Hi there - I am posting this in the "newbies" section because I'm not sure where else to post...and I think maybe it shows that I'm a newbie to be asking this question; I'm sure more experienced people may have seen this before, but I just don't get it.
Last weekend, I started my second summer of art shows. I am a jeweler (metals, semiprecious stones, variety of techniques), and when walking the show, saw another jewelry booth. I noticed something about their booth. They had large photos of work that was obviously their ticket into the show - don't want to describe it too closely due to # of members here (don't think this person is a member, but you never know) - but the work seemed nice. Not my style, but not bad for the technique they were using. They DID have items like that for sale in the booth. However, I'd say it was only about 20% of the booth (if that). The rest of the booth was basically filled with cheaper strung items for 10% of the cost of the featured (i.e. artistic) pieces. Now, don't get me wrong, I think some strung work can be quite nice (I started out that way and since changed my focus) - but this stuff was kind of schlocky. It was VERY underpriced, and they seemed to be selling quite a bit of it. The style of jewelry as a whole was different that my stuff, but I couldn't help but think that this jewelry person was undercutting all the other jewelry people and hurting sales all around while increasing their own. It seemed like maybe they used the higher-end stuff to get in, but barely sold it, while the cheaper stuff was their bread and butter.
When I decided to talk about this to a neighbor of mine (who was not a jeweler) - someone who has been doing shows a while - he said, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Do I have to??? Is this how shows work? I don't know if this jeweler was technically breaking any rules (although it seems, with non-original findings, etc., with this show, it's possible), but I found it frankly awful. When I have applied for a show, my jury images are what I do. I don't do something that's super-cheap, or in a different style (or none at all). I come with the art I made, the style of art that got me into the show in the first place. That's it.
Am I being naive? I just feel like it's unethical. Should I "join 'em"?
Replies
I make a line of costume stuff ($10-30) that I happily display along with my $200+ silver pieces. It started as a simple want to do something silly and fun. Turns out, those obnoxiously large earrings were a smash hit. Since then, I don't stop myself from creating fun and affordable jewelry. It winds up paying for the amazing gemstones I love so much, which makes going overboard at the high end so much easier.
I didn't make these things to turn a quick buck, it just happened. Go ahead an make a less expensive line, but ONLY do it if you can invest the same love and attention as goes into your best pieces.
Larry - I see your point about the bins - I've seen that - but I feel like it's still the work the photographer (or painter) created in the same style as what they used to get into the show in the first place, you know? Also, the shows (of course, not many) I've done seem to have specific rules about the % of a booth can display "in bins" vs. framed art...so it's clear. I'm totally fine with that.
Andrea - I understand the idea of making a less expensive line, I think it's a good idea for the most part to have varying price points. I try to do that, too - use different metals, change out more expensive stones for glass, smaller pieces, etc.
I guess I just wonder where the line is - if you are using jury photos that are the "high end" stuff only, and then the MAJORITY of your booth is the less expensive stuff, AND that less expensive stuff doesn't mirror the style or techniques of the higher end items, is that okay? I am assuming that this jeweler got in based on the higher end pieces they were making...based on the fact that the lower end stuff wasn't creative or original at all (just looked mass-produced). I would assume the promoter/jury saw the original work, liked it, and that's how they got a spot. It's not like they were making a similar piece in a smaller scale, or something more simple - it was totally different work. The only thing I could see in common was some of the medium (meaning, stones - some of the beads were similar). The technique - totally different. And a lot of manufactured parts vs. hand made...
I was hoping this wasn't going to turn into a jewelry thread. There are a few jewelry threads that have gone over a hundred posts discussing what you're asking about that you should read.
Someone please post links to them.
But you know that nothing ever really gets resolved on these forums because they are only opinions, even though show directors read them and sometimes even contribute.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Thanks Larry - I was trying to keep it from being a jewelry-related thread too.
I guess my question could be about an oil painter who...um....sells watercolors in the booth for less, that they did not jury in with? It's a little different due to different mediums, but I guess somewhat similar. I guess what is hard is that jewelry is usually (mostly) one big category, and painters and photographers jury in under different categories (at least, I'd assume). I think it would be glaringly obvious if a painter also sold (lower-end) photography items in their booth - I don't see how anyone could get away with that. The other artist I spoke to about this said that he (as a 2d guy) had "bread and butter" pieces and then his "high art" pieces, based on the audience. Kind of like what Andrea was speaking of in the jewelry world.
Also - I don't think the jeweler I saw was doing buy/sell exactly (going to give them the benefit of the doubt) - but the components used were clearly manufactured, then the piece was assembled. I guess as if a painter also sold a finished paint-by-number kit or something - ha.
In any case, I'd love to see any links of past discussions - could not really find them. Thanks, I'll still keep on looking too.
There have bee similar threads and not necessarily about jewelry. It's what a lot of exhibitors need to do to earn a living. Some call it their bread and butter pieces. For example, photographers might hang their jury pieces but put out a bin, or multiple bins of unframed smaller work that sells in volume.
Something to think about.
Larry Berman
Http://BermanGraphics.com