Am I bitching?

Shouldn't there be some kind of rule wherein people who string beads
wouldn't be allowed to call themslves "jewelers"?

On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 00:27:20 -0700, in rec.crafts.jewelry Frosty
wrote:

Shouldn't there be some kind of rule wherein people who string beads
wouldn't be allowed to call themslves "jewelers"?

Yeah, you're bitching. And wrong too.

You incorrectly assume that items made just with strung beads are not somehow
jewelry, and thus their makers are not jewelers. But this is simply incorrect.
From classic pearl necklaces, to things like the wonderful and costly bead
necklace I saw in a local high line (very high line, I'd add) jewelry store,
which was strung with various diamond beads and hanging briolettes, using
platinum wires and jump rings and all that, beaded work can be jewelry, either
at the beginning hobby level, all the way up to the very highest level of
workmanship and complexity. To suggest that working with beads is somehow less
valid, or less "jewelry", than what those of us who more aggressively work the
metal make, is just plain incorrect.

One might as well try to say that those who make silver jewelry aren't actually
silversmiths, because the classic definition of that would be the sort of
craftsperson who hammers silver into vessels and the like. Actually, that
distinction might even be more valid than saying bead workers aren't jewelers.

And besides, the term jeweler has long been applied to a wider range than just
those who make jewelery. We makers often call ourselfs goldsmiths,
platinumsmiths, or silversmiths, before we call yourselfs jewelers. That term
is correct for us if we wish, but also used for the business man who owns a
jewelery store and has never made anything with his own hands.

And then, just whom are you suggesting should be doing this "allowing" or
disallowing"? The jewelry police? Who dat?

While it's true that people stringing beads on silk are not working metal much,
nor are those stringing beads on wire with wire rings connecting, learning how
to solder or forge metal, This does not in the slightest, make their work not
jewelry, or automatically lesser in quality. To suggest otherwise is just being
elitist. Something we don't really need in this field, or any other.

My two cents (well, actually rather more, if you pay me by the word...)

Peter

Frosty wrote:
Shouldn't there be some kind of rule wherein people who string beads
wouldn't be allowed to call themslves "jewelers"?


Only, if I were allowed to make the rules. :-)

I'm sure Peter will come up with an answer to your post that is at least several
paragraphs long. ;-)

--
Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com

Frosty wrote:
Shouldn't there be some kind of rule wherein people who string beads
wouldn't be allowed to call themslves "jewelers"?

Well Frosty
I tend to agree with you though it is a form of jewelry making and is
recognized as jewelry. the Beaders have their place. And their are some
very ancient pieces of jewelry that are beads, pearls included, and am
known to make a necklace or two. Over here the Beaders have their own
circuit, with the seriaden fairs which are dominated by them.
The Amsterdam art market they are not allowed,though art of many forms
are allowed including jewelry of the smithing type is included and all
work has to be done by the person selling it and nothing less than 10 Euros.
A lot of hobbyist and they are always looking for hand made pendents for
their beads so I really can not complain.
The world of Jewelry is the same yet different than in the United states
being an American married to a dutchy I know. and supplies are a lot
cheaper there than here, as we have an automatic VAT (Value Added Tax)
of 19% added to every thing. and most of the money goes to improving the
quality of life, which is good, so I don't mind.
and if any one every figures out the website promotion thing let me know
I am interested,
Allan
Back to lurking
great news group nice not to see the personal vendettas or junk postings.

On or about Wed, 19 Jul 2006 07:38:54 GMT, an entity identified as
"Peter W.. Rowe," proudly
proclaimed:

On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 00:27:20 -0700, in rec.crafts.jewelry Frosty
wrote:

Shouldn't there be some kind of rule wherein people who string beads
wouldn't be allowed to call themslves "jewelers"?

Yeah, you're bitching. And wrong too.

