Clik here to view.
Digging a Hole with a Teaspoon
You have heard the expression of a death by a thousand cuts. This idea is similar. Digging a hole with a teaspoon is slow and you don't really see the progress you are making until suddenly you look up...
View ArticleOrigami Convention in New York
Origami USAwill hold their 50th annual convention in New York City this weekend, at the Fashion Institute of Technology. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be an exhibit of origami works open to the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Can You Afford NOT to Advertise?
Do you do advertising?Where, and how often?Advertising can be a leap of faith. It is often hard to measure the effectiveness of an ad, at least in the short-term. And ads will often need to have...
View ArticleAre You Running a Non-Profit?
Back to the issue of pricing.I recently wrote about how I had to make a dramatic increase in the price of my cranes, and I want to explore a little further one of the traps that caught me, and I think...
View ArticleCreative Retreat
Each year, for the last few years, I have tried to attend a creative retreat. A chance to get away from the normal routine and immerse myself in a creative environment. I recently returned from the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Is It Bullying or Just An Innocent Request?
I found myself in an awkward position several times during the retreat weekend. I had brought some of my new work to show, and sell. It was wonderful to have a group huddled around the work, touching,...
View ArticleOn a More Positive Note
I received a concerned note from one of the organizers of the Connecticut Guild retreat, after my most recent posts. It struck me over the last few days, how I had a slew of comments to each of these...
View ArticleAnother Reason to Find YOUR Voice
Once again, the issue of voice arises. What makes your work identifiably yours, and belonging to no one else? And why in the world is it such a big deal?When you first start out, voice is hard to...
View ArticleHow Much Do I Need to Bring?
This was the question I desperately searched in vain to find an answer to as I began to prepare for my first show. When will I know if I have enough work? An artist I met with the other day posed that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Deadline Approaching for ACRE's of Opportunity
Once again, the National Polymer Clay Guild is providing a perfect opportunity for someone who has been considering doing a wholesale show. They will again have a sponsored booth at the ACRE show in...
View ArticleSublte Shifts
About a month ago, I began working with a personal trainer. We meet every week or two for about a half an hour. I needed someone to be accountable to in order to make sure I would get myself to the gym...
View ArticlePoint of View
Over the nearly two years that I have been writing this blog, I have written from my point of view, and experience. In some areas, that experience is deep, and in other areas, I have barely scratched...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Insights from Ford and Forlano
Steven Ford and David Forlano have been in business for twenty years now, making objects, and jewelry from polymer clay. Over that time their work has evolved to incorporate metals, and now even the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sabbatical of Sorts, and Random Observations
I guess you could say I have been on a sabbatical. A break from blogging.Blogging can be a great way to communicate your thoughts with a larger audience, but...they can also get to be like a nagging...
View ArticleLeft Turns
Last night I had to drive down to the pediatrician's office to pick up a prescription. Unfortunately, I had to make the drive during rush hour, and now, after darkness. It is about a twenty to...
View ArticleThe Prison of Your Voice
I know, I know. I have told you how important it is to develop your own, distinctive voice. It is your trademark, and your brand. But,.....I can't help but wonder if all this emphasis on voice can be a...
View ArticleHabits that Help, and Habits that Distract
I have been thinking about habits lately. Over the last four months, I have been building the habit of getting to the gym. After four months of conscious effort, my car now seems to effortlessly drive...
View ArticleThe Beginning of a Chain
I am beginning the new year with a little experiment that I began last month, with the help of some smart, talented, and wise women. It began with a question. A question to another artist/entrepreneur....
View ArticleThe Chain Interview Continues...Part 2
When I left you last time, Hollie Mion had answered a question from Lindly Haunani about her collection of polymer clay work, and how she went about building that collection. Now it is Hollie's turn to...
View ArticleFinal Installment of the Chain Interview
In my last post, Laura Timmins was sharing with us how she balances the art with the business. She had some great ideas for goal setting, and keeping herself on track throughout the year. Laura then...
View ArticleIs It All About the Venue?
Lindly Haunani recently sent me a story.Watch this video.Did you notice the protective bubble that seems to exist around the violinist. Even the few who finally stop to listen, keep a "safe" distance...
View ArticlePricing Challenges
I recently had the good fortune to be invited to speak to the Vermont Craft Council. I taught two classes; one about using the Internet for publicity and promotion, and the other about pricing. I was...
View ArticleHow Do They Get Away With This??
I was talking with another artist the other day about a shop that had approached both of us within the last few years. What stunned me as we spoke was the fact that this place was still in business,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Renew
It has been a long time; four years actually, since I have posted to this blog. Many changes have taken place in that time. And I have missed this connection I have had with other creative souls. But...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Life; Live It.
This week my niece is up visiting from New Jersey. She is a sweet and very, very smart and creative girl. She is my brother's daughter. This past April, my brother died suddenly, leaving his wife and...
View Article