Hi all, I’m going through this process right now, upgrading and
re-branding myself. I carve stone and make jewellery with stone as the
emphasis. ( stone is my passion). I agree with Gerry, you have a job
description and you have a business name. I decided to use my own name
as my business name, after all I’m selling myself, who I am and what
I stand for. My job description has gone through these transitions as
I have been able to more clearly define what it is I do and what I
want to tell the world I do.I went from - ‘Carver’ to ‘Jewellery in
Stone’, and not sits as ’ Concepts in Stone’ which I feel comes the
closest yet. My card now reads – Ian Longley Concepts in Stone. I
think whatever it is you call yourself, it has to feel right, if it
doesn’t - change. But find something that reflects YOU not what the
current trend is. Happy creating Ian in sunny Nelson NZ
Of course I'm speaking in terms of the US and am curious if Europe and the rest of the world define silversmith as one who creates silver eating and serving utensils.
Just my two cents hereabout. Here in Northern Europe we use the
following titles: Gold smith - a person who creates jewellery, be it
from gold, silver, paper, rubber, platics or whatever.
Hollow ware silver smith - creating hollow ware in whatever material
(but it mainly is in silver) by raising, folding or other ‘hammering’
techniques Utensils silver smith - creating spoons, forks, etc.
Becoming a gold or silver smith here normally implies a four year
apprenticeship by another approved gold/silver smith. We who have not
been through this would normally use titles like jewellery artist,
precious metals artisan, etc.
Kind regards
Niels Loevschal, Rutsker, Denmark
@L_F8vschal
phone (+45) 56 94 90 60
Dear Gerry, “We cut rocks” is totally bereft of relevant meaning.
Stone masons, quarries and bauble factories cut rocks. I really
think you have done yourself a disservice by using such a vague and
meaningless term. Romancing the stone is what it is all about and
there is little or no romance in simpling hacking rocks. There is,
however, plenty of romance in being an artist. An artistic lapidary
coaxes beauty and expression from “rocks” or, more to the point,
rough gems. The use of the term, “we cut rocks” as a merchandising
slogan ,would get you booted off Madison Avenue tout d’ suite ! Ron
at Mills Gem, Los Osos, CA.
My card now reads -- Ian Longley Concepts in Stone
Hi Ian,
I think it makes you sound like a mason… or someone who builds
poolside waterfalls and such. Maybe kitchen countertops in granite
and marble. Not specific enough? Search Amazon.com on “stone setting”
(as I did yesterday as part of a previous post) and you’ll find books
on masonry. From our frame of reference, we think of the same thing
you do, but how about the rest of the world? How will they interpret
it?
Just a thought,
Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans’ Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.CarolinaArtisans.com
You would be surprised how my customers react to the honesty of the
expression “We Cut Rocks” (WCR). WCR has a mystique of its own and
people look at my displays and say - You cut all these yourself? The
answer is yes, We Cut Rocks each and every day. I do not need a
Madison Avenue advertising executive to run my promotions. I also do
not need to negatively attack others or compare one bad action to
another worse action to get my points across. My wife and I let our
advertising reflect our quality and honesty. Like the O’Rielly
Factor you are in a no Spin Zone. Romance and mystique are in the
knowledge of the rocks not the marketing. Our approach is working
very well. People realize very quickly they are at the source. Our
business is up and improving every month. In a very short time we
will have the finances to expand and increase our effect. So, in
this day of everyone complaining about the economy - How is your
business doing?
Gerry Galarneau
@Gerry
www.galarneausgems.com
Gerry,
I understand what you mean when you say “We cut rocks.” I believe
just about every ‘rockhound’ or lapidary would as well.
Without putting words in Ron’s mouth, I suggest he is referring to
the art jewelry community as large and, in that context he has a good
point.
Nonetheless, as long as you are buying and selling in the "rock"
community I don’t think it makes much difference. Certainly, if I was
looking for a good rock to cut or set I would check out your products
because it gives the connotation that you know and practice your
’rock’ cutting profession. Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle
Studio in SOFL where simple elegance IS fine jewelry!
@coralnut1
Hi Dave Sebaste, Just to add to your post about “stone”: One of my
mature age students once admonished me about my casual use of the
word “stone” as in stone setting … using stones in jewellery … He
really made me rethink that conventional description most of us trade
jewellers use.
“Stones are what you find in road surfaces” he said, “gems are what
you admire in jewellery.” I’ve never referred to gems as "stones"
since! Kind regards, Rex Steele Merten
Dear everybody - the only time i ever referred to myself as an
enigma, the person got offended. i call myself metalsmith, because i
work out of my home and i’d rather not advertise imaginary value.
(no diamond coffee tables here.) i don’t say i cut rocks, either,
because that can have an unfortunate drug connotation. i say
instead, if asked, if it comes up, "i cut and carve my own stones."
i never say gems - again, for safety and security. my business card
has a contact number, but no address; it lists my main gallery.
jeweller sounds mysterious, traditional, and rich - and very likely
to be misunderstood if said to the wrong people. at a jazz festival
or a theater intermission, if i’m talking to a well dressed person
without a prominent gold tooth, i’ll say “jeweller.” otherwise, i go
with metalsmith. susannah
i call myself metalsmith, because i work out of my home and i'd rather not advertise imaginary value. (no diamond coffee tables here.)
Good Point! I also work out of my house. I often caution my kids
about who they bring into the house and my workroom where the
internet connected computers are. I only work in silver and
turquoise right now so it wouldn’t be a huge loss but a definite
crimp in my business to get started again. Halloween night I did hear
something to ponder a bit. My neighbor was walking his kids around
trick or treating. When he came to my house he made the comment that
I may be giving out free diamonds as treats. It was all in jest but
it concerned me as if someone breaking into my house with the intent
of stealing gold and diamonds would be rather frustrated with a
bunch of fabricated silver and bags of rough turquoise. But then I’m
nearly always home. If I’m not then my two large barking (and
potentially biting) burglar alarms are.
Rick Copeland – Silversmith
rick.copeland@Covad.net
home.covad.net/~rcopeland
Colorado Springs, Colorado