Art is an Enigma

Saga of the Sorrowful Bracelets

You know how you make something that you think is artful and you are excited about showing it off? Well, a couple of years ago I made these "junk" bracelets, a term I dreamed up because I made them from pieces of junk in my assemblage stash.

I really liked them so I showed them in our annual Angel Show and Sale that year. I had five of them as you can see in the photos. ONE sold! ONE! count them --(1) one! Bummer. So the show closed and I immediately took two of them for my very own - you know -- to wear myself.

Last year the other two were on my shelf in the studio with the price tags still on them and one of my guests declared she wanted to buy one for a friend - but she left without remembering to purchase it. That little bit of interest sparked my decision to include those two bracelets in the gift shop of the Wynne Home (see my post about the Wynne Home for more info.) for the Grand Opening last week.

I'm told by the gift shop chairwoman that she and another local artist were fighting over the two bracelets. Since they will be buying them, she wanted me to make some more to put in the gift shop.

GO FIGURE!! How's a gal supposed to know if her work is sellable or not? Mercy! Maybe I was just a few years ahead of the market. LOL.

Some of the other offerings for the Wynne Home Gifrt Shop.

These are a few of the other things I took to be sold at the gift shop: (left to right) A gift bag, a beaded journal, a wax collage (this one was in a frame), and an artist-made photo album (cover made from my brayered paper. See post June 18, 2005))

Comments

[Michelle]

Oh sallyt, you were just ahead of the market! If I saw your bracelets, I would have grabbed 'em up STAT! I clicked over to your site from Studio Friday and when I saw the picture of the assembled bracelets, I literally said "What the ...?" I couldn't SEE it fast enough!!! They are SPECTACULAR! Exactly the kind of look that I am drawn to. I just started making jewelry and I love the vintage-old timey-rustic-junky look. I am taking three classes at the Art and Soul Retreat in Portland, OR next month that are all charm and bracelet making and I'm SO excited! Okay...I'm just rambling now...

I'll be back to visit your blog to see how your bracelets' second life goes! Best of luck in this and all your endeavors Sally!!!

Cheers!
Michelle

[Sharon at Norah'S]

I absolutely love your junk bracelets. Yes you were ahead of the market. One of the things that I love is the watch face in each of them. That is my kind of time.
Sharon

[Crystal]

Oh Sally my heart did a little leap when I saw the pics! What gorgeous pieces these are. Of course you were ahead of your times, this is the sign of a true artist, and you are a true artist indeed!!
Crystal

[debtrotter]

Yee Ha, Sally! Of COURSE these will sell, my friend! I can't believe they've been hidden away for so long. I'd buy one!

Hugs-

Deb

[Rande]

I love your bracelets and gift shop items. Gosh, these would sell fast, better get busy making more. Wonder what else you have stashed away. :-)