Staying motivated during slow business is a difficult situation to conquer! Planning ahead for upcoming craft shows is like shaking that Magic Eight Ball and hoping for positive answers. Will my items fly off my booth shelves? "Ask me again later. . .". Will I be successful or strike out miserably and leave with my ego bruised and low spirits?
I listened to a wonderful podcast last night about successful marketing for art and craft vendors. This advice applies to more than just online sales, and it really added some insight into the inner fears artists face while promoting their goods. Nobody likes rejection. It's just that simple. Do my fears of success hold me back? Am I my own worst enemy?
As I ponder these questions, I think back to the days of art school and critiques. I would pour all my energy and creativity into a painting or sculpture, present it with a feeling of accomplishment (and shaky confidence), hoping for positive feedback and a good grade. And suddenly, my bubble bursts. . .Despite my best efforts, sometimes the outcome wasn't as planned. :(
Creating art isn't like passing a math test. If I made an F on a test, I was the only one to blame. Poor planning leads to poor results. Art is much more subjective. Add in personal experience, style, composition, color choice, mix them up, and find the combination you're looking for. Put all of you into your work, your spirit, your energy, your soul, and put yourself out there!
That's some scary stuff! As I approach upcoming art shows, it feels like I'm looking out over a cliff, gazing into the horizon in front of me. My husband always gets onto me for being so nervous. . .I get wound up into a ball of nervous energy before every show, dwelling on the "what ifs".
I'm participating in more shows this year than I've ever done, and four of these shows are my first time attending. Nothing stings more than a bad show. I wince thinking back to my last one, watching the vendor next to me make bank, faking a smile. Scott, my husband, says, "There will be bad shows. It's not you." Easy for him to say.
And as for keeping momentum, preparing for success is key. While things may be slow right now, I'm gonna be a busy girl in the next few months. Now my fear is running out of inventory, and that's a good fear to have! Juggling gallery inventory and shows, starting an online store, and preparing for what lies ahead are my current goals. This train is chugging along. Slow and steady will win this race, but in order to succeed, I've gotta pick up the pace!
Regards,
Lauren
Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/people/LaurenBauschOriginal?ref=si_pr
Upcoming shows:
Power's Crossroads: Newnan, GA: Labor Day Weekend
Governor's Tourism Bureau Conference Show: Macon, GA
Shakerag Festival: Peachtree City GA
Cotton Pickin Fair:Gay, GA
Merritt Pottery Festival: Roberta, GA
wow ok so its not just me. I have done hundreds of shows and everyone I am as nervous as the very first one! my husband doesnt get it either, he always asks me whats wrong with me, you've done hundreds of shows, why are you so nervous he says. I don't know I just am!!!! You nailed it right on the head though, because there are good shows and bad shows and I can only hope that this one is going to be a good one and the nerves come in as you have that self doubt, the what if's...... it is scary putting ones self out there like that. I try to forget about the bad ones as if they never ever happened, just block them out lol Good luck with all of yours!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo, you are so right! Bad shows will force an artist to quit before they have ever even started! The first show I ever did was uber-successful! It was back in better economic times, but my booth was crap, and my work wasn't spectacular! In this economy, it's even that much tougher! I have a much more professional boot and better work, but I don't do that much better. I do try to block out the bad ones! It helps! But, nothing compare to the devastating blow of a bad show!
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