A fascinated and envious lurker here for years, with the occasional
post, but finally I find myself in need of help (not that I haven’t
needed help all along). So here goes…
Recently, I designed a piece of jewelry for a gentleman without
being solicited to do so, based on his most inspirational artwork.
Most of his projects are large pieces, not affordable to the masses,
and they seemed to call out for something more readily accessible to
the gen pop. He was speaking in our area in October, so I approached
him with a proto type pendant inspired by his work that I’d made
using PMC Silver and some Swarovski crystal standing in for real
gems that turned out very nice but was a tad ‘rustic’. He and his
wife loved it, and asked me to get him pricing for 100- 250 pieces
ASAP. At the time I didn’t know how hard that would prove to be.
The item would be a pendant, primarily a framework of +/- 1.5mm
’wire’ with rabbit ear bail, and 12 bezel set 4mm faceted stones,
either natural or man made (they seemed prefer the ethical
properties of lab grown stones, as opposed to mined, as this is a
very ‘green’ enterprise). He also prefers the base metal to be
bronze or copper, plated with sterling silver, on a sterling silver
chain.
I am a rank amateur at best, working on my dining room table, firing
pieces in my gas fireplace with a torch for back up, though I do
have a kiln, but production of so many pieces is not likely an
option for me, though it would be possible to make a silicone mold
of a clean prototype. My question to the Orchid community is this:
can anyone recommend a manufacturer I might get quotes from based on
detailed drawings? I have approached a few found through Google
search, but all say they will not honor the designs’ trademark, and
would insist on also selling the piece on their own web site (with
nothing paid to the designers) if they made it, which is
understandably unacceptable to the basic images original designer.
So I guess I’m looking for another manufacturer. Sure wish I had the
skills to do this myself, and if there is anyone I can hire to coach
me on how I could do it, that’s an option, too.
I’m in the Orlando Florida area, and can be reached offline. FYI,
this lurker is in awe of the work I have seen via Ganoksin, and I am
most grateful for a website so wonderfully informative. Thanks for
the website, and thanks in advance for your help!
Sharon Thompson
Sanford, Florida