Friday, April 30, 2010

about Pricing your work- a new Resource!

Hi there- I wanted to let you all know about this great download that is now available (thanks to
Harriete Estel Berman for giving me this info!)

 the "Not Just Another Pricing Lecture: A Dialog About Pricing Your Work" lecture (the featured program at the 2010 Professional Development Seminar from SNAG  Houston)  is now available for FREE at Harriete Estel Berman's web site: http://www.harriete-estel-berman.info/profguidelines/ProfDevSeminar.html  (the Professional Development Seminar page.)

The PowerPoint by the speakers and the Question and Answer Discussion with the audience were recorded.These audio recordings were combined  with the SlideShare presentation so you can experience the same PowerPoint presentations that the audience saw in Houston.

The Podcast is a continuation of the discussion with  speakers and the audience (audio only.)

This information will also be on the SNAG website soon at:
http://www.snagmetalsmith.org/Events/Professional_Development_Seminar/

Pricing- It's always a Hot Topic!

Thank You to Harriete Estel Berman for her tireless generosity and commitment to the metalsmithing community! -
have a great weekend everyone! ciao- Maureen BZ
 

Monday, April 26, 2010

Pallavi Gandhi

First a quick note from Maureen: "It's been a long time between Blog posts- I'm afraid I have too much to handle these days.
This is an interview with Metalsmiths Unite member Pallavi Gandhi- Please check out her work on her website- where you can find more images and information about her work- thanks!"- MBZ

Pallavi Gandhi
1-How would you describe what you do as an artist?

I love telling stories and exploring the possibility of a tête-à-tête within the pieces and with the wearer. Consciously, yes, I do try to give hope and sheer joy through my work to those around me. My work is symbolist though expressed simply. Design takes prime importance. I work a lot with silver and I’ll combine it with other materials (stones, brass, copper, acrylic) if required.

2-what inspires your designs?

My interactions with the world I live in. My thoughts and experiences feed my imagination, expressing not just what I see, but how I see…not just what I hear but how I hear…asking me to constantly look at myself …often my work reflects the conversations I have with myself.


3-how long have you been involved in this type of making? (how did you start?)
Well I got into this line through a process of elimination. I guess it dawned quite late that I’m more of a hands-on person. I completed my 2-yr diploma in jewellery design and manufacturing in 2001 and was largely involved in freelancing and teaching design thereafter, working on the bench in few and rare snatched moments. I finally started out on my own as a full time bench jeweler (if that’s the term..) a little over 2 years ago.

4-where are you located?

I live in New Delhi, India.

5-do you have a website or etsy/artfire/1000market etc store?
http://www.pallavigandhi.com

6-what other ways do you market your work?
Through occasional exhibitions and mostly through word of mouth.

7-do you teach? if so, where-
I taught jewelery design for 5 years…till about 3 years ago. I’m looking at starting classes again in my studio.

8-any sage advice for newcomers that you would like to share?
I’m fairly new as a jewelery artist but a couple of things that I try and uphold at the core of my work and my life: to absolutely be in earnest and to always keep learning.

9-where do you envision your work going in the next year? (artistic direction)
I will definitely be experimenting with materials and techniques. Dreamtime stories are next in line for my collection.

10-anything else you would like to share?
My spiritual mentor, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda says: ‘By never being defeated and endeavouring to change society for the better, we are able to create happiness both for ourselves and others.’
This is the value I hope to create through my work.

Thank you Pallavi- It's great to meet you- I hope everyone goes to your site to see you work- 
(we had some troubles getting the images to work on this blog) 
I appreciate your commitment to metalsmithing, and we are happy to have you as a part of our Metalsmiths Unite community! :-)
ciao- Maureen BZ