I met Karen and Victor Ruddy my first evening of the SAMA 2011 conference – that was Tuesday evening after registration training. They were sitting at a table outside watching folks come and go. Victor spoke to me as I passed. I smiled and responded. Within moments I was seated at their table and we were deep in conversation about the conference and all the upcoming events.
Victor and Karen are snowbirds from Iowa wintering in south TX. Karen had heard the conference was being held here in Austin and they made a spur of the moment decision to attend. We talked about the various workshops still available, great places to eat and things they should see and do while in Austin. I left them discussing the possibilities. The following week was a blur and I saw Karen only once over the next few days. We both attended Sonia King's Substrates, Adhesives and Materials workshop.
Saturday afternoon I ran into the Ruddys again just as they were getting in their car for the drive south. They were “conferenced out" and ready to get back to normal. Victor told me that the Austin SAMA conference was one of the best run conferences of any kind he’d ever been to and that we were all just the nicest folks. He insisted I tell “whoever runs this thing” and I did pass it along to Dawnmarie.
The conference was a major achievement in more ways than one and we should all be proud of our individuals parts in it. We never know who is watching or when we'll have an impact on someone. The Ruddys left here with pleasant memories and excellent impressions of SAMA and Austin and the wonderful people that make up both. I'd say it was definitely a success!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Preparing for Martin Cheek
I'm still somewhat giddy over yesterday's opportunity to help pack smalti for Martin Cheek's upcoming smalti classes at Artisan Stained Glass. He will be teaching a beginner class this coming weekend - Feb 12-13 - and an intermediate/advanced class Feb 20-22. Yes, I got to fondle all the gorgeous smalti and drool over the wide selection of colors! Ah, the golds were just stunning and the vintage ones were so cool. WANT!
We poured different colors into buckets, mixed them pretty thoroughly then scooped the mix into 1 lb bags. It was fun and we all daydreamed about the mosiacs we'd create using these wonderful tiles. A particular vintage gold made me think of Erté and his long, lovely ladies. I can't begin to describe the old rich look or that bumpy texture but you'd get it if you saw it. Very art deco! Makes me wish I'd have taken some pictures of it all while it was spread across that 4' x 6' table.
Martin also sent a bunch of his fused glass creations over for use in those upcoming classes. I did take a few pictures of them. Mainly because I'll be taking his class this weekend but I have absolutely no idea what I want to make for myself. Everything I've ever made has been for sale, or it's been a gift for someone, but this one I'm keeping. Oh yes, this one's just for me! So, now I'm stumped for a design concept because I'm not used to thinking in terms of what I like. I do know that I like butterflies. They make my heart and spirit soar! But I don't know if I'm ready to tackle something that difficult in a short 2-day class. OK, I have to stop worrying about it or I'll get nauseous; I'm so not prepared. I'll probably just go with the flow and pray for divine inspiration.
Yes, I have a plan!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For Martin Cheek:
http://www.martincheekmosaics.com/
For Artisan Stained Glass:
http://www.artisanglass.us/home.html
For Erté:
http://www.erte.com/
We poured different colors into buckets, mixed them pretty thoroughly then scooped the mix into 1 lb bags. It was fun and we all daydreamed about the mosiacs we'd create using these wonderful tiles. A particular vintage gold made me think of Erté and his long, lovely ladies. I can't begin to describe the old rich look or that bumpy texture but you'd get it if you saw it. Very art deco! Makes me wish I'd have taken some pictures of it all while it was spread across that 4' x 6' table.
Martin also sent a bunch of his fused glass creations over for use in those upcoming classes. I did take a few pictures of them. Mainly because I'll be taking his class this weekend but I have absolutely no idea what I want to make for myself. Everything I've ever made has been for sale, or it's been a gift for someone, but this one I'm keeping. Oh yes, this one's just for me! So, now I'm stumped for a design concept because I'm not used to thinking in terms of what I like. I do know that I like butterflies. They make my heart and spirit soar! But I don't know if I'm ready to tackle something that difficult in a short 2-day class. OK, I have to stop worrying about it or I'll get nauseous; I'm so not prepared. I'll probably just go with the flow and pray for divine inspiration.
