Dear Editors,

I really, really want to see more real jeweler's bench work projects. I could do with a lot less PCM, glass bead stringing and fimo stuff. There are plenty of other magazines that cover such crafts.

Let's not make costume jewelry and wanta-be stuff. I think my time is valuable and I don't want to spend it making stuff from inferior materials. Let's see the real the techniques the "big boys" use so we too can make real jewelry that has lasting value.

For too long women have been spending an enormous amount of their precious time making projects that just don't last. Think of all the crocheting, decopague, embroidery, card stamping, etc. that women have traditionally done --- how much of this stuff is stiil around and retains its value ten, twenty, fifty or more years later? Does anyone really know what a fifty-year-old piece of fimo or PCM jewelry will be like? Will it have crumbled to dust? Cracked and fallen apart? Transformed into some ugly lump of chemicals?

Please do run more stories on fabricating jewelry from sterling silver sheets and sterling wire. I am especially interested in projects that involve different ways of soldering with various forms of solder, forging with a jeweler's hammer and use of the many different attachments that afix to a rotary tool

I would also love to see projects that involve bezel-setting cabochons and how to make simple crowns from scratch for faceted stones and simple instructions on how to set faceted stones.

The only glass project stories that would be of interest to me would be how to use powdered enamels to make cloisonne silver jewelry and how to make dichroic glass cabochons from sheets of dichroic glass.

Thanks for listening. Now I'm off to my next metal lab/class at our local art school to tackle soldering silver again.

Aloha from Ewa Beach, Hawaii,

Linda Wright

QUOTE: Originally posted by Magpie57 Dear Editors, I really, really want to see more real jeweler's bench work projects. I could do with a lot less PCM, glass bead stringing and fimo stuff. There are plenty of other magazines that cover such crafts. Let's not make costume jewelry and wanta-be stuff. I think my time is valuable and I don't want to spend it making stuff from inferior materials. Let's see the real the techniques the "big boys" use so we too can make real jewelry that has lasting value. For too long women have been spending an enormous amount of their precious time making projects that just don't last. Think of all the crocheting, decopague, embroidery, card stamping, etc. that women have traditionally done --- how much of this stuff is stiil around and retains its value ten, twenty, fifty or more years later? Does anyone really know what a fifty-year-old piece of fimo or PCM jewelry will be like? Will it have crumbled to dust? Cracked and fallen apart? Transformed into some ugly lump of chemicals? Please do run more stories on fabricating jewelry from sterling silver sheets and sterling wire. I am especially interested in projects that involve different ways of soldering with various forms of solder, forging with a jeweler's hammer and use of the many different attachments that afix to a rotary tool I would also love to see projects that involve bezel-setting cabochons and how to make simple crowns from scratch for faceted stones and simple instructions on how to set faceted stones. The only glass project stories that would be of interest to me would be how to use powdered enamels to make cloisonne silver jewelry and how to make dichroic glass cabochons from sheets of dichroic glass. Thanks for listening. Now I'm off to my next metal lab/class at our local art school to tackle soldering silver again. Aloha from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Linda Wright

LOL For a first post thats pretty scathing and begs the question why do you bother to read the mags at all?

By the way it PMC not PCM which is fine silver and will stand up wonderfully after 50 years and beyond -some of the wonderful artists out there are making future heilooms.

"Let's not make costume jewelry and wanta-be stuff. I think my time is valuable and I don't want to spend it making stuff from inferior materials. Let's see the real the techniques the "big boys" use so we too can make real jewelry that has lasting value. "

What on earth is wanta be stuff and how can you state that anything other than sterling silver is an inferior material? You've already shown you don't even know the PMC is -its fine silver which is more pure than the sterling you are raving about! And I find it hugely i9nsulting that you inply anything we make with other materials has no lasting value -that really shows how closed minded you are - not a sign of a great creative spirit!

And I question why you have a problem with polymer clay just take a moment to browse through "work you admire and other descoveries" and open your eyes to a few truely amazing artists whose medium is polymer clay.

Also I don't get your comment about women, if you'd hung around here long enough you'd have noticed that many of our valued members are men!

And if you don't know the value of victorian embroidery and crochet I sugesst you go speak to an antiques dealer who specialises in this field, some of this work is worth big bucks as it reflects social history and took hours upon hours to make.

I like the suggestions of what would interest you, but why did you feel the need to slate all the other types of ways of creating jewellery -we welcome everyone's diversity here, thats what keeps the forums fresh and interesting.

Yes I have ranted at you and feel free to get peeved with me but I feel the tone of your post (though aimed at the editors) is hugely insulting to each and every member of this forum. [V]

Thank you kitty! You have answered for all of us! It's sad to see a woman demeaning other women in this way. I also find the comment about the "big boys" a bit strange, too. Obviously Linda Wright has no idea how many jewelry designers are not "big boys" at all, but stong women! Maybe she hangs out with Mr.'s A & N?

All I can say, Ms. Wright, is browse through this forum and I think you will change your tune!

[bow] Kitschkitty [bow]

As always, using style, grace & tact.........your comments were right on [yeah]

Thanx for sticking up for everyone of us & our favorite craft, whatever it may be.

