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  #131  
Old February 13th 04, 08:12 PM
Dr. Sooz
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they made
coffee tables with a space to put stuff in under glass. It would be really
cool to make one with sections and a hinged lid, maybe lit underneath -
think a frosted plexiglass - so you could enjoy the beads every day... plus
it would be easy to change them out. I've always wanted one like that I
could put shells and collectables in. I'll wait though until the grandkids
get older so they won't be tempted to "break in" or use the coffee table for
wrestling matches!


OH YEAH! Fabulous!

I had a table like that (left it behind with the Ex) -- it was fabu. Great fun
to switch the exhibits around. Usually made with tempered glass that can take
a lot of abuse, but....wrestling matches? Yikes. Yes, best to wait.....
~~
Sooz
-------
"Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John
Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance
~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html
Ads
  #132  
Old February 13th 04, 08:13 PM
Dr. Sooz
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Mom, who has much more art than wall space, rotates the work on her walls.
You could do the same with your presentation boxes. You could make
backgrounds of peyoted matte mixes. Dull pinks with grey, slate blues with
grey, etc, that would work with several beads (or maybe fabric instread).
They make suitable glassed in boxes -- often sold to keep war medals and such.

And there are acrylic stands. I'm pretty sure I've seen some advertised
that have a vertical metal post for putting beads on. And I have a metal
stand that holds a specimen/gem/bead at about a 22 degree angle, that looks

like a C with two screws.

Terrific ideas, Tina -- thanks! I will probably incorporate these into my
Master Plan. (I have a stash of nice shadowboxes in stock already....for my 3D
collage work)
~~
Sooz
-------
"Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John
Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance
~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html
  #133  
Old February 13th 04, 08:39 PM
Margie
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On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 14:57:50 GMT, "Karleen/Vibrant Jewels"
wrote:

AKA While You Were Out or Trading Spaces - in some of the shows they made
coffee tables with a space to put stuff in under glass. It would be really
cool to make one with sections and a hinged lid, maybe lit underneath -
think a frosted plexiglass - so you could enjoy the beads every day... plus
it would be easy to change them out. I've always wanted one like that I
could put shells and collectables in. I'll wait though until the grandkids
get older so they won't be tempted to "break in" or use the coffee table for
wrestling matches!


I have a glass table now. It's a slab of glass that sits on the table
so you seen down to the bottom shelf? I'd have to show you a picture
I think. Anyway, I wonder if creative husband to come up with
something that's lighted that would sit securely under the slab.
Hmmm....good idea, Karleen.
--
Margie
http://www.handcraftedjewelry.com/st...asp?userid=261






  #135  
Old February 16th 04, 06:10 AM
DreamBeadr
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Damn, we're good here.


Well, when minds crash together, even in disagreement, something good is bound
to come from it, huh? ;o)

Beki
http://www.whimbeads.com

  #136  
Old February 16th 04, 02:24 PM
Kandice Seeber
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Got *that* right!

--
Kandice Seeber
Air & Earth Designs
http://www.lampwork.net

Damn, we're good here.


Well, when minds crash together, even in disagreement, something good is

bound
to come from it, huh? ;o)

Beki
http://www.whimbeads.com



  #137  
Old February 17th 04, 07:26 AM
Kalera Stratton
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Kandice, I think you said it best in your reply to that thread. It was
VERY eloquent.

I actually just raised my starting prices, but not in response to that
thread... in response to my long-term business plan, coupled with the
reality of what my auctions are going for now. (Except for tonight... I
should know better than to have ANY auctions end on a holiday, however
minor!) By the way, a tip from a seller; if you want good prices,
sometimes OUTRAGEOUS prices, shop eBay on a holiday!

A lot of lampworkers want higher prices, but they sometimes overlook the
reality of the market; there are a lot more lampworkers, and a lot of
them are GOOD. The bar has been raised. Ten years ago I could sell beads
that were really NOT very good for a fair amount of money; now, I better
work my tail off to be not only good but different, because there are a
lot of "newbies" who are coming up hard and fast on my rear. (Yes, it's
as exciting as it sounds!)

