Becoming a "retailer"

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello David, Becoming a retailer just means I get all the rush jobs,
and the jobs I didn’t quote enough for and therefore cannot afford to
farm out to a superjeweler in New York. And I still stay up all night
often enough to be more careful about estimates. My best bench is at
home. Does any one out there with a day job NOT have a bench at home?
It never ends folks. Once you are hooked on making jewelry, the
addiction never goes away. Well, it’s 10:15 at night and I have to go
to work.

Tom Arnold

2 
   . . . It never ends folks. Once you are hooked on making
jewelry, the addiction never goes away. . .

Hi Tom;

I’m not so much hooked on making jewelry as I am on paying my bills.
If I had adequate financial resources such that I didn’t have to make
jewelry for a living, I’m sure I would still make it, when I wasn’t
puttering around tending the orchard or the currents and gooseberrys.
Or maybe firing up the old coal forge and the power hammer to bash
around on hot iron. Just not sure what the heck my stuff would look
like if I didn’t have to worry about somebody wanting to pay for it.
One thing I miss, since moving back into town. I miss watching the
chickens picking around in the yard. My advice? Never retire before
you can actually stay retired. Leisure is a tough habit to break.

David L. Huffman

3

Dear David, I agree even though I don’t want to. I have kept myself
going for years by thinking that the economic pressure I am under
aids in my art. This is perhaps to ease my mind for doing prostitute
work which I would never do if I didn’t have to to pay those darn
bills. One thing I do know that the pressure has contributed to me is
that I have learned alot of technique which I wouldn’t have if I
didn’t take on those jobs. Other things I have learned is business
and production. I never stop asking myself how can I do this simpler
and quicker and maintain the quality.

Sam Patania, Tucson
www.patanias.com