Unwillingness to help

Jewelry Discussion
21

Amy,

I’m sorry for your experience, but my story is quite the opposite.
About 10 years ago, I did the same thing you describe, and several
jewelers wrote long, encouraging, educational emails back to me.
Among them were Robert Lee Morris and Sarah Graham, whose answer was
the equivalent of a 7 page letter. I had the pleasure of meeting her
in person last year and reminded her of our brief email exchange and
how grateful I was to her. She was very gracious (I think she was
just being nice when she said she remembered me) but she also added
that she recently gave birth and there is no way she could or would
take the time to do that now. Her business and her new son took 100%
of her time and she was glad that I caught her when I did, she
doubted she could be as helpful now.

You never know what people are going through. I suggest not writing
them off as selfish, but rather extremely busy trying to pay their
employees.

Best wishes to you,
Kelley

22 
Could you share with us one of the email you have sent out that
went unanswered, it would be interesting to read what you were
seeking and the tone of the request.

Mark, I don’t at all mind sending a copy of my correspondence,
however unfortunately, the most recent correspondence was directly
through their websites. I should have saved them for a standard
“boilerplate” letter, but I didn’t. Oh, and please don’t intimate I
was at all unprofessional–that doesn’t reflect well on you!

23 
You are only writing them to get something out of it
foryourself... You're surprised at the fact they aren't writing
youback? This really surprises you? Why?

I’ll admit to being pretty flabbergasted by the OP, who’s name I
don’t remember, sorry. I’m in a certain place in jewelry - I guess
I’m an old timer but I don’t really do the swoopy carnival work that
many newbies are enamored of. Meaning that certain people write me,
and certain people don’t. Like everybody.

The other day I got email from someone who had mistakenly replied to
our address instead of Orchid, and it was full of so much
misthat I just ignored it. Other than that I reply to all
emails from Orchid, at least some words, as a matter of policy.

I got mail from a lady a couple of years ago. She said, “My personal
fulfillment class said I should find a mentor, and you’re it!” This
from 400 miles away… Pretty clueless… I DID mentor her about
finding someone local and having realistic expectations and other
things, but it just wasn’t what she wanted to hear… I help many
people in many ways every day. It’s MY choice who, when and if.

But I’m not a teacher, I don’t have students or classes and I’m not
going to and I’m not interested. If you wanta teacher, go find a
teacher and pay them.

A couple of months ago I was asked to speak (one of several) about
“bench tips”. I had a certain topic, but first I said it outright:
“The real bench tip is that collecting bench tips isn’t going to
turn you into a jeweler.” Learn how to swing a hammer…
Orchid is a fine place but it, or writing to people, isn’t going to
make you a jeweler. It’s all about craftsmanship, you see.

24 
l people who aren't technically brilliantis that they will be very
scared by helping someone else - if they managed it by good
contacts and PR skills alone, they know how easy it is for someone
else to do the same!

But that is exactly what I am in need of—how to get in the PR door
to get big name clients. Seems like you have to know someone who
knows someone or be a relative (just like the actors/actresses). If
that is not the case, these people like Me&Ro should share for
goodness sake–PAY IT FORWARD.

Amy
http://www.crystallizedgems.com

25 
when you are successful, the people that write you will get a
beautiful response, and you will make friends

Thanks Pat! I thought these successful ones would have felt blessed
enough to pay it forward. It is amazing how many people on Orchid
who have responded to my post have sounded so resentful of me–I was
only speaking out about the frustrations I face.Take good care!

