Thanks and Thoughts
First of all, I owe a big thanks to all of you for your support after my last post. Writing that was not as easy as some may think. I wish I could afford to send a free bead to each and every one of you, but since I can't - here's a little tip for those of you who are beadmakers. I just discovered this yesterday:
- Make a base bead in CiM Hades.
- Roll in silver foil.
- Burn the silver away.
- Encase in the new pale aqua from Effetre. The reactions are stunning. (This would probably work with ordinary pale aqua, but I haven't tried - let me know!)
A few different people have been suggesting that I take on some web design work, just until things start to look better (US$, I hate you in ways I cannot describe). The thought had actually crossed my mind once or twice on its own. If I wanted to do that, I could make a couple of phone calls and probably be swamped with work by the end of the day - assuming that market is more-or-less in the same place I left it two years ago - honestly, I have no idea and don't really care. After giving it some serious thought, all I can say is - no way. I'm not about to go back to working in an industry that sucks every last drop of life out of you, promising to pay you for your troubles as soon as its secretary gets back from maternity leave. (When is that going to be? Uh, we're not exactly sure. Our secretary is actually a virgin, but she just went on a date last night and says it went really well! Just hang in there.)
I can't. I won't. I just won't do it. I can think of at least 15,000 unpleasant things I'd rather do for a little extra money. Hell, I'd even wait tables if worse comes to worst. I tried that once, in my very early twenties. It was a short career that ended, after just three days, with me spilling an entire cup of boiling hot tea on an innocent tourist who just happened to be holding a camera in her hands. I'm not sure if the whole event was more traumatic for me or for her (or for the poor camera), but the owner of the restaurant... ummm... never really called me back.
As of now, I'm sticking to my glass like a crooked mandrel coated with crappy bead release. I plan on spending the month of May working as hard as humanly possible - and then I'm off to Oz. I'll survive. It's what I do best.
As for my lecture in the UK - more thanks to you guys! I now have a general idea of what it's going to be about, but I'm still trying to come up with a snappy title and description. In the meantime, Jenn gets a freebie! Send me your mailing address (sarah.hornik@gmail.com).
I'll head back to the torch now. Thanks again. See you soon.
Wow thanks for that tip Sarah! I have been a little uninspired by CIM so far, so it's nice to see an effect that I really love. I can't wait to try it out!
hugs
Em xx
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That bead on the far right is downright dreamy!
Glad to hear that everything else is improving. Good news, that.
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Hi Sarah, I love your site and your work and your adventures! I have a technical question: you have indicated that you use a hothead torch, not dual? How do you coax reactions out of MAPP gas? Or did I misunderstand? Thanks!
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Thanks!
Not quite sure how to answer that - most color reactions come from the glass, not from the gas. No coaxing involved.
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Sarah sweetie, hang in there. I read your post yesterday and i totally understand where you are coming from. I left a very well paying executive job which I had been working at for 16 years and went to study silversmith, I've never looked back. I'm not making a living from it (yet) and I am a single mom to 3 littlies, but I am so happy I had the courage to make that change. you too threw the lucrative high paying job away and followed your heart, not many people can say they did what you have done. I can also really relate to what you wrote in your post today. don't go back to doing something you hate. you make beautiful beads, you have a worldwide name and reputation, your a marketing wiz, the world is your oyster (or bead should i say).you are such an inspiration to allot of people, I know that doesn't really help your cash flow but at least it should make you feel a tiny bit better?
I don't think many people understand that living in Tel Aviv is like living in Manhattan. costs are ridiculously expensive, so although you are selling your beads really well, I believe you when you say its a struggle. Have you thought about teaching privately? I would love to take a few lessons from you...it could help pad your pocket with some extra shmekels.
perhaps euros is the way to go as well...need to check our the European market in regards to sales in Euro...some food for thought.
by the way, Oz is great (I was born there...) you will have the best time!
so hang in there, smile and keep on torching.
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How about putting together a tutorial pack that could be sold online - with a copyright to stop it being resold - or maby several tutorials from beginners to experienced (thinking big now). Your web design skills are great and with your current website, etsy and ebay you have a great customer base to launch from.
I think there would be alot of glass artists interested in learning from you
Best wishes Helen
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ohhh Helen has an excellent idea ! I would certainly buy online tutorials from you Sarah ! I am after my daughter to do online personal training (in her year of maternity leave from the gym) ... haha but then I would have to get in shape, or be expected to
I have purchased a couple of tuts from Beaducation.com their videos stay online, so can't be bounced around to different people (like freebie files)
Take care, we are all working to try and keep the bills paid while still enjoying life, good luck !!
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Oh Sarah - Hades & silver is one of my all time favourites. Haven't tried it with pale aqua yet...... (sound of me scurrying off to torch)
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Many thanks to all you guys for your comments, support and suggestions.
The tutorial thing is being discussed at this time... details soon, I hope.
I can't believe no one is commenting on the sheer poetic brilliance of "I'm sticking to my glass like a crooked mandrel coated with crappy bead release".
Hmph.
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It was poetic - but went completely over everyones heads at the shocking thought of you putting those 'golden handcuffs' back on again!
Helen XO)
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Helen and Lori had an excellent suggestion. There are many websites that offer streaming video tutorials, that usually cannot be copied ... usually. I would not rely solely on the technology, however. Many people don't have computers powerful enough for that. Check out wire-sculpture.com . They sell a ton of DVDs about working with wire to make jewelry. The prices are reasonable and they even sell them on ebay. You can put snippets or smaller vesions on youtube and expertvillage to entice further sales. You can also market ebooks of the same techniques that you have been giving classes. It won't cut down on the number of students, since the people buying the tutorials would probably never show up for the classes anyway, and the people who do come to class do it because it benefits them to do so. You could market these through ebay or your site. Once the payment is received, the ebook is emailed to the customer. You produce them once and forever collect - cha-ching. You have the expertise that would benefit many. Think of it a a humanitarian project. Besides, you already have the main outlines already done, from the class handouts. You always run the risk of having someone copy a DVD or ebook, but I believe most people are pretty honest and if the price is reasonable, most would rather buy than steal (especially if you don't know anyone else who has what you want). Just kidding.
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Yay! Thanks so much, Sarah. I'm so excited I won!
As for the "sticking to glass like crappy bead release"...you go! I'm inspired by you sticking to it. I wish I could leap off the precipice like that. I know what you mean about the thought of shackling yourself back to an IT job again. DON'T DO IT!!! Go work at the coffee shop or do the waitress thing before you think about IT...I've seriously thought about jumping off the IT radar and working for Starbucks. They have health insurance which is my main reason for sticking with this job...
Also, I reallllly love your post-Murano styles. And thanks for the above tutorial! I've played with a few CiM colors and the one I liked the most was Bordello...it's a deep, rich red.
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When you say 'burn the silver away', do you mean some of the silver? What is the purpose of burning away the foil if you burn all of it away?
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I'm guessing you meant, what is the point of USING the silver if you burn all of it away?
If that's what you meant - silver affects certain glass colors, even if it's not left on the glass in foil form. It's a chemistry thing.
If that's not what you meant - could you please rephrase the question?
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