Jewelry Interview:

Last week, I interviewed an avatar name Antoine Burroughs. I’m interested in conducting an investigation on jewelry making in Second Life and that is why looked up jewelry makers in Second Life. As I looked up jewelry stores, I found right away the store of Mr. Burroughs. The name “JEWELRY BURROUGHS JEWELLRY & EYES” it’s the first name to put up, when searches ‘jewelry’ in the SL engine. And it only should be since his store has amazing jewelry designs and graphic features, which quality is quite unique. The store has a polish style, probably the best jewelry around, and reasonable prices.

After messaging him, he replied the next day and we settled a day to meet. The order of my questions broadens from about him to his jewelry making and general jewelry making in Second Life. He is an interesting and pleasant man; who welcome all my questions and clarified many misinterpretations I had. Like, I though the importance of the material for the jewel was not too relevant as it is in 1^st life, but on the contrary it is. The jewels differentiate on whether they are pearls, diamonds, and so on. I hope that you enjoy the interview and learn something new. 

*front of the store*

[2008/10/20 13:17]  Antoine Burroughs: (Saved Sat Oct 18 21:21:03 2008) Hello! Yes, sure I will help as much as I can, but please note that my english is far from perfection... Have a marvelous day/night!

[2008/10/20 13:18]  Nala Braveheart: Oh thank you so much for replying! That will be no problem at all, hopefully, no worries. When would it be a suttible time for us to meet?

[2008/10/20 13:21]  Antoine Burroughs: tomorow, please...

[2008/10/20 13:21]  Nala Braveheart: sure

[2008/10/20 13:23]  Nala Braveheart: sorry, if you dont mind me asking what is your first language

[2008/10/20 13:23]  Antoine Burroughs: French

The next day:

[10:34]  Nala Braveheart: hello..are you online?

[10:35]  Antoine Burroughs: Hello! Yes. How are you?

[10:35]  Nala Braveheart: good good :)

[10:35]  Nala Braveheart: and yourself?

[10:35]  Antoine Burroughs: Not bad :)

[10:38]  Nala Braveheart: how long have you made jewelry in second life?

[10:39]  Antoine Burroughs: 2 years. But will celebrate 2nd year of store opening in january

[10:39]  Nala Braveheart: How many hours a week do you dedicate to jewelry making?

[10:39]  Antoine Burroughs: just building time or marketing, advertising, photoshops together?

[10:40]  Nala Braveheart: Mainly creating? but the others as well would be helpful. Would you consider this a hobby or job? Is this your 1st life job?

[10:41]  Antoine Burroughs: yes. In total I work around 60 hours/week

[10:41]  Antoine Burroughs: it's my main job

[10:42]  Nala Braveheart: oh wow!

[10:42]  Antoine Burroughs: nothing impressive... i think most business owners work as much in RL ;)

[10:44]  Nala Braveheart: Ok. Next question: I see that your store is very nice, it has style and the items that are for sale are beautiful. Do you have any famous or well known avatars that come to buy here?

[10:45]  Nala Braveheart: Is there a specific audience that you try to target?

[10:45]  Antoine Burroughs: About famous avatars... I can't help much... I really don't know...

[10:46]  Antoine Burroughs: About specific audience... marketing is our weakness part... I'm more a creator than a business man

[10:46]  Nala Braveheart: ok, I see. So how do you advertize?

[10:46]  Antoine Burroughs: mostly word of mouth

[10:47]  Nala Braveheart: have you ever given away an item so that it would be worn by someone who is influential in SL?

[10:47]  Antoine Burroughs: no. I don't kow such kind of person.

[10:48]  Antoine Burroughs: but i give away free item offen :)

[10:49]  Nala Braveheart: So, what have you learn from your jewelry making experience? Any skills that are helpful in 1st life?

[10:49]  Antoine Burroughs: oh yes... I learn photoshop editing, 3d software

[10:49]  Antoine Burroughs: and english :)

[10:50]  Nala Braveheart: What inspired you to become a jewelry maker?

[10:52]  Antoine Burroughs: mm... I wanted to find something to start that was mostly made with prims since I was more than a newbie on photoshop. And at that time the jewelry market was very small and open. Also jewelry is something that give pretty much room for a creator cause there is so many style to explore

[10:53]  Antoine Burroughs: less than a newbie on photoshop

[10:53]  Antoine Burroughs: sorry

[10:53]  Nala Braveheart: Oh ok. So what makes jewelry unique in SL? shapes? Materials?

*different types of necklaces in the store.*

[10:53]  Antoine Burroughs: both

[10:54]  Nala Braveheart: Well could you explain further?

[10:54]  Nala Braveheart: Are there shapes that are harder to make then other? if so which ones?

[10:54]  Antoine Burroughs: shapes will define the overall look of a jewel. But the materials will make it come to life

[10:55]  Antoine Burroughs: all shapes that are not a basic sculpt can be hard to achieve. The best way is offen to use sculpties

Writer's note: Sculpties are 3D figures made outside of Second Life.

[10:56]  Antoine Burroughs: I can have a marvelous diamond cut shape but if the texture is bad it worth nothing. same for the opposite

[10:56]  Nala Braveheart: Could you give me example of materials that are use?

[10:57]  Antoine Burroughs: gems, geo, metals, pearls and everything like RL jewels

[10:57]  Nala Braveheart: I see, so they go hand in hand. Is there such a thing as a rare piece of jewelry in SL? if so what makes it rare?

[10:58]  Antoine Burroughs: some try to mimic vintage jewelry, some make crown jewel replicate or so...

[10:58]  Nala Braveheart: What three skills must a jewelry maker have in second life?

[10:59]  Antoine Burroughs: patience, a good knowledge of 3d environnement, and artistic personality

[10:59]  Nala Braveheart: I see. Well thank you so much for your help. This concludes our interview and let me just complement you on your success!

[10:59]  Antoine Burroughs: I thank you very much!

[10:59]  Antoine Burroughs: Hope you will have success too with your project

[11:00]  Nala Braveheart: One last question though, how long did it take you to learn english? And was it all SL learning?

[11:00]  Nala Braveheart: I'm a spanish native speaker, that is why I'm a bit curious

[11:00]  Antoine Burroughs: When I came in Sl let say that I was maybe at 40% bilingual... now maybe 75%

[11:01]  Antoine Burroughs: I learned mostly by talking with friends here

[11:04]  Nala Braveheart: thank you and have a good day :D

[11:04]  Antoine Burroughs: Thanks

 

Conclusion:

Jewelry making seems like a growing industry in Second Life. Just because it is a virtual work, it does not mean it needs the same amount of detail or time as real life jewelry; as it can be observe from the interview. It seems to be profitable in many levels, not only can one get an income from it but also gain personal skills, meet others of similar interest, and even learn a language better! Even though Second Life has many extraordinary experiences that one can learn from, I definitely cannot wait, to explorer this side of Second Life!

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