Anja Jagsch's Page

Hi Anja,
Yes I would be interested in your tracker for your cooker. I think I have found a couple of different ways of doing it I just need to find some time to try them out. Your input would be great because its tried and tested.
Thanks
Ps lots of people have been commenting on your jewellery in the store but its bloody quiet around here in winter. We are starting an advertising campaign in spring so hopefully Ill have some sales for you.

I use casting sparingly. At the moment Im mainly using it for clasps. Yes they are expensive clasps in the end but my customer base is growing so my prices musn't be too crazy. I arrainge my costs differently than a 'traditional' jeweller. They spend money on studios and display space then use cheap materials and manufacturing techniques. I turn that around. I work from a home based studio made from scrap and run my own web site. This way I get to spend money on ethical materials and research.
Going eco is always more expensive at the start, because there isnt infrastructure to support it. For example I think Im still the only person selling 100% recycled sterling silver by the gram to other jewellers, when I started I had to buy a whole Kg of recycled fine silver and alloy the copper myself. Unfortunately our casters are a little behind, check out Hoover and Strong in the US they are use 100% recycled material, pity PWBeck don't. http://www.hooverandstrong.com/

I get it all back. It costs a bit extra to use your own metal and you need quite a bit because you need enough for the whole tree, sprew and all. They give it back as a tree and I have to cut all the bits off. I think they can do it for you but there is a charge, there is always a charge for something! I have used many different casters here in Australia and over seas and they are by far the best, both in terms of quality and environmental policy.

I was actually interested in the lecturers knowledge. I think its sad our industry isn't embrasing the sustainability issue like furniture or Architecture. I think our Uni's need to get on board, not by forcing students but by offering courses. The public are starting to ask for eco jewellery. There is a whole article coming out in the new G Magazine about it. Traffic to my website is doubling each year! When I returned to Australia I started selling non eco jewellery while I was completing my R&D. The web site I had got 1-5 hits a week now im up to 20-40 per day! And why are the public interested? because its right. Would you want to buy a necklace when you know it has caused some poor child to have a slow brain from high lead levels? Of course not. Our industry and Universities have let us down, the rest is up to us.

HI,
I do have a centrifugal casting machine but I dont have the time to use it. PWBeck do all my casting for me. I send them my 100% recycled metal and they cast it up. They are closely monitored by the EPA and use state of the art casting equipment that is very energy efficient. I also offset the approximate carbon they use. I hope to expand in the near future and take back control of my casting. I have begun to experiment with different natural waxes for the injection process and have got a mix that works but only on blocky designs, not detail. Casting is good as you can design with out needing solder joins but I really prefer hand making my jewellery.

Hi Anja

Its great to have you join up.

There is lots of stuff you can do on kit and caboodle - put images, news and events up, ask/answer stuff in the forums, join a group and yes, you can even pimp your page. Its easy to move elements around and to change the format of your page.

Just remember kit and caboodle is a public network, its aim is promotional, so be sure to only put up personal details that you are comfortable with. There are privacy and email options in the settings. (Gazillions of kit and caboodle emails in your inbox driving you bonkers? Check out how to fix that in FAQ on the right.)

Kit and caboodle is an ideal place to put up posts about exhibitions or any current news that you have. There is a lot of interest in the network. It would be great if you posted regularly in the blog, you can choose to have blog posts on your page and/or on the front page. Add some images and links too.

Also dont forget to join our facebook page. Say hi to Sonya.

Most of all, there are lots of opportunities to network with other jewellers, outlets, galleries and to see what is happening in the world of contemporary jewellery. It should be fun. Anytime you have a problem, or cant work something out, let me know.

Cheers
Cathy