelry design or making is certainly not one of them.
I agree with elements of both viewpoints in this discussion, in
limited ways. It has to do, mainly, with the terminology. There was
a time when the title “jewelry designer” belonged to those who had
extensive training in formal design concepts as well as an intimate
knowledge of jewelry manufacturing processes. Some had the technical
ability to actually make jewelry themselves, but there were those
who didn’t but still knew how it had to be done. There are still such
individuals, but the term has been extended (or softened) to
indicate people in a range of positions from those old school
designers to the CAD jockeys who may or may not know much about
jewelry manufacture, to just about anyone who wants to claim the
title. I tend to have much more respect for the original
qualifications. That said, I’m getting used to the idea that there
are designers who obviously have to rely extensively on the talents
of skilled technicians to facilitate their “designs”. I’ve worked for
plenty of them. Most of them aren’t going to admit that they’re
really only the bridge between jewelry technicians and marketing.
I can understand why someone who has spent years learning to make
and “design” jewelry would resent someone who had the apparent
arrogance to simply declare themselves a designer. But there is no
automatic mechanism of justice at work in this world. If it’s there,
it’s all man made. We used to have guild systems that oversaw titles
and qualifications. Not so much there these days. But for that
matter, there are many skilled technicians who don’t seem to be
inclined to learn anything about design, in general. They just pick
other peoples pockets for their ideas. In some ways, they’re worse
than the un-knowledgeable. It’s pure hubris to think that just
because you can make jewelry, being able to design it well is simply
assumed.
On the other hand, I certainly believe that people, all people, need
and deserve to have a creative outlet. I know for a fact that the
unemployment agency used to actually suggest that people become
"jewelry designers" as if that were as easy as setting up a home
based business brewing beer. Just buy the kit, take a class or two,
or heck, just google it for the “how to” links on the subject. So all
those wannabe “jewelry designers” are probably finding out there’s a
bit more to it than just firing up the desire to embark on a new
career.
I believe Brad Pitt has been designing jewelry for some time now. By
now he may actually have some knowledge on the manufacturing
challenges, but I’ll bet he still relies extensively on people like
me to pull of his ideas. I got so frustrated by these people that now
I won’t do work for anyone who doesn’t have better qualifications. I
can’t afford to entertain an amateur’s bourgeois fantasies if that’s
the case. They need training whether they know it or not, and I’m not
teaching. I will consult, but the fee is stiff to offset the
frustration and compensate for the time involved.
Well, I suspect I’ve insulted some, but I hope I’ve been an equal
opportunity insulter. I’ve got the bonafides, if any one is
interested, so I have no qualms about putting this opinion out there.
David L. Huffman
I think it is great that Pitt and Jolie want to design jewelry. My
hope is that due credit will be given the person, or persons who
actually carry out the designs and transform Brad and Ange’s ideas
into jewelry. Too often these people function as ghost writers, with
little or no recognition.
Alma
I cannot get those emerald earrings out of my mind whenever I think
about Angelina. Remember, we had quite a discussion about those
fabulous earrings. If she and Brad want to design and sell beautiful
jewelry that lingers on other people’s minds, I say go for it. I want
people everywhere to think about and want jewelry and I don’t care if
a celebrity creates that desire. I think the recession has made even
people with no financial problems overly cautious about spending on
luxuries like jewelry so anything that can counteract that is a good
thing.
Beverly
There are people that have larger dreams, higher goals, greater
skill, and more talent to apply themselves with perseverance and
determination and who work harder and take much greater risk than
most people are willing to or capable of.
These people should be respected, because it shows what can be
accomplished if you are willing to do what they have done. Rather
than being critical and judgmental about others ability to be
successful in different applications of their talent, ponder why you
do not rise to the level of success that you might be capable of but
have not achieved.
If every piece of jewelry you make is your own design and you do all
the work to create it, you are rare indeed. If you do custom and the
idea is a customers, you are no more a designer than who ever
translates a celebrity’s idea or concept into jewelry. The credit for
the idea is the customers. You are just using skills they do not have
to create it.
Be inspired by the success of others and apply yourself as
diligently as you can to your own dreams and goals for success.
Limits the amount of time for gossip.
Richard Hart G.G.
Denver, Co.
Now Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are designing jewelry... what's wrong with this world?
It’s not what you know. It’s who you know.
Celebrity designers? I don’t think we are in direct competition with
these folks.
Please do keep in mind that the celebrities mentioned are all very
generous with their personal time, money and use of their celebrity
for some very good and important causes. No, I don’t mean adopting
some individual kids, I mean millions in katrina ravaged New Orleans
with great new conceptual ideas being implemented to make life
better, more efficiently.
We’d all like access to big-time publicity. They’ve got it, we
don’t. Oh,well. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.
Marianne Hunter
http://www.hunter-studios.com
I don’t understand this concern with celebrity and jewelry. For those
who expressed concern it, is it that you think someone may buy ‘Pitt
& Jolie’s’ work rather than yours? Most of us are not in competition
with Angelina & Brad, as I like to call them.
"My hope is that due credit will be given the person, or persons who actually carry out the designs and transform Brad and Ange's ideas into jewelry. Too often these people function as ghost writers, with little or no recognition. "
It’s the nature of the business; the seller gets all the recognition.
Bluntly, the jewelry is worth nothing until it’s sold. Some people
can make it and some people can sell it. Sales people are paid very
well just because of that: the ability or talent for selling.
I know two makers who produce work at the highest level: i.e. design
a ring for a $500,000 paraiba tourmaline. Their names are never
mentioned but very high-end jewelers may know who they are. The work
is presented as the work of the retail establishment. Back stage
stuff is not mentioned. Lalique is well known but how many workers in
his studio are known? Asprey & Garrard, sellers of James Miller’s
work. probably never mentioned James’ name to the Sultan of Brunei.
Retail jewelers spend much time and money developing relationships
with clients who have the financial capacity to purchase jewelry at
that level. The maker receives his money (there are exceptions) when
he/she completes the work. The retailer’s work is not over and the
money comes later. The maker’s reward is work well done and money
paid up front.
KPK
Give me a break! People who design houses don’t actually build them.
Cars, boats, cloths, accessories, shoe’s, speeches for presidents,
just about everything has people designing and not actually making
it. What is the big surprise? Don’t take it so personal.
Julia