Amy
http://www.crystallizedgems.com

26

@ Ken; I have ran into several, shows or festivals that unless you
have a booth you will be kicked out for soliciting the dealers or the
attendees. Be sure to check first or be very careful. wait until you
have seen everything first. ha ha

27

QUITE FRANKLY i remain aware that a student will ultimately become
like their teacher a person looking for a niche in the jewelry
market. I have trained myself not to worry when an artist i admire
is reluctant to talk to me about the trade. It’s bad enough we all
have to deal with the "Cartier’s, Harry Winstons’ and Tiffany’s"
they take all the hoopla and the smaller busness with more talent we
get nothing. I will always stay loyal to any independant jewelry
smith because you people studied very very hard many long years and
sacrificed alot of your lives it isn’t a hobby to you Meevis, Lewton
Brains, and the like you guys have started and end as jewelers and
artists and that means a hell of a lot. You took the time to be
recognized as goldsmiths and deserve the acolades.

I am greatful when i find a person like Mr. Gerry Lewy who will get
up out of his bed with sore painful knees to teach me. I e-mailed Mr.
Cogswell who is very busy he was nice enough to e-mail me back, even
though at that time he was caring for a sick member of the family i’m
told later on. Just because a jewelry artist doesn’t feel like
training or interning with someone GANOKSIN members don’t disparage
them. They are human and have frailties also. They support themselves
and families as well pay their own health care off the sweat on their
brows and the talent in their Hearts, I love looking at their work
weather they e-mail me back or not and i can say with distinction
each and every jewelry artist took time away from their busy schedule
and need to pay the bills and has gotten back to me some way some
how. It may not have been the words i hoped but it was
acknowledgement to a novice who barely has enough time to do my day
job much less take classes that while they are costly they are
freaking worth it. Remember one thing Jewelers must make money they
don’t stick their web page up on the net, pay for a logo design
incorporate themselves just to e-mail people with baby beginner
questions. If they don’t make money they can’t help anyone.

sabra

28 
Seriously, your email is almost mind numbing in it's selfishness
and then as if that isn't bad enough... you slightly insult those
who have succeeded as you justify the whole thing by implying it
isn't just incredible hard work, talent and perseverance that got
them there.

I think Cameron said exactly what I would have said, but much more
eloquently. Also this could be a perfect example of artist expecting
the internet to work for them. I would be willing to bet that 99% of
the successful artist use the internet as a catalog of sorts of their
work and not a place to sell it. At least at first before they had
big names. Even the really big guys worked their butts off doing
shows and doing work for others.

When it comes to emails, I read them all fast in the mornings and
then maybe go back and respond. After a long hard day I forget some.
I feel if someone has a question that is important to them they will
call me on the phone. I will spend way too much time talking on the
phone and no time on the computer.

Bill Wismar

29 
Given the fact that it takes perhaps more good fortune than actual
talent,

Amy, where does the good fortune come from? Hopefully there is talent
involved. I have received so much good advice on Orchid itself, there
is such a wealth of info here. When I first joined Orchid I remember
Wayne Emery was super helpful on photographing my pieces. Over the
course of the years I’ve gleaned so much from the group. I also feel
that there is also a possibility that many of your emails may not
have made it though to the intended addressee. If you want to get out
there and be noticed you need to send photos entering competitions,
perhaps do a show or two. It’s work, ya gotta get down!

Lisa Hawthorne

30

Jeff, if there’s one thing I can’t tolerate, it’s folks that beat
around the bush & don’t just say it like it is! Ha!

AMY… this is the best advice given… As Jeff Said…
“Other wise nail your ass into a bench chair for a few/many years.
No brass rings.”

AND… AS Leonid Commented… “I can give you an advice. I have
looked at your work, and without commenting on either design or
execution, your problem is that you do not charge enough. If you do
not value your own time, why should anybody else? If you want to
join “the club”, make minimum charge $10,000 and make sure that your
work can support it. Very soon, not only you will be member of the
club, you will own it.”

I say these same things to folks ten times a month minimum. Do these
two things in the order I put them… and with a little luck &
talent, you can’t miss. Remember… one of these is no good without
the other. !!

The best to you. Dan.

