Going to Chattanooga....

'The Only Explanation'

I'm going to be going to the Chattanooga Market this Sunday to sell my artwork. I'm really looking forward to it. It's about 2 1/2 hours from my house so it's going to be a quite a little drive. I enjoy driving though so it should be ok. The Chattanooga Market's on Sundays so I'll still be able to do the Saturday market in Knoxville. This represents a big step in branching out for me. I've only sold (in person) in Knoxville so heading over to Chattanooga is the next step in my Big Plan. The Big Plan involves selling my artwork across the United States, not through my online shop but through travelling to art shows and markets and helping everyone find their 'happy place artwork' =). I've sold across the US in my online shop (+ Ireland, England, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and Alaska) so I know there is an interest in places outside my local area, it just a matter of focusing and building up enough inventory to make it worth my while expense wise to do it. I generally just sell prints of my work at the markets with the occasional canvas but I'm going to have to build up a good canvas inventory to sell since they bring in more money. My goal is to get every single photograph printed onto a large canvas and paint it. I have a good start, but I have to organize my time better so I can spend more time in my studio. I absolutely love the process of recreating digital layers with acrylic paint - it adds a lot of depth and uniqueness to each piece.

I'll post and let you know how the Chattanooga Market goes...from what I hear, it's a very artsy market so I'm hoping all will go well! I just hope I don't get lost getting there....

The Kingdom of Procrastination....

'Imaginary Dandelions'

Am I the only one who visits there occasionally (or, OK, often maybe) ? I'm really trying to get some large boxes together to ship some framed photography in but I'm sitting here blogging instead. I think my rationalizing starts with 'well, I'll just check my Etsy shop while I print out these labels' which leads to, 'hmmm, I really wanted to post in my blog today, let me do that right quick', which is followed by 'wow, it's 2:30 already, I think I better eat lunch'......meanwhile the labels finished printing an hour ago and I'm still sitting here with open boxes ready to be sealed, labeled and taken to the post office which of course closes at 4:00. Did I mention that I've been trying to get these boxes to Michigan for at least a month now? LOL. Don't worry, it's not an order from a customer, nothing like that. It's an open ended agreement as far as their arrival date with a gallery/shop up there. First I didn't know how to best package them (six large framed photos with glass). I finally figured that out but didn't have the right sized boxes. Then there was the money issue because I knew it was going to cost a lot to ship them and I mysteriously stopped having sales in my Etsy shop and at the farmer's market. They've picked back up this week though so I feel more comfortable about going ahead and shipping them. Then I went all over town yesterday to see if I could find boxes to ship them in that I didn't have to purchase but nothing was to be found in the size I needed (at least 20"x20"). So I finally caved in and went to office max and paid for one. Now it's just getting it all together and to the post office. Sheesh, why do I have to make things so difficult?

Now, I think I'm going to go downstairs and get that lunch...




'Sunny Side Up'




'Imaginary Dandelions Part Deux'

Quote for Today...

"Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work."
- Rita Mae Brown


I think this applies in so many ways to having a shop or working for yourself. Don't hope more than you work....this says to me not be so worried about having sales or who is coming to your shop that you forget why you even wanted this life in the first place. You wanted it to be creative on a daily basis. To enjoy your photography or your painting or your jewelry making (pick your own creative passion) - if you spend all your time hoping instead of creating then you've lost your focus. Trusting your instinct, well, that goes without saying. Without that, creativity is pretty much impossible.

Coming Soon - Notecards!

I'm in the process of creating a line of handmade notecards for my shop. I'm taking an actual 5x5 photograph and adhering it to cardstock. Most will be blank inside although some will have words depending on whether the photograph lends itself to that. I'm also making the envelopes from vintage books, each on will be absolutely one of a kind. I should have some photos of them up this week. I'm excited about it!