posted 11-12-2015 12:13 PM            

I realize interest in collecting or the study of antique silver tends to happen in cycles. Right now this interest is in a very deep trough. I can't say if we are at the bottom or perhaps it will go much deeper. Once it does bottom out, will that signal the end of a period of declining activity and the transition to interest?

I'd like to think the presence of the SSF on the Internet will help to restore interest in collecting and the study of antique silver.

It may be time for sites like the SSF or WEV's American Silversmiths Genealogy Project (ASGP) to consider a different paradigm.

If members are reading this .... and not just the lurkers .... then I hope you comment and make suggestions.

One thing is clear without an active participating community the Silver Salon Forums can't continue as is.

posted 11-13-2015 09:29 AM            

I feel the same, I wish there was more discussion going on. I can't explain why it's slow like this.

I also visit WEV's site anytime I need info on an American maker and LOVE that site!

posted 11-14-2015 05:37 AM            

I had to use the art library at the large university near by and I'd swear almost 90% of the students I saw were glued to their smart phones, even bike riders, and I doubt they were browsing silver related sites.

It's just a different world out their that not only affects interest in silver, there is an 18th century highboy at an antique shop near by priced at just over 1k and it's just sitting there not getting much interest.

I don't think most millennials have much interest in wanting to own and polish silver.

I've noticed this with jewelry too, how many young women do you see just out and about wearing jewelry at all, especially nicer sterling pieces? Almost none.

When might this change? I certainly don't know, but it may be generations.

posted 11-14-2015 11:03 PM            

I'm sure there is a widespread generational change, as others have noted. Young people don't seem to be very interested in owning physical objects, except maybe electronics and clothes.

But I also think the strict rules about who can post where and what topics are forbidden is probably scaring off a number of potential members.

posted 11-15-2015 10:32 AM            

I don't want to share our preliminary thinking with lurkers, no matter if they are non-member or member lurkers.

I will listen/discus with members who have posted to this thread but the details will be only shared in private... I have set up the

Silver Caucus Room #2
SSF/ASGP paradigm - is it time to change?
What to do discussion.

posted 11-16-2015 09:26 AM            

I do think there is an untapped interest in old silver. If you look at a site like Pinterest (I hope that's OK to mention) there are great numbers of people who follow "Antique Silver" boards. In the past, I had pinned a few things from this site (before I knew I shouldn't!!!) which were received very well. These pictures, always credited, link straight back to the original site. I know the Facebook initiative fell flat, but have you considered a "business" page on Pinterest? You could control your content, and it would drive traffic back here with potential new members.

posted 11-16-2015 11:56 AM            

Thank for your thoughtful comments.

I will discuss Pinterest, FB, etc., in the Silver Caucus Room #2.

At its core, all or any of the good suggestions require people to do the work and sometimes $$.

At one time the SSF had a fair number of active moderators, contributing editors and project volunteers. And as a group and based on real experiences, we crafted the Guidelines.

Over time, most of the moderators/contributing editors have just faded away, often without notice.
Project volunteers are a rarity and the few project volunteers who do step up, rarely finish what they start.

Right now the persons actively and consistently helping are only 4 people, WEV, Kimo, Swarter and myself. Most of the work is on my shoulders and I don't expect this will change. I can't do more unless our SSF community becomes more proactive and responsible operationally.

posted 11-17-2015 10:52 AM            

Like others I visit the site regularly and treasure it greatly. Like others, and probably for similar reasons, I have failed to volunteer my services to help with the tasks that have been suggested from time to time. I am immensely grateful to Scott as well as to the handful who give him more support than I have ever managed.

I think it inevitable that postings should have thinned out as the forum matures. So many topics have already been discussed and we run out of new things to say. I believe the interest is still there. For simple questions about marks there is another go to site, of course, and much more information can now be found by an on line search rather than by posting a question.