31

Hi Amy,

I just want to share with you something that occurred in my studio
just this past week. One of my studiomates received an email from
someone seeking advice. The person did not give their name, nor any
other about themselves or their work. Just a very short
note requesting advice. She wasn’t willing to give out information
to someone who was not forth coming from the start. But, she did
reply however and stated such. Then the artist emailed back a very
tart email chastising her for not helping a fellow artist - still
not giving her name or her business or anything. This is not a way
to seek advice. My studiomate’s response would have been much
different had the request been made in a warm tone with personal
attached with which to create a connection from the
start. Presentation is key - not just in our work and how we display
it - but how we present ourselves to our community and to our peers.
So, for what it’s worth - a real example at play.

By the way - I did look at your website. My one piece of advice from
the start would be better photos of your work.

Good luck to you.

Tavia

Tavia Brown
taviametal

32

Amy,

I think I am not the only person who found your comment, “Given the
fact that it takes perhaps more good fortune than actual talent,
these artisan should be sensitive to the plight of others.” hmm,
bothersome. Though it may not have been your intent you implied that
many (all?) successful designers/jewelers are successful not because
of hard work and talent but good fortune. If you truly believe that
then you may never be as successful as you wish. Sometimes there is
a bit a good fortune but from what I have seen it is talent and hard
work. Good fortune may get your foot in the door, ONCE, but to stay
inside and to get in other doors, requires talent.

No one here started out knowing everything about every aspect of
running a successful business, but to be successful (however they
chose to define that) they had to learn not just about design, but
shows, advertising, marketing, websites, pricing, networking, and
now Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in, etc. If you need assistance with
any of these aspects of running and growing your business there are
individuals and companies that are very good at working with jewelry
designers in many of the above aspects of business and you may find
it helpful to hire one of them to consult/guide you.

If there are people whose work you admire, look at their
websites…compare them to yours…

See what kind of stores and galleries they sell their work in…if
you feel your work is similar look for similar types of stores and
galleries to contact (I wouldn’t recommend the same store, but if
there work sells well in a certain area, price point, type of
clients, then you may want to find similar type stores/galleries to
try to sell to…

And lastly, if you have specific questions about getting ahead in
this business you are welcome to ask specific questions and people
here are generally very generous in offering ideas and support.

Ok this is lastly, you seem to think people sounded resentful of
you…I didn’t read that into it…I am not sure what word I would
use…but resentful of you…no…

Terry

33 
But that is exactly what I am in need of---how to get in the PR
door to get big name clients.

Lots to say and think about with thread. Thanks for stirring up some
interesting topics, Amy.

You can be very successful without ever selling to “big name
clients”. I was where you are 25 years ago, that is thinking that I
needed to be seen, published and bought by the “right” people and
institutions. I was also very much under the impression fostered in
art schools that recognition by peers within the art/metalsmithing
bubble was much more important than it really is. You need an
“audience” for your work that will buy it. It helps if your audience
perceives you as famous, but as long as people in that audience,
whoever they are, buy your stuff, they are more important than all
the “big names” you may dream of becoming your clients.

Two suggestions for reading: “Outliers: The Story of Success” by
Malcolm Gladwell and I highly recommend Roy Williams’ “Monday Morning
Memo” as a subscription so you get a dose of it free every week.

Some editions are better than others.
Some weeks he is absolutely profound.

Success is talent, work, luck, work, timing, investment and more
work. Luck and talent are gifts from God that we should be grateful
for. But luck and talent can also be improved with training and work.
Reaching out, as you have, is a great way to do that.

All the best,
Steve

Stephen Walker

Andover, NY

34

Amy,

I thought these successful ones would have felt blessed enough to
pay it forward. It is amazing how many people on Orchid who have
responded to my post have sounded so resentful of me--I was only
speaking out about the frustrations I face.

