My blog has been empty for awhile as I pulled together a monumental plan for a sales/demo booth at my only retail show. It was a 600 square foot booth, combining a demo area, an exhibit/educational area and a sales area.
I'll be writing more about that later this month. I learned so much in the process. But while I was catching up with stuff I let lapse during that period, I realized there's something else I want to do for the next few days. And that is to say "thank you" to some crucial people in my professional life.
John Mathieu came to mind quickly. His name came up as I placed an order with a fashion jewelry components manufacturer in Providence, Rhode Island this morning. When I needed a certain kind of jewelry finding last year, I called John and he immediately introduced me to this manufacturer. He sent samples and expedited the first order. Now the company knows who I am and is delighted I'm back with my third order.
I met John on an on-line discussion forum years and years ago. I had posted asking where to find decent quality jewelry findings. I'd been ordering from various "hobby" supply catalogs; I had long, sad stories about stiff headpins, flaking silver plate and blotchy finishes. He introduced me to the wonders of quality, American made findings produced by the long-standing manufacturing community in Providence, RI. He sent me some samples of better quality findings. I was so impressed I started ordering findings made in the U.S. And I still do.
(Please note that I do use some fashion jewelry components that are not American-made. I have been very happy with sterling silver beads and findings made in Israel and Turkey. But by and large I stick to clasps, headpins, pin backs, earring posts and other mechanical components manufactured in this country. The quality is simply unmatched.)
Since I first met John, I've come across many people in the fashion jewelry industry who know him, too. They always speak highly of him. Manufacturers, distributors and designers all adore him.
He is warm, friendly, informative, and above all, honest and pragmatic. He is passionate about the fashion jewelry industry, and it shows. He cares about the companies he represents, and works hard to get their products out there. He has been a wealth of information and ideas from the beginning.
But he's not pushy or aggressive. He never misprepresents the companies or their products. He never even tries to sell me more than I want or can handle. He looks for the long game, building a network of satisfied customers and good relationships that will last for years.
He urged me early on to brand my jewelry. I finally did that this year, designing beautiful and orginal little "horse" tags in sterling silver with my name inscribed. As I observe the appreciative responses from my customers, I wonder why I waited so long. (Thank you, John!)
He held me back from overinvesting in a "great idea" I came up with, advising me to make a few samples first before I jumped into a major production with a new design. I soon realized the design was difficult to do in quantity, too similar to other work out there, and not the kind of work I wanted to pursue for very long with my limited resources. He saved me from making a huge financial and professional
mistake. (Thank you, John!)
He has always been there when I'm stuck on how to get an idea into a reality with design and components and services like casting and die-making. He's given me excellent suggestions and referred me to great resources. (Thank you, John!)
And he has done this since day one, when I was making jewelry at my kitchen table and consigning it at local stores. He never once said I was too small to deal with, or said I had dreams too big to come true. (Thank you John!)
So here's my thank you for John today. Thank you, John Mathieu!!
I've tried to post the link to John's web site below, but if I goofed it up, you can see it at www.jewelrythings.com or contact him at 401-454-1480.
