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With ambivalence, I applied at a local artist co-op. If accepted I'd have to display thousands of dollars of easily stolen and highly desirable jewelry that anyone could handle without locks, cabinets, or other physical security. They offer no insurance or guarantees so it's 100% the artist's risk and the lone worker wasn't going to stop any malfeasance.

The jury forms were not meant for the applicant's to see but they accidentally accompanied my returned items nonetheless. Surprise surprise! Each piece was rated from one to five by seven jurors. They commented as well - boy did they. Strangely, the comments were not about workmanship or quality, the two elements they said they valued most.

One said a cuff bracelet was too large. Another asked how they were supposed to wear a chainmail ring and again, the sizing. Even the most clueless must realize jewelry can be sized. Another wondered how they were supposed to wear earrings...for real? One said they had never seen chains like mine. Congrats to me, I was rated ones and twos by them.

How is it that one person could give me a one and another a five for the same item? They had no consistency whatsoever. Did they know what or how they were supposed to judge? All signs pointed to "No!" It was insulting because the jurors didn't honor what the application said they would do.

At least one juror didn't read my application and based their misinformed judgments accordingly (I could tell from their comments). I doubt the majority did more than a cursory perusal anyway. Did anyone look at my website like they were supposed to? My website visitor metrics said otherwise.

Pricing was mentioned several times and how "inconsistent" it was. Whether for the store or among my own pieces, I'm unsure. Was a $10 stacker ring or a $300 chain link bracelet offensive?! I have a spreadsheet with hundreds of fields that tally every expendable from sandpaper, distilled water, and soap to biggies like materials, labor, and depreciation. My prices are painstakingly precise.

Their whimsical feelings - jealousy, protecting their own interests, I can only guess - and my private Idaho mentality were inappropriate. Jokers and wannabes, yes; professionals, certainly NOT. Others artists familiar with the store echoed my sentiments.

Their decision was forthcoming. It could have gone either way but I simplified it by canceling my application. It's best to avoid amateur establishments like this. No amount of exposure or advertising is worth what they "offered."

With up to a 50% commission on selling items, here's the math: On a $9k gold bracelet, they'd get $4500. The scrap gold value alone is nearly $4000. I have overhead and use other supplies during the 25+ hours of manufacturing. Grossing less than $500, they'd make 10x more on it than me! My thoughts on that scenario are not appropriate for printed words.

Posted by M: August 4, 2022

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