05 October 2007
When I create earrings, every component must match or be symmetrical. I would examine each bead I have in the lot, trying to pick out a pair that matches in size, shape and colour. Earwires are formed in pairs to keep them as similar as possible. If I'm using patinated or vintage metal, the colouring has to match. Even the wire-wrapping has to be even. Then I line them up and check that they dangle at the same lengths. It really bugs me if they don't. I've been known to dismantle and redo if I weren't satisfied.
I do spend a fair bit of time ensuring that each pair of Neoterica earrings ends up the same length and shape. Hammering alters the shape slightly, so it has to be done carefully and checked at all stages. If gemstone accents are used, again, they need to match because it's very obvious if they don't. And they need to be anchored at the same point on the wire or it's gonna look lopsided. I've been asked to use a too-large bead on a medium sized hoop and I was quite hesitant to do it because the whole earring would look out of proportion and be physically unbalanced. The larger the bead, the larger the hoop, doh. So far, these do seem to sell well, but I don't list them very often because they're not all that easy to produce according to the standard that I want.
Even for bracelets, particularly when working with freeform nuggets, I need to arrange them in a pleasing order that flows from one shape to the next. Then I would face the more tapered ends towards the clasp.
I have seen sellers offering earrings that don't "match" (and I'm not talking about those intentionally asymmetrical ones) - to my eye at least - and I empathise that they probably spent a bit of time on it and if it were new to them, it would've been quite an exciting process in itself. I can't help but wonder though, if the pieces will sell eventually. Maybe I still spend too much time checking out other people's stuff.
I'm not a snob... I don't think so and I really hope not. It comes down to the same thing that always used to happen at the office: should we be imposing our standards on others? Just because something is obvious to us, doesn't mean that it is to others. This applies to lots of things in life, not just one's craft.
At the completion of each project, I just ask myself - look here, is this something I am proud of as an artist? Would I wear it?
I do spend a fair bit of time ensuring that each pair of Neoterica earrings ends up the same length and shape. Hammering alters the shape slightly, so it has to be done carefully and checked at all stages. If gemstone accents are used, again, they need to match because it's very obvious if they don't. And they need to be anchored at the same point on the wire or it's gonna look lopsided. I've been asked to use a too-large bead on a medium sized hoop and I was quite hesitant to do it because the whole earring would look out of proportion and be physically unbalanced. The larger the bead, the larger the hoop, doh. So far, these do seem to sell well, but I don't list them very often because they're not all that easy to produce according to the standard that I want.
Even for bracelets, particularly when working with freeform nuggets, I need to arrange them in a pleasing order that flows from one shape to the next. Then I would face the more tapered ends towards the clasp.
I have seen sellers offering earrings that don't "match" (and I'm not talking about those intentionally asymmetrical ones) - to my eye at least - and I empathise that they probably spent a bit of time on it and if it were new to them, it would've been quite an exciting process in itself. I can't help but wonder though, if the pieces will sell eventually. Maybe I still spend too much time checking out other people's stuff.
I'm not a snob... I don't think so and I really hope not. It comes down to the same thing that always used to happen at the office: should we be imposing our standards on others? Just because something is obvious to us, doesn't mean that it is to others. This applies to lots of things in life, not just one's craft.
At the completion of each project, I just ask myself - look here, is this something I am proud of as an artist? Would I wear it?
1 comments:
- @ 8 October 2007 at 13:19 msbelle said...
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I hear ya! It has to match. It has to be 'just right', otherwise I think someone else will notice. Like you said though, probably just we would (or other anal retentive jewelry makers). But I would rather look at it as we make quality jewelry that we're proud of and that others can't easily 'tear apart'--verbally or physically. I must admit, sometimes I do let things slide because I waste so much in materials if I don't. I can't justify going back and tearing it apart yet AGAIN!
(sorry, I deleted my first comment as it just didn't suit me!)