You incorrectly assume that items made just with strung beads are not somehow
jewelry, and thus their makers are not jewelers. But this is simply incorrect.
From classic pearl necklaces, to things like the wonderful and costly bead
necklace I saw in a local high line (very high line, I'd add) jewelry store,
which was strung with various diamond beads and hanging briolettes, using
platinum wires and jump rings and all that, beaded work can be jewelry, either
at the beginning hobby level, all the way up to the very highest level of
workmanship and complexity. To suggest that working with beads is somehow less
valid, or less "jewelry", than what those of us who more aggressively work the
metal make, is just plain incorrect.

One might as well try to say that those who make silver jewelry aren't actually
silversmiths, because the classic definition of that would be the sort of
craftsperson who hammers silver into vessels and the like. Actually, that
distinction might even be more valid than saying bead workers aren't jewelers.

And besides, the term jeweler has long been applied to a wider range than just
those who make jewelery. We makers often call ourselfs goldsmiths,
platinumsmiths, or silversmiths, before we call yourselfs jewelers. That term
is correct for us if we wish, but also used for the business man who owns a
jewelery store and has never made anything with his own hands.

And then, just whom are you suggesting should be doing this "allowing" or
disallowing"? The jewelry police? Who dat?

While it's true that people stringing beads on silk are not working metal much,
nor are those stringing beads on wire with wire rings connecting, learning how
to solder or forge metal, This does not in the slightest, make their work not
jewelry, or automatically lesser in quality. To suggest otherwise is just being
elitist. Something we don't really need in this field, or any other.

My two cents (well, actually rather more, if you pay me by the word...)

Peter

I stand corrected. (I can't very well sit down after *that* trip to
the woodshed!)

Frosty

--

Anulos qui animum ostendunt omnes gestemus!

On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 07:27:36 +0000, Frosty wrote:

Shouldn't there be some kind of rule wherein people who string beads
wouldn't be allowed to call themslves "jewelers"?

Get some archeaology books and look at the earliest jewelry of almost
any culture worldwide. Perhaps the stuff made by the big commercial
jewelry firms are less likely to be real jewelry than a hand made beaded
necklace.

You are correct, they should be called "alt.jewelers" ;} Will E.


"Frosty" wrote in message
...
Shouldn't there be some kind of rule wherein people who string beads
wouldn't be allowed to call themslves "jewelers"?

On or about Wed, 19 Jul 2006 15:23:23 GMT, an entity identified as
Allan proudly proclaimed:

Frosty wrote:
Shouldn't there be some kind of rule wherein people who string beads
wouldn't be allowed to call themslves "jewelers"?

Well Frosty
I tend to agree with you
basking
snip
Allan
Back to lurking
great news group nice not to see the personal vendettas or junk postings.
Thanks to our moderator!

On or about Thu, 20 Jul 2006 01:25:09 GMT, an entity identified as
mbstevens proudly proclaimed:

On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 07:27:36 +0000, Frosty wrote:

Shouldn't there be some kind of rule wherein people who string beads
wouldn't be allowed to call themslves "jewelers"?

Get some archeaology books and look at the earliest jewelry of almost
any culture worldwide. Perhaps the stuff made by the big commercial
jewelry firms are less likely to be real jewelry than a hand made beaded
necklace.


OK, ok, spanked I am!

;-)

Frosty wrote:
Shouldn't there be some kind of rule wherein people who string beads
wouldn't be allowed to call themslves "jewelers"?

Hi, Frosty.

I bead, but I consider myself an amateur jeweler. I do it mostly for
myself, but if I even thought my bead work would/could sell, you can
bet I'd be out there marketing myself. I came to this late in life and
I wish I had initially given into my yearnings to be a full fledged
jeweler/artist...as in owning my own studio and doing what say others
and Abrasha do in this group. Instead, I followed the academic party
line my family insisted that all their progeny pursue. I've fallen
into the stuffy office job rank - making video games. It can be
exciting, but it still isn't what I want to do. Who knew my BA and
Masters in International Relations would take me there?!

Laura Gibson's work (www.lauragibson.com) is a lot of beading and she's
made up quite a strong business for herself.

I see you've been given the kind but firm beating from Peter. I
see others have posted as well.

I am late, but I just had to put in my $.02.

-Sparkle-