Monday, February 25, 2013

Choose your words carefully -- don't be rude.

Part of the fun of the Bead Soup Blog Party® is you have NO idea what you are going to get. But that can also be a source of disappointment in some cases.  I would be lying if I said everyone is going to love what they get.  That's a complete impossibility. 


Here is how I'd like you to try to manage any disappointment.


First, don't be rude in public.  If you want to vent to me or your friends in private, that's what friends are for.  But when you write your blog post or make comments on someone else's soup, please be careful how you word things.  Words like "ugly" should never even come out of your keyboard for the public to see.


Second, you are all artists.  YES, you are!  And I am positive that you can make something beautiful or unique out of whatever you received.  It might be more difficult than usual, but you can do it!  If you're stumped, send me a photo.  We can brain storm.  There is rarely anything that can't be made beautiful and interesting.


Approach designing with the open-minded abandonment of a child.


Reminder - you only have to use the focal and the clasp, and not even in the same piece, if you want to make more than one piece.  You also have your own stash to pull things together as well!   And you can also make something that isn't jewelry.  I've seen purses, journals, clip boards, key chains, fan pulls, mixed media art for the walls -- there are so many things you can do, if you put your mind to it.


Lastly, when you write about your soup, there's nothing wrong with talking about how you were challenged.  Just be tactful.  Some examples of what you can say:


"I normally don't work in earth tones...."

"I've never worked with beads this size before..."

"I usually work in a vintage style...."



But please don't say:



"I didn't like the beads I got...."

"The colors were garish...."

"I don't like to work with cheap beads...."



Of course, this doesn't mean you can't send me a photo of what you got and say, "Is this right?", because sometimes things happen and people don't read the rules, or forgot to send a clasp (I did that once!), or you just really didn't hit it off.   Just please keep in mind:


Your idea of beautiful 
and your partner's idea of beautiful
can vary widely.


Your partner's stash and funds 
can be completely different from yours.



I know it's not fun to be disappointed, and there's a lot of "Soup Envy" going on when we see what other people got.  I totally get that.  But embrace this challenge for what it is -- a chance to work outside your box.  


As always, please email me if you have questions.



Photobucket

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack.  Visit her shops by clicking here.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party®   and author of the book Bead Soup.


32 comments:

  1. You're so tactful and compassionate. What a great leader!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looking at all the gorgeous soups on the Pinterest board, there's DEFINITELY some soup envy going down! But that doesn't mean I don't like what I'm going to get when I get it--I'm still SO excited to see what my partner puts together for me :)

    It's sad, but I do think this was a needed post. Just a little reminder to be grateful for whatever you're given no matter what!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true and it goes for anything in life not just Bead Soups. :)

      Delete
    2. I agree! I think that everyone got AWESOME soups, at least the ones I have caught so far. Nobody knows what they are going to get, and that is the fun of it all. If you got exactly what you wanted or expected, what could you learn?

      Delete
  3. Such an important and well-worded post Lori! Hope you are feeling better - big hugs to you and your awesomeness!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tis better to give than to receive. Awesome post and it transcends to many other swaps and even Round robins.
    Blessings to you for addressing this in such a positive light.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very well said...thank - you Lori :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gah! i can't believe people do this.. think party etiquette, it applies ..it can be googled if one is in doubt..the whole point is to be challenged and have a good time.....sorry Lori..you have such patience...and kindness..

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am so sad that this needed to be posted. However, there is snobbery in any art form, which comes from insecurity...if someone chooses rude words, they are likely at a loss for what to do with what they have been sent & this sends the Ego into a tizzy. I hope no feelings get hurt, but that people can see the rudeness for it is--a bad reaction to one's own insecurity.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well said, Lori. Kindness is everything.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very well said and tactful. Thank you for posting!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your post, and feel it was needed :( You were very tactful :)

    I've always been very fortunate that I've gotten wonderful soups. Some soups I've seen people complain about, I wonder what they mean, as I have had envy over their soups they are disappointed with. From what I've seen, I think everyone has had some really nice ingredients this time! I can't wait to see what they come up with.

    ReplyDelete
  11. A very nicely worded reminder - seems to me that because that technological forms of communication are rather impersonal, people can sometimes forget basic etiquette and post comments that we wouldn't say to someone's face.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great reminder! I know that this has been an issue in the past and I am really hoping that it doesn't occur again. It utterly baffles me how anyone can be disappointed in their soups when the whole idea behind this hop is to challenge yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Well said Lori and thoughtful too. We need to be aware that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the sender may truly feel they've sent out some great beads to work with. Also the whole point is to work with beads and colours that are out of our comfort zones. Remember to use your creativity and think about ways of changing the appearance of beads and findings.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nicely said - and definitely needed to be stated. One of the many reasons I enjoy Bead Soup - you are wise and kind and firm about playing nice.

    ~cryssT

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nicely said - and definitely needed to be stated. One of the many reasons I enjoy Bead Soup - you are wise and kind and firm about playing nice.

    ~cryssT

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well said and a nice reminder for some. For me it is all about the fun and the connection to another artist and seeing what all these creative people make with what they receive. I do so love Bead Soup!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very well said on all points.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I was raised with the saying " If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".

    ReplyDelete
  19. I think I was lucky. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the beads I got from Darlene. Wanna see?

    http://goodrivergallery.blogspot.com/2013/02/my-bead-soup-came-in-mail-from-darlene.html

    Did I mention that I loved them?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi, first time visitor to your blog (don't ask me how I got here) but I love it! I can't wait to see what everyone reveals on their sites! Its so exciting for a newcomer to happen on this post first :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for this kind reminder Lori. Everyone has a different style, which is part of the challenge, and very clearly stated everywhere. It is disappointing when you have a partner who is not happy with the bead soup sent to them, but we can still be nice. When making something from the bead soup, it doesn't have to be something we will keep or use ourselves, it is more about creating something unique. I ended up using bits of my stash, and making pieces for a friend, because the bead soup I received was not my style. It was great to challenge myself to create with the items though, and I am sure the friend I am giving it to will really enjoy it. I am thrilled to participate, and look forward to next year. Thank you again for all your hard work. It is definitely appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lori You're such a nice person and if I ever enter a bead soup I hope that I get someone like you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Well said Lori!! Tact is the key :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love the way you said this!! And so true.

    ReplyDelete
  25. what a great way of say and getting across several different issues. well said!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Well said Lori and thank-you for everything that you do to make this party happen .

    ReplyDelete
  27. May God bless you with joy and wonders Lori (oh yes, He already did!!) Can't wait for the reveal day. Yay!! Will there be a pinterest board for BSBP creations? separate from the soup we sent/received?

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!