Regarding the longevity of Fimo, I can tell you that the pieces I made as a child - about 23 years ago - are in exactly the same condition as when they were first made. Even fine pieces show no disintegration or deterioration at all. So enjoy!

Linda--I am confused about your comment about not wanting any more articles about fabricating jewelry from sterling sheet and wire. I have been a jeweler for a long time, and a college teacher of jewelry for more years than I like to think. I prefer sheet to casting. Are you saying you only want info on casting?
Sheet silver is the basis for much of our hand crafted jewelry. In fact, if you want to forge, you have to start with sheet. To take a piece of silver sheet and make a beautiful 3 dimensional piece of art is a thrilling experience.
Yes, I would like to see more silversmithing articles, too, but many jewelers have found great enjoyment with PMC and Fimo, and it is fun and beautiful. I think ArtJewelry can give us a deeper and more well rounded magazine but let's not bash anyone's idea of what jewelry is. After all, the first jewelry was a rock with a hole in it. We have come a long way with invention and expermentation. Please enjoy it all.
Lexi Erickson

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lexi Erickson Linda--I am confused about your comment about not wanting any more articles about fabricating jewelry from sterling sheet and wire. I have been a jeweler for a long time, and a college teacher of jewelry for more years than I like to think. I prefer sheet to casting. Are you saying you only want info on casting? Sheet silver is the basis for much of our hand crafted jewelry. In fact, if you want to forge, you have to start with sheet. To take a piece of silver sheet and make a beautiful 3 dimensional piece of art is a thrilling experience. Yes, I would like to see more silversmithing articles, too, but many jewelers have found great enjoyment with PMC and Fimo, and it is fun and beautiful. I think ArtJewelry can give us a deeper and more well rounded magazine but let's not bash anyone's idea of what jewelry is. After all, the first jewelry was a rock with a hole in it. We have come a long way with invention and expermentation. Please enjoy it all. Lexi Erickson

Lexi, She said she did want more articles on sheet silver. [:I]

Whoops, is my face red![:I][:I] And I re read the post 2 times----just shows you how tired you are when you get in from a Rings and Things Trunk Show!
Thanks for pointing out my "booboo", kitty.

I think the best thing about Art Jewelry Magazine is that it's presenting a range of materials and ideas and even if we do not use the materials/techniques shown we should still appreciate the spirit of creativity and the process by which each piece is created. I personally don't make the projects I see, but I do enjoy seeing different things done in interesting ways - any limitation or prejudgement I inflict on things outside myself simply stunts my own growth and I'd prefer to avoid that. I may get inspiration from the way a Polymer Clay piece sits on a piece of cord even though I don't use the material - I may also see colors and shapes in a new way which can influence my design process and send me into a new realm of jewelry making rather than keep me comfortably ensconced in my usual "zone."

It's fun and inspiring to see new things in new ways and while the magazine doesn't hit all the areas I'd like to see in the ways I'd like to see them I stiil get something of value from the magazine. I'm being offered something I don't expect and while some of the pieces created may not be my style or use materials/techniques I'd choose to use I enjoy the surprise and the variety very much.

John

Lapidary Journal sounds like a good mag for our intrepid poster. Meanwhile, I see no reason why a magazine entitled "Bead and Button" should not continue to show projects containing beads and buttons. Just me, I guess...

Inferior materials and short-lived projects have a lot to do with budget... There's much to be said about people being creative without having access to gold. Not everything gets created with the purpose of becoming a heirloom either.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Globetrotter Inferior materials and short-lived projects have a lot to do with budget... There's much to be said about people being creative without having access to gold. Not everything gets created with the purpose of becoming a heirloom either.

Very true.

I also think we should never forget, one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Beads and jewellery have been around since the start of civilisation, who are we to de- value, early historical treasures such as beads of bone, and teeth.... and the list goes on. [:)]

Hello Everyone,
Having just joined this group and reading this I would like to say that as a PMCer I feel that there is no way that I would ever concider this material as Costume or Cheap. Nor would I Fimo or Sculpty as I have seen some wonderfull work done with those materials. Yes I have also worked in wire and sheet but perfer PMC right now for it's vercitility (spelling?) Just my 2 cents.

Robin: Certified PMC Artist and Instructor in CT – have kiln will travel

Hi,

Wow! There are a lot of opinions about this subject, as I've seen from a rather informal poll we ran in our email newsletter for June. I'm still compiling the results, but it does seem that the majority of you are very interested in metal clay as well as other types of art jewelry. We strive for balance in mediums, but we readily admit that we've been somewhat metal clay happy lately. A lot of that has to do with what submissions we receive--we'd love to feature projects made from other "weird" materials as well as metal clay, polymer clay, metal, wire, etc. Let us know if you have a brainstorm!

Thanks also to everyone who answered our poll. I read every email at least twice!

Sincerely,
Amy Robleski
Editorial Associate
Art Jewelry Magazine

Amy, when I submit a project to B&B, is it also considered for Art Jewelry?

Thanks,

Diane Villano
Bead & Button '03-'05 Polymer Clay Instructor
Founding President, Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild
Vice President, Education and Outreach, National Polymer Clay Guild