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#131
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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 |
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#132
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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