As ever, stay hungry and curious.
My friend next door asked for something a little special. I think he wanted to know if I had any growth besides the butterflies. It happens in spurts, but I do. I pulled this one out of a bunch of loose leaf sketches I made between Texas and Kentucky. The quilt research I did using books for the Louisville, Ky library enlightened and introduced a range of skills to try. What lingers in my mind now is a penchant for quilts from around the world. Meanwhile this one is to answer one of the challenges I received earlier this year. This is not the final sketch. I have larger paper I'd like to develop other passages on.
As ever, stay hungry and curious. Dear Curious:
My friend told me that you would like to see the sketches from the early morning earlier this week. I am taking a chance as my fears linger about stolen designs and failures to copyright properly. I had planned to sit on the sketches till the actual pieces were done for however long that should take. Something about a dramatic entrance that takes root in my soul. A good surprise is good for everyone I think. So, the sketches succumbed to paper over about an hour. I had just completed looking over books on different Native American tribes. There is a handful in the library and I am grateful for it. Whatever I took notes on previously in the week finally arranged itself in my subconscious and I drew. The following is a photograph of the notes. The shading is incomplete on some of the drawings. You will no doubt figure that out. I have plans to create larger drawings per each and write out my construction and color notes. My goal is to use what I have and only that. To me that will strengthen my skills and whatever may be lacking may be made up in construction technique and execution. In other words, I'm ready for a longer stay per quilt. Timing is not an issue anymore. Beautiful execution is. Just to close on that note, I'm looking forward to that package of seed beads arriving. They'll go into the quilt drawn on the bottom left in a few asymmetrically placed bands of color. It may be ill appropriate for a bed after that point. Still the paired shapes stayed with me for days. Then I saw them substituted with bison hoof prints. Then I understood. I was still training and The Medicine Wars Project came alive to me again. I wish I still had my poster of animal prints. If I remember correctly, it ranged from marsupials to buffalo in ink on white paper. Instinct and spirit has me find these things, but I can never seem to keep them. Time and time enough. I had what I needed for the time. Someone else may have needed that knowledge just as much as I did. Good lessons become ingrained in the mind, spirit and soul. As ever, stay hungry and curious. Confirmation at 9:30p.m.... message received!
Dear person who gave me a little bit to look up on peanuts and dolls: , this is a dear thanks to you. I'm checking for insecticide issues and granule size. The inquiry email just went off to a corporation for specs and other assorted none such. I also started mining for a source, to see if there is a civil war pattern, oral or written wandering around these United States. If this works, I'll be weaning my dependency off of plastics. No matter how affordable they are. 100% recycled and as close to the earth as possible is something that was lingering in my mind, but not fully realized. So totally, (wo)man, Thank You so much! Lastly I'll have to write a disclaimer and warning for the sake of allergens. Friend also minded me to maybe put a tag on the doll for adults only, if not for that sake only. Meanwhile I have designs skipping through my head like Sugar Plums. My last bag of buckwheat hulls is not alone after all. Still if the former is cheaper than $3.00 a pound I may purchase a manageable amount. I'm not feeding cattle on the range, its the 'burbs for me. Buckwheat hulls are non-allergin according to the website. I am debating slowly and meanwhile I'll wait for the contact. One way or another the frugal buyer I am tends to realize art is a business. Nextis scrounging for my sales tax certificate number, so as not to get caught at both ends. Oh the questions are flooding the brain, indeed. Copyright N.A. Jones 2014 Got back an hour ago from running errands. I need to change the time in my car. I thought I had been gone for most of the morning while I had only been out an hour or two. While wondering if it was lunch time, I could not figure out for the life of me where people were. No lines and all the store were practically dead. The early bird catches the worm.
