CatherinetteRings -
David's work first came to my attention when I joined deviantArt - I was just becoming aware of the steampunk movement in art and literature, and I went surfing for examples of its influence on jewelry. I'm drawn to its aesthetic, but I find myself unable to produce anything of my own. I admire those who can pull it off successfully, which he does most splendidly. He also keeps a color-filled blog HERE. Give it a peek even if steampunk isn't your thing - the skills are MAJOR.
Okeydokey.
I've got something on my mind and I'd better get it out here before my brain explodes.
I still don't know how I feel about my journal being accepted into the Interweave Beaded Book juried exhibit. Maybe once I know the number of entries there were, it might seem like more of an accomplishment. Right now it feels - incomplete, somehow. I can't explain it any better than that.
I've been asked if, since I live relatively near the Bead Expo site in Santa Fe, I'll be attending. I give them the short answer - no. Don't get into it more than that because it's not up for discussion. I even got four free passes - BTW, if anyone local wants one - stop by our bookstore and I'll be happy to give you one. I don't have the money or time to get there. I'll see what the other pieces in the exhibit look like when the magazine comes out. I don't need any beads, I hate shopping, the drive to Santa Fe is tedious, I'm not big on trains either, but more than anything I have a problem with crowds. There. I've managed to convince myself.
Now - about publicity translating to sales: IT'S A MYTH. Sure, I'm adding some things to my Etsy shop, hoping for the best. But I know from past experience that publicity does not equal sales. I had an article published in a mainstream beading magazine and got no sales whatsoever from it. A few emails asking for some technical clarifications - that's it. I earned a "daily deviation" which brought over 200 hits to my little blog here in one day and got no sales from that either. Heck, The Jade Dog was on a nationally televised cable how-to program and got ZIP in the way of related sales. This isn't a mystery to me - I mean, who reads beading magazines? Makers of beady things, not buyers. Who watches craft shows? Makers, not buyers. So my expectations for anything coming of this exhibition are very, very low. I do hope for the best but I'm being brutally honest - I fully expect nothing.
But making sales is the least of the reasons for why I do what I do, and right now I've got beading to do. I love how the "Lit From Within" series is panning out. I'm nearly finished with the crocheted rope sets -
Numbers 3 and 4 are complete:
(BTW- can you tell I was watching "The Tudors" while I've been working on these?)Numbers 5 and 6 are in process:
I'm really looking forward to getting on with the sculptural peyote cuffs. The joy is in the doing. The journey is the meaning.
Can't agree with you more, Morwyn -- it is the personal achievement that is meaningful from winning a competition not the expectation of monetary gain. Cause heaven knows, there is precious little monetary gain to be had . . .
ReplyDeleteLove your bracelet series!
Kathy V in NM
Thanks KV!
ReplyDeleteI was feeling the same way, incomplete about being chosen. My thoughts on that were that I put so much into creating a piece and then I let it go. So to me it was anti-climatic to be part of the 18 to travel. The thrill is in the creation, I guess for me anyway.
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to see your book finally! I wish I could have held it and turned the pages, that would have been most excellent!