Poverty and Human Trafficking

On October 15, I jumped on the band wagon of Blog Action Day where bloggers posted about Poverty. My focus was on beads purchased from sweat shops. I referenced a previous post on July 31, "In America?", where I mentioned the program "Breaking the Chains" of slavery and poverty and how it related to my jewelry making. http://bevsjewelry.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html

This morning I read more about the subject in an article in my Google reader. They shared a web site that provides direct help to people who have been rescued from and are surviving modern slavery. The problem is that these people are caught up in a vicious circle. They are poor and are seeking a way out. They are lured into schemes that promise them money for a fair day's work. Then they can not get out of debt because they are now caught in the web of modern slavery. The help for these people must include a real way to gain economic freedom for themselves and their family.

The web site mentioned is http://www.madebysurvivors.com/ Here you can purchase items made by survivors of Human Trafficking. They have jewelry, bags and clothing available. Now I have not purchased things from the site but recommend that you at least check it out.

The words of Helen Keller really ring true.

B

Jewelry Selling Insights

First, let me say that we are having a wonderful vacation.

When I was catching up on my email this morning, I received David Weiman’s newsletter, Jewelry Selling Insights. I subscribe to his monthly newsletter. This month’s issue had an editorial I’d like to share with you.

Even though we are on vacation, it is impossible to not know what is going on in Washington, DC and Wall Street. Our son-in-law, a financial planner, is not having much fun at work lately, to say the least. David’s comments give one food for thought for those of us in the jewelry designing business. He puts a positive spin on jewelry designing and we need that right now even if it does not solve a lot of our problems. The first reaction of a jewelry designer might be that of despair. Who will buy our quality jewelry now? There is definitely some truth to that but David presents a different take on being a jewelry designer and therefore on buying quality jewelry.

Here is his editorial:

“Jack Bogle, founder and former CEO of the Vanguard Group, an investment company, was interviewed two weeks ago on the Michael Smerconish radio show here in Philadelphia.

In discussing the current economic situation, Bogle was asked how to improve the economy. To paraphrase, Bogle said that it’s important for people to make things that have real value. By “things,” he meant tangible things that people can buy and possess, as opposed to intangible things, like internet access, where there is no physical product.

Your jewelry has tremendous value beyond the esthetics. The piece you sell will last for generations. I can’t find a toaster that lasts three months, but for the same price I can buy a ring that may last forever. Think about (and promote) the extraordinary value that jewelry possesses.

Also, if you make a piece that doesn’t sell, you can take it apart and re‐use the components to make something else. Think a baker would like that option? ‘Hey, let’s take apart that cheesecake – it didn’t sell today.’

Feel great about your ability to make and sell things of beauty and value. You’re way ahead of the curve.

To selling more!
David Weiman Editor and Publisher”

You can read more about David Weiman and reached him at http://www.marketingjewelry.com/.



What do you think? Will you still be designing jewelry? Will you still be buying quality jewelry? I’d appreciate any comments you might have on the subject.

B

I have to make an addition to this post. As I was making some final changes to this post (we are inside because it is raining) I looked out the window and saw this beautiful rainbow. Now, I can't show it all in one picture because my camera won't get it all at once. It goes from one end to the other, ending in the ocean at both ends. Amazing!

OK, all Jewelry Designers, go make some THING!