Should be careful when you order on Future Fashionista!!

[Contessa]

I understand Gga's and Dressage Queen's point perfectly. And if I may Gga, take it a few steps further.......

To clarify, I'm a glass artist and each one of my glass beads is "HANDMADE" from raw glass rods by hand to a final "finished" piece.

My glass beads are then used to "create" my earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets with "findings" such as, Swarovski crystals, pearls, head-pins, hill-tribe silver etc...While these are still considered "hand-crafted" pieces, I make sure to stipulate that I use findings & specify their sources. This is done to avoid any confusion between MY beads & the accessories used to create the final "one-of-a-kind" finished product.

Now, as an example, I could make anyone here a pair of Swarovski crystal earrings simply by purchasing the crystals, head-pins, ear wires etc and call them MINE, but they aren't hand-made. While the design may be MINE, they are considered "hand-crafted" Similarly a bracelet created out of pearls is "hand-crafted" as I didn't "make" the pearls......I simply put the final product together by hand.

Now someone such as Mark Morell or Leon Mege who will actually CAST moulds out of wax for their designs, these are also considered HAND-MADE as they don't assemble the bands/rings out of pieces sourced elsewhere.

 

[gga]

I think those that do this sort of work might beg to differ with you. As someone who does do such things (with beautiful pearls bought from FF), and quite creatively, I might add, I find this really offensive and inaccurate.

My intention wasn't to offend you, so I do apologize. We could get into a whole debate about where craft crosses the line from basic assembly into art and craftsmanship, and we wouldn't agree on where that point was, although I'm guessing it would easily be a 50-60 page thread.

I have never been interested in crafts made from assembled, prefabricated items. I was completely clear with Elana about that from the beginning. I bought these items after she talked to me over the phone extensively about the process she went through to design and make them. She told me in great detail about how difficult the lost wax process was for her, etc. I don't and will never consider assembling findings to be a substitute for what I was told I was purchasing.

One reason I'm so strongly focusing on the diamond weight mismatches between receipt and item is because in the end, most of the lies I was told were by phone, and I will never be able to prove the extent of those lies

Again, my apologies for offending you. While you and I are unlikely to agree on any part of this, my intention wasn't to offend you.

 

[habanerita]

Now someone such as Mark Morell or Leon Mege who will actually CAST moulds out of wax for their designs, these are also considered HAND-MADE as they don't assemble the bands/rings out of pieces sourced elsewher


But if pearls or the clients gems are added, then since those were not handmade by the jeweler, the ring, pin, earring or whatever would not be handmade.
This debate has been going on forever and ever. There are many articles discussing handmade vs handcrafted.That is why most jewelers will refer to their work as custom made.
I have had both hand casted, custom designed, custom made pieces and pieces made from assembled materials by jewelers, both here in the USA and other countries.
To think that one of a kind original designs totally handmade are a common find today is not in my opinion, true, and to further think that one of a kind, totally handmade pieces of jewelry are being made for sale on the internet at prices below or at retail would be impossible.
It is for a reason that custom made jewelry and custom designed jewelry sells for a high premium.

 

[gga]

Fortunately, things are still clear-cut without arguing this point. Elana told me she made those benighted diamond hoops from conception and design on paper all the way through to final finishing. Now you tell me that no, she didn't, and I should have known better than to think she did.

Okay, fine, then if we put that completely aside for a moment, I'm still left with necklaces where I was told I was buying a specific carat weight in diamonds, when she actually delivered barely half what she guaranteed.

If you lie, if you commit fraud, it doesn't really matter whether or not you cheated everyone or whether maybe you only cheated one person. You are a liar and a fraud.

I've taken behind the scenes crap and harassment from people over this. I didn't deserve that on top of getting cheated out of a significant amount of money. In the end, I guess I would still come forward, because I can't stand cowards and cheats, and I couldn't live with myself if I protected my own self esteem at the cost of letting others go in blindly and lose money.