Got the templates as Kinko's printed based on the files I created this morning. I also bought Fixatif for Boreal Hail Ring. The little things count along with paying bills. Nothing is decisively left on the agenda for today and I may chuck all things visual in for the day and write for a change. A few more days to let my arms rest and recoup. Old problem seem to resolve themselves in the quiet. Clearing the slate regularly can help. Hope you are well and warm in the chill of November. As ever, stay hungry and curious. Today seems to be a loose ends day. I was up before the sun, fiddling around in the dark trying to figure out if I wanted to get up, or to try for another round of dreams. For the split second that last on came the light and it was up and at 'em tiger till sun up. I'm back on the Medicine Quilts and I've pushed my envelope a little bit. The night before I bedded late in frustration to not being tired. I cleaned out some old stitch work and then it clicked to prepare for the next piece. Medicine Quilt II and the Crow lingered in the back of my mind the previous week. I took action around midnight and set up. The templates and test I do were still in the bag, so I revisited old stitches to use in the remainder of the quilting. After rummaging, I found my American Crow stitch was really a Northern Cardinal. I nearly broke in half. I swore I was ready to move on. Apparently not. My stitch research was not that solid and the small yield I had from Christmas seemed futile to approach. After that disappointment I looked for my pictures of various foot prints, so I could not only understand what I had done, but also to fix it and yield other options. Basically I'm hooked on the rhythmic title "Crow water dance waist high in lightening seeds". I cannot give up the main attraction, so Luis coached my nerves into embroidery. I deconstructed the design and rebuilt the tracks in common English embroidery stitches. In my search for stitch dictionaries, over the past ten or so years, I have not found anything like what I have started producing. I plan on moving through other bird's characteristic track and sign as well. Learning the medicine will come in acting out that determination. Honestly, despite my temporary let down with the Rauschenburg combines, with quilting I think I've got something. At least another nugget of sign and symbol to embed in the work whether quilting or two dimensional pursuits.
Aside: Do not mistake my disappointment with the combines as a act of hate. ON the contrary I love them. It is the push to be novel and original that some times gets me in a tizzy. He has been where I thought I was going/have been. After looking at those works, my M.F.A. show show in 2004 does not seem so out of place. On the contrary, his mastery my lead me on to another cue. Not for mimicry, but philosophy. I may find a well of information in his life to process that would aid my own. On to the next book for me and hopefully be Christmas. BTW: The photograph is up and my challenge is complete. Well almost. After DQS 2015, then it will/might be over. I'm refraining of any comments. All artists are harder on their work that their viewers. When you work with something that close and you have a hinge of perfection that you turn on, it is bound to be ugly when it is finally torn from you hands. Even in realizing that it is finished is difficult. The link is as follows in Quilting Arts 2014. Warning: At the moment I have no space that can manage a proper photograph for items larger than 100" in either direction. So bear with the awkwardness of the display. I'll be sizing down in the future for that reason and for DQS. Meanwhile I am headed back to finishing off what I've already got pin basted. Four up and several left to prepare. I'll get through my old tops one way or another. They deserve it. So I've been playing Contractor and Real Estate Agent in the studio. I've been sketching for about eight months on and off. Then I went nose to the grindstone to make 2-D into 3-D successfully. I never took lessons in sculpture, this is a primitive wares and primitive thought processes. I got reminded of 18th century toys I've seen at museums between here and the East Coast. Maybe its the green French Toile print that lent the mood, but adding on the gables/awnings was a modern feat to try. I couldn't resist. My gnomes house to the left was the first to come off the work table finished but still needing a push. After fracturing several brain cells I figured my way through the house on the right. The roof structure was something I fantasized without putting it down on paper. Straight to drafting templates and the rest was tempered guess work.