Well, I think you did hit on a touchy nerve no one wants to admit is
there. And, some people don’t realize advantages they had to develop
their talent, that others didn’t. It is easy to find a market in New
York City, if you have a good product, but how do you find them if
you live in Lewis town Montana, with the same great product? I have
the same problem, but not because I don’t know how or where to
market, I am in the place where I have to teach myself how to make a
product for that market. I userecycled metal, and want to make
European style jewelry. I don’t have the time or money to take
classes from the people who could teach me in a few months what I
have struggled to teach myself in years and years. The people whose
work I admire did have far more advantage than me, because they could
afford to go to school, and I can’t. I have finally been able to take
a few classes a total of 18 days, and the people I want to emulate
have taken years of class. For you Amy, I think everyone has given
you at least one bit of advice, but not what you are asking for. You
never said you wanted success handed to you on a silver plate with a
smile. You want to find out where and to who to market your work, how
to present it to them once you find that market so they pay attention
to you long enought to say yes or no, and why. All the work in the
world does no good if you have no idea where the market is, or how to
reach them. Barking up the wrong tree.

I would advise this, pretend YOU are the owner of the gallery or
store you want to be in. Where are you? What is your overhead? Who do
you sell to? How would you find the inventory you want to stock? What
trade magazines do you subscribe to? What are your price points for
your customers? I think one thing you would do as the owner of this
gallery is subsribe to NICHE magazine.

Roxy

35

Amy,

I thought these successful ones would have felt blessed enough to
pay it forward.

What do you WANT from these people. Pay WHAT forward, their hard
work. How do you know that they have not paid it forward everyday to
others. If they gave you the buyers name for Neiman Marcus would
that be paying it forward enough. Would you have the ability to fill
the order they placed, or would you want them to help you with that
also. If I sound a tad angry, I am. As a sailor also, do you go to
yacht club functions looking great with your jewelry on. Do you go to
charity functions looking great with your jewelry on. Do you go to
the ballet, opera or symphony looking great with your jewelry on. Do
you give away your jewelry for silent auctions at charity events. Do
you spend at least two days a week calling on stores to sell your
work. Do you do bridal shows in your area. Do you go to the
restaurants where people that would buy your work hangout, or do you
hang out at coffee shops with people that could not afford your
work. Do you send out cards to old clients at least twice a year. Do
you call them to ask what a good show to do in their area would be,
or if they have friends that might like your work.

It takes years to get people to know you, going somewhere one time
does not work. This business is not a Field of Dreams, if you build
it you must get out and sell it.

There, I just paid 35 years of PR experience forward.

Now, to let you know, I am really not angry or resentful of you. I
am trying to drive home a point, the art business is 1% fu fu artsy
fartsy and the rest is hard hard work.

Bill Wismar

36 
I have ran into several, shows or festivals that unless you have a
booth you will be kicked out for soliciting the dealers or the
attendees. Be sure to check first or be very careful. wait until
you have seen everything first.

You are right John. I guess what I meant was to get out and network.
Actually the only Orcid members I have met other than local artists
are John and Joanne Donavan. They were very welcoming and I had no
needs from them, but I am sure if I did have a request they would be
more than helpful. I think it is all about relationships as far as
getting out there. Like the old saying, “The harder I work the
luckier I get.” Fortunately for me I have already retired from a
previous life and I do jewelry art for my peace of mind and well
being.

Ken Moore

37

It is amazing how many people on Orchid who have responded to my
post have sounded so resentful of me-

I too was surprised at the level of indignation.

It must be all those ego’s or something you tickled the wrong way.
ha ha

And good fortune most certainly plays a part in the overall success
of any jeweler, artist, rock group etc. Good fortune being good luck.
For sure talent and hard work must be there, but there simply has to
be an element of good fortune in any successful artist today.

There are plenty of technically competent and talented artists that
are obscure because they have not had a good break. Poor old Van Gogh
must be one of the most extreme examples.

And there are plenty of lousy artists that have had the luck to be
in the right place at the right time. The actress Jane Seymour with
her heart designs is one that come to mind.

Don’t worry by all the flabbergasted and mind numbed people.

They couldn’t help you anyway.

The more you work at what you want, the more likely a bit of luck
will come your way.

But there has to be a bit of luck, no doubt about that.

