I Don't Buy Jewelry Made with Off-the-Shelf Components

by Joy Silverberg

I have purchased a number of handcrafted jewelry items at gift shops or art type stores, usually located in arts districts.

I have bought these pieces because of the combination of uniqueness and skill that went into their creation. Items that had more complicated techniques, like unique designs cast by the artist, I would buy.

But I won't buy handcrafted jewelry that's made with "off-the-shelf" components or findings. They just look too much like craft store projects and I feel like they look too cheap to wear.

I don't think enough artists point out what elements in their jewelry are unique to them or which elements of the design they created.

Thus most shoppers wouldn't understand the true value of a created pendant vs. one made with off-the-shelf components made into a piece of jewelry.