Yes, I have a plan!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For Martin Cheek:
http://www.martincheekmosaics.com/
For Artisan Stained Glass:
http://www.artisanglass.us/home.html
For Erté:
http://www.erte.com/
Friday, January 7, 2011
A New Year and a New Dilemma
Business, especially the financial aspect, is something that mosaic artists don't really talk about in public. Or even really quietly to each other. We all keep it very confidential. Art isn't like being a plumber or mechanic where there's an industry standard; cost of the part + $xx/hr for labor = THE BILL. Art pricing is based on the vision in your head, the design process to get it out of your head and onto the substrate; plus all the various materials to be used and then, there's the labor, which can be very intensive but it also encompasses your skill level. A first year neophyte isn't going to command the same price as an experienced artist with 20 years behind her. Which mechanic would you rather have working on your car? OK, so we tend to think our work is worth more because of all the bits and pieces that get added up. I don't think that's a wrong assumption exactly but it makes it difficult for a beginner to determine pricing on their work. I've been struggling with this myself for months now and it's not getting any easier.
We've already determined that my work is not going to fetch Sonia King, Lynne Chinn or Martin Cheek prices. For that matter, my work won't fetch the same prices as the majority of the members in the Austin Mosaic Guild. I'm just not at their skill level; I've only been doing this a year and it is what it is. However, I have set some very reasonable prices for my work but didn't get that either, which led to some "Rejection Depression." I've gotten over it, too. Let me just say that I've learned a considerable amount in the last year. As much as it irritates me to say so, Location is Everything. It's also just as important to know your market demographics, especially in your chosen location. That applies to all types of items being sold from stepping stones to belt buckles and jewelry. Location is more important than pricing because if your work isn't in the right location, you might as well give it away. More on this later...
With limited financial resources and the economy in the toilet, I'm doing my best to eke out a living. Last summer I rented booth space in a local gift shop. Rent wasn't much and the space is nicely sized. I chose an aisle end-cap so I didn't have to share wall space with someone else. It's much easier to showcase my art when there's nothing on either side to distract or detract from the art itself. It's been an enlightening experience and run the gamut of emotions. In a antique/gift shop, people expect to pay Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby prices for hand-made custom art unless it's really old or signed by Grandma Moses or both and that's completely unreasonable. I did sell some well-priced stepping stones this past summer but my other artwork, the wall art, didn't sell there at all. I removed every last piece of mosaic artwork from the gift shop and moved it down the street to Sol'stice Garden Expressions. The booth is now devoted to vintage and general home decor items. The year long lease ends in April.
My art is much happier at Sol'stice because the place is chock full of paintings, sculptures, furniture and every other conceivable kind of art you can imagine. It's all very beautiful and all very expensive. Last year when I moved everything to Chris's shop, his commission was at 70/30, the best anywhere around, AND there was no lease to sign either! The new year has brought new a commission at 60/40. I do realize this is typical for virtually all consignments shops. I am NOT complaining about Chris or any other consignment store; I want to make that crystal clear. I've helped run a small business and know all about the expenses incurred while doing it. It's also one of the reasons why my partners and I sold the company. It's an expensive prospect to run a business and make it profitable enough to support yourself. However, I am complaining about the consignment system itself, and that's for ALL items being consigned anywhere. There is a real lack of options for budding artists like myself. I want to help others learn from my mistakes and to help myself become a better artist, which will help me become a better business person, too. Besides, I'm just like everyone else and want to keep more of the money in my own pocket. With commissions and booth rental, it's been sad how little I've made on my own artwork. Prepare yourself for that aspect when you choose to walk this broken glass path. It's slow going and you just might starve.
