etiquette question
#327521 - 03/31/08 09:21 AM
|
|
|
|
michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
|
|
|
As some of you may know, I make jewelry on the side. Its all sterling silver and swarovski crystal. I typically just display it and sell it at the office I work at. I just made up a whole bunch of new pretty things as my inventory was getting low because I was too ill to work on it. I plan to send out a letter and drop copies of it off at some of the local places by the office that I know people at.
I thought I would get some pretty paper and write up a thing saying that I have made up all this new jewelry, how it would be the perfect accessory for your spring wardrobe or for a mothers day or graduation gift, blah, blah, blah.
Also thank my boss for allowing me to display my wares at the office and while you are here, why not check out the new sunglasses we got in, yadda, yadda, yadda.
My hopes is to drum up enough sales to pay for my insurance cap on my medical treatments, which is $1500. Now, most people know that I have been ill and struggling and such. Would it be improper/rude/just not cool, whatever, to make mention that all proceeds from the jewelry sales will go to help pay for my medical treatments?? I really need the money but don't want to offend anyone or whatever. I am not the best at the PC stuff so thought I would ask what you guys thought. Cool or not cool?
--------------------
Taking it one day at a time.....
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I don't think I would mention it. People who buy the jewelry will do so because it sells itself. Plus you have done this before so it is kind of like a side business for you. So what you do with the money is your own business. Not only that you might get a lot of nosy unwanted opinions or questions. I've seen your jewelry and you will have no problem selling it!! 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks Angela!! I am hoping that after another infusion or two, I will have the energy to really get out there and sell it again!
--------------------
Taking it one day at a time.....
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hmmm, tough call!
If it were me, and I live in a small city, I would say the proceeds go to the "Cure Michele" campaign. I guess a lot would have to do with how well you know the places you would be dropping off the notices and their understanding of the situation.
I see it a lot at craft shows - proceeds to the "Cory Smith" fund, the "ABC trust", and then the registered charities too. There were even 2 girls making jewellery to help pay their friend's family with living expenses while she was in Toronto Sick Kids for treatments.
If you are able to think of a descrete way to say it might be okay - not just "to pay my medical bills".
If it was up to me, I'd do it. You might get more sympathies that way and people do tend to reach for the pocketbooks more when there is a cause involved. In this case it just happens to be you!
--------------------
Cassandra
Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like you've never loved before.
IBS A 20+ years, Chronic Migraines, Chiari Malformation (decompressed June 22, 2010), Brachial Neuritis, and ??? the list just keeps growing, but I'm still shiny side up! 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
When I see something for sell that says "proceeds go for medical treatments" or such and I know that it's the truth I will usually buy something. But if I think it's just a con I keep walking. Hope that helps some.
--------------------
 Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow”. Mary Anne Radmacher
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I agree with Angela.
--------------------
IBS-C with pain and bloat
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
My thing is jewelry, not photography so the pictures are not the best!!!!  I think this link should take you to the photobucket album and you should be able to click on any photo to enlarge it. That is if I have evolved enough to use basic computer skills!
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/michelebrake/jewelry/?start=0
--------------------
Taking it one day at a time.....
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
--------------------
[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Your jewelry is beautiful!
As for your question I agree with what Angela said. I also wouldn't mention it. I think in the long run you want your jewelry to sell because people like it. Plus, as was mentioned, people would get very nosy and I think they'd have the right to be. If I saw a sign that just says "proceeds go to medical treatments" I would think that it's very vague and wouldn't believe it and I would definitely ask questions . If I didn't get my answers I would just think this is some sort of a "fake charity" or something.
As I said originally, your pieces are gorgeous and I don't think you need any explanation as for why people should buy it !
--------------------
IBS-C, bloating, cramps
pregnant
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
These are beautiful! Do you ship them? I would love to purchase one, maybe more, for my bridesmaids to wear! Do you have a website where I can order them?
--------------------
IBS-A...I can never make up my mind
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Beautiful!
#327665 - 04/02/08 06:59 AM
|
|
|
|
Susie2
Reged: 08/07/06
Posts: 158
Loc: Pomona California
|
|
|
Not only are you smart, persistent and so thoughtful to us all on the boards, but you are artistically talented as well. I hope you do well with selling the jewelry. My ex doctor's wife does all those breast cancer walks (he goes too, so he is never in the office and when he is/was he was useless- the hospital now thinks he's a joke). Anyway she sells all kinds of stuff in the office. Her daughter makes jewelry (a portion goes toward the charity) and she raffles off a blanket she crochets every year. I even bought one of the bracelets that I can't work the clasp on in hopes of getting better treatment from the doc. Didn't work though.
Now, here's a thought (rather wicked). How about putting a picture of a very sweet but pathetic looking child and a message: Help Save This Child" A little story about how she needs treatment for a rare disease and the treatment isn't covered by insurance or any charitable agencies. In fact, I bet you have a picture of yourself as a child. One where the child is trying to smile but can't quite make it because of all the pain. A kind of waif like image. It would be somewhat honest - what's a few years. Maybe you could get Sally Struthers to do a tv infomercial appeal thing.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
You can email me and I will give you my phone number and we can talk. I can make any special order in any color to match the dresses. If I have a picture of the dress, I can make some suggestions if you don't already know what you want. I will ship any of the stuff I already have made up, no problem. My bil told me about a special button on the back of the camera to try to take better close ups so if you want to see a particular piece, let me know and I will try to get a better shot. I also have several in light and dark topaz that the pictures turned out so bad, I didn't even bother with them. The pictures represent about 2/3 of what I have in stock right now. My email is michelebrake @ sbc global.net no spaces of course!!
--------------------
Taking it one day at a time.....
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks Zara! I think I will nix the medical cost part but I don't mind writing a small paragraph to explain exactly what the treatments are and what sarcoidosis is but I am still not sure if that is a good thing or not.
--------------------
Taking it one day at a time.....
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Re: Beautiful!
#327669 - 04/02/08 07:23 AM
|
|
|
|
|
michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
|
|
|
Thanks Susie! You are always too kind! I like making jewelry, it just depends on if my hands are too swollen or not and I can only do a little at a time because it does make them hurt.
Whats with some of these doctors?? Crazy! I have been to more than my share of quacks as well! Sad but true!
--------------------
Taking it one day at a time.....
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
--------------------
Taking it one day at a time.....
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Quote:
Thanks Zara! I think I will nix the medical cost part but I don't mind writing a small paragraph to explain exactly what the treatments are and what sarcoidosis is but I am still not sure if that is a good thing or not.
If clients have asked about your health, maybe you could do the writeup with a lead-in of something like, "For everyone who's been kind enough to ask how I'm doing, here's what we finally figured out" and go on from there being sure to include the information that you're - hurray! - doing better. And maybe saying something about how the treatments are making it easier for you to do the jewelry making you love so much.
--------------------
[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
