Chatty Metalsmiths January Thread

[#1]

Here's the list. Sadly, I took Barney off (made me cry). He's the only one I definitely know won't be coming.

Abellablue – Jessica
Aheron designs- Anna
AlexSharDesigns – Gaynor
Annasjewelry – Anna
Artdi - Diana
Atlcopperworks - Karina
AutumnLeavesJewelry - Care
Bagsnstuff - Dianna
BarronDesign – Deborah
BeadsintheBelfry- Nina
BeatrizFortes - Beatriz
Bellabijoujewellery – Jaime
Bellabijoutoo – Jaime
BDDesigns - Christen
Bijoutery - Jennifer
Blackmarkettrades- Angus
Bowersstudio. - Michele
Brightstar109 – Claire
Brandianndesigns – Brandi
Cabbingrough - LauraH
CGWhitfield. - CG
Corybethy. - Cory
chrissilynn2. – Chrissi
DiemDesignsJewelry - Sarah Jo
DonnaOdesigns. – Donna
Doxollodesigns - Janice
Duffydesigns. – Duffy
Elementaldesigns - Denise
Erga. - Erga
Evelynjewelry – Evelyn
Evittscreekarts - Lois
fix8ion – Tamara
ForrestConcepts - Sarah Jo
Foxcabochons.- Rod
Gemheaven. – Jo
Getyourbone - Steve
Ggestalt. – Karin
GiftedDesigns – Sha (Shannon)
Goldenwatercreations - Jeanne
Greenlivingsoap – Esme
Harnessedearth _ Tom
HartleyStudio - Ann
HightowerBotanicals – Julee
HRBeaDesign. – Heather
Ikaros – Carl
Indigoflameworks - Kelly
jamauerer- Julie
JaneaPauline- Janea
JaneDeaux. – Gabby
Janedeauxdeluxe - Gabby
JazJewels - Judy
JelliesJewelry - Jack
Jewelstreet. – Aimee
johnsendelbach - John
KHMetalwork. – Karen
Kimberlybelldesigns - Kim
KimVGlass.- Kim
kitandcaboodleshop - Gayle
kitkingdesigns. - Kit
KriksSilver. – Kristie
lahainalynnjones - Lynn
LauraRoberson- Laura
LeaderofMen - Alex
Litapsilverj - Lita
Lsueszabo - Sue
Luxedesignworkshop – Peg
Marcus Berkner Jewelry - Marcus
Maythenwolfbane - Nicole
MetalLuxe. – Peg
Metalsmitten – Jess
MieleMelograno – Liz
mmemagpie- Andrea
ModernMeetsWhimsy – Courtney
Monnda - Monnda
MordentDesign.- Mike
NovaofSweden – Tess
Nrjewelerydesign – Nikki
Phantasteria. – Karin
Plunderjewelry – Lindsay
Ppennee - pennee
purplepeony. - Brenda
Redturtle – “Dragon Kitty” or Mrs. Barney
Rockaholic – Peggy
SandyToesJewelry – Lisa
SarahinFlorida – Sarah
ScarletRobin - Jen
Scrapmetal - Addie
Scrollworkdesigns. - Clarity
SilverBlueberry. - Esmeralda
SilverShedStudio – Casey
SilverMadeStudio – Teresa
Sonyarasi. - Sonya
StoneTemple - Mark
StoneyCharms. – Chris
Stonz. - Susan
TammysTreasureChest – Tammy
TheFrogsPond - Brandy
TheSilverLakeStudio – Sherry
theuglydogranch - Karen
ThirteenGems – Melissa
Tinkertown– Sue
Topshelflapidary- Henrik
TreeFrogJewelry – Sheryl
TrystingTreeFarm -Laura
TSmithDesigns – Teresa
TwistedSisterArts - Jill
TwoSilverMoons.– Birgit
yenjewelry - Nicole
2BellesBeads – Crystal
2Trickpony - Rachel

[tessjordandesigns]

I hate the idea of it becoming too much of a social network. I came to run my business. Meeting all of you was fantastic but I don't need any more whistles and bells to stay in touch with you than what we already have...

[cgwhitfield]

Wondering how soon I can buy shares.

Guess I'm pretty much where Kristie is. Things do change but if etsy can help build my little house I'll evolve with the changes.

[Former_Member]

CG- I agree, but if the major social-ness happens. I am not so comfortable. I guess I shouldn't say I would leave, because I really don't know if it would harm or benefit. .SO I will ride the wave until I can no longer surf ;)

[cgwhitfield]

So far I've been reasonably effective at resisting socialization.

