babies and business

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I think I have always harbored a baby on the doorstep fantasy. Baby in the garden is even sweeter.
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ready for fall-

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the design goes around the back-

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flowers and vines-

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around the side, but the back is plain-

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There is another one coming- lilac blanket.

I often brood on my lack of enthusiasm for the business and marketing end of doing “craft work”. I have spent a lot of time this year, trying to do the marketing thing and as a result, have produced much less work. I think of myself as an artist, not a small business person. The selling of my work is a chore that has to be done because otherwise I would fill the house and I’d have no money to buy stuffing. Selling is not why I do it.

It is hard for me to send out a doll to someone who has bought it from a photograph- like from Etsy. I worry that it will not be what they were expecting. I am always grateful (and relieved) when I hear from buyers who let me know that they are happy with their purchase. I find it very stressful to sell in person, doing craft fairs and the like, so that doesn’t solve the problem. I have always thought of my work more like kittens then merchandise- I want it to go to a good home where it will be loved.

That brings me to the subject of commissions. I am bad, bad, bad at doing commissions. On the one hand, someone asks me to make something for them, I am happy and flattered and I want to please them. Then, if I say yes, I spend the whole time I am making the piece, feeling like they are sitting on my shoulder, second guessing every design decision I make. I can not seem to keep their voice out of my head. I seem incapable of reproducing one of my pieces- which is often what someone asks for. The face I made on Monday will not show up again on Friday. Especially if I am trying to do it! The only direction that I can work with is color- that isn’t a problem for the most part. Know thyself- a life long learning challenge. This is a rambling apology, and excuse I guess, to the most recent frustrated and probably very pissed off person I have dealt with.

Now, I should go back up to my attic and get back to work. Making stuff makes me happy.

another summer week

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It was a rather hectic week with nothing really to report. I met up with someone that I connected with through the blog vine. We made initial contact when she wrote to me from Australia and now she is living in Arlington!

I did a fabric rescue- found homes for a carload of fabric that probably would have ended up in the dumpster- the idea that it would all be tossed makes me crazy (or crazier?) And, by giving the fabric away, I got to meet lots of interesting local people that I had never met before- everyone was so happy to be getting free fabric and I felt like I was doing a good service. Fun!

Saturday was the Recraft Fair. What a wonderful event. There was a good crowd and everyone was enthusiastic about what I’m doing. It is not just the people that take out their wallet and buy something. It is also people who talk to me and get excited about the work. It is the way people walk by and something on the table catches their eye and they smile or come over. Everybody seemed so cheerful and engaged. I came away feeling recharged by all the positive energy.

I have to admit that doing this sort of thing is way out of my comfort zone, so having it go well was a huge relief. I borrowed a tent- something about the tent makes it all look so much more professional. Here is a view looking in- photo by Ben-

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and my view, looking out-

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I was right next to the music. For the most part it was fine, even pleasant. At one point though, I thought my head was going to explode! Ahhh, too loud!!! I started to think “I am too old for this!” Thank goodness for husbands’ who say, “I’ll take over now- you go walk around”

Earlier in the week I took Noah down to the Boston Common. I am hoping to finish up with Noah’s summer vacation in Boston by the end of this week. Then I’ll post the photos to Flickr.
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What’s happening

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I’m working on some fancy swaddled babies- lots of applique.  I have covered my table with all my favorite fall kind of colors.

We went to the Peabody Essex Museum on Sunday to see the Joseph Cornell show, among other things.  The show is large with an amazing amount of his work.  Unfortunately I was left with mixed feelings about the experience- the exhibit was very dimly lit to protect the artwork, but really, what is the point- I could hardly see the pieces.  It was frustrating.  I also couldn’t understand the theory of how they arranged the show.  It wasn’t chronological or based on themes or anything else I could figure out.  That always leaves me feeling confused.

The other exhibit I was excited about seeing, was an origami show.  It was fantastic!   No crowds, no shoving, absolutely mind boggling constructions.  One that I can’t stop thinking about,  was a giant squid attacking a sailing vessel… all made out of one sheet of paper.  Incredible!  There was a hands-on area too.  You can check out instructions here-  Ben and I both made butterflies.  Fun!  I was very into origami when I was a kid.  The enthusiasm has carried over.

The other show we wanted to see in Salem, was “Ode to Cornell-  What would Joseph Do”.  Abby had 2 pieces in the show so I particularly wanted to go check it out.  It was so much fun to see after seeing the Cornell show at the PEM.

