Crazy-expensive stuff... and a resolution

I attended a networking group panel discussion a few months ago, where I asked a high-end muckety-muck why these uber-luxury brands make keychains. His response, in a nutshell, was that you can tell how many keychains are being sold relative to the core product of the company by how much floor space is dedicated to it, and its position in the store. Some people just want "a piece" of luxury, even if they can't afford it, so they buy the keychain, sold right next to the entrance/exit.

The article which inspired today's post, entitled The Psychology of the $14,000 Handbag, is full of bits of business wisdom. It opened my eyes to a market I had really been having a hard time understanding. I do understand how a $3500 jacket makes the $800 jacket hanging near it seem less expensive, and therefore, desireable.

I know everyone has their top price for everything, and for some, money is no object. This must be true, since, a $1500 coffee-table book (no, that's not a typo) featuring Christian Dior's work will be available for purchase next month. Hope you don't spill your coffee! (Apparently, you get a steep discount if you preorder it at Barnes and Noble for $1200.)

It is a truly special edition. 500 of these first edition copes wil be wrapped in linen hand-embroidered by Lesage, so that's a boost in value right there... 400 pages with beautiful and rare photographs... $1500?

Really?

Seriously?

Whatever...

So, I just had an epiphany.

Work with me here... If you are reading this as a creative person who designs, paints, writes, anything... I assume you hope that the reward for the hard but pleasureable work you do, will be people appreciating and/or buying your creations and expertise. Having just read a great post by Lisa Call (quilt artist) on sacrificing for your art, stimulated a thought process that brings me to this idea... If you TRULY believe that art is meant to be appreciated and shared, isn't it important that we, of all people, should support one another in the quest to do this?

I never think to BUY the things so many of these artists who blog are selling... why did that only occur to me today? Perhaps you already do this, but I never thought much about it.

Resolution:

When I am really moved and feel a connection to something created by human hands that is of use to me, and priced appropriately for my willingness/ability to pay, I am going to buy it, compliment the creator, or express gratitude for their creation in some way.