Categories: A bit of everything, but definitely not funny
Word count/read time: 453 words; 2 minutes
Craft fairs are always an adventure. Rarely do I find myself as the only
seller with jewelry. There are different kinds and styles and sometimes I am the only one with
real silver and gold. Other times I may be near another seller with similar products.
Such was the case recently with a competitor across the aisle from me.
Competitor in the sense that she made silver jewelry, too, though our offerings
had little overlap. We had discussions outside of the craft fair environment which I mistook
for a budding camaraderie. How disappointed I came to be.
A potential customer was admiring one of my bracelets, ready to pull the trigger.
She mentioned how she kept breaking her jewelry. Her jeweler, i.e. the
"skilled goldsmith" across the aisle, was hesitant to continue repairing it. OK,
so why wasn't she making it? Because she didn't make bracelets. Interestingly, there wasn't a hint
of gold in her booth or website either. Hmm.
Anyway, the customer returned later and asked if she could take my cuff
to her jeweler, presumably to get her approval or blessing?
She sneakily returned it without a word or look.
I don't know specifically what transpired but it tanked the sale.
The bracelet was a reasonably priced flawless design no matter the judging criteria.
People have asked me about other designs and/or sellers. Unless there were myriad lies
or illegal claims I would
use scientific and mathematical facts to describe the piece. Numbers don't lie.
What the customer does with that information is beyond my control but it is usually ignored
because the "I gotta have it!" bug has already bitten them.
Had I been asked about her jeweler...like so many in this industry, she's doesn't think laws
apply to her (evidenced by her website and literature - this is not subjective speculation). Once
integrity and ethics disappear a deceptive merchant like her will say or do anything.
Thief by proxy, basically. Crime pays and if it doesn't, they
unrighteously slander their competitors.
Why should anyone else make a sale if they can't!
Perhaps I should be thankful? For a self-proclaimed goldless "skilled goldsmith"
to feel so insecure and threatened that they
need to engage in such behaviors proves I am doing it better. More authentically.
More honestly. Honorably.
Consumers should thoroughly vet jewelry sellers since, sadly, honest ones are the exception
(mom-and-pop crafters and local fairs are notorious for scheisters).
Also, independently qualify and verify the item - don't get attached just yet
as there may be a rude awakening. If it's being compared to another product then
make sure it's apples to apples, not GMO pesticide-laden rotten oranges to organic
succulent Dragon Fruits. I only deal with the latter.
Posted by M: October 11, 2025
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