My husband's family and I have been totally overwhelmed with dealing with family life this past week. My dear mother-in-law has undergone major back surgery. Anyone would struggle with the recovery, but Sue is in her seventies. My husband, Scott, has been distant these past few days, but his face reveals the immense pressure and anxiety he's facing with his mom in this condition. I feel totally helpless right now. All I can do is show my support and stay with her at the hospital. I've married into a wonderful family.
As far as art goes, I'm too drained to even think about it. After spending a day at the hospital, helping in every way that I can, it was all the energy and strength I could muster to complete an etsy listing and reload a kiln. We're keeping Sue in our thoughts ad prayers, and the art can wait!
God bless to all!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Increasing Pace! This Train is Coming!
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
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
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
So New to the World Wide Web!
So, here's my first ever blog...Be patient with me! Afterall, I'm a newbie!
As a crafter and full-time artist in this dwindling economy, one must evolve and pursue unfamiliar territory to reach a larger audience!
A wise man once said, possibly in1920, "If they build it, they will come!" Well, I think he would say today, "If you promote it, they will come!" And promoting wisely is a must! This can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with online sales.
I'm an expert at online purchasing though!:)
I started an etsy shop a little over a month ago.Of course I assumed it would be far easier than planned...And my momma always said, "If you assume. . .". You can finish that one for me! I've been thoroughly researching tidbits for crafters and newbies to etsy like me. I've joined teams, posted in forums, and created treasuries ( a collection of favorite items by other sellers). I was thrilled to be included in a couple of treasuries! I felt like I had won the etsy lottery!
Through all my research and inquiries in chat rooms I discovered a common theme. . .Well, besides SEO, analytics, and all that mumbo jumbo...Patience! Everyone preaches the importance of being patient. In this high tech generation, it's not good enough to sell a product you love and support. Online sales is not an instant gratification kinda thing. . .And let's face it, it's far easier to click out of an online shop than to go to an actaul "geographically-located" store and leave abruptly without being noticed!
I'll be persistent and patient and see where this train takes me. Fingers crossed! Full speed ahead!
"Today is the day!" -Mel Fisher
Regards,
Lauren Bausch
http://www.etsy.com/people/LaurenBauschOriginal?ref=si_pr
Follow me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=50500544
As a crafter and full-time artist in this dwindling economy, one must evolve and pursue unfamiliar territory to reach a larger audience!
A wise man once said, possibly in1920, "If they build it, they will come!" Well, I think he would say today, "If you promote it, they will come!" And promoting wisely is a must! This can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with online sales.
I'm an expert at online purchasing though!:)
I started an etsy shop a little over a month ago.Of course I assumed it would be far easier than planned...And my momma always said, "If you assume. . .". You can finish that one for me! I've been thoroughly researching tidbits for crafters and newbies to etsy like me. I've joined teams, posted in forums, and created treasuries ( a collection of favorite items by other sellers). I was thrilled to be included in a couple of treasuries! I felt like I had won the etsy lottery!
Through all my research and inquiries in chat rooms I discovered a common theme. . .Well, besides SEO, analytics, and all that mumbo jumbo...Patience! Everyone preaches the importance of being patient. In this high tech generation, it's not good enough to sell a product you love and support. Online sales is not an instant gratification kinda thing. . .And let's face it, it's far easier to click out of an online shop than to go to an actaul "geographically-located" store and leave abruptly without being noticed!
I'll be persistent and patient and see where this train takes me. Fingers crossed! Full speed ahead!
"Today is the day!" -Mel Fisher
Regards,
Lauren Bausch
http://www.etsy.com/people/LaurenBauschOriginal?ref=si_pr
Follow me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=50500544
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