[tessjordandesigns]

I definitely want to see where it's going... but I am afraid that it will be hard to be successful as both a social network AND a retail site. I think you have to pick one and do it really well. I am worried that we will scare away buyers if there is too much networking involved for them when all they want to do is buy that necklace for their wife..

[Former_Member]

CG, Resistance is Futile - you WILL be Assimilated!

[Former_Member]

I'd like to see what they have planned, Tess. The VC people aren't stupid.

[Former_Member]

I regret that we spent so much energy wondering and speculating and complaining when it should have been obvious from the start. Guess we were all to close to it to see. (It took David to see it!)

[Former_Member]

They've had venture money from people that have invested in Facebook and people who are on the Etsy board are also high up in companies like Facebook and Flickr.

News that Etsy might go public is not really big news for most. It's been batted around since 2007.

[cgwhitfield]

There would be different effects on different items I think. Impulse sales, say under $25, may boom. My customers are rarely part of the group, and I get the sense most would prefer to get in, buy, and get out as efficiently as possible. Even more so than possible now.

Same way I buy B&M stuff. I'm busy.

[Former_Member]

One issue that I can spot is that hand-made-buying people will likely be turned off by this stuff just as we are. Let's hope it's not to 'in your face'

[Former_Member]

*too* damn!

[Former_Member]

If we can live long enough, the coming generation that loves this stuff will become the people with money (aka buying people) and we'll sell lots. For now I think CG has it right, it's the under $35 market that will win. In fact I went to some site that lists the sellers with most sales and they were all inexpensive sites.

[Former_Member]

< Thread Hog!

[Former_Member]

While I am not in favor, I can see that broadening the field to include more social networking could become a successful tool for sellers. If we make more money, Etsy makes more money.
I think that they will follow the Facebook platform and be forced to include ways for each seller to opt out of changes that divulged personal info.
And, if they can work some advertising into this... all the better for them. Already the circles are a form of advertising. I am constantly being teased by Tess's gem favorites!

[tessjordandesigns]

It's going to be interesting to see where it all leads..

Peg I know I've found a lot of new fav's because of the circles :o)

[Former_Member]

Morning all.

I do not worry as much about Etsy's business moves, since, even though it may not be the best for me, these tend to be self correcting.

I cannot help but feel that this is somewhat ego driven. I mean the soap opera management changes point to this, and I sense a social-site-or-bust mentality. Someone, somewhere proving they still have the 'right stuff'.

I do also agree that Etsy is being groomed into a sell-able company, but that is also to be expected.

[cgwhitfield]

Just like most of you put up with some less than ideal stuff at your day jobs, I accept putting up with some less than ideal stuff here, it's a good chunk of my day job.

[AdobeSol]

Cg, I don't know... I think I'd refrain from purchasing shares. I know that this sounds rather doom-and-gloom but I don't see any way on the planet for the economy to strengthen. The writing is on the wall for economic collapse. Etsy is just trying to get this thing sold aso they can still do so. Then they will probably buy gold and silver so the value will be retained...

[Former_Member]

Exactly where I am at, cg. We try to have checks put into place so that we are not overly affected by other businesses decisions. Try not to have more than a maximum 20% eggs in any basket we do not control.

[tessjordandesigns]

speaking of buying silver...

so rio is having a sale again? Anything else besides a
hydraulic press (which I would love to have but can't afford...) that is a good deal? I am filling up my cart right now...

[cgwhitfield]

AdobeSol (sorry, no name), I'm immune to doom and gloom predictions, seen to many, well all, come and go.

If I could afford to buy shares in anything, I'd invest in myself. Always have been short on capital to do what I want. Let's say 18K gold, lots of profit to be had in that jewellery market.

[SilverBlueberry]

novaofsweden says:
SilverBlueberry says:

I just got back some earring studs from someone who bought them at one of my markets. They had 20g wires and the woman says the studs are flimsy. So now I don't know if I should try to work harden them more or replace them with thicker wire. And sometimes tumbling doesn't seem to do the work hardening job.

___________

Esme have to tried twisting them? Take the post between some pliers and twist it gently back and forth. It will harden them.. I'm not good at explaining it though...
_____________

Thanks, I'll try!

[lsueszabo]

agreeing with all that's been said- don't want an in-your-face social site but i'll roll with it as long as it's still working and fun for me (it is).

[AdobeSol]

Tess, most of their tools and equip are on sale...but not metals. Some of the really new tools are not on sale either.