Art and Creativity Journal: Ramping Up — Holiday Quarter Musings
Welcome to the 4th Quarter!
Back when we had an actual street level arts and crafts gallery, we were always excited about making it to the 4th quarter.
Although October and November were typically painfully slow, there was lots to be done, and there was the eternal challenge of funding the most expensive part of the year with virtually no cash coming in.
Then we'd suddenly see about 40-50% of our annual revenues flow in, during the last 30 days of the year.
Selling my own art is really not all that different... try as we might — by attending arts and crafts events and festivals during the year — this remains a very seasonal gig.
Perhaps it's simply because people feel more justified in loosening the purse strings to allow for non-essentials during the holiday season.
Showtime
We have (so far) three shows we'll be attending this holiday season. One is "slightly" out-of-town during the second weekend of November and will likely be pretty decent because it's a festival/conference setting that draws attendees from all over.
The last two are local in early December, and both are events with a long and established tradition as holiday shopping venues, so that should work out OK. Or, at least, predictably, in a modest sort of way.
In a sense, it's a clear illustration of how a small local fair at a spirituality center — focused on things like metaphysics, astrology and psychics — typically outsells a MUCH larger venue that's just general holiday shopping.
Know your audience!
Amazon Handmade Listings
After jumping through the required hoops, the Alchemy Stones presence on Amazon Handmade now seems to be working smoothly, and I can focus on adding inventory at my own pace... although that really needs to be sooner, rather than later!
I sure hope all the effort will turn out to be worth it!
At least I can say that I finally have a more or less "adequate" representation of my work listed on Amazon... after 8 years!
Art Supplies — Yikes, $$$!
As I have intended to do for quite a while, I finally got around to ordering some art supplies; paint, metallic paint pens, a package of the fiber nibs/tips I use to make tiny marks with and a couple of other things.
I was looking back through my records, and I haven't actually placed a "serious" order — a few fill-ins, sure — since right before Covid!
It was a bit of an ugly surprise, even with a 30% off "welcome back" coupon to apply to my order... still out a good $170.00. But hey, that should last me for 2-3 years... hopefully.
At moments like these, I am very grateful for the fact that most of my "raw materials" are free for the picking up, on our local beaches! Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be doing this... at all.
Now the only thing that really remains is to pick a day or two for a good beach trip to pick up some of aforesaid raw materials!
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
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Thank you for supporting independent art & creativity!
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