I'm in a pickle and looking for your opinion about the CaBezel Jewellery Molds

A little while ago I finished some new designs for the CaBezel Jewellery Molds.  I'm really happy with them and I think that you polymer artists will be too. Here's where my problem lies. I need to   find a new manufacturer to produce them for me so I have been doing a lot of research.   As it turns out the labour costs, combined with the already expensive costs of photopolymer are sending the costs through the roof ! You see, Bev and I weren't really charging  for our own labour and now that we have to pay someone else to do it they aren't willing to be as kind (bummer). Shipping and cutting will also be an added cost but I am adament about keeping production in Canada so that means no added border fees.

Now here is where I'm hoping to get some feed back from those of you that have used the CaBezels.
I realize that they may have already seemed a bit pricey to some because you couldn't possibly know the cost of the materials but I would like to know the following if you are willing to share:

#1 Would you be willing to pay a bit more to keep the molds in the transparent photopolymer?  (at this point it looks like I may need to charge $25.00 - $30.00 max   to make any profit at all.
#2 If you would be willing to pay more how much is too much?

#3 How important is it to you that I keep the product transparent?  I could possibly keep the costs the same as they are now if I switch to a more common opaque material.

#4 Is keeping the price the same as it is now ($19.99) the most important thing to you?

Please email me privately.  It's easier than logging on and leaving a comment on my blog plus it will take uptoo much room that way. worlowski@sympatico.ca  If you can please put survey in as the subject line.

I hope everyone realizes that it is not my intention to gouge anyone here.  My intent is to provide a well made product with great customer service that isn't produced in China. I take a lot of pride in this product.

I really appreciate any feedback that you are willing to give.
If I get enough responses I will post the results on my blog and I will keep you posted on the progress of the CaBezels and the new designs.

Hey...If anyone is familiar with the photopolymer industry and you know of a manufacturer/supplier that I may have over-looked please share that with me as well. Email me worlowski@sympatico.ca

Thanks so much for your input.

My Grandfather the Shoemaker

My grandfather passed away many years ago when I was about 10 yrs old. He was born in 1899, something I didn't know until recently.  Wow! I actually knew someone that was born in the 1800's!  That strikes me as being a bit bizarre and phenomenal too! 

He immigrated from Vranovske Dlhe, Slovakia and set up shop as a shoemaker in Peterborough Ontario. The house along with the garage that housed his workshop have been passed down to my cousin now and even though  it has been 35 years since my grandfather died, only now is it being cleared out completely.  One of my  recent visits to Peterborough turned out to be a most serendipitous one.  I had just finished putting away my latest jewellery made from grommets after showing my mom and sister. That's when  my cousin walked in to announce that he would be soon  cleaning out the workshop to make some room for his own things.  He mentioned that amongst some old machinery there still lingered some supplies like thick shoe leather and grommets and rivets! Grommets? My ears perked up and before you could blink I was there going through dusty old drawers and  jars full of grommets.  There were hundreds of them.  What a find.  I haven't played with them yet but I can't wait to get my hands on them to make more Grommet Jewellery!!! 

This is a tool that is about 10 ft long in total so i couldn't get it all in the picture. It has many different stations along it's lentgh. Some parts are for buffing, other for sanding and it attached to a vacuum that took all of the dust away. I couldn't help but think that a much smaller version of this would be perfect for polymer clay artists.

This poor old Singer has seen better days.