Does art, or artisan handmade, get old?
A topic that someone brought up at a meeting last night with local handmade jewelry designers, is that anything that hadn't sold in 2 years shouldn't be displayed anymore. I totally disagree with that attitude. To me, art is timeless. Especially an art piece that has taken a lot of time, care and skill to make, must necessarily fetch a high price, and art pieces don't sell that fast. If we only make simple, cheap things that fly off the shelves, what happens to genuine creativity? What's your opinion?
15 comments:
If things older than 2 years shouldn't be displayed let's have the Louvre get rid of that old Mona Lisa. ;)
Think of all the artists who weren't recognized until they were dead. Maybe one day someone will recognize great thread art as well.
Yes it Should!!!! I have been doing craft shows for 10 years and bring all of my unique tatting and silversmith jewelry. You never know what a person will want. Things that have beeen on display , for many years, have sold the next year. I do not cheapen my designs by lowering the price. My customers know good quality work and will pay the asking price.
I think some people have a talent for selling things along with the artistic skills. I think some things are classic and all people are different and like different things. the person that said 2 years might make quick things for trends and there is always that market, but that is hard to keep up with. Especially when you are tying knots one at a time :)
I think if something had not sold in two years, I would and do put take if off the selling table or shop and then bring it back out in say six months time, People do remember what's on your table, so leaving it off for a while makes it look as if you have made another one and you could have sold the first one, also makes the stock turn around. I have done this and it worked I left the item off the table for while and then put it back in and it sold straight away.
I love those earrings, lovely colour thread and beads.
Margaret
The only reason I can think of for not displaying two-year-old pieces would be if they were made with cheap materials that were discolored. I know that's not the case with your beautiful pieces! When I find an artist I like, I sometimes have to wait until I've saved up for what I want, so it's nice to be able to visit later and find the treasure I've been waiting for!
I don't think it matters how old a piece is. Depends on where you are displaying, time of year and the makeup of the people looking at the items. I agree with Margaret. Take the items down for a short period of time and them put it back. Makes it look like they are new items to be sold.
Hmmmm.....Michaelangelo's works must be worthless, then, if we judge by some people's standards. Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky....even the Beatles and Elvis....all are 'older' than 'the last 2 years.' I guess their works are all 'worthless' too. Get rid of them, right? Maybe 'rotate' your stock, if that's 'do-able' with online sales, but I wouldn't consider them 'old' or 'no good' or 'worthless,' not by ANY stretch of the imagination.
art becames ART after author's death - so 2 years it is not so long time ;-)
My mom runs the annual craft sale at her church. She told me about an item they had that had been out for something like 8 years and finally found a buyer. Sometimes something is just waiting for the right person to come along.
If you don't put it on display, it will never sell!
Of course, some people are simply making items to keep up with the latest trends, and when something has gone out of style it's too late-- until it comes back again in a few years. But your jewelry designs are unique and timeless and won't go out of style.
Thank you all for sharing your insights. The irony is that the earrings in the photo sold the same day! Well, at an art/craft show I'll put the newest necklace on my main display, I think that'll do.
Dear Marilee, all the comments here are correct, so I can't add anything.
Except that I grew up in an environment where noboby had watches and the word for 'today' and 'tomorrow' are the same. (Central Africa, a village named Gitega).
All I can do is sight deeply.
If the quality is there, if the piece did not loose its beauty, why put it aside? Tatting is not following the mood of fashion. One never knows when exactly and why this piece finds a new home.
Putting the pieces on the stand gives also the chance that a possible customer just asks for another colour, for instance.
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