So now, I'm looking at other ways to sell my artwork. I've taken a quick look at Etsy and I'm waiting for responses to the queries I've sent out to my friends. Doing my best to research before I leap these days. eBay is not the best place to sell expensive artwork unless it's signed by Monet. Local fairs are another way to make some money and I'll be checking into the ones that are held in my area; Founder's Day, Wimberley Trade Days and the huge Pecan Street Festival in downtown Austin. Plus, there's the allure of having my very own website. I do have one but there's nothing on it yet. It requires me to pick a free template and design it myself, pay for a nice template and design it myself or pay to have someone else do it for me. My head is spinning, my hives are itching me to death but most important of all, I really need a nap!
I'll keep you posted on my great art sales adventure. It's bound to be entertaining and fraught with wrong turns but hey, the journey is half the fun, right? Sure! So just follow me but not too closely so I don't lose you in a pitfall.
We've already determined that my work is not going to fetch Sonia King, Lynne Chinn or Martin Cheek prices. For that matter, my work won't fetch the same prices as the majority of the members in the Austin Mosaic Guild. I'm just not at their skill level; I've only been doing this a year and it is what it is. However, I have set some very reasonable prices for my work but didn't get that either, which led to some "Rejection Depression." I've gotten over it, too. Let me just say that I've learned a considerable amount in the last year. As much as it irritates me to say so, Location is Everything. It's also just as important to know your market demographics, especially in your chosen location. That applies to all types of items being sold from stepping stones to belt buckles and jewelry. Location is more important than pricing because if your work isn't in the right location, you might as well give it away. More on this later...
With limited financial resources and the economy in the toilet, I'm doing my best to eke out a living. Last summer I rented booth space in a local gift shop. Rent wasn't much and the space is nicely sized. I chose an aisle end-cap so I didn't have to share wall space with someone else. It's much easier to showcase my art when there's nothing on either side to distract or detract from the art itself. It's been an enlightening experience and run the gamut of emotions. In a antique/gift shop, people expect to pay Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby prices for hand-made custom art unless it's really old or signed by Grandma Moses or both and that's completely unreasonable. I did sell some well-priced stepping stones this past summer but my other artwork, the wall art, didn't sell there at all. I removed every last piece of mosaic artwork from the gift shop and moved it down the street to Sol'stice Garden Expressions. The booth is now devoted to vintage and general home decor items. The year long lease ends in April.
My art is much happier at Sol'stice because the place is chock full of paintings, sculptures, furniture and every other conceivable kind of art you can imagine. It's all very beautiful and all very expensive. Last year when I moved everything to Chris's shop, his commission was at 70/30, the best anywhere around, AND there was no lease to sign either! The new year has brought new a commission at 60/40. I do realize this is typical for virtually all consignments shops. I am NOT complaining about Chris or any other consignment store; I want to make that crystal clear. I've helped run a small business and know all about the expenses incurred while doing it. It's also one of the reasons why my partners and I sold the company. It's an expensive prospect to run a business and make it profitable enough to support yourself. However, I am complaining about the consignment system itself, and that's for ALL items being consigned anywhere. There is a real lack of options for budding artists like myself. I want to help others learn from my mistakes and to help myself become a better artist, which will help me become a better business person, too. Besides, I'm just like everyone else and want to keep more of the money in my own pocket. With commissions and booth rental, it's been sad how little I've made on my own artwork. Prepare yourself for that aspect when you choose to walk this broken glass path. It's slow going and you just might starve.
So now, I'm looking at other ways to sell my artwork. I've taken a quick look at Etsy and I'm waiting for responses to the queries I've sent out to my friends. Doing my best to research before I leap these days. eBay is not the best place to sell expensive artwork unless it's signed by Monet. Local fairs are another way to make some money and I'll be checking into the ones that are held in my area; Founder's Day, Wimberley Trade Days and the huge Pecan Street Festival in downtown Austin. Plus, there's the allure of having my very own website. I do have one but there's nothing on it yet. It requires me to pick a free template and design it myself, pay for a nice template and design it myself or pay to have someone else do it for me. My head is spinning, my hives are itching me to death but most important of all, I really need a nap!
I'll keep you posted on my great art sales adventure. It's bound to be entertaining and fraught with wrong turns but hey, the journey is half the fun, right? Sure! So just follow me but not too closely so I don't lose you in a pitfall.
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