SNAG's Metalsmith EIP, another disaster

Jewelry Discussion
21

I have been thinking about the business question since the thread
began and had several replies written but never sent. Now the EIP
comes up and this seems to be the best time to put into words my
thoughts on THE BUSINESS OF THE JEWELRY BUSINESS. I am not going to
look up the stats but basically they are, the top sellers in order;
rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets then pins (brooches). Please
note that pins are on the bottom. If you look at the majority of the
art jewelry made it is pins. So if you take the bottom of the sales
bracket and then break it up even more with commercial pins, how do
you think your sales are going to be. I have a very close artist
friend and I value her opinion more than any. She makes fun of my
hammered gold bracelets that I made in the 70’s that I still make
and still sell at $2500.00. I am in this business to make money to
pay bills, so I will make what people want. I used to feel bad about
not following my artistic impulses, but I am making money. I think
SNAG has helped create this illusion that the “art” in EIP sells
because it is in the magazine and these students are falling for it.
It would be interesting to see how many graduate designers are still
in the business from 20 years ago until now–if so, are they doing
more commercial designs? You can blame George Bush and others all you
want, but you better take a look of what is really happening and
selling in this business. Make whatever you want, I love funky
things, just don’t complain when it does not sell. You may be the
greatest at what you do, but if people are not buying it and you are
depending on the sale to make it through this life, you are out of
luck. Stop complaining and make something people will buy. By the
way, sales in the gallery are up from last year, just sent 1 artist
$2000 for last month.

I also did not renew my SNAG membership this year.

Bill Wismar

22

I used to eagerly look forward to every issue of Metalsmith. Then
they began to focus entirely on so called “art jewelry.” Interesting,
but totally impractical pieces. It seemed that every artists was
trying to out do the other by “thinking outside the box.”

I finally let my membership expire. Alma

23 
Sorry James, I had actually forgot about SNAG until you reminded
me again. I've given up on them about 5 years ago.

Never been SNAG, never wanted to be, never thought it meant anything
at all - probably a fun club at times, like Orchid can be.

In my view, which time will tell if I’m on target, the whole academic
jewelry thing took off in the mid-late fifties, got bigger and
bigger, had it’s heyday, and has been fading ever since. There was a
time when I was actually aware of it’s existence in the world at
large - a piece here, a feature there, but that’s no longer the case,
and hasn’t been for quite a long time. Largely, I believe, because
they set out to reinvent jewelry making insead of learning from our
history -just IMO. And SNAG has followed that arc, largely.

I don’t see any problem with college professors toying around with
jewelry they don’t need to sell as they pull down a salary - or
publishing it. I’m just not of that world - never would want to be,
certainly not to pay for it…

24

among other publications, I advertised in metalsmith for 2007 full
year. today after reading a few of the responses it made me remember
how good SNAG used to be at certain points in my 25 year membership,
but it has fallen so far down, in all directions. I would gladly
advertise in American craft then Metalsmith now. the least I can say
is they have a bigger pool of readership.

Snag always had heavy tendencies toward academic works which I am
very grateful for, but even that has fallen real far, I do have my
own teachers and mentors that were heavy hitters in the association
that were and still are also amazing metalsmiths. it is the
latest/Newer generations that have done away with craftsmanship in
the name sake of (Higher Art…)

One of the notions that kept me a member all these years is the fact
that if we as working goldsmiths/metal artists/and sculptors want to
see change in SNAG then we are responsible for rising to the higher
offices in the association and making the changes as we see fit to
the majority of the members needs. if we don’t do that the Academic
side of us is not interested in what we are about.

I consider my self a sculptor/goldsmith first and then a jeweler.
having said that i also know that my training was a lot more then
the average art student to begin with. Before even signing on in Art
school I had traditional goldsmith’s training in the mid east,and
later in Europe, and so the American university just rounded off my
art education. the differences of education programs are huge.

someone mentioned The Lark publications,which I think was right
on,there is so much new going on in the field of
Metals/goldsmithing, and there are an amazing amount of spectacular
goldsmiths out there, it boggles the mind as to why Metalsmith
continues to focus on a very small group of so called jewelers that
are mostly involved in academia, who seem to have positioned
themselves in the Offices,Board of Snag and are able to manipulate
the system.

