Have you ever had another artist basically screw you over? I have a rant.
At a show in Cincinnati last fall, I was talking to a jewelry artist I have run into at many of the same shows I have done. I was admiring the different style of his nicer pieces, and brought up that I had a large 2.25 pound block of lapis lazuli I have had for years, basically a big doorstop/paperweight to me, but maybe he could make a nice set of earrings and pendant for my wife's 50th birthday in February.
We agreed on a style for the pairing, I described what cut of the stone I liked the most, and that he would keep the rest of the block in trade. We shook hands and exchanged info, and I shipped him the lapis block when I got home.
Fast forward two months and several shows where I saw him, always with new pieces. "I never saw your email," "Did I miss your call?" "Oh we took a week off." and the excuses roll on.
Fast forward another two months. See excuses above.
Fast forward past my wife's birthday. He has started to avoid me when he can during shows and during setup. This continues for months.
Fast forward another few months. I have reviewed his schedule and we will be at the same Cincinnati show in June, I call and leave a message that I will be there to pick up the pieces we agreed on. I send the same info in an email.
During setup for this show, he sees me coming down the way and hides in his tent. During day two of the show, I finally have a minute to go over to their booth. He asks his wife if she had the pieces, she pulls out a box, and finally there is the pendant, not even close to the cut I described, just a plain stone with no gold highlight. The earrings weren't even close to what we wanted, these were the cheap style he hammers out by the dozen. Again, a bad cut.
At this point I had basically given up and accepted the set just to be done with this guy. I've chased him for months across the country and frustrated with the whole deal. He's made a fortune off the block of stone and paid me off.
I walk away with the small box, and go to admire the woodwork in the next booth. I can plainly hear him talking to his wife when he says, "Well we're finally done with that a**hole."
I wonder, who is done with who?
Comments
I suppose I should be happy I got something close to what was promised after all that. I'm calling it a lesson learned and just wanted to vent. I won't be naming anyone.
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Yeah you think that would make any woman feel better when called that by someone is bigger physically? I think not.
Problem is... you are thinking like a MAN! It doesn't really apply to at least the one example I responded to. Lighting someone's ass on fire online doesn't cause me any legal fees as long as I tell the truth as I see it.
I always try to take the higher ground... until they push me to the point where training and attitude take over. Then it is calling on my lawyer to get me out of jail. Pay their hospital bills. Further money to get my record expunged.
higher ground VS doing what I'm good at ????
Higher ground = anxiety, frustration, higher blood pressure, recidivism by perpetrator, eventual medical bills due to heart or stroke.
Doing what feels good and is easy = attorney fees, other parties medical fees, temporary loss of freedom, peace of mind, benefit to society via removal of a problem, no blood pressure issues.
Decisions, decisions.
been called a C___ ??
Can't Understand Normal Thinking? I know plenty of people like that. I would NEVER use the acronym, NEVER !!!!!!!
Wendy, if someone used that against you, tell them "I hope your mother runs out from under the porch and bites someone" If they don't get it, walk away. :-)
I suspect neither of you have been called a C---.
I don't disagree with your message but I also think that there are unique occasions when the higher ground normalizes the behavior. (Chris you brought up Congress.... not me.)
Hello Larry... et. al.,
I, too, have been following this and agree with Larry. Even though the recounting here seems cut-and-dried with no chance to miss-interpret, there always is when the story is told one-sided. As evidence of this, think of what we'd be reading now if the other party had started the discussion. (Do not get me wrong, I am not making any insinuations or casting any aspersions, nor taking sides, just trying to imagine what this other person's complaint with Joel might have been...)
However, as someone stated earlier in this thread, there is a take-away though... when trading, ordering, or promising and including any arrangement other than immediately-right-now-cash-and-carry (including even "I'll pick up/deliver at show's end) write it up, formally, with an invoice, work order, statement of deliverables, receipts, include anything that is applicable, and collect each other's contact info!!
So let's each gather a nugget of insight from this and not resort to behaving like Congress!! ;-)
--Chris Fedderson
I have been watching this post with interest.
I have no part nor stake in it.
I have no idea who the "offending" artist is.
However, many have stated to "out him" / name him, because this is social media.
I caution against such.
It is quite common on social media, such as Facebook, for people to flame, gripe, accuse or do harm to peoples reputation.
It is NOT a balanced debate. Only One side is given and others jump on the bandwagon to support the accuser. I have seen it done for business competition, jealousy, divorce, unrelated disagreements, sometimes people just want to vent. etc.
At times I have known the parties and the accurate information. Knowing what was posted was false. Unfortunately most people do not research and work to find the truth behind claims.
Again, in this situation I know none of the parties nor the situation. I do know the dangers of people jumping to conclusions. Once that person is named there are responsibilities and cautions to be applied.
The USA requires all parties accused of a wrongdoing have the right to face their accusers. Social media allows by-stepping of that process as well as forgoing rules of evidence.
Wait......let me get my popcorn buttered first!
Melanie, don't worry -- I haven't forgotten that either, by a long shot.
In fact, that sweet old dog died a few months back at the age of 16 1/2. Feel free to tell your side, and I will gladly tell mine if you really want to go there.
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