2 more red tikis

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I managed to get a few photos that show the differences in the reds- unfortunately I don’t know why these are better then the 50 other photos that I’ve deleted.

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I will be mailing this one to Pennsylvania tomorrow,

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and this one to Chicago.

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My second workshop went really well yesterday. I feel like I’ve learned a lot about what can be accomplished in one day, among other things. Now I have to put some thought into where I want to go with the whole teaching thing.

the winners are… better late then…

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Okay, drum roll please- first name- Diane L, 2nd- Shobana, 3rd- Shula, 4th- Kristine Hudson! I will email you to get addresses. Now, for everyone else- I’d like to send you a printed patch, so I will email you and if you want one, you can send me your address.

Everything got a bit too crazy here on the actual birthday. I ended up hardly being home at all! I added the names of everyone who wished me Happy Birthday, no matter what post they commented on, also emails, up to Friday evening, when we finally did the drawing. I couldn’t make myself do it- I had to get my husband. Otherwise, somehow, it didn’t seem fair! Then, the computer got unhappy and I couldn’t post until this morning. Everyone should have gotten their emails by now.
I had a great birthday. I spent the afternoon at the Boston MFA and saw the Edward Hopper show. I brought Noah with me to the museum, but never got a chance to take a photo. I had to run out at the end to go pick up Peter. I turned to snap a photo of the museum before I left. This is what I found when I downloaded the pics-

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Isn’t that weird! It was NOT on purpose! Just in case it isn’t obvious- the sculpture is the man walking on a pipe over the entry driveway…

And, I got my very own Ipod… yes! I can’t wait to start downloading all the great podcasts, instead of having to listen to them on my computer.

Then, out for ice cream with Noah-

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Isn’t that an eye-popping photo of a hotdog- yikes! Altogether a great day.

Friday, Ben and I took Noah out for iced coffee in the North End of Boston- and I took his sweater off. I couldn’t bear seeing him wearing it- it has been very, very hot and humid here-

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This morning, I am off to Northboro for another day of doll making togetherness. Next week, back to my studio… ahhh!

doll gathering #1

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I had fun and I think every one else did too! There were 8 plus me. Here is most of the group working away at my dining room table.
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2 people made cats-

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2 people worked on sweater babies and Jeri got hers finished!

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And 2 people made swaddled babies-

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2 worked on mermaids, but somehow I didn’t get photos- darn!

One fun part was that I got to meet 2 fellow bloggers, Lisa and Rebecca. Also, one of my local blog readers. My only regret is that I didn’t get a chance to really spend time talking to everyone- I spent most of my day running around.

It was hot and very humid, and then there would be a torrential downpour. It would cool off for a bit, then get dark, humid and rain again. A very strange weather day- perfect for making dolls. I would certainly do it again- I was very happy with how it went. If anyone is interested, I am doing it again next weekend in Northboro, Massachusetts.

fun stuff!

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What a week!  I am so pleased to have sent off my fabric for Bitter Betty‘s swap.  And I have been cleaning up a storm in preparation for my workshop tomorrow.

When I got back from vacation last Saturday, there was a notice from the post office that I had a package from China.  I couldn’t imagine what it was.  When I went to get it on Monday, here is what I found-

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Noah, the traveling gnome!  Mary has organized a trip around the world for this fellow- a Rosa Pomar gnome.  Shula knitted him a sweater when he was in Australia, but he must be dying of the heat now- it is hot and humid as anything here in Boston!  Next week, I will take him around Arlington for some photos and will post them on his Flickr site.

And sweet Elia has named me a-

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Yep, ME- a Rockin’ Girl Blogger!  That has had this 50+ blogger smiling all week, every time I think about it.  This is a project started by Roberta– what a great idea!  Now I am suppose to name 5 people.  That is the hard part because it is always leaving out some totally fantastic people.  Eek, I tried and I just can’t do it right now- I will try again next week.
And speaking of 50 plus- next week is my birthday and I am going to give out some presents.  Let’s say 4 presents.  I’ll wrap up some of the fabric I printed and if I have any idea who you are, via a blog or flickr or something, I try to pick out some stuff from my stash that you’d like.  Leave me a comment or email me – mimik(at)pobox.com.  I will pick out my giftees at random next Thursday- Happy Birthday me!