It really is a balancing act between (art jewelry, production,
sculpture,etc ) and I think the problem has risen because it has
been one sided for too long.

As every working gold/metalsmith one wouldn’t know where to find the
extra time to volunteer into the association. and if the majority of
the members are dissatisfied with their membership then there will
be a drop and their may even be a shutting down of SNAG which might
give birth to another association that may serve the needs of many
better. i thought I was done writing a long message… since i do
need to get back to the studio. thanks for reading

Hratch
Hratch Babikian
AHB
P.O.box 54147
Philadelphia PA 19105

25 
I just received my copy of the annual Metalsmith EIP. This is a
shining example of why SNAG is becoming less relevant with every
passing year. If the organization was about sculpture or art in
general then possibly the latest EIP would have had some relevance
but SNAG is supposed to be about jewelry for heavens sake, the
name is Society of North American Goldsmiths."

Here Here- I have been mulling over the same thoughts for the past
few days…(if not months.) I know this may ruffle some feathers but
I feel that I needed to voice my opinion.

I have decided to not renew my membership next year.

This is not as a protest to EIP (well, perhaps partially a protest)
but a reaction to the push away from metals and jewelry that SNAG is
trending towards for the past few years.

I did go to Savannah last year, as my first (and most likely last)
conference.

I wish I could say that I felt like it was a great experience, but I
found it to be another factor in alienating the “mid-level”
metalsmiths like myself (a working metalsmith / goldsmith / jeweler
with artistic slant)

I felt like the program tried to be balanced but fell short in
connecting to most anyone other than the “Who’s Who” of the
collector’s scene and students. I left the conference feeling more
disconnected to SNAG than ever.

What could I do? I’m sure I’ll get urged to “get involved” in the
organization…(and I have seriously contemplated putting myself to
work on some projects) but have decided that I am seeing the SNAG
“ship” steering off into waters that are (at best) mostly
disconnected from metalsmithing and the world of jewelry. (and the
world where genius doesn’t pay the mortgage)

That being said, I want also to say that I have respect for the
artists that are involved in the issue of EIP. I can see the
importance of putting forward provocative questions into the world.
I’m all for pushing the envelope, I just think that SNAG needs to
consider re-naming the magazine and truthfully marketing itself as
what it seems to have become: a journal of small scale academic
sculpture.

so let’s also look at Metalsmith’s mission statement: (published in
the editor’s page) “Metalsmith’s mission is to document, analyze,and
promote excellence in JEWELRY and METALWORKING.” something’s out of
whack here folks.

with respect for all of you who spend your days blissfully creating -

Maureen Brusa Zappellini
Don’t worry, B. Zappy

26 
i am afraid the issiue is too sensitive for a lot of people on the
forum and i would not want to get involved in an ongoing emotional
arguement to who is right or wrong. i went through that once
before with one or 2 of orchid members just about the same/similar
subject on EIP.

Mmmmm… I haven’t seen these discussions as emotional at all. I
rather enjoy them, actually-- when the arguments are presented
rationally and objectively. What I think leads to overly heated
discussions are when posts are perceived as dismissive, draconian or
intolerant. And when loaded words such as “porno” or “crap” are used.

We are all expressing opinions. Our posts should reflect that–in my
opinion.

Take care, Andy

27

Jo,

All you say is true. However, I have always thought that college is
the time for a student has to think and experiment. This is a most
valuable because he will probably not ever have that time again.

We hired a RISD graduate about six months ago. She came to us with
few basic skills but with a willingness to hunker down, work and
learn. That is the real difference it seems to me. She is now full
time and she has done a few independent projects, a couple of which
have SOLD!

Last year we hired a student intern, all she could do was repousee
and ask for a raise (no pun intended). She lacked basic skills and
the desire and discipline to learn them. She was gone within a
month.

