Just because a lot of wanna-bes are claiming the title of jewelry designer, it does not diminish what the real job actually requires. It is insulting that those who do not understand the title continue to denigrate the real, very demanding, job. Just for the record, in every jewelry manufacturing company I have ever been associated with a bench jeweler is a position below the jewelry designer in expectations, skill, pay and artistry. If you don't have the skills to be a bench jeweler you should not call yourself a jewelry designer.
I’m just curious as to where the people who make jewelry from
alternative materials fit in? Not all jewelry involves metalsmithing
Is it that one is not able to consider things made from alternative
materials “jewelry”? or that the makers should consider themselves
as something else (such as “art jeweler”, “craft jeweler”, “student”
or hobbyist")?
A while ago, I posted a call for the innovators to speak up, those
who had an original idea. I got one reply (Karen,I liked your fish a
lot by the way). Was it that there were true innovators out there who
didn’t speak because they felt someone might say they had no right to
say that they should be included? I was saddened by the fact that I
only got one reply. I know there are others out there and I really
wanted to hear their opinion because I have much admiration for their
achievements.
In another thread, I learned that I should not be in some of the
larger, high-profile shows because I am “subsidized”. (This means my
husband works). I guess when I get to that first big show, I
shouldn’t plan on making friends right off.
In another thread, I learned that I should not be in some of the
larger, high-profile shows because someone else makes the button on
my cuff bracelet. I would say I could just lie, but it’s not in my
character.
So much time has been spent in this thread trying to downplay the
achievements of those who just want to make what they enjoy making
and (hopefully) sell it. Possibly, if more time was spent on the
achieving part and less on the insulting part, more people would have
answered the call for innovators.
Just because you end you post with “my 2 cents” doesn’t mean that it
was any less hurtful. There is plenty of room for honesty, but I
don’t have a lot of tolerance for the intentionally degrading and
hurtful post.
Kim Starbard
Jewelry Designer
Cove Beads