It's a frequent problem for beaders, people look at our jewelry and say "I could get that cheaper at Wal-Mart/Target/wherever." I never realized how true that was, as I almost always either make my own jewelry or look for handmade. But today I went to World Market, because a friend of mine said they had a lot of belly dancer-y earrings, and I thought maybe I'd look for something to wear to the recital*.
All of their jewelry was on sale for 4.99. Seriously! Sets of bangles, chandelier earrings that hang down to your shoulders, chunky rings, jingly necklaces, all 4.99. Sure, the materials are a lot cheaper than what I use, pot metal and Indian glass instead of Sterling and Swarovski, but a lot of people don't care about that. They care about getting 4 or 5 pairs of chandeliers for the price that I charge for one pair.
I had to indulge myself. I bought a huge pair of black and silver hoop earrings, some green and brass chandeliers, and two sets of bangle bracelets. I would have bought so much more, except I really shouldn't be shopping at all with the holidays around the corner. But honestly. Cheap sparkly things. How could I resist?
*For the longest time I thought I could only wear titanium and niobium, but Anne Mitchell was right, fine silver is doing great in my ears, so I'm going to hang the cheap $5 earrings from fine silver wires. There's something wrong with that!
Most sterling has copper in it other than the fine silver, so you may want to watch out for wearing copper close to your skin. (The findings I sent were sterling -- I should have marked them.)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, copper turns me green! I have to be very careful with my copper, brass, and some of my kuchi silver, as most of it will discolor my skin if I wear it for hours -- especially if I get all sweaty from dancing.
ReplyDeleteI really envy my fellow dancers who can buy the super-big, gorgeous nickle-silver earrings and pop them right into their ears with no worries.
Luckily I can wear Sterling chandeliers on fine silver hooks :D Thanks much, those are a very versatile shape.