I love to make pretty things, (yeah I know, eye of the beholder and all that) I also love jewelry thats been made by someone, a craftsperson, an artist, yeah like ME. I hereby claim the distinction of ARTIST for myself. I am full of myself today, GOOD!
My work is original, maybe a bit raw for some, but it's beautiful, and I love it. All of the pieces are one of a kind, even if I tried to duplicate it, I dont think I could, as they all seem to shape themselves. Some of the work is rough around the edges, but it speaks to me that way. 
The whole process is incredible-from choosing the wire / sheet/clay, sawing, bending, forging, drilling, polishing, torching, patina-ing or not and adding beads or some other touch to make it flash.
It's amazing to me that because I make it myself, it's termed 'costume' by so many people. As if unless it comes from Mayors or Zales it doesnt rate as real. The work is precious metals, semi and precious stones, loved and labored over. I am not a costumer, I'm an (dare I say it again?) ARTIST!! So that makes it ART Jewelry.
My blog pal Nic has the same issue, she had a great run in with a Dentist, who said that her (dentist) work was technical, inferring that Nic's work required no great skill. If that was so, then why was said dentist insisting Nic re-open her shop, if it doesnt require skill, could she not have done it her own dentisty self? with all her technical know how? By the way, Nic is an incredible prolific jewelry ARTIST (http://www.muranosilver.etsy.com/)
My nails look like I've never had a manicure, my hands are sore and not without cuts and scars, but I get to make lovely things
I was playing around this weekend with some beach glass I found, and made a couple of lovely dangles, the idea worked, just needs some refining...so it's off to get some more bezel wire....I know, I know...any excuse ;-) pics of the new ART soon. Boy that feels good to say that.
Love- Me
One of my favourite quotes is
ReplyDelete"Love of Beauty
Is Taste
The creation of Beauty
Is Art" (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
In which case...I can say for a FACT that you are definately an Artist (with a capital "A") because your work is Beautiful (with a capital "B")
The people who call your Artwork "Costume Jewellery" are generally those types who judge jewellery by how much flash they get for their cash (e.g. Zales). I would imagine they would love enough money to buy Cows in Formaldehyde
(it must be good because it's expensive ~duh!).
Personally I think your Art Jewellery is as real as it gets, because it's loved by the people who wear it...
Have you ever read the Velveteen Rabbit?? I just know you'd love it :)
Here's an extract, what you said about people calling your jewellery costume made me think of it..
***********************
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
Nic xx
Aww Nic-
ReplyDeleteEvan & I love the Velveteen Rabbit, lots of lovely talks about 'real', and love. Thank you for the excerpt, it made my morning!
....But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.....
thats it exactly, isnt it- they dont understand, isnt it great to be REAL? and not fragile or sharp round the edges?
I am so very fortunate to have you as blog pal. By the way, congratulations on making a 'treasury' thats wonderful!!
love & hugs
yeech, formaldehyde cows....
ReplyDeleteDamien Hurst was also the one who did the platinum skull covered in diamonds! Another "what the heck???" moment from me, lol
ReplyDeleteNic x
Is it possible that Damien is a frustrated taxidermist?
ReplyDeleteThats funny, it occurs to me as I read back through this, that I am making the same 'judgement call' on formaldehyde cows as I was objecting to with the 'costume' labeling. Must be careful casting stones if I am living in a glass house..... Hmmm, dead cow slices may not be my cup of Rooibos, but there is certainly an art to getting folks to pay huge cash for it. Thank you Nic for helping me get through this little lesson. well taught.
xo
excellent post, and i whole heartedly agree! i also often get the "costume" comment, yet, like you, my work is far from costume. good for you for claiming your artist title! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly-
ReplyDeleteIt's been a month since I claimed that for myself- it's amazing how good it feels everyday- sort of like the daily affirmations that some people make.
Isnt it great to be us? Whoever we happen to be that day? LOL
DeAnne