Today’s blog is rather long so I broke it up into 2 parts. Part one of Understanding the Artisan pertains to the value of a deal and what it means for the consumer, the process of the artisans and the vendor experience. Part two discusses the realities of costume jewelry and consumer knowledge.
How Much is a Deal Worth?
For the first time this year I have been attending craft fairs and flea markets with my artisan creations. The groups of people that attend these shows are all looking for a deal. However, what they don’t seem to understand or care about is that the kind of deals they want for quality costume jewelry is not possible on US made items and here are some of the reasons why. The vendors who attend these functions by and large are crafts people who happen to be small business owners, legal entities that have to answer to Uncle Sam in form of taxes. Some are large enough to have employees whose their salaries must be paid. Meanwhile, others like me, with limited budgets are small and perform all functions. This simply means the difference between overhead and profit is very small and that’s before salaries and /or taxes are paid. Therefore, as business owners, we have expenses that the hobbyist or fly-by-night peddlers do not have and must account for. Furthermore, due to the strength of the US dollar, foreign made items seem like a more attractive option, but that’s not always the case until you take into account the standards practiced by those foreign countries. While the foreign item costs less because of the exchange rate, depending on where it comes from, the quality may be questionable. It is important to remember that the production standards and requirements mainland US producers must adhere to does not apply to foreign made goods nor are those US standards adopted by all countries that export to the US. The latter also applies to exports from US companies that operate aboard. So, as a shopper attending one of these affairs or just browsing Amazon or roaming the malls, remember, in this day and age, you really get what you pay for. When it comes to jewelry, clothing and accessories focus on quality rather than price and care for the item(s) when you get them. This way, you will only have to buy the item once. Just because a foreign made item seems like a deal, you should wonder whether or not child or slave labor was involved, was lead or some other cancer causing element used in the manufacturing process, did or do people die regularly from the manufacturing procedures used in those foreign companies. You may save up front now but it could cost so much more later when you or someone you love gets sick from the item. So…how much is a deal worth to you now? What do you think it will cost you?
The Maker’s Process
Some vendors manage to get some raw materials on discount, which rarely happens for me. However, when it does, I try to pass on the discount to the customer. Generally speaking, depending on the craft(s) and the maker(s), it may take several hours to produce an item. I know that for some items I make, that’s definitely the case. So finally, the item gets made; the artisan has poured hours of his or her life into the piece; from idea to production. These are hours which can never be gotten back and ultimately never appreciated by a significant portion of the end users. As a vendor, I am always hopeful that they will see the item and appreciate not only its beauty and design but the life hours spent making it or at least try to contemplate it. But sadly, that’s hardly ever the case. However, in the end, I know the most I can hope for is that they think that whatever it is they are looking as is pretty enough for them to justify the expense of buying it. However, as far as I saw, for most of us vendor’s people stroll by and glance and move on. They see the prices and most just walk away without even asking a question. When it comes to jewelry over $5, some look and ask if it will tarnish. Of course it will tarnish! No one here is with Pandora or Cartier and none of those entities would be caught dead at a flea market or craft show; figuratively speaking. Still, if I did sell such quality items I would never grace a flea market with them for obvious reasons; image is everything. On the other hand, if my creations were being carried by one of those stores, no one would ever dare question my prices.
The Vendor’s
So vendors go through all that work to make an item, add benefits and features, they pay their table fee for the space at the market for which there is no guarantee they will make that fee back. In the end, the attendees walk, stop, stare, gawk and some ask questions but my experience is that they don’t get the sacrifices that went into the creation of those products they pass by. In my case, I think they don’t believe I actually make the items I sell because of the quality or that my prices should be that of the street vendors on Union Square because I’m selling at a market. My advice to those attending flea markets and craft fairs looking for those prices is buyer beware. If you do see very low prices, you are not getting quality and perhaps it’s not even handmade by the person selling it. Many foreign countries mass produce a lot of trinkets that they sell to the US for literally pennies. Some vendors purchase these items and resell them to you for cheap. Some items, if they sell for even a dollar could be a 90% mark up. Depending on where you are as a shopper, if you walk just a few paces away, you will see another vendor with the same item for maybe ten cents more or less. Truly handmade items are rare, meaning that you will not see multiple vendors offering the same product(s) unless they copied each other or someone else. I can say that all my pieces are unique because I design and make them myself. I rarely make more than three versions of an item, which means the lucky recipient of one my creations will be 1 of 3 out 7.5 billion people to own one. I also rarely remake items once sold out unless specially requested and materials are available. In a nutshell, I offer unique, quality artisan pieces that will last a lifetime when properly cared for with the materials and instructions I sell them with.
Next week I will post the final installation of Understanding the Artisan, which covers the truth behind costume jewelry sold as fine jewelry and how to become a more informed shopper.
Stay Fabulous!
Dangles Bangles More Co 