I'm not an expert in jewelry. I know less than nothing about pearls. I try to pick experts and then I trust them to tell me the truth and not to cheat me. Usually that works out very well for me. This one time it didn't. Nothing good will come of any of this situation unless it's that maybe someone else won't lose money too.

 

[habanerita]

Gga, I had not even seen your post when I posted mine, mine was in relation to the discussion of custom made vs. handmade. Nothing to do with your post. or your genuine problems, sorry mine crossed paths.
I am not telling you anything, I was posting regarding the custom made vs handmade. Sorry if you thought I was talking to you.

Fortunately, things are still clear-cut without arguing this point. Elana told me she made those benighted diamond hoops from conception and design on paper all the way through to final finishing. Now you tell me that no, she didn't, and I should have known better than to think she did.

Okay, fine, then if we put that completely aside for a moment, I'm still left with necklaces where I was told I was buying a specific carat weight in diamonds, when she actually delivered barely half what she guaranteed.

If you lie, if you commit fraud, it doesn't really matter whether or not you cheated everyone or whether maybe you only cheated one person. You are a liar and a fraud.

I've taken behind the scenes crap and harassment from people over this. I didn't deserve that on top of getting cheated out of a significant amount of money. In the end, I guess I would still come forward, because I can't stand cowards and cheats, and I couldn't live with myself if I protected my own self esteem at the cost of letting others go in blindly and lose money.

I'm not an expert in jewelry. I know less than nothing about pearls. I try to pick experts and then I trust them to tell me the truth and not to cheat me. Usually that works out very well for me. This one time it didn't. Nothing good will come of any of this situation unless it's that maybe someone else won't lose money too.

 

[Suzie]

gga

 

[Contessa]

Nothing good will come of any of this situation unless it's that maybe someone else won't lose money too.

I'm dealing with something very similar at present. And this is my only reason for speaking up & taking action. It's too late for me but perhaps I can help others.

 

[HauteMama]

I honestly don't think there is any problem with whether a jeweler or craftsperson wants to call their products "hand made" or "hand crafted" or some other term, as long as they specify what that means. If someone claims they made the wax casts and hand casted the item, that is not the same as assembling findings. Neither is right or wrong, but they are different and the customer deserves to know what s/he is paying for.

gga: I am so sorry you had to go through this. You were lied to, plain and simple, and the last thing you deserve is to be harrassed for sharing your story. You have done a public service, and I thank you for coming forward and I hope you are able to find at least some bit of justice.

 

[Kallie Girl]

Fortunately, things are still clear-cut without arguing this point. Elana told me she made those benighted diamond hoops from conception and design on paper all the way through to final finishing. Now you tell me that no, she didn't, and I should have known better than to think she did.

Okay, fine, then if we put that completely aside for a moment, I'm still left with necklaces where I was told I was buying a specific carat weight in diamonds, when she actually delivered barely half what she guaranteed.

If you lie, if you commit fraud, it doesn't really matter whether or not you cheated everyone or whether maybe you only cheated one person. You are a liar and a fraud.

I've taken behind the scenes crap and harassment from people over this. I didn't deserve that on top of getting cheated out of a significant amount of money. In the end, I guess I would still come forward, because I can't stand cowards and cheats, and I couldn't live with myself if I protected my own self esteem at the cost of letting others go in blindly and lose money.

I'm not an expert in jewelry. I know less than nothing about pearls. I try to pick experts and then I trust them to tell me the truth and not to cheat me. Usually that works out very well for me. This one time it didn't. Nothing good will come of any of this situation unless it's that maybe someone else won't lose money too.

My heart goes out to you and thank you for coming forward to help others.

I sent a PM via Facebook to my Facebook friends who were also friends of hers (all tPF-ers)who hadn't already posted here to alert them to this thread. I just couldn't live with myself if one of them were on the verge of making a large purchase from her without them having access to this thread.

