Crafty Thread - what are you working on at the moment?

[Shirl]

My project now is two tension set sapphire rings. I don't usually do small fiddly pieces but I'm setting myself new challenges
Also, I have put seven pieces into a selling exhibition at college. It's the first time I've properly put anything up for sale but I've been silversmithing for two years and and if I want to fund year three I have to believe in myself and sell stuff

 

[Greebo]

I've nearly finished re-making a jacket out of a dress that RubyToogood kindly gave me. <snip>

Having seen at least the back view of that jacket now, IMHO you've got a very good eye to have seen the possibility of making that out of the dress.

 

[wayward bob]

I've been silversmithing for two years and and if I want to fund year three I have to believe in myself and sell stuff

yes yes you do x

 

[Shirl]

Thanks wayward bob
I'm rubbish at selling despite having worked all my working life in retailing. I have confidence in presentation but selling is beyond me

 

[heinous seamus]

Tonight I had a bash at weaving some rope out of maram grass

 

[Greebo]

Thanks wayward bob
I'm rubbish at selling despite having worked all my working life in retailing. I have confidence in presentation but selling is beyond me

From what I've seen at two different colleges which gave students the chance to display and sell their work, you really don't have to be good at selling. Just get it listed, displayed in the right place, and then trust that somebody will like it.

 

[Shirl]

End of year college exhibition. I have to say that my pieces stand out from the others. I go for statement pieces and for the first time ever, I was really impressed by my work

 

[friendofdorothy]

End of year college exhibition. I have to say that my pieces stand out from the others. I go for statement pieces and for the first time ever, I was really impressed by my work

that looks gorgeous! is the one of those the silver bangle you posted before? it all looks like copper in this photo. Anyway well done - hope you got top marks.

 

[Greebo]

End of year college exhibition. I have to say that my pieces stand out from the others. I go for statement pieces and for the first time ever, I was really impressed by my work

You've finished them with jeweller's rouge, haven't you? I'd know that warm tone anywhere.

 

[ViolentPanda]

that looks gorgeous! is the one of those the silver bangle you posted before? it all looks like copper in this photo. Anyway well done - hope you got top marks.

As someone who once had the "fun" of photographing a numismatist's collection for insurance purposes, I can tell you that the "copper" tone is most likely the (mix of) lighting. If you're photographing silver (or polished aluminium or steel etc) then unless you diffuse the light and colour-correct it (old skool, you'd put a filter over the camera lens), you get that sort of colour cast.

 

[Shirl]

that looks gorgeous! is the one of those the silver bangle you posted before? it all looks like copper in this photo. Anyway well done - hope you got top marks.

As someone who once had the "fun" of photographing a numismatist's collection for insurance purposes, I can tell you that the "copper" tone is most likely the (mix of) lighting. If you're photographing silver (or polished aluminium or steel etc) then unless you diffuse the light and colour-correct it (old skool, you'd put a filter over the camera lens), you get that sort of colour cast.

Yes, it's all down to the lighting and phone camera. It's all silver with no hint of warmth. The bangle I posted before is in the exhibition but not for sale. The other one is similar but not as heavy. I'll know on Monday if anything has sold. I hope some of it has so I can afford to do the course next year.

 

[moose]

I'll know on Monday if anything has sold. I hope some of it has so I can afford to do the course next year.

Well as I mentioned elsewhere, me know if the thin one doesn't go, I'd be delighted to buy it!

 

[Shirl]

moose, I'm glad you like it, I'll keep you posted

 

[Shirl]

End of year college exhibition. I have to say that my pieces stand out from the others. I go for statement pieces and for the first time ever, I was really impressed by my work

Right, so despite me being impressed with my work I didn't sell anything. Others sold stuff but they sold stuff I don't like.
Now I'm fed up because I could make things I don't like that may sell or make stuff I like and stay skint I might give up and do calligraphy next year

 

[wayward bob]

(((Shirl ))) one of the girls in our final show sold a shitload of stuff (including to my kids and mates ). i rate her work, but i know i couldn't do it - i don't have the patience to do the same thing over and over in the way she does. someone else got a lot of audience/gallery recognition - and sales - but i don't have the technical skills that she does by working only in ceramics. the girl who won the academic prize as well as the studentship prize sold nothing. i sold a thing to my step mum but i think i was the only one who had a paid exhibition alongside the degree show. swings and roundabouts, innit.

seems like you've already sold something on here, and you know i'd have an unfinished one off you. stick to your guns girl. don't quit xxx

