Several people on here seem to think that giving someone something
doesn't help them...
We all receive the precious free gift of advice, every day. I read
the posts each morning and think how lucky I am to have such a
resource of experienced and talented artisans to teach me something
new. If I have a question all I have to do is ask and my mailbox is
complete with answers within a couple of days.
It’s distressing to see people that contribute so much to this forum
spoken to so disrespectfully.
Thanks to Orchid.
Thanks to the guys who “run big fancy shops”.
I appreciate the help.
I totally agree with Pam. I am most grateful to “the guys who run
big fancy shops,” for their generosity in helping others. Thank you
so very very much, and a special thanks to Orchid.
So if you guys with lots of "worthless" stuff laying around aren't
going to do something with them that helps and encourages other
less well funded and less experienced jewelers, just quit bitching
about having them laying around.
True - also true that this thread has gone to an unpleasant place,
IMO. Neil put it well, today. I don’t have any more of those kinds
of stones, because I already gave them all away… A diamond setter
I know has jars full of cheap South American stuff - lightly tinted
aqua, amethyst, 50 cent garnets, etc. He keeps them because he has
yet to to let go of them, emotionally. It’s his “stuff”.
It is uncomfortable to talk about wanting stuff, and why someone who
has it maybe keeps it. I have tools I never use, but one day I just
might need it…Generally the day after you get rid of it.
Jewelers are family in a very true sense - being a part of that
family is good in many ways, and one way is that all of us (as we
have said, here) pass on everything. I sold a small trunk full of
enamels & tools to a student for $100, because she was the right
person in the right place at the right time. But that’s personal,
not the internet. The bigger you get, the more people you know, the
more involved you are, the more things of all sorts are going to
happen.
An old friend of ours retired, took out his stones and metal, and
told me that I could have his shop for the cost of moving it out.
Not so much of a shop… But I kept 10%, donated the office stuff to
a charity, and gave the rest to anyone who wanted it. Over the
years, these things come up, but you have to be there, too. Family.
So if you guys with lots of "worthless" stuff laying around aren't
going to do something with them that helps and encourages other
less well funded and less experienced jewelers, just quit bitching
about having them laying around.
Well I don’t think most of us were “bitching” about having them
laying around. I certainly wasn’t. We were offering solutions to the
problem of having excess inventory that was brought up by an earlier
poster. And most respondents had ideas that in some way or another
generated more income for our operations. And again, why is it that
we should help for-profit jewelers in a monetary fashion? Because
we’re both jewelers? I don’t quite get that line of thinking. I help
my friends (some of whom are jewelers) and people in need (I don’t
define in need as someone who is less well funded than me—I have
this silly idea that it’s people who don’t have a home to live in,
are punished for being in the minority, have an incurable disease,
or who need help in their old age). Just take a look on my website to
see a partial list of who I do give to.
Daniel R. Spirer, G.G.
Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers, LLC
I totally agree with Pam. I am most grateful to "the guys who run
big fancy shops," for their generosity in helping others. Thank you
so very very much, and a special thanks to Orchid.
Hi Folks…
I’m gonna come in with Pam and Alma…
It’s the crux of what Orchid is all about…
Gary W. Bourbonais
L’Hermite Aromatique
A.J.P. (GIA)
Also…buy a Raffle Ticket from Orchid…
You could clean up big time…
We all receive the precious free gift of advice, every day. I read
the posts each morning and think how lucky I am to have such a
resource of experienced and talented artisans to teach me
something new. If I have a question all I have to do is ask and my
mailbox is complete with answers within a couple of days. It's
distressing to see people that contribute so much to this forum
spoken to so disrespectfully. Thanks to Orchid. Thanks to the guys
who "run big fancy shops". I appreciate the help.
Pam I could not agree any more strongly unless you all have forgotten
it was not so long ago you all read a posting
“A fellow silversmith desperately needs our help”
WELL THAT WAS ME and the call for help was answered while I am not
in my own store or even making enough to pay the bills I am slowly
able to purchase what I need and that is only because I received a
hand up to get me started. With out that I would have given up and be
sitting in the spinal rehab unit in Miami instead I am home, have a
very small little work shop 4x6 but I am moving and soon will have a
tiny bit more space. All I am trying to say is we all need help from
time to time. One day you time will come like mine did, we all think
it can’t happen to us but guess what it can. After spinal surgery I
am now a paraplegic and I have excepted that. I love orchid and all
those who contribute to it. I draw so much inspiration, education
and encouragement that even though I can’t afford it and I really do
not think I have a chance in *&^&^&^ of winning I have got my ticket
and the new pieces for my old ball vice will wait another month this
is more important. And stop slamming each other everyone has some
wisdom to pass on if you never read another thing I say I hope you
all take this to heart.
Thanks for your response and for the update on your personal
progress. Your story is an inspiration and I sincerely hope you will
continue to find joy and satisfaction in your chosen work.
All the best for continued recovery,
Judy in Kansas, where temps have plummeted again to the 'teens…
BRRRrrrrrr. Poor frozen little daffodils.
Two weeks ago I calculated that I had enough stones to sell…but
reality set in and figured why “give them away” just for a few simple
dollars? What am I to do next?
I decided to put them into a nice “one-of-a-kind” necklace and offer
them to my salesman/friendto sell and both of ‘us’ will a good profit
from this idea. Adding a few more diamonds to a B.S. drop and making
it more eye-appealing for all.
So my CAD designer is now to put my list of stones into a great
looking pattern and try and have this ready by his next jewellery
trip to the Caribbean…good idea?
So if you guys with lots of "worthless" stuff laying around aren't
going to do something with them that helps and encourages other
less well funded and less experienced jewelers
I really appreciate the advice that I see on the Orchid forum. There
are a lot of people, very generous with their experience and
knowledge. I am also sad when I see the widespread sense of
entitlement that seems to pervade our society nowadays. People used
to expect to work for something, not ask or demand. Please keep up
the
posting, and many thanks!!!
So my CAD designer is now to put my list of stones into a great
looking pattern and try and have this ready by his next jewellery
trip to the Caribbean..good idea?
I’d say that sounds like a great idea except I detect an air of
sarcasm in your tone (I may be mistaken)? Surely, there’s always
something that you can do with odd stones. Even one solitary stone
will make a nice ring, and in your case Gerry, with your setting
skills, an outstanding ring.
A beautiful necklace using lots of your left over stones is a great
idea, but wouldn’t more pieces make you more profit? You could make
a whole new line using up your spare stones - lots of gorgeous
one-of-a- kind rings, etc. Ooh, I can imagine the eye candy now and
would love to see the results!