Cheers, Hans

38

Amy,

I’m personally right on the cusp of things coming together to really
work, and work well. I had a TV appearance yesterday (regional) that
I got by hiring an astute pr firm who REALLY works for me. She has
advised me on maximizing and utilizing social media, and advises me
on the best places to do print advertising. I hired someone to design
a professional logo and website, and in the last couple of months
it’s all started to come together and work. I am thrilled.

I’m firmly convinced that I can carve out my own niche, by
networking with complementary businesses AND offering a quality
product. I have zero background in business, but from the start I
knew I could not wear all the hats and be an expert in everything,
so I’ve sought out people who are experts, and got them to take
over.

I agree, there is a certain amount of serendipity involved, but you
can create your own good fortune through choosing and crafting a
sound marketing strategy and seeking out people who enhance that.
Also, any time you talk to someone new, look at what THEY do and look
at things you can do to help them. Fosters goodwill, and makes them
HAPPY to talk. And mentor. And expand your network and networking
abilities.

Also, looking at failures not as a reason to be discouraged but as
an opportunity to evaluate yourself and what you did wrong, and how
you can do better next time.

Hope that helps. I’m still a very, very tiny fish.

39

Amy,

It is amazing how many people on Orchid who have responded to my
post have sounded so resentful of me

I don’t imagine anyone was resentful of you. It’s just that your
original post was so chock full of selfish-sounding words, as if you
feel that you are owed an education by the people you write to. You
just have to do the leg work yourself. No it’s not necessarily the
easiest of fields to get into, but do the work, practice, practice,
practice, promote yourself and your work, and things will hopefully
start happening for you.

I’m not writing this to be nasty; it’s just that your expectations
are unrealistic.

Helen
UK

40

Personal health issues have kept me somewhat out of the loop for a
while. When I saw Terry Binnion’s reply, I expanded the subject and
read every message from yours through to Terry’s.

Let me say a bit bout Orchid to you first. Initially there was a
tradition of withholding throughout the entire international jewelry
industry. Persons working side by side had high barriers between
work stations so methods remained secret and that was encouraged.

Along comed Dr. Aspler (Hanuman) and Charles Lewton Brain, and an
idea evolves. A forum where ideas are exchanged, problems are posted
and suggestions/solutions follow. Not every idea was “approved or
valid,” but all suggestions were evaluated and appreciated.

Suddenly the veil of secrecy was lifted and flowed and
continues to flow many times each day. At times, a message is posted
which may raise the hackles of some and that too is dealt with, not
necessarily as the poster expected. Over the years it became obvious
just who would respond to specific questions, and usually those
comments were well received and recognized. Along the way, some
clearly angry individuals gave up and left the site, and those that
remained managed to find one another, arrange and attend Orchid
meetings in different locations, the prime one, of course being
Tucson.

Some of our valued early generous participants have passed on, and
are very much missed, others are winding down, but still participate
as they can.

Your comments as posted have hit a nerve of several, and I can
clearly see why. Taking your questions one at a time, and rephrasing
them and addressing them right here on Orchid could/would have gotten
responses from a community of sharing individuals who are indeed
Orchid.

Suggestions that luck rather than talent is the direct path, clearly
is not the case of many here who have made some outstanding
suggestions to you. Far more than your efforts to date have.

The value of your work is set by you, set it too low and many will
wonder what is really wrong with it, in actuality it is you who
identify its actual value. Read David Geller’s book on pricing and
learn.

Orchid members appreciate being asked for suggestions and possible
directions, complaining, valid or not rarely make a positive
acceptable commentary.

Antiques Road Show is a great teacher insofar as what really
determines value, and the excitement when a clearly identifiable
piece comes though be it large furniture, pottery design, weavings,
paintings or jewelry. Reach for identifiable style and quality.
Circulate wisely, if you indeed do have value, it will be
recognized. Integrity, value, honesty and quality, are how you want
to be known. Reread Leonid Surpin’s message.

Terrie
Teresa Masters
www.metalsmith.co