Quote Originally Posted by Dennis View Post
By the way Pat, far from being apologetic, you should be well pleased with all the comments your post has raised. After all, that's what a Forum is for, except during the Ides of March of course. Dennis.
Absoutely Dennis!!

Well, I've really enjoyed reading through this thread! Ooooh, and now I'm wondering where to start!! I try to make as much of my work myself, from sheet, wire, tube, including as many and an increasing variety of findings, on pieces such as my brooches I make an additional point in the item description that all parts of the item are made by hand by myself (though some parts of some items I make initially and will have a few cast, for efficiency and reduced costs), i then have to finish this part of the item and add the additional parts to it (not clip on!!), I am learning where and when to use blanks, eurofindings settings like Peter. I don't cut stones or mine my own ore ;-D

I do think people are choosy and protective of their money and do want to know that they are getting value for their money and something that they are not going to go out and bump into someone wearing the same item. I vary each of my repeat items and I also do limited editions. What amazes me like you Carole, is it's often the boring uncreative, run of the mill stuff that people like!! Also like you Lauren, I tend to make stuff I lwould like to wear and it stumps me why one piece becomes an absolute flyer and another doesn't!!

Two things I have done......I make my work out of thicker heavier weight sheet etc, people pick items up and their immediate reaction is to comment on the weight compared to other work. Secondly, most of my stones I get professionally set.....not that I don't love setting stones, BUT, firstly I have to make the setting myself, perfectly for the stone, but the setter sets stones day in day out and has done so for years, that's there job, their speciality, and they do it well,..........I'm focussing on 'perfecting' (if only) other aspects of my work.......namely designing and I guess a traditional 'model makers' skills.

Well........there you go for a start!! Lol.................