Small Adventurers in the High-End Jewel Trade

She may have been trained in Germany, may not lack in skill, but
the piece cited in your example is UGLY, nonetheless. IMNTBHO. 

J - these particular bezels may not have the qualities you think
they should, but, this may only be a miniscule example of this
persons work! in fact these bezels may actually compliment the feel
of the piece. how do you know that this person did not start out with
perfectly even bezels and then intentionaly make them uneven ? i
noticed that you did not critique the overall surface treatment. or
the symetry of the circles or geometric shapes ! - goo

Hello Everyone:

I really hope to someday reach the level, professionally, where my
work is shown all over the United States and abroad, the level where
people sit around talk about my work and call it ugly. I’ll be
laughing all the way to the bank.

When joining this list, I had hoped that I would find a place of
sharing knowledge and insight about the world of metalsmithing and
jewelry. I have huge amount of respect for the abilities of many of
the artists on this list. I dream of one day doing what you guys are
doing. I admire you.

Aren’t there other things we can talk about? The woman featured in
the Times the other day is enjoying success in the thing she loves to
do. I’m happy for her. I didn’t come to the forum to pick apart her
jewelry. I don’t need to pick her apart because I’m too busy trying
to find the success that she already has.

I have lots of technical questions about my work and the work of
others, but I probably would never be brave enough to post them for
fear that you guys will eat me alive.

Best Regards
Kim Starbard
Cove Beads

Hi Kimberly -

I’d like to respond to what you’ve said here:

When joining this list, I had hoped that I would find a place of
sharing knowledge and insight about the world of metalsmithing and
jewelry. I have huge amount of respect for the abilities of many
of the artists on this list. I dream of one day doing what you guys
are doing. I admire you.

[…]

I have lots of technical questions about my work and the work of
others, but I probably would never be brave enough to post them
for fear that you guys will eat me alive. 

First, let me emphasize, strongly, that this list is all about
sharing knowledge and insight about the world of metalsmithing and
jewelry.

It’s also about discussing just about everything in the world of
metalsmithing and jewelry, which covers a lot of ground, including
voicing opinions. Lots of them, all points of view, positive and
negative, funny and sad, inspiring and discouraging.

What you will see are people absolutely willing to share their
knowledge and insight and techniques, being helpful to the greatest
degree possible. Even the questions that reveal the questioner to be
the most basic newbie, even the questions awkwardly or
incomprehensibly phrased because of lack of familiarity with the
English language or because the questioner is more skilled at art
than at written language are answered respectfully.

What you *won’t see is anyone being attacked for asking a question,
or for making themselves vulnerable to criticism in order to learn
more about their craft. No one, in the years that I have been here,
has been eaten alive, or ridiculed, or shamed.

I want to applaud you for having the courage to say these things,
and I want to reassure you that if you want to achieve your dream,
there is no better forum in which to do it, and no better group of
people from whom to learn.

Much success to you.

Linda

Hello Kim,

I have lots of technical questions about my work and the work of
others, but I probably would never be brave enough to post them for
fear that you guys will eat me alive.

While I agree with pretty much everything else you had to say I did
feel that it wouldn’t be right to let this last bit pass without
comment.

In all fairness I think you’ll find that your fear of being “eaten
alive” here is unfounded, however natural and understandable that
fear may at first be. By far the vast majority of the folks who
contribute to Orchid do so in a spirit of generosity and openness.
And there’s always Hanuman and Ton there in the wings to make sure
things stay civil and constructive.

If you pose your question(s) in such a way as they are welcoming an
informative answer I have no doubt that someone in Orchid-space will
answer it. On occasion it might take a second attempt but that’s
pretty rare. I know because I’ve been asking questions, and getting
great answers, here for years. In fact if it wasn’t for Orchid I
probably wouldn’t have had the courage to get into this jewellery
making thing in the first place.

So fear not, you’re among friends here, ask your questions. That’s
what most of us are here for. If you don’t ask you’re denying
yourself an opportunity to learn and the learned an opportunity to
share. If you look at it that way you’ll see that everyone loses if
you don’t participate.

Cheers,
Trevor F.
in The City of Light

She may have been trained in Germany, may not lack in skill, but
the piece cited in your example is UGLY, nonetheless. IMNTBHO. 

Ah well. There’s no accounting for taste.

Lisa Orlando

how do you know that this person did not start out with perfectly
even bezels and then intentionaly make them uneven ? i noticed that
you did not critique the overall surface treatment. 

My opinion regarding the ugliness of the piece had nothing to do
with the uneven bezels or surface treatment but with the overall
design. It is not unlike one in a recent copy of Lapidary Journal
which received a ton of (richly deserved) negative comments on this
forum.

Jerry in Kodiak

Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. I love her style. Crude
bezel work and all.

Lora

Hey guys,

You all sound like the rest of us love your work… not true,
please be careful what you say about the work of others, 'cause there
are days, that I at least am willing to say that I wouldn’t spend 2
cents for some of the work people do, never mind copying it.

Lynda

I have lots of technical questions about my work and the work of
others, but I probably would never be brave enough to post them
for fear that you guys will eat me alive. 

Now, Kim, let’s be fair. I, too, am a little uncomfortable with the
tenor of the discussion about the jewelry pictured in the article,
and about the unmodulated dismissal of Petra Class’s work as “ugly”.
These are not the best moments for this community.