A kind person suggested I sell these as singles for craft show and such. I was afraid they would only have context and meaning in the mixed media pieces I am currently playing into a series in my head. Hold on and I have courage and a sense to increase the size. These are both less than 5 inches square. Yeah, tight corners for these little hands. After I make it through all the test sizes, I'll start in on a more colorful batch from my scrap bins endowed with a little more finesse. These below are made from paper backed fabric. Even though they hold their body well, with the thickness of the paper, they are a bitch to hand sew for finishing. I have a solution and will move forward with it by next month. Just remembered: 1. I bought two architectural encyclopedia from a library book sale. I'll have more forms and shapes to cull from paper. Good day in the studio today. Very good day. 2. Got to find my notes on making a book about home and/vs. house. This is prime. 3. Thank you to Mr. Anonymous who encouraged me about pricing sight unseen. I'm still wondering what the market can handle and yes, remembering not to devalue my work or myself. You are very appreciated. 4. A little bit where I'm at, but not quite. Take a lookylooky at Spirit Houses. These are ceramic. There are other to find on google and bing. So, I pushed a little bit and went beyond my schedule for today. Deep in my somewhere I am happy and I still hear my inner critic resounding about burying knot and the perpetual freying of fabrics old enough to make my grandparent seem like toddlers. Yes, I have learned there are inherent dangers in what I do and I will learn to understand them and use them to my advantage. For a few days I've come to the conclusion that if I ever have enough money to by quilter's cottons fresh from the manufacturer, I just might reject the opportunity. Working with the down, low and cheap as you can go is an adventure, but more importantly a political platform I did not understand the inner emotions of till I started working this way. People call me green sometimes and I'm honored, but I don't feel it is justly earned as of yet. Not that I have to recycle my own waste into gardening and don hemp instead of cotton. I still feel I have a ways to go to be competent in this. I'll get there. Mastery in time and I believe I have a little bit more. Short to tell: I finished prepping the Dallas Quilt Guild Submission and he's ready for delivery. A last today was my tear in time (see below). He'll be one of my submission for another show. I took a chance to post because I've been talking about it for some time dangling promises of photographs like carrots on a pole to a burrow. Either way I'm willing to suffer the consequences if so. Yet, I must remember that I enter these competitions more to show than to win a ribbon, but boy wouldn't that be nice. Meanwhile I'll be hounding the ether to get ready for a State Fair entry. It'll be what I am working on right now. I like my method so far and think it deserves to be seen on a broader level. Out of my comfort zone twice for this year. Thinking forward. I must say though, the quilts never look the same in your hand as when they are pinned up. I'm floored. Addendum: I totally forgot to tell you that the Medicine Quilt is completely hand quilted with embroidery floss and other embroidery threads. The base principle was to use variations of red. That inclination was born from trying to make a deadline for the Dallas Quilt Show's red challenge and I missed horribly, so it sits here till further notice. The stitches are straight like in Kantha-style quilting and then there are the embroidery stitches I created from looking at bird tracks and signs. Upon close examination you will find the Killdeer's and Pileated Woodpecker's tracks making designs all over the quilt. As they are in variations of red over variation of warm tones, you will not see it easily from a distance. I enjoy this quality of the quilting process as it makes you look at the quilt from varying angles and come to know the piece intimately. Maybe the technique is a variation on crazy quilting, I 'm not one well versed enough in quilting history to cite chapter and book. Final thoughts: Building a person style and angle in quilting may be a direction I want to head. Agenda 2014-2016: The Medicine Wars to write and medicine quilts to explore. Medicine Quilt I: Pileated Woodpecker
Sun's gone down and I'm going into fifth gear to finish. I did not get as far as I would have liked, but I had to stop. Time... running out and my hands are a bit strained to do the detail work the last ornament needs. Prototypes and I've learned a lot, especially in the finishing off and construction. I'm looking forward to making more, but for now I want to shift into the other designs and challenge my brain. Ornaments galore. I'll be putting in time online and at the library to learn about the beginnings of ornaments and ornamentation for holy days and otherwise. My tribal inclinations have me directed towards grounding my ideas and seeing if I can make a broader connection with past societies and their religious and spiritual artifact that may or not be preserved through time. Translation into more doodads and a broader range of fabrics. If I move back into installation work one day. Here be an anchor. I'm remembering and the memories are good. I even have a series to pursue to honor my biological father. He is still alive and shares his memories so I may learn from them as well. Provided I don't get too side tracked from my own life, its worth the journey and the honor to complete it. Seeing through his eyes is colorful but it is a Indian red or sepia tone always clouds my vision when I listen to him talk over the phone. Simply, sometimes I hear with my eyes.
