I don't know if this topic is appropriate. I've been making
jewellry for the last two years, but came to the conclusion that,
if I am to make a decent living, I need to import more.
No, you need to provide a jewelry product that people want! And you
need to find those people who want your product.
Your conclusion is erroneous and counter-productive. You and I can’t
compete with cheap imports. You would be adding to the problem, not
helping anyone. Let WalMart import. Let “mall jewelers” import. They
won’t stop. And you can’t compete with them either.
When my wife and I started we sold jewelry along side our own that
was made in India. We found ours rarely sold. But we sold the
imports. They were cheaper. We accidentally fooled people, on top of
that, by making people think we were importing and not hand crafting.
When we stopped trying to sell (someone else’s) imported stuff, we
began to sell more of our own.
Really, you should eliminate imports all together and stand alone,
IMO.
If all you really want to do is make money, you could work for
someone else. Or heck, sell imports, but what happens to your own
work? Might as well stop making things.
As an American Gem Cutter I have to educate the public on why my
stones are so Expensive. I’ve seen bloodstone cabs for $.50 each
recently, imported. I can’t produce a small one for less than $5.00
and usually for about $30 plus. Faceted stones for $1.00 per carat.
Heck I don’t think I facet anything for under $20 per carat. What
sets me apart from imported work? I am most likely more precise and I
have a better sense of artistic vision than those who cut and produce
for speed. I make one-of-a-kind, not the same thing over and over
again. I am an individual and not a piece of a production machine.
The public just does not understand what’s going on. I really hope
someone else jumps in to explain the import thing better than I and
how it would be counter productive to your cause.
I'm already importing stuff from Mexico, and am wondering if it
would be worth it to go to India, Thailand or Bali next winter to
purchase jewellry out there.
Gee, we knew some women who “Imported from Mexico”. They didn’t know
they were importing Asian Jewelry from a Mexican. My wife and I
laughed to ourselves over this for years.
In my opinion, it wouldn’t be worth it because of the damage you
will be doing to the public perception of your own work.
I reiterate my opening statement. You need to provide a jewelry
product that people want and you need to find the people who want
your product. Or Quit entirely.
TL Goodwin
Lapidarian/Metalsmith
The Pacifik Image