 

[Shirl]

(((Shirl ))) one of the girls in our final show sold a shitload of stuff (including to my kids and mates ). i rate her work, but i know i couldn't do it - i don't have the patience to do the same thing over and over in the way she does. someone else got a lot of audience/gallery recognition - and sales - but i don't have the technical skills that she does by working only in ceramics. the girl who won the academic prize as well as the studentship prize sold nothing. i sold a thing to my step mum but i think i was the only one who had a paid exhibition alongside the degree show. swings and roundabouts, innit.

seems like you've already sold something on here, and you know i'd have an unfinished one off you. stick to your guns girl. don't quit xxx

Thanks bob, I really appreciate that I'm feeling like a failure tonight even though I would buy my stuff like a shot if someone else made it

 

[spirals]

Shirl I crochet and sell a fair bit (when I am well enough to) but what I enjoy making and what the customers want are often very different. Have you tried etsy for selling? There seems to be a big customer base there.

 

[moose]

Simply the wrong audience at the wrong time, Shirl. Your stuff is really strong, and in the right place would sell like hot cakes. You just need to find the right place Have you picked the brains of our mutual friend the woodworker? She may have some ideas as to where it would go well.

 

[Greebo]

Simply the wrong audience at the wrong time, Shirl. Your stuff is really strong, and in the right place would sell like hot cakes. You just need to find the right place <snip>

Agreed - IMHO it's the sort of thing which would probably sell well at a lot of pagan events.

 

[spirals]

I really enjoyed making this, wish I'd made it bigger though.

 

[Greebo]

<snip> I really enjoyed making this, wish I'd made it bigger though.

Beautiful. I suppose doing a second one using the same colours, border and motifs (but more of them) would take too much time and energy?

 

[spirals]

Beautiful. I suppose doing a second one using the same colours, border and motifs (but more of them) would take too much time and energy?

Yes, I don't have the ability to concentrate on it at the moment either, it's a shame because I know lots of people want one. The pattern is called painted roses and it's on ravelry.

 

[Biddlybee]

It's beautiful spirals

 

[Shirl]

Simply the wrong audience at the wrong time, Shirl. Your stuff is really strong, and in the right place would sell like hot cakes. You just need to find the right place Have you picked the brains of our mutual friend the woodworker? She may have some ideas as to where it would go well.

I am hoping to get a studio/shop in a mill on the canal side. Trouble is, I don't know yet if someone has got there before me. I could work and sell from there and also put things online from there. It would mean giving up a day at the salon and working 3 days in the studio/shop but I'd like that. I think you need to work a six day week when you get to my age
I have to stop daydreaming though because someone has probably already taken it
There are plenty of good studio/ selling units around town but the one on the canal side is the only one I can afford and I could sit outside on the towpath on sunny days

 

[Shirl]

Spirals your crochet is lovely.

 

[moose]

I am hoping to get a studio/shop in a mill on the canal side. Trouble is, I don't know yet if someone has got there before me. I could work and sell from there and also put things online from there. It would mean giving up a day at the salon and working 3 days in the studio/shop but I'd like that. I think you need to work a six day week when you get to my age
I have to stop daydreaming though because someone has probably already taken it
There are plenty of good studio/ selling units around town but the one on the canal side is the only one I can afford and I could sit outside on the towpath on sunny days

Hope you get it! Will you need much in the way of equipment?

 

[moose]

And lovely crochet, spirals !

 

[Shirl]

Hope you get it! Will you need much in the way of equipment?

I won't need much because I have bought quite a lot over the last two years. A polishing machine will be the most important. I won't have one at home because they make the area around them filthy. I have some polishing equipment for small textured pieces at home but I take bigger things into college to polish.

 

[Biddlybee]

I hadn't seen your posts from yesterday Shirl. I agree with moose, is was the wrong audience. You've got lots of talent - don't ever doubt that.

Hope you get the studio space

 

[Looby]

I am hoping to get a studio/shop in a mill on the canal side. Trouble is, I don't know yet if someone has got there before me. I could work and sell from there and also put things online from there. It would mean giving up a day at the salon and working 3 days in the studio/shop but I'd like that. I think you need to work a six day week when you get to my age
I have to stop daydreaming though because someone has probably already taken it
There are plenty of good studio/ selling units around town but the one on the canal side is the only one I can afford and I could sit outside on the towpath on sunny days

I really hope you get it, the studio sounds lovely. [emoji4]