It is cold and I digress again. What I wanted to let you know as well is I'm moving onto the next experiment. If I finish things off well they'll be produce for craft shows Fall 2014 or sooner on Etsy. Meanwhile the fabric is sorted and I'm onto highly decorated pillows. Some herbal and others highly embroidered and worked in a crazy quilt method. From what I have sorted it looks like another Kantha is in order. My heart is telling me to edition in Kantha style. I really truly don't want to argue. Have a good, no, great night. A friend told me months ago to mature in my artist persona. He suggested I stop posting the journey and that the destination was what the viewing public wanted to see. He has since then changed his mind and I too am missing our regular chats and interface on line. Still I do feel an edge of reliving second grade and coming home screeching "Look what I did! Look what I did!" If it makes me juvenile I'll gladly be convicted. If we are still here to learn from and teach one another that is the spot I'll sit in till recess. Basically: Breakthrough. Honestly the stitch is where I thought I'd always sit and now it is the weave as well. A good pairing. Now,I'm also reliving fabric and paint experiments from grad school in my head. I'm committed to the point where cleaning out and making room in storage spaces has been the only thing that amused for the beginning of November. It's not about making more just to make. Yet, maybe I should fill the sketchbook instead with the stories I want to tell out of fabric, thread ideas eternal not dead. Hmph. Working smaller and more detailed not just ornate. All original designs with traditional approaches. Still we get what we can when the second hand store is good to us. We do what we can when the muse strikes us down and tells us to wait. We heal , we repair, we daydream and wait. Supply run coming to finish out what I've been making for the past 4 years. I say it once a year at least. I try and get distracted. I have cause and reason to steer the course though the end of next year: support and building contacts. Being relatively shy doesn't help except patience comes easier. Later and Happy Holidays. I checked my notes and the insect design for the quilt i the previous post. The quilt should be properly named Cicada Kachina. I made the change to the original blog post today. I apologize if this caused any problems.
Thanks again for visiting the site and feel free to explore. Ok. I've devolved into editing and making a choice to let it flow as it can.
Name change from The Medicine Wars to the American Underground or the word an will preclude instead of the. I'm starting to see it form better. Working on a minor character since Friday. I'm getting more committed to finish than before. Taking time out and attending to life other than the studio. Still its hard to turn complete and focus otherwise. Got things prepping up for #5. Four will be a little different than using natural finds. Still good either way you look at it. Broaden the series base and subject. Play and lengthen. I'm sure I'll be able to come back to this series later in the years. Just keep thinking to move beyond the sum total of parts and surpass expectations for unity, should I chose that means. The series title is decided and all of the pieces have names. It is called Cell Line and you can find it under Current Work. Please feel free to gaze. I added a few detail shots for all. That seems so important when building a sculptural look. Each perspective of the pieces are different. Shifting gears to sewing for the remainer of the week. I have plenty of hand work to go around for years. I'll be working on old projects. I may finish this one wall hanging in time for the Arts Market. FYI: The garment rack is purchased. Now I have a place to display the quilts and wall hangings rather than folded up and stored till requested. Aside: I'm happy with the skills I acquired over the past four years, still I seek the refinement in classic designs, especially sound execution. I have room to play with art quilt design and construction, still I like a bit of the familiar. Though I'll be sticking my neck out on designs this year; I'll be trying to develop a signature style. I got lost in boot camp for a bit. I've been out for a few days and more loose ends are popping up. Marketing issues that I have to pursue a little more earnestly. I found the ArtBiz blog and have signed up for regular emails/newsletters. I learned so much over the first installment that I stuck with it. I do what I can feasibly do in my own time and capability. Expanded services cost, but I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone. I was not ready to invest in the literature, but I will start looking at this point. I would like to find more options and avenues for what I do and services I can offer. The timing is about right as well. I was in the library world full-time, now I have my love to look after instead and that requires more refinement and practical job skills for the career/hobby. Below is the woodblock I've carved to use in this series. It is a bit akin to patterning in "abjure" from the Interloper series. It is an interpretation of a whole note hanging on a notation bar. I have another panel to carve to represent variations on a theme. I am not ready to use them and am convinced slightly I may not have to. The series is progressing slowly and methodically. I'm able to refine passages with confidence as I learn how to sit down again. The key is not to be in a hurry and focusing on one passage at all allow for greater detail and a stronger push and pull on the paper. With detailing I noticed I buried more passages and developed more surfaces to crest. Three completed half sections follow the woodblock. One assist to my work is suggested to simplify compositions and be wary if not forget bold colors. I'm not at fault at the last comments, but I have to consider the first. Just being wary of producing more by streamlining process, does not guarantee purchases. And if that is my staid and true technique, should I not stick with developing textural richness in the overall picture. It juts against my need for fetish, affectation and patterning. With all the care to detail, I wonder if I shouldn't just pack it all in and prepare my works for an archaeological dig. Work as if it no one is watching and nothing matters. Work out of a selfish need to leave a mark and make it 100% autobiographical. Then store it