Take this collar for example:
I struggled and struggled with this fringe- tearing it out multiple times and changing it until I was happy with it. In fact, it was my favorite part of the collar! It looked pretty impressive at my art shows hanging on a mannequin- if I must say so myself!!
So a woman came into my booth and tried it on. She was a small woman, and she loved it, but felt that the fringe was too much for her. I could understand that- it looked great on her- but it was outside her comfort zone. So she asked (wait for it) if I could remove the fringe! Yes she did. I felt like crying. Now, it was a slow show. I definitely could have used this big sale. But it would have broken my heart to remove this fringe! Luckily (?) her next question was, "How much of a discount can you give me if it doesn't have the fringe?" I say luckily because that made up my mind for me. No, sorry, I would not remove the fringe.
Now, maybe I was wrong- it probably would have looked fine without the fringe- maybe even better. But I couldn't do it.
A few shows later, a woman loved this collar and bought it. With the fringe. She was a small woman and she wore it well!!
Stick to what you believe in.
ReplyDeleteIt might not be an instant result, but it paid off in the end
Lovely collar, Betty, as always !
Thanks Amy. I guess it is sometimes hard for me to stick to what I believe in and still have an open mind. A fine line sometimes.
DeleteLove your story! Staying true to your intuition, your art, is the only way to go. And it's wonderful when those choices are validated.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary. Yeh, at least THIS time it worked out!!! I wish it always did!
DeleteGood for you, Betty. That piece needed to stay whole.
ReplyDeleteDid you considering offering to create a custom piece for her along similar, yet fringe-less lines?
Thanks Carol Dean. You know, I can't even remember if I did offer that to her- I guess I was so traumatized by it all!!!!
DeleteBoy, I'm with you on this one. Fringe is always difficult for me when I'm making an embroidered collar. When I hit on just the right pattern or style, I stick with it. I don't think I could have torn out that fringe after all you went through to get it just right, either!
ReplyDeleteIt was fairly tempting- just to make the sale. That is until she thought she should get a discount!!
DeleteA discount for doing MORE work! Of course.
DeleteI did the same thing a year or so ago with a bracelet with a "Buddha" theme - the clasp, the Buddha head charm, the etched metal tube with the word "joy" all pulled together with amethyst to create a very unique piece. A customer came in and wanted the bracelet, but only because her NAME was JOY and asked me to remove the Buddha. Doing so would have meant taking apart a good portion of the bracelet, and she too, wanted a discount without the 'buddha thing'. So I refused, lost the sale, and then just a few weeks later - made the sale - to a man who bought it for someone who turned out to be a friend of mine (I didn't know him, and he didn't know I knew her). All was at it should be, my friend still LOVES her "Joyful Buddha", and I maintained my integrity. I HAVE made changes for people - but very rarely - and only if they commit for certain to purchasing the piece with changes first.
ReplyDeleteLovely piece, Betty. I always love all your pieces.
Geesh- I guess sometimes people just don't understand how much work goes into a piece, and also how much work it takes to change it. Not to mention our emotional attachment!! Thanks Sheryl!
DeleteGosh! Good thing she mentioned the discount in good time. Think how you would feel if she had made you take out the fringe first then suggested the discount. It is a lovely item as it is.
ReplyDeleteThanks Naan! I actually think I would have felt pretty bad even without giving a discount!!! But you are right- it would have hurt twice as bad!
DeleteI would have offered to make her a new one without the fringe. I LOVE it with fringe myself. I like fringe on clothes, purses, belts, jewelry, & shoes!
ReplyDeleteThat necklace would be beautiful either way but I certainly would not have given her a discount to do more work. Sheesh! You made the right choice.
ReplyDeleteI had a client ask for a change that I thought was all wrong. I took photos, make the change, finished the bracelet, took more photos then merged the two photos together so it looked like it was completed the way I liked it. I posted it on my website showing both ways so as not to offend her (she is a good client) so we were all happy in the end.
Spectacular!!!
ReplyDeleteCustomers just don't know what is involved. I understand not wanting to be overwhelmed by a fringed necklace, but I also realize those necklaces are meant to be worn by someone else. I altered one of my favorite necklaces as the customer requested telling myself she paid the money. It was a relatively simple shortening of two sections of strung beads and a larger lobster clasp for an elderly woman in a wheel chair. I regretted doing it when I saw how much the shorter length changed the character of the design. Lesson learned. Glad your situation worked out well. Doubts creep in at those slow shows.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think it would look better without the fringe. It is beautiful like this and it would be sad if you had to cut it off. And when a customer asks you to do extra work and then wants a discount for that extra work you would have to do, sorry but then the customer is just not worth it.
ReplyDeletePortokali
Absolutly great! I don't have enough words to discribe, what I think about this work! Amazing
ReplyDelete