I am delighted by the turn the market has taken. Buyers are more
educated than ever, and the art has improved due to the heavy
competition. This is a GOOD thing! This art was nearly extinct fifteen
years ago! Look at where it is now... in the beginning stages of a true
renaissance, and *we* are lucky enough to be participants!

-Kalera


Kandice Seeber wrote:

I have mixed feelings about that whole thread. On the one hand, the
intentions are good, I am sure. The people are mostly nice, hardworking and
well-intentioned. On the other hand, price fixing is illegal and annoying.
I agree about pricing your things in such a way that it mirrors value and
hard work. However, I don't agree with a huge group governing that, or
trying to control things. But I am pretty anti-government, so maybe it's
just that. Or maybe it's because I haven't had my coffee yet today, and
I am cranky.

  #138  
Old February 17th 04, 07:41 AM
Kalera Stratton
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Kandice, there's no way I would throw a tomato at you.

Your business acumen is well-honed, and right on target. Working hard;
this is not someting that can be an easy-money scheme. I might well make
$60 an hour at the torch, but what about the other hours I put in? And
related expenses? I worked it out and I'm making less than I was at my
previous full-time employment, LOL!

This business is HARD work, but I love it. That's why I do it. I cannot
describe the joy of getting an email from a customer telling me how much
they love my beads; I recently got one from someone who said she spent
20 minutes holding them up to the morning light and just... looking at
them. That brings tears to my eyes. *IRREPLACEABLE*. I just finished a
large set for a woman's wedding. She ordered sixteen beads for her
attendants, and another eight to represent the presence of family
members who have already passed over. This, to me, is the ultimate
honor... to be chosen for my art to become part of a ceremony of love
and family.

This is not easy money. It's dawn-to-dusk work if you want to make a
living at it, but... that certain something that comes of putting a
thing of beauty into someone else's hands to love and enjoy is better
than money. But in order to do it, we have to be able to make a living
at it; that's where the research, the striving, the hours upon hours of
work come in.

OK, I will admit now that I don't really have a point other than to say
"well said!" and agree that anyone thinking that lampworking is easy
money is in for a sad awakening. It's mentally, financially, and
physically demanding.

-Kalera

Kandice Seeber wrote:

I totally agree. For me, ebay is still the second best venue with my
website being the best. Except maybe for a local show. Other shows - I have
to factor in travel costs and such, which can be substantial, depending on
location. Galleries/bead stores want wholesale or consignment.
Ebay/PayPal/Credit Card fees come up to about 20% of my prices, generally
speaking, and shipping is really inexpensive. So far, I have gotten really
decent prices on ebay.
My website is by far the best venue, though, but takes a lot more time and
energy to run than my ebay presence. So I do both, and they average out to
be very good. Why? When others say the market sucks and sales are down?
Because I work really freaking hard, and I do my homework. I don't
undervalue my work. I work with the market to get the best prices I can
while giving buyers the highest quality, most pleasing beads I possibly can.
Anyone with a little talent can do this if they work hard at it, and listen
to their customers. People complain way too much and tend to think this is
an easy way to earn lots of money, and think they can do so without much
effort. Anyway. Ranting again. Time to stop now before someone whacks
me with a tomato!!

  #139  
Old February 17th 04, 07:45 AM
Kalera Stratton
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The woman has an innate business sense that would put a lot of business
managers to shame.

-Kalera

Dr. Sooz wrote:

Kandice, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were a lot older than you really
are. You are wise and thoughtful beyond your years.
~~
Sooz
-------
"Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John
Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance
~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html

  #140  
Old February 17th 04, 07:46 AM
Kalera Stratton
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I want garden-fresh tomatoes, sliced, with a liberal sprinkling of salt
and pepper.

Dr. Sooz wrote:

Time to stop now before someone whacks
me with a tomato!!



Mmmmmmmmmm....tomatoes....
~~
Sooz
-------
"Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John
Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance
~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html

 




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