away somewhere and let some one else find it after I die. Nah. I know better. I like sharing my toys. I finished today. Hoorah! I am unhappy, knew I would be, but glad to be done. It is nothing like I thought it would be. Granted yes I did the top as well. It needs blocking to square, but I never do. Beating my head in that it is not a quilt. Still I had no way to satin stitch then. but why I did not wait was confidence in the wall hanging theory. Maybe I am just not used to looking at it yet. Much how the 2d pieces never come alive for me until I photograph. The back I love the design I made. There is a detail. Right not till I feel better, I do not think this will go up for sale. It'll be a present for someone. Love the abstraction and lacey feel in the center. hmmm. More work today on the sight. Pretty much tidied up and finished. Enjoy! Where I am at as of taking a break at 8 pm tonight. I'm an hour and a half in musing over responses to past work, gauging at a gaping hole of my public persona in larger circles, mainly linked in. Remember that my mother already has a market plan to work from in her head and I'm confused , daunted and wondering what does it really take beyond the work and kindness to interested parties. I conflict with her comments, but I always learn something. It is the purse pursuit and the 2-D work and trying to get them to work together. They seem disparate to me, but I have two different visions it seems for each. All depending on what the materials can do. So I'm here now posting cause a friend wanted to see where my mind was at and what I was working on, as I have not touched the studio in about three months. I sewed instead. I concentrated and broke through some of my problems in craft. Namely measure everything and try to gauge for stretching. Noting my pricing structure all around and now I know to the heart why labor always cost so much and even if I lived in a third work country I'd be pricing out the same proportionately.
My friend worries for me as I'm shifting gears again. And I might lose myself for all its worth or never find where I left off. I'm at painting again. Layig the collage ground first and moving on. I have one gessoed from when I wrapped up months ago, but I wanted to start fresh. Doing the third I 'll have the first pass at the run complete, all that will be left is oils. Speaking of which I need to clear the wall and hammer nails to have room to work on the table. I'll have a run of five and grounding for the larger works coming. Here are my concerns: I've been told to consider more than three shows a year. In term of creation time I do not thing more than four may work. First: I do not want to be prepping for a show all year round. Meaning I'm only working on items for the show, everything else falls away. Namely the painting. Second: I do not want to get into a situation I'm cutting corner to cut cost and to make faster. Third: I'm concerned about putting out less than what would be a full show. Low stock. I do not think that is a good idea. Having several choices and varied at that, I believe is a good approach. What chimes in my ear is the women from the last craft show I was at. Every year they say keep it looking full, which is what the customer's like. I'm learning and get conflicting statements from people, so any input would be welcomed. Below I am a hour and a half in. that is about half way for the layout. I'll show again when it is complete with the layout. Hope your day has been well. Enjoy! Finished the last Carrier Pigeon for the run and started in on finishing off. Clipping the hairs of the dog, securing lining to outside among other things and carefully brushing down the pile. If it was no for the fact that I had errands today, I wonder why I am tired. Only 4 or 5 hours today and I know the long days will soon take a toll on me. Rest. Divine, sweet and replete. I'll work on finishing off for the rest of the week at home and dig into the last quilt design starting tomorrow. I'm looking forward to designing the borders. One of those heat erase pens I seek in my future. I have washable crayons but it depends on what fabric I use how easy the mark goes on. I dodged a curve ball and stared at the green mat for a while shifting and grouping things desparate to figure out how do I add the Hmong dangly danglies, but in my own style. I half asses it, broke through the conundrum, forged ahead and hated it. Half assed it the second time and was told if I was going to do it, do it right or not at all. I tried again and like my results better. The peanut gallery won out. He siad keep trying and I did. I'm thankful to say the least. When I can afford the glass lampwork beads in bulk, I may get somewhere else. Meanwhile when I left the workroom I was struck and pleased by the tribal nature of the additions. I wonder if I need more ribbon hanging at equal lengths with it. If so I may have just enough. I'm also tempted to cut strips of fabric and use them raw. I hope it goes over well with customers. That would be a boon. I like how I use Christmas colors but not in a trite syrupy way. More to come in a few days. I'm expecting my packages for other orders getting ready for the show. Was I crazy to launch into production a month before. I am almost positive I do not have enough to make a good presentation. Just there is certain price point stuff I've gotta bulk up. That is on my mind. I promised to stop a week before show time, to rest and double check supplies, stock and setup. This is new to me, so please overlook the fretting. All in a days work of learning the art trade. BTW, Thanks for reading. You all are appreciated. I thought I would have a day to my self to sew and it turned out my location was taken with some other event. I was under the impression that it was open studio today, so I was a little bummed. Still fortune have it I was at JoAnn's and caught a 50% off sale on a major piece of the project I was working: Tassels. Knowing me I would not have gotten there till Monday otherwise and missed the sale. I'm happy, tired, sore, but I am done. All thirty are completed and sitting in a basket nestled onto of the larger type. I finished with out interruption in about 5 hours. I was busy recalculating overhead, supplies and labor. I'm thinking $12 even and a return on the other prices to original calculations. I can still make a good product at the lower price without feeling the pinch of materials costs to make quality goods. Yeah! I'm done.
