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Saturday, June 5, 2010

Does backstory change the experience of whatever it is you're enjoying?

So… an overcast Saturday here in Oakland. The kids are still sleeping. I’m about to ship some orders.

Gabe will be working with some classmates on his senior project (debating the legalization of marijuana) and I’ll be taking Monica to San Jose for some hockey.


NEW LISTINGS











I also listed some stuff on eBay from my personal estate collection. Gotta thin down my hoarding.








DO THOSE THINGS MATTER?

So, I’m watching a tv show and it’s some kind of talent competition and there’s this singing group and I know at least one of the people used to be homeless and then somehow turned his life around.

But then I got distracted and didn’t hear all the rest, but I’m thinking maybe everyone in the signing group used to be homeless or something and turned themselves around.

They sang well and got an amazing reaction from the crowd and the judges, so here’s my question (and it relates to jewelry, so hang in there): Is the audience’s joy of the experience amplified by their knowledge of the background of the singers?

If yes, that lends credence to my theory (or hope) that backstory is important… even in jewelry.

I used to say that each of my pieces of jewelry has a story. What I mean by that is that I am excited about the components and/or the techniques used to create jewelry… and I like to share this information (and hopefully excitement).

I want you to know that the Bali silver I buy is made by silversmiths who take tiny bits of sterling rope and dots and place these into patterns on each base bead with a melding agent.

I want you to know that the glass beads I buy (or make) are created by melting different colored rods of glass in a torch and draping this molten glass onto a metal skewer, creating patterns, designs and shapes then putting the bead into a kiln where it is properly baked at very specific heats and for specific times to ensure molecular stability and longevity for the bead.

I want you to know that the design on the bead you’re holding wasn’t painted on; it was created by the artist taking different colors of polymer clay (playdough-like substance) and manipulating it into the desired design, then baking the bead, sanding it, varnishing it and polishing it.

And so on. Even just interesting facts about different gemstones or backgrounds on the artists, etc.

Does backstory change the experience of whatever it is you're enjoying?

2 comments:

  1. Laura, As always your jewelry (and photography) is incredible! ~Juliet

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  2. Yes, the back story does affect how I look at the piece and the quality. But even more than that is the story of how the piece came to be...what was on your mind when you created this piece... I see artists who are so good at telling a story and it captivates me sending me somewhere else and I see the piece in a whole new light. Does that make sense, or is it just me? LOL!

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