But has anyone ever been attacked or ridiculed for asking a question
here? Not in the years I’ve been reading. I’m often astonished by
the patience with which members of this astonishing group answer the
most basic questions, even ones that the asker could have answered
with a small investment of time and energy, either by research or
experimentation.

We are only human, individually as well as as a group. But on the
whole, I don’t think you’re likely to find a more wonderful and
supportive community anywhere-- and I’ll duel anyone who says
otherwise with soft soap at 50 paces!

–Noel

What I find refreshing about the Orchid forum is that it isn’t a
mutual admiration society that many of the other online lists are. To
survive as an artist, you have to develop a thick skin - not everyone
is going to like your work. Such is life. I look forward to my daily
dose of reality in the form of the Orchid list.

Donna

SilverSorceress Designs
Unique, handcrafted Silver and Gemstone Jewelry
http://www.silversorceress.com

Ah well. There's no accounting for taste. 

As you say Lisa “there’s no accounting for taste”. The design
language is not mine either though I will not say ugly, it’s just
another style.

Petra Class has had her entire education in Germany, not just
trained, and her style is not unique here (northern Europe). Still,
all items on her website seems consistent in style and
professionally crafted.

michaela

Dear all, again…:>)

Every teaching session at my community college, I find that some
students have no idea how to share their learning with others. As I
always communicate with them on a on-going “hi, how are ya?”. I
mention this great opportunity called “Orchid”, to say that they are
amazed at this wonderful institution, is an understatement. I make
every effort to instill in their minds that they are not alone in
this “new” jewellery world. There are ‘mentors’ all around this world
eager and always helping to those who need their resources. I make
sure that these folks know of the exact web-site address and see they
mark it in their notebooks.

Gerry!

G’day all…I too am a “new kid on the block” who accidently run
into the Ganoksin site while seeking educational info as I have
recently realized I had a dormant passion that finally came to
surface for design etc.! As far as jewelry and the
business goes, you name it and I want to know all about it…I
can’t learn enough! I have found the many “professionals” who
patiently answer my questions to be the most informative and up to
date, not to mention kindest people I have come across in the
industry! In the past I would visit a few local jewelers in my area
to inquire about a stone etc. only to come out feeling like an idiot
unless I flashed cash under their nose…sad but true! As for my
own personal opinion, when it comes to learning no question is a dumb
question…do you not agree? The things I have learned through the
good people who frequent this forum is priceless and for that I want
to thank all who take the time and effort to help people like me. Who
knows, one day I too may become a professional who will be able to
help others…I’m a firm believer that in this lifetime, with due
time, what goes around comes around so in closing I must say, folk’s
be patient and kind to each other and with time it will all come back
to you in a good way! :wink: Here’s a “BIG THANK YOU” to all of you and
have yourself a wonderful day.

Sheila

Don’t worry about may others think. If you have a question, ask it.
We all have questions and we all put our selves out there. We all
sound clueless sometimes. Believe me I know, I do that on a daily
basis. So what if some people think they know everything, the joke is
on them. Have courage! Life is more interesting when you dare to get
involved in it.

Two cents, Dennis

I have to say I am probably the least qualified jeweler or trades
person on this list! I have learned so much, and much to my surprise
have actually been able to answer a question or offer an opinion or
two.

This list has been great, and at no time have I been made to feel
like I’m not a “real” jewelry artist. My particular art has been in
seed beads, glass bead making, and I’m just making the foray into
metal clay and hopefully some traditional silver work as well. There
is so much knowledge here, but most people are here with the intent
to share that knowledge, so that the art form itself lives on. Thank
Heaven!

Jump in! Someone may disagree with you, but usually that have the
facts to back it up, and you are not called an idiot for having a
different viewpoint. My firm belief is that you can’t really learn
until you are ready to take a risk.

Kerry
CeltCraft Beads & Jewelry

My advise is for all on orchid who want to play in this market is
to go out and get some ultra rich friends. You'll learn a lot and
make a lot more money that hanging out with your current lower
middle class friends who can't afford to buy your work. 

Larry

Oh, Larry, you are too funny! Thanks for making my morning so very
amusing. You know, I did try to make friends with a rich woman just
this fall, but she has already left Minnesota for one of her other
homes in a warmer climate. That’s how it goes!

M’lou Brubaker, Jeweler
Goodland, MN
www.craftswomen.com

Kimberly,

I am a novice and I have asked many a simple, basic and downright
silly question and all my responses have been positive. So, don’t
worry! ask away… And even on the rare chance that you get some
criticism, take it with a grain of salt. Life’s full of people who
are having a cranky day or are just like that… In this business
you have to get used to it. My work gets criticized all the time, and
you pick from it what you can use, and let the rest roll off your
back.

But, this is a great forum for asking questions, lurking, and even
giving your opinion when you feel up to it. It’s really fun,
inspirational and educational. Enjoy and good luck.

-amery

By all means, ask away and don’t be shy. We all do things a little
differently, we have all had diverse experiences in metalwork and a
various accumulation of years at the bench. We have come from
different schooling backgrounds or countries, so your assortment of
answers to questions may be confusing but any advice offered works
for someone somewhere and you will probably find what works for you
out of what is offered. Wishing you the best of luck and good
fortune.

Kathy
www.kathyanderson.net