Most all were appreciative .. but one got mad at me .. thought I was out of line .. and removed me as a friend. That's fine. I hardly knew her anyway and I'm glad I let my friends know. But I feel as you probably do ... we try to do the right thing and there are those who just can't deal with it and try to make us in to the bad guys! :weird:

 

[Katel]

gga, I am just sick about this whole deal for you (and any others who find themselves in this position - though gga's betrayal is just so extensive, my heart breaks).

I found this thread by accident after it was started, and at first could not believe it. Then you posted, G, before and after your appraisals and WOW. Just gobsmacked. Thank you for posting and showing your true guts and backbone - I honor you and want to salute and hug you all at once.

To document my experience buying from Elana: I purchased throughout 2009, each experience was timely and professional and the jewelry specs from her were accurate. I had all new jewelry appraised last summer, and all the appraisal specs match what Elana said, and in some cases the diamond and pearl quality is better than what was represented. Everything appraised for 3-4 times what I paid.

I have thought through each piece, and with every piece I purchased from Elana (except 3), she did not claim to have designed them (nor did she claim them to be at or below wholesale). The three exceptions are clearly unusual pieces and I believe she created them (as she said). But I did not commission them, so I have less invested if they are in fact not her creations (whoever created them did an unusual and uniquely fine job, however).

Last March 2010, I contacted her about restringing an unusual long adjustable strand, and replacing the clasp, and replacing a lost diamond from an earring. During the phone call, I talked with her about a small custom watch diamond buckle job (my first custom discussion with her). She was very excited and animated about the project. She had a number of creative ideas about the piece. When I tried to get in touch a month or so later, she was not available to me. I never succeeded in reaching her about the watch buckle job. I had a hard time contacting her about the two pieces she had of mine, the restringing/clasp strand, and the replaced diamond (4-6 weeks of weekly calls/emails). I remember thinking it was so unlike her. I got them both back better than before, but it was tough going getting them.

Whatever could have caused her to come unraveled like this?

My heart goes out to you, gga, and to any one else who feels Elana defrauded and/or took advantage and/or lied to you.

 

[Nyria]

Habertina - why would you do all this "undercover paypal" work? Why not just ask her if she still accepts paypal when you speak to her over email? Your posts don't add up - she's telling you about people harassing her children yet she won't tell you anything else?

Regarding EBAY - she is STILL SELLING on there. I contacted her through a friend's eBay account to ask if she would ship to Canada - she responded the next day saying that she would and even signed it Elana.
So she is still taking orders.

 

[lulilu]

gga,

 

[bluejinx]

gga

^what she said!

 

[hlfinn]

Thank you for posting and showing your true guts and backbone - I honor you and want to salute and hug you all at once.
gga- what katel said. you have been so gracious despite being in such a terrible spot. thank you again and again for coming forward and sharing with all of us.

 

[K.Z.]

Fortunately, things are still clear-cut without arguing this point. Elana told me she made those benighted diamond hoops from conception and design on paper all the way through to final finishing. Now you tell me that no, she didn't, and I should have known better than to think she did.

Okay, fine, then if we put that completely aside for a moment, I'm still left with necklaces where I was told I was buying a specific carat weight in diamonds, when she actually delivered barely half what she guaranteed.

If you lie, if you commit fraud, it doesn't really matter whether or not you cheated everyone or whether maybe you only cheated one person. You are a liar and a fraud.

I've taken behind the scenes crap and harassment from people over this. I didn't deserve that on top of getting cheated out of a significant amount of money. In the end, I guess I would still come forward, because I can't stand cowards and cheats, and I couldn't live with myself if I protected my own self esteem at the cost of letting others go in blindly and lose money.

I'm not an expert in jewelry. I know less than nothing about pearls. I try to pick experts and then I trust them to tell me the truth and not to cheat me. Usually that works out very well for me. This one time it didn't. Nothing good will come of any of this situation unless it's that maybe someone else won't lose money too.

I find this shocking. I can't think of any reasonable excuse to contact you behind the scenes (I assume by PM or email) to give you crap for coming forward with your story. If they must unleash some crap, they should be dump it where it belongs--on the business or person who defrauded you.

Don't give up.