Monday, December 29, 2008

Rejected by Uncommon Goods - But That's OK!!

Well, I'm disappointed. Uncommon Goods contacted me saying that they were interested in carrying my jewelry on their website and possibly in their catalog too. They only include uncommon items that are handmade, recycled and organic. They would purchase 6-12 pieces of my jewelry for their website and then if it did well there, they would include it in their catalog. They've had their items featured in all the biggest magazines. They're a very environmentally friendly website and I was totally interested. They gave me a number to call for more information. I called today and was asked a lot of questions about my jewelry. Everything was going along grand until one of the questions triggered the response from me "You do know that my jewelry can't be replicated, don't you?" And everything skidded to a halt.

Apparently, the 6-12 pieces that they wanted to purchase would have to all be identical. And then, if my jewelry were to be included in the catalog, they would want hundreds of them. All - exactly - the- same. Well, I can't do that. Every jewelry piece I create is different. I've tried to replicate certain designs and they never come out exactly the same. Even to get two pieces of china broken into the exact same shape and size to make a pair of earrings is difficult. Hundreds all the same? Never. And where would I find enough of the same china to continue if a certain piece did catch on? China patterns become discontinued and may be difficult to find.

Maybe I'm not so disappointed after all. I'm not a manufacturer of mass produced items. I'm a designer of artistic one-of-a-kind jewelry creations. My customers know that when they purchase one of my designs, they won't run across anyone else wearing the exact same piece. My jewelry may be uncommon enough that uncommongoods.com was interested, which was a lovely compliment and quite exciting for awhile - but it is also unique - and with that I'm satisfied.

8 comments:

Muddy said...

Your jewelry is unique and beautiful. It would become less so if mass-produced (if that were even possible). So whether by design or by accident, you maintain your artistic integrity! Hang in there!

Lou's addictions said...

What a buzz that must have been. I'm sorry that it never got any further but, i love the uniqueness of your designs and it would be a shame if you could replicate them for catalogue sale.

ChezChani said...

I'm surprised they couldn't figure out for themselves that your work can never have any 2 exactly alike. Things that are broken just don't cooperate that way. It's just as well, how boring to have to create the same piece over and over again. A man ordered one of my bracelets, then he wanted 2 more exactly the same. I was so sick of it by the time I was done. Now I have an order for ANOTHER one of that style but at least this one is a different colour.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the encouraging words, ladies! Even if I could have done it, I think it really would have stifled my creativity. So all worked out for the best. :0)

Anonymous said...

It sounds as if it all worked out for the best Marjorie :)

Unknown said...

Yes, Sarah - it certainly did! :-)

MaricrisG said...

That is just awful. I don't think they get the fact that we create unique creations. We're not China-mass-produced-replicated products. Especially yours. It is unique all on it's own. I hope they'll come to realize that soon and appreciate the beauty in it all.

Jonara Blu Maui said...

That seems like an oxymoron for them to call themselves uncommon goods and then want all the same items from you lol! What you have is TRULY uncommon. But I know that catalog issue well..it's why many beaders don't make a catalog for themselves...we create mostly one of a kind.

I lost an account for the same reason. For about a year my jewelry was sold in a hotel shop on Waikiki in Honolulu..but when the buyer left and the manager took over..she wanted from me 10 of this 10 of that. I told her I couldn't do that..so she quit calling. I don't care..I miss the income but I'd rather not make copy after copy.

Your jewelry is truly unique and they are missing out on something really cool. I guess it would be hard though to figure out how to advertise what you have in stock in their catalogue..or what you can make for their customer and for them to figure out their cut if they don't have a specific item and price.