I could, and probably in due course will, start off some new topics in my areas of interest but the extent to which old lags like me monopolise our posts is probably part of the problem. I don't think we can dragoon the more passive followers of the site into contributing but we can perhaps make it easier. For example, perhaps a sharing forum open to new members as well as old lags where all are invited to show a favourite item or one they find interesting in some way. Or one where comments or votes are specifically requested on a couple of items in contrasting styles.

posted 11-17-2015 02:13 PM            

quote:

---

.... I think it inevitable that postings should have thinned out as the forum matures. So many topics have already been discussed and we run out of new things to say. ...

---

quote:

---

... I could, and probably in due course will, start off some new topics in my areas of interest ....

---

quote:

---

...perhaps a sharing forum open to new members as well as old lags where all are invited to show a favourite item....

---

Favorite pieces - Part 1

posted 11-18-2015 10:24 PM            

I think, Scott, that you underestimate the value of this site to us!

I agree that the site can be intimidating to new people. I also think the photo-posting process seems complicated -- but that can be resolved by deleting the old guidelines about posting and rewriting new ones in a simple, clear step-by-step how-to format.

posted 11-18-2015 10:48 PM            

See you in the

Silver Caucus Room #2
SSF/ASGP paradigm - is it time to change?
What to do discussion.

posted 11-19-2015 03:21 PM            

I look to other groups and the main difference seems to be self moderation by those who choose to reply to posters and an openness to all questions with the only restriction to keep it civil.

posted 11-20-2015 09:13 AM            

And all over, the antiques business is very soft in most of the categories. And any new collectors seem to be less in love with the items, but more about their value and how much they can purchase it for way under its value. Sad times indeed.

posted 11-25-2015 09:21 PM            

1. eBay made everything seem more common. Wait long enough, and the desired item would appear in other auctions, so no need to fight over anything anymore.

2. Antiques Roadshow. Everyone now wants to find treasures for nothing, just like most of the antiques on that tv show. Heaven forbid they should pay a fair price for an antique.

3. Market Warriors. A show by the creators of the Antiques Roadshow. Every week, those dealers lost thousands of dollars on their antique show buys. Never mind that most dealers wouldn't turn to an auction gallery to sell their inventory for a profit.

posted 11-27-2015 03:02 PM            

asheland, doc, taloncrest, Polly, vathek, chicagosilver, agleopar, dragonflywink, nutmegr, FredZ, agphile, Hose_dk, seaduck, seaduck, Martine, ahwt, FWG, flabob

===================

Also

quote:

---

There are lots of languishing UN-replied posts in nearly all the forums. I am sure many of those posts deserve discussion or at least a second thought.

---

posted 12-09-2015 02:40 PM            

The discussion has resulted in the green boxes changes in the main & New Members forums, How to post photos, SSFPG step by step, and the registration page.

All great changes & improvements and necessary.

To all those who contributed and helped (many of the above) .. Thank you.

There has also been some discussion on SSF/ASGP paradigm - is it time to change? but the above mention changes were related and had to be addressed first. Hopefully we will get back to discussing SSF/ASGP paradigm - is it time to change?.

If you want to join the discussion please let me know. No Lurkers please.

posted 12-21-2015 10:09 AM            

Thanks to everyone who took the time to make the suggestions.

posted 01-07-2016 02:38 PM            

Silver Caucus Room #2
SSF/ASGP paradigm - is it time to change?
What to do discussion.

posted 01-13-2016 11:56 AM            

I am still getting locked out of the caucus room. I was getting ready to jump into the conversation yesterday and didn't get a chance to post. I apologize if the delay got my access revoked.

posted 02-13-2016 11:23 AM            

I want to thank those who have recently been regulars in the public forums as this has allowed me to slow down my worry/concerns. Some of you are participating the silver caucus room and others (like Kimo) are helping without being apart of the silver caucus room discussion. Thanks to everyone.

If the current active participation by you and everyone else can be maintained then I will leave things as they are until the participation once again wanes.