Saturday, July 17, 2010

Bridal Necklace and a brief venting #15

I've had a request lately for some bridal pieces, this the first one. It is fine silver wire, freshwater pearls and a sterling silver chain. I've, also made some matching earrings. I haven't named it yet, so if anyone has a suggestion, let me know. I love making the pieces but I hate coming up with names for them.

Now for the venting:
One of the Jewelry stores that carry my work had a visit from 2 people that are part of a local tatters group. They were very interested in my silver work and had the nerve to state in front of the store clerk, how expensive my work is and they could do the same for a lot less. Fortunately, the clerks attitude was "yeah sure", she was polite but frustrated with them too. Needless to say, they didn't buy anything. The aggravating part is that I know these people and their work, which is mostly just mediocre. I've won awards from both national and state organizations. I have 2 of my framed thread pieces on display at the Mississippi State Arts Commission Gallery and have my silver work at 3 different local Jewelry stores as well as the gift shop of the Mississippi Museum of Art.
I'm not bragging, there are tons of tatters out there in cyberspace with many years of experience and are much better and more talented than I am. But I do work hard at my craft, especially when working in silver wire. I just really irks me to have someone with very limited skills make these kind of comments in front of one of my vendors. Even if they could do it better and cheaper, its still very tacky.

P.S. My staph infection is finally under control leaving a 4 1/2 inch wound behind. If all goes well they will start using Apligraf on the wound to speed the healing. Thanks for your prayers we're finally seeing results

9 comments:

Suztats said...

I love your necklace. 'Pearls 'n' lace' come to mind, but perhaps it's too simple a name.
I understand how you feel about those tacky remarks. Quality and workmanship shows.They only demonstrated their jealousy and bad manners.
Glad to know you're on the mend.

Sharon said...

It's good to hear that you are mending. As for the comments from the tatters, quality shows, as does bad breeding. Since the necklace is a bridal piece, you could go with, "Simple Purity" or "Elegance",but it kind of reminds me of butterflies carrying off a pearl, so maybe "Pearls in Flight". Whastever you choose in the end I'm sure it will fit.

God's Kid said...

I admire all your work and I love this new one too. You said it was bridal and my thought is
"Five Moments" for a name. It only takes about 5 moments to say I do and to get that first married kiss and you have 5 designs to make it up so that was my thought. As for those making those comments about your work....we have all been taught that it's usually jealousy that brings that about. :D
Keep up the awesome work!!! :)
And have a blessed day!

Elizabeth said...

Lovely work as always, Alan. My guess is those two tatters have never actually tried tatting with wire or they would not have been so glib about your prices or your obvious mastery of this difficult technique. Even as a tatter with many years experience, I have never been able to master tatting with wire, and I remain in awe of your work.

Kathy Niklewicz said...

Those tatters obviously have no clue about the difficulty of tatting with wire. I would never even have thought it was possible. Makes my hands hurt just thinking about it.

You have somehow mastered this unique art (and with perfection), and I doubt you'll have any competition. I'm constantly amazed by your designs and ideas. I'm also happy you're getting recognition by so many different groups, and it is well deserved.

I hope you're getting better - that's been such a long saga.

LilyTats said...

Hi Alan,

I'm so glad to hear that you are getting better. Also, in regards to a name for your newest masterpiece... the thought it brought to my mind was "Forever". Don't know how well it would work, but like I said, that's what I thought of when I saw it. :-)

As far as the tacky-tatters (heehee)... I agree, they shouldn't do that, but then I think about how they really are only making themselves look bad. Because a TRUE-to-the-core Tatter would never put down anyone else' work. If I had been a customer in that store at the moment they were there, I probably would have bought your items right there in front of them, then asked them to prove that they could do a better job. You certainly get what you pay for, and if they can produce items for a much cheaper price, then I am skeptical that their quality would be just as low.

Liyarra said...

Nice to hear you are on the good side of recovery. Keep smiling.
Those people are just shoeing their ignorance.

Agnieszka Winnicka said...

Well that's just low!! Shame on them!!! But what can you do?! With people like that I feel like in Chinatown when tiny man walks behind me whispering "gucci, prada, gucci, prada" It's just ugh.

Blogger said...

By using BullionVault you can acquire physical gold & silver bars at current exchange prices.

Create your free account now and get 4 grams in free silver as a welcome bonus.