Tools Box I went back up this afternoon. It's almost an hour drive either direction I go, back roads or main highway. It is just one way is scenic and the other is neon and gas stations between suburbs. Regardless, I always enjoy the drive. Testing took about 1/2 hour. I was a little daunted when the flywheel started to smoke while I was winding the bobbin. It stopped though. Figuring the satin stitch was what took time. I found the slightest of the setting and voila! This one is older than my grandmother's. I hope I can find the other parts for the different stitches. That would make me very happy. I'm off to find a darning foot in a day or so for free motion quilting to complete the find and save. It's heavy. I was told its called a mechanical machine i.e. no electronics. I'll service it in a few months, just in case. I'm happy. Also started quilting Switchback Ivy. It is going well if I do say so myself. I'm understanding how my design flows even though the first block had to be the test. the others flow much better and are more dynamic. The time on my feet wears at the heels though. It'll take longer than an hour with some all over designs. I'll have to make another Switchback Ivy eventually. Long Arming is an exercise in thinking, planning, taking immediate action and whole body coordination. I'm thankful to be able to use the machine. I can't wait till I really get good. Etsy posting is keeping me on my toes between all three blogs, maybe just maybe consolidating into one would work. But Constantine1983 is a storefront and certain boundaries shall not be crossed. It is not like you can't just click a button and jump to the digs right here. Here is a little deeper into artistic mind and the breakthroughs that keep you awake at night, craving tea and a 2B pencil. I sear the bees spirited it away and it is buried out in the garden. Commune with nature and the little people start stealing your stuff. I'm not complaining mind you, it just well, I wish I could fly away too sometimes. I finished up a couple of things and will be sharing them with you as well. Small photo session late this afternoon and I've been in the studio working on bags for Etsy for 4 hours and finishing the white color flats for another hour. I'll be cutting up a storm tomorrow evening. I pressed out more color for flats and found a box to go along with the bag. A little voice said purple, but I did not have enough to make a worth while dent in the stash. I'm debating the avalanche of material on my organized table. Piece every thoughtful size tucked in with sizable yardage. I have to sort there before I go any further if I want to stay organized. And I do. Still by the time I finish big projects, cleaning is the last thing on my mind. But I do it. Especially sweep out after every session. Everything should be up to date now as far as everything I've significantly worked on in the past three years. I realize this site need function like a portfolio as well and not just a visual log and record. Basically I need to edit or figure to mount a PowerPoint on CD and show that to galleries. It may seem like I am everywhere and nowhere but there is a rhyme and reason. Not to mention learning new techniques and figuring out how to use them to the best of my abilities. Ah yes, my taste for raku and clay work has not left. I'll have to tell you about a fortune telling entertainment tool I've design to work in clay. Not mocking a throw in cowrie shells but completely different.And not too akin to an Egyptian divination tool I saw once. Something different. It'll wait till I get the clay I'm sure. :) Mine mine mine. Its all mine and its growing. My stack of color flats that is. I made 10 more today. And I estimate about two yards in seamed fabric end to end. Its pressed and folded. I have one stack left to attack and I'll be finished. I can jump into the cutting down to sizes for simple quilts I'll design, leaving the lengths and flat fold for novel ideas and stretching my brain into different shapes. The first length of fabric quilted for purses is done (See blog Constantine1983). Now I know how to do this. I've been ass backwards for three years. Then again the long arm haws been outta commission for three years and at least a year and a half I did not know how to use it. Everything was done on the regular machine. I'm not knocking it. I have some serious meditative moments quilting on that. Now I can better and ease my process and take care to account for the original design and detailed artwork on the mola pieces. Yeah. My