Tuesday, January 1, 2013

How much are you willing to change?


Change.  How much are you willing to change?  Not as in New Year's resolution change, but changing a piece of your finished work. Either because a customer requests it, or just because you have changed your mind about what works- or doesn't.

This led me to think about some of the changes that customers have requested over the years.  Changes to finished pieces of jewelry which they have either already purchased or are considering purchasing.  Sometimes it is an easy change- like shortening or lengthening a bracelet.  Sometimes it is much more complicated.  Often, being open minded about the change leads to an improvement.  Sometimes not.

So I decided to do a series of short posts about modifications I have made to my jewelry. Or refused to make in some cases.

Below is a picture of a necklace I made years ago.  I was perfectly happy with it- I really loved the colors in particular.







A good customer of mine purchased it at an art show.  Over the years she has remarked to me that she felt it just needed a little something more.  So I told her I would modify it to make it more to her liking.  At first I was a little miffed- that she thought she knew better than I did.  After all- I was the "artiste"!!  But after looking at it again, I could see she was right! 




I added the larger teardrop cabochon at the bottom, and really- I do like it better.

So how do you feel about this?  Are you open to other's opinions of your work?  Or do you feel that since you created it, it is messing with your artistic vision to change it?  Even if you can see the change would be an improvement?

And Happy 2013 everyone- may it be a healthy, happy and creative year for each of you- filled with only wonderful changes!!





8 comments:

  1. Always open to comments if it's feasible! Happy New Year Betty!! Hope to see you again this year ! I am ready for my present to myself whenever it is ready !! Message me with the particulars! - Shirley

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    1. Thanks Shirley- your present is ready! I will try to take pics tonight and message you tomorrow.

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  2. Sometimes it's hard to hear and accept but there are many versions of something and they can can all look good. Different versions on the theme. Making a modification to that type of work would be very difficult for me. I haven't made a ton of beaded work, but enough to know it can be a real pain. I think the addition to the piece in this post was a great modification, and hopefully didn't cause you too much grief!

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    1. You are definitely right about it being hard to hear sometimes. But this really was a good lesson- to keep open to other's opinions. But also- to keep in mind that they are only opinions and ultimately decide for yourself whether to act upon them!!!!

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  3. Betty, I think your comment above sums it up perfectly. It's good to be open to other people's opinions, but in the end, it's up to the artist to decide.

    The only thing I'd add is that I don't like it when people criticize my work when I'm in the middle of creating it. I need to put all of my attention into a piece, and someone peering over my shoulder as I work goes about as well as it does when I'm driving. ;)

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    1. Good comparison! Actually, I think a lot depends on if it is criticism or suggestion. It's a slippery slope!!

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