How can you graduate a painter who can’t paint, a sculptor who can’t
sculpt? If an artist hasn’t the ability to control his materials how
can he create?

Richard
Secrets Of The Gem Trade:

28 
publications today serve as vanity press for the academics
involved.

I agree. I went to one SNAG and commented on the choices for work
included in Metalsmith. Got a rather irate, shall I say barking?,
that ‘we’ have Ornament and Lapidary Journal. ‘They’ NEED
Metalsmith.

I understand that the academics and Jewelry as Art community needs a
place and I guess that is theirs. I didn’t have a problem with that
concept after that.

Paying hefty dues to support it from the rest is up for debate.

29

From a business perspective, I’ve never understood how Metalsmith
magazine could survive in so far as it represents the membership of
SNAG. For practical purposes, there are academic metalsmiths and
then are the rest of us metalsmiths in all our various categories.
That’s the market.

Now if you’re an organization representing a market and you put out
a product that only addresses a tiny part of your total market,
you’ll very likely fail. With good reason. I have to believe the
academic metalsmiths are only a tiny part of SNAG’S market and yet
it’s the one they primarily target to…leaving the rest of
us to look elsewhere for organizations and publications that fill our
needs and inspire us artistically. Big mistake on SNAG’S part if you
ask me.

Then again, maybe I’m just reading it all wrong and SNAG is hoping to
elevate the rest of us by being so academic. Frankly, I used to be a
member but like so many others on this forum, I simply couldn’t
relate to work I found so idiosyncratic and impractical. I couldn’t
even call it “cutting edge”

30 
The instructor said that university's weren't responsible to give
the student a career, only an art background.

My story is only periferally related to the topic, but I’m avoiding
getting an order out today, so I’ll share.

In the 90s my stepson was attending USC with financial aid. At the
time I was working for IBM as well as doing shows around the country
building up my business. One year I showed a $10k loss on my jewelry
business. USC refused to deduct the $10k from my IBM salary in
figuring the financial aid.

I asked why they didn’t consider my $10k loss. They said because it
was Art and was a hhhhhobby. (I was grossing near 6 figures).

I asked if they had an Art Department. Yes.

So I asked how they get $40k x 4 years for someone to learn a
hhhobby. Still said No.

Nancy Goodenough

31 
I have nothing against ART jewelry but SNAG should focus on metal
jewelry not plastic, glass, rubber, digital renderings or the
output from a plethora of 3d printing machines.

I’m a still wet behind the ears beginning metalsmith, but I was
wondering the same thing when I got my issue. I counted the works
and just under half had no metal content at all.

Now, I do like being shown imaginative and thoughtful pieces made
from non-standard materials. I like the focus on craft as much as
concept, and on sculptural works as well as jewelry/wearables (though
my bias is admittedly sculptural). But I get that from American Craft
just fine & plenty of it. This particular publication is called
Metalsmith. So I look to it to find articles about and images of,
well, work including metal. With the occasional all-latex or plaster
and cardboard thing. Maybe. Within the context of a series that
mainly has pieces that include…metal. Preferable finely-worked
metal.

I hope this is not a trend in the publication (or maybe it is?). I’m
still too early along to judge that. But from what you say James,
sounds like it is. I’m not a regular member, I just subscribe to the
magazine and I figured that if after a couple of year-subscriptions
I felt that it was giving me sufficient good and useful things, I’d
drop the bucks and become a member. At this point I will definitely
wait and see a while longer before doing that.

Bonnie

32 
old demon art versus trade/ profession came up. The instructor said
that university's weren't responsible to give the student a career,
only an art background

Very early on the choice of school/trade was made for me by
circumstance. I found a jewelry job and grabbed it around the time I
was looking at school. In the disturbing context of your statement I
wonder what I’d be doing today if a had gone to art school. I might
have wound up with an attic full of unsalable indulgences.

