A combination of stories and themes relating to my daily life and art work, Art Clay Silver metal clay tips and techniques, and home of my 'Inspiration' series. Offering you a glimpse into my thoughts, dreams and hopes.
I wrote a blog post earlier today reiterating what I had said on the Yahoo Metal Clay group message board. In view of the pricing changes that went into effect Jan 1st, as per the directives from ACW USA, I've seen my sales of Art Clay Silver products fall rather dramatically. This has caused considerable changes to my business, has given me reason to pause, and consider the path of my life and business, and to make every efffort to 'adjust accordingly' and do what must be done.
Photo via Pinterest courtesy of bluepueblo.tumblr.com
At any rate, going back to my posting about the certification process (as set forth by ACW USA), it started me thinking - yet again - about these pricing changes, and how, in a nutshell, the Metal Clay manufacturers are, in fact offering a 'reward' by means of a greater discount, if you shell-out to pay for the certification classes.
The result - as far as my own sales go, after 5 weeks into this new pricing has been that fewer people are purchasing Art Clay Silver, and in fact, these 'rewards' are not improving the overall business of Metal Clay, but rather the opposite.
I've previously stated my absolute love and fascination of this amazing product, and find it a sad state of affairs that this 'reward-based thinking' is preventing many people the great satisfaction of creating with and working in this medium.
Further to my Yahoo group posting, I'd like to mention an incredible artist, Kate McKinnon as proof positive that a certification class does not nearly cover all the magical ways of working with this incredible stuff we call Metal Clay. There are many, many other exceptionally talented artists out there who also have taken this medium to new and exciting heights. It's a shame to consider that this incredible growth and imagination might get toned-down by the powers-that-be rather than to be able to grow and flourish, as it should righfully be doing.
Here is yet another wonderful video presented by www.tedtalks.com by the hugely engaging Daniel Pink. It is a little long, running at around 20 minutes, but Mr. Pink does address some really great issues, and presents a compelling 'argument' calling for change from the outdated methods which prevail, and which have been scientifically proven to fail.
Rewards narrows our focus and restricts our possibility.
- Daniel Pink
Maria LaMalfaDate 2/8/2012 11:47:42 AM
I have two of Kate's books on MC. Being a former metallurgical engineer, I applaud her techniques which result in structurally sound pieces.
Love the TED talks - I listen on my iPad while I work :-) Will listen to this one later.
My guess is that the "rewards" are not helping sales because there were far more of us that were NOT certified, but still able to take advantage of excellent pricing, through your site. I don't know, all this fixed pricing sounds a little illegal to me.
Mick MamolaDate 2/8/2012 12:16:34 PM
I have both of Kate's books as well Maria and have put some of her great tehniques to use in my own work. And I too strongly object to ACW's pricing structure and have e-mailed them directly as you know Val. It's simply just another form of discrimination.
SuziDate 2/17/2012 1:12:24 PM
As you already know I'm also very unhappy with what ACW's doing. I'm personally annoyed & frustrated & I feel for you immensely. I've told people about it & they cock their head & say "WTF??!!" I'm just getting back into making jewelry again & I really love Art Clay Silver, but where I'm at financially & artistically, it's made it pretty much impossible to do the research, experimentation & development I need to do with it. I guess I should send a letter to them directly like Mick's done. M
SuziDate 2/17/2012 1:14:54 PM
Maybe if enough people wrote to ACW, they'd see how they're alienating jewelry artists & re-think their ridiculous & wicked ways...
ValDate 2/17/2012 1:17:22 PM
Hi Suzi - I absolutely suggest that you, and anyone else who is not pleased with the current situation should get involved. Write to ACW USA - write directly to Aida (their website address is on their site). If enough people let their displeasure be known, we may have a chance at seeing some change. (I can dream, right?!)
SuziDate 2/17/2012 1:18:38 PM
Kate McKinnon is so very cool & takes things to a whole other level. I'd like to get all of her books in the near future.
SuziDate 2/17/2012 1:21:05 PM
Thanks for the contact info! I'll do that. Maybe we Un-Certi's need to start some kind of radical protest movement! *evil laugh*
ValDate 2/17/2012 1:21:51 PM
A person simply could not go wrong buying any or all of her books. She's put most things I ever thought I knew about Metal Clay on their heads. And makes things so much easier, safer, and - well - better. Can you tell? I'm crazy about Kate and her incredible MC wisdom.
Janice CattanachDate 3/18/2012 1:22:54 AM
Wow thanks Val for this post. I'm not certified, but have a small jewelry business on the side to support my personal exploration of the art clay silver medium. I have been forced to go up on my prices due to the ACW's price hikes. And this also affects my business- I have less orders b/c my prices are higher. If I go out of business, I won't be buying much silver clay. It has a domino effect, don't they realize this? If I buy less clay, then eventually Val buys less clay, and then the company s
