I hadn't realised how long it was since my last installment. Oh well, keep 'em wanting more is what I say. Conveniently. . .
Anyway, I've been taking it a bit easy on the bead front this last week or two, since making loads of things to list bit by bit etc. I'll have another burst of enthusiasm next week I reckon.
But meantime, I am having a bit of a hiccup in confidence on the jewellery front. I sell a few things, mainly cufflinks and earrings, so I am OK with those, mainly, though my earrings are a bit plain compared to a lot of the wonderfully eclectic artists I admire. My hiccup is more about necklaces.
I don't really know what level of sales to expect, so may be reading too much into it, but it feels as though I need to raise my game a bit. I like the things I make, I know that they sit on the crude side of 'simple', and I realise that might not resonate with many people. Necklaces are more of a special purchase perhaps and they need to look a bit more consciously 'special'. Also, I do rather wing it with the design, following my instincts rather than considering the end user or what the 'rules' (perfectly valid rules or 'best practice') might be. I do like to go with my own flow, I think it is important, but perhaps I am putting potential buyers off by not being very aware of how necklaces are 'used' or worn. Not being female or a jewellery wearer myself and all that.
It makes my approach original but quite likely not altogether appealing. I dunno. Rightly or wrongly, it has made me stop making necklaces until I get my head round it all. Price may be an issue, but I don't think I'm too optimistic in that regard. I wouldn't want to charge less.
I research necklaces on pinterest and Etsy to see what I might need to change, and a few things are slowly sinking in. I am also coming up against another bit of resistance. I don't like tying up a load of beads into one piece when I could probably sell them separately as components.
Aye well, I'll work it out in the end. My work tends to go in cycles, so some new necklaces, or possibly pendants if they are more saleable, might appear soon - ish. Once I get over my hiccup.
Ah the insecure life of the creative soul. . . ;-)
Jon x
I like your necklaces Jon.
ReplyDeleteMy brother is the one I go to for his criticism on what I make. He sees things quite differently and I value his opinion. I often make changes to my designs based on what he thinks.
What does he look for? Balance - weight - length - composition of the bead as compared to what I put with it. Colour. The list goes on and on and he's not a jewelry maker - he's a potter.
Perhaps you should try them on yourself. And how to do it to give you the best 'look' at what you've made? Pretend. Throw on a girly hat or even a wig and boost up your chest. Don't look at yourself when you look in the mirror - look at the necklace. Making yourself the model is a great way to judge your creations.
Or -
Invest in a mannequin of sorts. Even just the ones that go to the waist - or a dressmaker's mannequin. Throw a neutral top on it from a second-hand shop and there's your model! As long as the mannequin is the proper size - not something scaled down - you will have a very good idea of how your necklaces sit and where. That's always valuable no matter what.
I see you are teetering on whether to sell the pieces individually or as a necklace. Hmm.....you can charge much more for a completed piece than separately really.
Up to you of course but keep looking at what others are selling and creating. It's a great way to boost your imagination and creativity.
And - just want to throw in here -
Happy Holidays to you Jon!
Thanks, some kind of mannequin is a good idea. I shall have a look on ebay after xmas. Interesting old ones I have seen in antique shops are expensive though, I shall have to adapt a less interesting new one I think. Useful for photos too.
DeleteHappy Holidays to you too ;-)