An Expensive Trip

I spent a little more than I had planned at the gem and bead show on Saturday. But I didn't go completely over budget and I'll be able to pay everything off with existing savings, so that's a plus.

The show was VERY slow. From my own personal observation (parked pretty close) to the mutterings of the vendors things weren't going so well. Of course it was Saturday morning and they'd just opened. But I heard one vendor talking about previous years when there were hundreds lined up to get in, compared to this year when there were only 30 waiting for the doors to open.

I only spent money with two different vendors. There just wasn't that much that attracted my eyes. A lot of the same stuff, still too expensive for what it is, with the same vendors. I almost always buy from one particular vendor but their prices are too high and another vendor had even better quality product.

I spent way too much on pearls. I'm such a pearl fiend. It's not even the majority of my work but when I see pearls I lose my head. This particular vendor is so well organized...every strand is marked with a price and a code. If I ever need to get more I will know exactly what to ask for. And their products were 30% off the marked price...which is great since I was happy with the marked prices to begin with.

The various colors of pearls available made me swoon. I found some small near rounds that were almost black - I bought two different variations ... one with a green tint and the other with a blueish purple tint. But so dark that you really have to hold them up to the light to see the color underneath.

Then they had these incredible deep dark raspberry colored HUGE teardrop pearls that called my name. They're awesome. I showed my mom and she immediately started oooo'ing and aaaahhhh'ing. LOL

I seemed to gravitate towards the blues and reds this time though I did get some gorgeous smooth discs that are a golden peachy color.

I made a bracelet and a necklace this weekend with some of my new pearls and I did get photos taken, but not edited. I'll share soon.

Anyway, the only other vendor I spent money with was one selling lobster clasps and basic findings. Not all that exciting, but they seemed to have the best price of the show and I've bought from them before. I was nearly out of lobster clasps and had run out of vermeil head pins.

I estimate that I was at the show for around 2 hours, maybe a little less. It just didn't take long to go through everything...It seems like there were fewer vendors than before.

So then I headed to the mall and talk about opposite...I could not find a parking space. And the place was packed.

Do you think hobby jewelers are discontinuing their hobby and therefore sales are slowing at bead shows? Or are those who sell their jewelery stopping as well?

Why Should I?

I treated myself to lunch today (chicken teriyaki...yummy!) and walking back to work I walked past three empty shops that have been for rent for over a year (one of them for almost two years). They are great little shops with a pretty good location. Yet they sit ... empty.

And I thought about how fun it would be to have my own gift shop. The front windows of the corner shop are huge - taking up the whole front - and I can envision the displays I would create and the handcrafted goodies that I would carry.

Yet why should I? I have no incentive from my government to put myself at risk. The reward (at the moment) is too low and the risk too great. If I succeed they will tax me to pieces at the state and federal level, not to mention the business rules and regulations that hinder progress. If I fail, I'm on my own. My state is hideously anti-small business, no matter what they say.

It's sad that in today's recessionary times that the government stands in the way of innovation and progress. I have no hope that the new administration will do anything to help businesses - small or large - to succeed. Like FDR during the depression they lambaste business as greedy and blame corporations for the ills of the economy.

I'm reading an incredible history book called The Forgotten Man. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who loves history or anyone who wants to understand a little more about our economy (and somewhat how we got in this mess...it does stem back that far). Because the "Great" Depression was nothing more than an economic experiment held on the backs of the people.

So as much as I would love love love to open my own shop (yes, even in these times) I won't. I'll continue to make my jewelry and slowly build up my stock and reputation online. Perhaps someday I will be able to help other artists showcase their work in a gift shop gallery setting, but not today.