Life is filled with excuses.
Mine — at the moment — relate to the fact that I haven't found made time to keep up with my journal here.
Unfinished Alchemy Stones, getting a good washing!
Because... I have been sick, and then it was Thanksgiving, and we had houseguests, and... and...
This, perhaps, is the basic essence of life. There is always "something else" clamoring for our attention, particularly if the artistic and creative is not our primary occupation.
And it's not mine.
Although I would LIKE it to be...
It is that time of the year when my creative email account gets bombarded with all kinds of "offers" to help me market my art business... almost all of which involve some variation of "just send us a bunch of money and THEN we will help you... and we might not even succeed!"
Maybe I have grown excessively cynical, but I am more inclined to leave my marketing to myself. At least that part is free, except for what we might call the "opportunity cost" of worrying about marketing and spending time with it... that could be spent actually creating, instead.
Anyways...
Our first true Holiday Market event is right around the corner... this coming Friday and Saturday, with (some) setup possible on Thursday evening.
It's a local venue where I have sold many times before, and whereas it tends to be fairly small scale, it's usually a well worthwhile way to kick off the season. Or, as some people might say, "that's $500 you wouldn't have had, otherwise!"
Am I feeling well prepared?
Not exactly. I have a pretty good stock, but there are still some pretty gaping holes in what I have to offer for sale, but "it will do." The biggest holes are in the area of small inexpensive "impulse items" which are actually very important... even though they are a pain in the rear to make, because of the quantities involved.
I will likely be spending a couple of days painting, so I can bring the items in on Friday morning, and likely price them "on site," as the event goes. With smaller events there are invariably dead periods where I can tend to "busy work."
Naturally, I hope we do really well. It has been a long time since I have had a significant "upside surprise" at an event — pre-Covid, to be exact — so it seems like we are due!
I appreciate you coming to visit and please do leave a comment if you feel so inclined!
Thank You!
If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out The Hive Rocks Project and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!
Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a part time living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!
My Alchemy Stones Patreon appeal
Alchemy Stones web site and blog
Regardless, your upvotes and comments are always appreciated!
Thank you for supporting independent art & creativity!
2024.12.01 AS-TXT-295/265