In the past two weeks, I've heard some these comments from some of my jewelry/artist friends: "People I didn't even know gave money to my Kickstarter campaign! I was so grateful!." "I made this piece, it was in the showcase for four months, and then someone bought it! I loved it and someone bought it who loved it just as much!"
And I'm exactly the same way; the first time that a stranger subscribed to my monthly newsletter, I was nearly falling over myself with joy and excitement. "Strangers! Find worth in what I do?! Amazing!"
It's true. As an independent business person, if I ever hope to be successful, I need the support of strangers and people I've never met, and yet somehow I am always dumbfounded by the idea that strangers could possibly find worth in my work.
It all comes down one crazy, little word: value. And it all depends on whose definition we are considering: Walmart's (or Kay's or Zales' or Blue Nile's or Ice's for that matter) or the art community's.
Walmart: "Save Money. Live Better." Their idea of "value" is based on giving you as much for your dollar as possible. The quality of the product is irrelevant as long as it can be sold cheaply and sold to as many people as possible.
In the art community (at least the art community I'm familiar with), the word "value" is based on enrichment. Does this object enrich my life? Is it well-made? Is this object timeless and capable of being passed down to future generations? What impact does it have on the environment? The word "value" is based on legacy rather than a monetary exchange.
Although, don't think for a second that I'm a fool. Enrichment is more difficult to quantify, monetarily speaking, but I charge accordingly for my blood, sweat, tears, intellectual prowess, and creativity.
Let me put it to you this way; yes, you can buy a $25.00 diamond and silver pendant from Walmart, but what are you really buying: cloudy gemstones and a piece of metalwork with no pride (and barely any thought) in the manufacture.
When you buy jewelry from me (or one of my fellow independent craftspeople), you are not just buying an object, but you are purchasing my knowledge and expertise, you are purchasing my thoughts and worldview. I understand the limitations and the possibilities in my materials. I take pride in the quality and possible longevity of what I am selling you.
"Save Money. Live Better." (?) I'm just sayin'. Those places will always (always) underbid me on price, but they will never (ever) beat me when it comes to value.
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