M. Pujol Interview- Marketing

 I had a semi-structured interview with Michelle Pujol and got her views on my research sub-questions.

"Which marketing platforms are most appropriate for selling organic jewellery?" 

Michelle's response

She had some initial suggestions on doing mini-exhibitions she felt I needed to generate multiple collections. She also suggested I approach magazines to do small articles on my work to get my name out. Another helpful suggestion was that I should generate an explanation/story behind each piece can help it sell.

She suggested that once I have a few collections then to start thinking about setting up an online presence. She explained how there are two ways about doing this either with my own website or with an Etsy store. A useful piece of advice I received was to do the online set-up myself as paying someone to do it as it can get expensive to pay someone every time I want to add a product to the online store. 

Pujol explained the difference between a website and an Etsy store, a website can easily be set up online using Wix or WordPress but usually only access local target markets. Whereas Etsy is internationally known but is used by many crafters which means more competition.

My Response

There are not as many galleries in Durban that will rent space out to students for free so my version of mini-exhibitions to test the market would be when I display my work at the I Heart Market. The market has been closed so because I have experience with Wix I explored using it to set up my website. My focus is not on being internationally known at this point in time so I did not even look into an Etsy store.

M. Pujol Interview- Mass Production

  On Monday I had an informal interview with Michelle Pujol and got her views on my research sub-questions.

"Do you use casting or any mass production methods?"

Michelles's response

Michelle doesn't cast as she prefers making up each piece individually. She did explain that if she did have the facilities to cast she would cast elements that she could manipulate after casting to achieve her desired outcome. Therefore reducing the manufacturing time of her pieces. She feels that casting whole pieces diminish the personality of the piece.

My Response

I have the facilities to utilize lost wax casting so it is a technique I find myself using frequently. I agree with Michelle about casting elements instead of whole pieces. The difference is I manipulate the elements both while they are in wax and after they have been cast.

M. Pujol Interview- Design

 On Monday I had an informal interview with Michelle Pujol and got her views on my research sub-questions.

"How do you develop your designs?"

Michelle's respone

Michelle explained how starts with many ideas but that she sets parameters to focus her personal design briefs. She finds references which she then uses to ask herself," how can the reference be incorporated into a function or a non-functional piece."

She also gave me a few suggestions to apply to my own work. The tips included taking photos whilst manufacturing as other ideas arise. This is so the original design can be completed and the other designs can be returned to a later stage. Unfinished pieces should only be given a limited shelf life. She explained how she kept her unfinished pieces visible so that they can inspire new designs but also so that they are a reminder that they need to be completed. When manufacturing becomes overwhelming taking a step back is a good way to get a new perspective.

My Response

I struggled to find a starting point for my designs so Michelle's tips were very useful. I looked at my plant castings from last year and decided that their shelf life was up. I did not follow her suggestion about finishing the original design. Whilst I worked on my sunflower earpiece I realized I spent a lot of time working on perfecting the size of the sunflower that it was more substantial for me to produce a collection with the sunflowers I cast.