Imzadi . on thu 21 mar 02
Hmmm... Comments from Janet Kaiser and others have made me come up with the
idea of handing out, at my next sale, photocopies regarding John & Ron's
lemon slice/vinegar test for BASIC glaze leaching and foodsafety (with
disclaimers that this is only a basic test and give info on where to go for
more scientific and intense proper testing.) Not only will people then be
able to see that I stand behind the safety of my own pieces (beyond words),
but they will be able to test pieces they have bought by other potters that
they may have been wondering about, and/or go get and old cherished antique
bowl tested.
I think I am also going to make a little photoboard bringing my customers
more into my "handmade life" showing pictures of the wheel and kiln we fire
out of, so they can see I am not a fly-by-night, flying out of the seat of my
pants operation (throwing in any old chemical or opening any cadmium lead red
jar to get my brilliant mottled rutiley colors) but a professionally run
business with proper equipment as well as a ceramics instructor at the local
university.
Before this thread, I thought the craftsmanship and quality of my work would
speak for itself, now I am beginning to see, it is those hidden dangers
behind some of the most "well-crafted" pots of potters without selling
ethics, mis-perceptions, and sometimes accurate perceptions and actual horror
stories of the public buying "handmade" that need to be addressed -- at least
in terms of being able to confidently use MY work. Yes, there are certain
criteria, elements and questions the public should be educated in knowing
what to ask about.
As a ceramics educator, I see that I don't leave the educator behind when I
am selling, but my teaching goes with me to help the buyers buying my or
another's work. Let the buyers be KNOWLEDGEABLY AWARE!
Interesting to stand on the other side of the selling table.
Imzadi
| |
|
