Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals
Jewelry photos for jury
I make jewelry in both Precious Metal Clay and Wire Wrap. Since there are only 3 or at most 4 pictures submitted to the jury for a show, in the past I have taken pictures showing groupings of several items (such as 3 PMC pendants, or 3 wire wrap bracelets), and have been moderately successful in getting into shows. But I've never been accepted to major shows. This year I'm making a concerted push to polish up my booth, booth picture and my jury pictures. I've learned through AFI that my photos should show continuity, which is harder for me to visualize showing both media. So here are my questions for you all:
Will including more than one piece of jewelry in a jury photo negatively influence my chances of being accepted?
If I submit photos of only one jewelry medium and then show up for the show with jewelry made of another medium as well be cause to eliminate me from the show? I always include both types of jewelry in the descriptions.
Any comments are most welcome. Thanks in advance for taking your time to respond.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ann Marie Crosmun on -
I've had Larry Sanders put a necklace with matching earrings together on a slide--PMC pendant on a woven bead necklace with PMC earrings. And another slide with PMC cuff links and a matching PMC collar tie. Bruce Baker said that they were too many objects in the slide. It is so difficult when my work uses both mediums. My booth shoot does include them, but, it is difficult to really see them. I haven't a clue on what to do, how to convey what I do for the jury. If any one has a clear answer? Also, I do I make my work 'pop'? I get that comment a lot, that, when a juror looks at my body of work, how do I get that 'wow' factor? What is that 'wow' factor? What is 'pop'?
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Permalink Reply by Kathleen J. Clausen on -
Seems to be in the eye of the jury, but there doesn't seem to be much in the way of feedback to help us along. Your combination of PMC and woven beads sounds beautiful to me, but I have some awareness of what goes into the creation. I always wonder if the people who jury jewelry really have any experience in making jewelry.
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Permalink Reply by Ann Marie Crosmun on
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When I have been able to find out the qualifications of the jurors, they (promoters/directors), usually choose (when they want a jewelry on their jury), a metalsmith. That's fine, but, most metalsmiths have no clue how much time it takes to do bead weaving. And, I have had numerous complaints from silversmiths that 'oh, PMC, it's just a hobby craft.' Tell that to Tim McCreight! I have found, at shows, and in the classroom, that a true fabricator, understands what a PMC artist creates, has as much thought into their piece as they (the fabricator), does. Now, this has just been my experience-not a generalization over the whole community.
Back to what Kathleen just said, we really need feedback to help us get into shows and grow our craft.
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Permalink Reply by Cindi Hendrickson on -
"That's fine, but, most metalsmiths have no clue how much time it takes to do bead weaving."
or wirework for that matter.
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Permalink Reply by Jeanette on
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Well, my experience has been that jury members don't look at wire jewerly as "real" either. I've had professional slides taken,paid the jury fees and still havent been able to get juried into any of the "better" shows. Wish I could offer more encouragement.
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Permalink Reply by Cindi Hendrickson on
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I am right there with you, Jeanette.
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Permalink Reply by Kathleen J. Clausen on
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You've all given me a lot to think about, that's for sure! I do appreciate all of the time you've taken to respond. Keep those cards and letters comin' in!!
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Permalink Reply by Ann Marie Crosmun on
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Just now catching up on discussions, and, I saw that Patricia's comment was deleted--did she say something offensive?
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Permalink Reply by Diane Wright on -
I do an equal amount of forged and fabricated metal jewelry and beadweaving. When I apply to a show, I generally submit my photos of the metalsmithing work I do. I found that I was being waitlisted when I appplied with the beadweaving. I don't think you can submit pictures of both as it does not show a consistent body of work. I do mention in my artist statement that I do both and have both in my booth shot. .
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Permalink Reply by Robin Ragsdale on -
Rather than trying to show your full range, concentrate on one style for your jury photos. The applications often have a space for a description of your work overall and that is where I would list the different materials you use. You could also design one or more pieces employing both metal clay and wire wrap. I'd love to see something like that myself!
Robin Ragsdale
www.evenbetterimages.com
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Permalink Reply by Kathleen J. Clausen on
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thanks, Robin. I appreciate your input, too.
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Permalink Reply by Diana Sue Yum-Bucher on
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I've done trial and error with this over the last 7 years. Some shows I only send my bead embroidery in the jury pix, because that is what gets me in - but send booth pic with both, and mention both in description. Some shows I send one composit piece and the rest are embroidery. After awhile you get a feel for what is pretty much acceptable where - even though the jurors change from year to year. Some shows I knw in advance I had better stick to the one style to have greater chance of getting in. But it is true that most jurors do not have a clue what goes in different jewelry mediums, so it is really a crap shoot.
Over the last 2 years I have started actually emailing or calling the shows for clarification of their jewelry rules. This has helped me in understanding what they will/will not accept, and has given me an opportunity to "educate" some shows as to how misleading their written rules may be.
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