33

Metalsmith Exhibition in Print I have been discussing the current
issue of Metalsmith magazine with several people this past week. I am
in 100% agreement with you on this. I have not heard a positive
comment about this publication for quite some time. I am not renewing
my SNAG membership until the next time I can afford to go to one of
their conventions. (That is providing they are still in existence.) I
do enjoy the conferences and try to attend if it is within my budget
for that year, and believe me it is usually very expensive to attend.
The Metalsmith magazine appeals to a very limited audience, if the
organization wishes to continue, they must change their focus and
appeal to a wider base of readers. It is just smart business to make
changes. Yes the magazine has a quality look about it, it is the
content that is not appealing in the least. I gave the current issue
a look over and immediately trashed it. I would rather scan it at the
bookstore and put it back on the shelf. Come on, get the metal back
in the magazine and write some articles that are a little less high
brow, maybe something that gives a little instruction on a technique,
something that gives inspiration to metalsmiths and get away from the
blown up plastic [] bags as art.

Linda
Linda Lankford

34

I’ve been a SNAG member for about 15 years. I have never been as
thoroughly disappointed in an Exhibition in Print as I am in the
current one. I found nothing to captivate my interest or serve as a
source of inspiration. With my limited shelf space, it may just end
up in the round file.

I suppose given the name of the organization, jewelry “should” be
the focus of the magazine. However, I’ve always appreciated the other
metalsmithing work that often appears in the pages. Form is form. I
do expect the contents to be relevant to those of us who are working
in metal media, though.

Hate to say it, but if the content of Metalsmith continues on the
path of the latest EIP, I probably won’t renew my membership.

Rene Roberts
works in metal and glass

35

I love conceptual art as much as the next person, that is to say
sometimes, yes & sometimes no.

But I expect a magazine named METALSMITH to present metal conceptual
art. My copy came with a chance to renew my subscription. Hummmmm.
Why should I? I’m not into making body size rubber condoms, but work
with gasp! metal.

James, I couldn’t agree with you more. I hope the editors hear us.
And along with Zaffiro’s great ad, I found the ads way more
intriguing the doofus content.

Carla

36 
The board was afraid of telling folks how to do things because
someone might be injured with fire or sharp things. I guess that
working with feathers is safe.

Ah, that’s why there’s so much “jewellery” out there made with
feathers and felt! :wink: It’s a fight back against the health and
safety police. The world’s going mad.

Helen
UK

37

I have to say I agree with the assessment of many of my colleagues
on this forum. I used to be a SNAG member but let it lapse several
years ago. I do look at issues of Metalsmith at my local bookstore
and usually put them back on the rack after flipping through them. I
have not found that I received any real value from my membership or
the magazine and decided I would rather spend the
membership/subscription money on another tool, more metal or other
component items.

Sandra Graves
Stormcloud Trading
http://www.beadstorm.com

38

Linda,

Come now, given the rapidity of our population aging, an artistic
approach to prosthetics is very much in order. Consider the colostomy
bag, perhaps you have not considered it as an aesthetic object? May I
suggest that with so many of us about to be hooked up to them, some
consideration should be given to how they look.

I thought that several of the objects included in Metalsmiths EIP
signaled a sympathetic response on the part of younger artists to
the devises necessary to prop up us older goldsmiths as we journey
down the rocky road towards that good night.

Richard

www.rwwise.com

39

A blog on this subject is Conceptual Metalsmithing.

http://www.conceptualmetalsmithing.com

which you will either love or hate.

Here’s a summary from another blogger:

Gabriel is a grad student at VCU, and writes an excellent blog
called Conceptual Metalsmithing. Gabriel’s blog turns a critical eye
at what is going on in our field, and is definitely a must read.

In addition, Gabriel is seeking submissions - so if you’ve got a
burning topic to discuss, contact him at… (Source:
http://meganauman.blogspot.com)

Elaine

40 
I discontinued my membership after I received the issue of
Metalsmith which displayed the necklace made out of gun triggers.

What was your objection to that piece? I find that artist’s work,
and that piece in particular, a thoughtful commentary on our current
society and its values. Without going on in detail, I felt that the
triggers compared with necklaces made of bear claws in some
thought-provoking ways.

I, on the other hand, literally cannot bear to look at the work made
of casts of teeth or casts of body moles…

Noel