On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 23:51:08 -0800, Kalera Stratton
wrote:
The thing about the lampwork market right now is that the huge influx of
lampworkers is directly related to the increasing knowledge and
popularity of lampwork. A couple of years after I started lampworking, I
was desperately scouring the internet for references... I found ONE.
snip
What all this indicates to me is that the imbalance of new lampworkers
to lampwork buyers will, in time, settle down, and we will all benefit
in the long run from a more competetive marketplace and a larger, more
educated market.

When I first started making jewelry, there weren't that many
jewelers applying to shows. I never had any trouble getting
into the ones I wanted. Then everybody and their brother,
sister, aunts and uncles jumped on the jewelry bandwagon.
(Because "the jewelers always make the most money" Hah!)
So I added glass to the mix -- to stand out from the crowd.
Guess what became popular next? You got it. Glass. Every
body is into it in some form or another. Arrrrghhhh!
But, as you mentioned, it does help educate the public.
I have fewer and fewer people asking if a piece is plastic.
Or rapping on it with a ring to see if it's glass. (Yes it is,
and if you break it, you buy it, grrrrr). The show circuit
is so much fun.....
And now people are collecting items made of glass
in ever-increasing numbers. Which is why I should
be working today. But I've felt like crap all day and
haven't accomplished a damn thing. And tomorrow
I have to go to my MIL's condo and help her sort out
what we're keeping and what has to be sold before
the move. Betcha I don't get into the studio then, either.
B.
Barbara
Dream Master
www.dreamweaverstudio.com

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future
plans.
Woody Allen