business is growing. Trying to move up from being a hobbyist. Sales Tax ID number is next. Wish me common sense! Last one. FiIIIINALLLLLLY. I have a stack of hand work to do. Basically to finish off the bindings. The back is toot suite. I should not have listened to my gut thinking the tension was threaded wrong. The guy just got paid $200 to fix it and he doesn't do it right? Peesh! It's going like a dream let me tell you. I'm fantasizing quilt designs and not doing overall designs but furgin detail baby. I just love it. I'm hooked. While I was off in never never land resting. which I still need a bit more... I've been preppin and its back to what it used to be. A soon as the good rest kicks in the pictres, the ideas, the epiphanies start and the roll all night till they let me sleep. What came off the mental drawing board is to start a new purse for Etsy to edition 3 if not 4 before Christmas. I'm scared I do not have enough product, but still I can sell out and start fresh come past orthodox Christmas. I've got the fabric picked out. Got the batting. I've simplified the motif and already created the pattern long ago. Public appeal is there with the one I created. Working the mental boards helped me to simplify and codify the process. It will be easier this time around. I'll be posting the adventure under Constantine1983 for anyone who follows me from Etsy to participate. So like I'm officially an entrepreneur. A little one. A teeny little one. I'm up and running on Etsy after denying myself food,water and chocolate. A no no by any other means, but a motivator. 6 hours on it today and I'm open. Oh yeah.. you might want to look. See me at: http://etsy.com/shop/Constantine1983. I'll put in a redirect on the Constantine page at this site shortly. I'm proud and my shoulders hurt. Time for food and bed. later.
So. It is an accepted adage that artists never ever know how to price their work and when they do it is far too low its actual value. Add my name to that list and the list of those who don't know the value of a dollar in this economy either. All I know is certain bills get paid before other bills and a little beef in the ramen noodles would be nice. Beef bouillon cubes only go so far and mixed with the seasoning packet makes it very very salty. I am underpricing my work and I know it. I just did not know how badly till tonight. Then mix in market issues and it seems I am trying to price an item for a lower cost range market for the sake that it is all I know. Truly I know not how to get to the higher buying range locations and am scared of an outright denial. (whisper:Do it anyway.) 40 rejections on the manuscript for the book "The Help" and what makes me think being a shrinking violet and street hawking my wares is acceptable?
So. Tonight I was hoping for sales, but what I got was precious information and connections. From all that was said I have another shot or introduction to getting a marketing representative, a possible opportunity to pitch for inclusion at Market Hall (AKA Wholesale Heaven), and if all goes well I'll have a few of my purses on a television program. Thanks to Kat Smith, a local television personality, I may have a foot in the door. I just need to bring my "A" game and follow through. Because of this and other tips I am moved to make patterns for each piece, copyrighting the design and gearing up for other people to so for me so volume and production is not an issue come time for buyers. On another front: Etsy is going slow, albeit I had other things to do today. I'll be up and running before the month is through. If not I'll be checking Ad Sense Google to see if this site would work better. Though I've been told to go where everyone else is looking, which is Etsy. Seriously though, would you pay the higher price for something irreplaceable? I would and I'm learning why. Just like I choose to pay for well built furniture. Especially those which have handcrafted quality. I'm convinced and will reestablish the price line on several items and eventually raise the bar on all. Learning how to nail a price point is an art in itself. I think I'll be considering the business side of my art with more care and intention. Second stop, business tax ID number. This will get better and I won't be so hesitant and in a fog about money matters, goods and services. |
N.A. JonesVisual Artist; Independent Researcher; Librarian; Cook; Amateur Astronomer; Gardener - the hard way, Writer; Explorer Archives
November 2015
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