Invest in Silver!

I've been doing metal clay for about five years now ( that's five inventories.)  And of course in those five years the price of metal clay has skyrocketed.

If I were to try to remake certain pieces (or at least make something similar) my original pricing would be way out of line.  I could be losing money instead of making it.

So, I decided to "update" some of my bigger pieces and wow..... was I surprised.

Original clay price.... $10.03

Today....... $17.38

Original clay price..... $62.58

Today............$90.63

Original clay price...... $48.73

Today........ $57.90

Original clay price.......$66.87

Today...... $115.80

Okay, you get the idea.

And that's just the metal clay.  The sterling silver findings that are used have jumped immensely also.  And don't get me started on the sterling silver chains.  The chains are usually three times what they use to be.

Guess I should have bought stock in silver.  (But I'm not into the stock market.)  I'll just keep making jewelry.  That's how I get my silver fix.  (That and wearing it.)  

But you can see why many artists are turning to the base metals to save money.  But in my book, what is gained in saving on the price of the metal is often taken up in more work time and longer and smaller firings.  

Time to think smaller

The price of silver has skyrocketed lately and so has the price of metal clay. Of course the increase has affected the cost of making jewelry. That is one reason many metal clay artists are turning to cheaper metals like bronze and copper. For me though (as I've said in earlier posts) I'm not sure it's worth it because those clays are more work (in handling and firing. At least my experiences have been that way.)

So..... what does that mean for me? I can find alternative materials to create with (which isn't a bad idea. It will take me out of my comfort zone.) Or..... I can work smaller (which will also be a challenge for me as I tend to work big. My attempts at working smaller still look rather large to me.)

I think I have seven packages of PMC3 left. Time to set a challenge for myself to see how much I can get out of them before I have to give in and order more.

The picture is an older piece; a bracelet for Foxburg. I thought I needed a picture (and since I haven't made anything lately thought this would work. I hope to have new pieces soon...... after I finish my birdhouse!