The Forest for the Trees

If each new task is a tree in the forest, and each time a tree proves fruitless a new one is planted, how can I tell the forest for the trees?

I've set up my shop.

I've taken good, clear and sharp photos.

I've engaged in the chat rooms

I've posted in the forums

1. to ask for critiques

2. to ask business topic questions

3. to promote my shop

I've 3 joined teams

I've set up a blog and post almost every day.

I've set up a flickr.com account.

I'm working on a face book site.

I've let my family and friends know I'm open for business.

How do I keep from despairing?

Making art for arts sake is very good and sounds like a noble endeavor. But what you end up with is piles of art and no place to store it.

And I admit, that as an artist, I seek validation! I want to know that my ideas are valid and that others think they're worth purchasing and giving as gifts. So not making sales is not only hard on the pocket book, it hurts my soul.

Every time I kvetch people tell me to hang in. My products are good, great, cute, wonderful. The prices are fair. The pictures are clear and good.

But as the Christmas season comes on, and I spend more time looking at other Etsy shops and see how many sales they've had since the time that I signed up, it just makes me ache.

This is the gift God gave me. And for my entire life I've tried to find the niche that will enable me to justify the time and money I spend on my art.

Can you relate?

http://www.judyagoddard.etsy.com/

http://www.measureformeasuregrowthcharts.com/

www.Flickr.com/judyagoddard/

Another Bright Idea?

Well, I've not sold either of the jack-o-lantern baskets I made up. So today they go on sale. And, considering that I've only sold one Handknit Felted Basket, I thought maybe a few Handknit Felted Hats might pique someones interest. So I am busily knitting away.

Now that I've posted the hats it occures to me that they need to be doo dahed up. I guess I'll be off to purchase some gross grain ribbon. And i'm thinking maybe a live model will be better than good ol' Madeline here.

So, if you're looking for a really cute decorative basket for next Halloween, stop by

http://www.judyagoddard.etsy.com/ and snap them up for $7.50 each

And while you're there, check out my other baskets. There's a couple Winter themed ones as well as one Christmas one. I have a whole slew of LIttleFelted Baskets that make great tree ornaments and or little gifty baskets. I have to get the other Christmas baskets I have posted. The holidays are upon us!

http://www.judyagoddard.etsy.com/

www.Flickr.com/JudyAGoddard/

http://www.judyagoddardartist.blogspot.com/

My Old Man

Tom , Hannah and Judy, college moving in day 2008

My old man! We've been together for 34 years! He was the first, and only, boy I ever dated. Our first date? I was 15. We went to see "Young Frankenstein". It was a Saturday matinee. I told myself, " If he tries to put his arm around me I'll slug him!" He says he thought, "I won't try to put my arm around her his this time." That was in February. By May, we swearing eternal devotion!

But there was a problem, right from the start. I was a new Christian. I had received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in August of that year. And he was not a Christian. We became a devoted couple very quickly. I had to tell him, "I love you! And I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but, I won't marry you if you're not a Christian. And within a couple of months he had, indeed, accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

I know, I know! But you know what? We were married four years later and he has been the help mate and head of our family from the very beginning. He loves God! and he knows that Jesus died for him and rose again to fulfill the promise!

He has supported me in every hair brained scheme I have ever come up with. And, you, know, it's not easy living with an artist! And wouldn't you know! Both of his children are artists too!

http://www.judyagoddard.etsy.com/

http://www.measureformeasuregrowthcharts.com/

www.flickr.com/judyagoddard/

Do You Have a Brochure?

Brochures I have known;
Grateful Creation Design, that was my batik tee shirt business.
Judy Goddard, Singer Songwriter, Artist
Judy Goddard Programs, these were my folk music brochures.

Now I'm a Handknitter and Felter.
So, I need a new brochure.

Sales on Etsy.com have been llittle less than slow. And I have been really, really trying to do everything I can do to make my shop a success.

Last week I sent a friend of a friend one of my Little Felted Baskets. She owns and operates a dance school for little girls. It's called "Through the Looking Glass" dance studio, in the Columbia MD area. She emailed me, asking for a brochure to insert into her November newlsetter.

So I sat down and put together what I think is a pretty snazzy pamphlet.

Two peas in a pod

My niece had her twins last week. they were six weeks early. Each weighed three pounds losmething. they are expected to go home in a few weeks. One is Addison Virginia and the other Evelyn Cora. Pretty names!

I attended my niece's baby shower just the week before. My sister asked me to make them a growth chart that they could share. Of course, I said sure! The only stipulation was that it needed to have lady bugs on it. No Problem!

I got my canvas out and primed it and painted it sky blue. Then, up the center I painted a daisy chain, with the obligatory lady bugs. I placed the inch and yard marks up both sides of the chart, instead of just up the right side. And when I was finished, I realized that I couldn't give just one! So I started another one right away! It's the same sky blue but on this one I made a chain of tea roses with lady bugs. But, at the shower, I couldn't cajole the names out of her. So they stayed blank at the top of each.

Now, ny niece and nephew in law can put the names at the top. Addison Virginia, (my sister's name is Ginni.) and Evelyn Cora. ( Joe's mom is Cora). They are indeed pretty names.

Adventures in Felting

I love to knit! And I love the manipulation of fibers that are possible for me through felting. It's such a trip to open up the washing machine and pull out that sodden, lumpy mess, disentagle it from the blue jeans, pull into shape and see exactly what I anticipated! It makes my heart smile.

Of course, sometimes I open up the washing machine and pull out that sodden mess and go, " Oh no! It's too small!" Or "It's so uneven!" Or It's full of holes!" Then I put on my thinking cap and try to figure out how to use this "Happy Accident" in a creative way. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. But the thrill I feel, right before I lift that lid, the thrill of anticipation, makes it worth the effort, even if I do have to figure out just in the heck I'm gunna do with it!

Twitter, Flickr, Blogger, huh?

I decided to try and sell some Handknit Felted Baskets that I had designed and made. So I set up a shop on Etsy.com and started uploading pictures. I was told that to promote myself I would need to spend time in the chat rooms and visit the forums often.

I learned to how sort through the miasma of a crowded chat rooms. I learned how to couch my forum posts in terms that would draw attention to my shop. And I sold a few supplies.

To be fair, I did sell one basket. And I sold one Canvas Growth Chart. All that since April 20, 2008.

So I asked what else I could do. I was told, "Blog!" I set up this blog and now have a new place to direct folks to show off my designs. And I do get some very nice comments. Thank you very much! But no sales of Art, only supplies. (So why and I complaining? At least I'm making sales!"

Next came the suggestion of Flickr. com. And then came the posts telling me to set up a Mysapce account and a Facebook account. Done.

And now I spend many hours everyday punching keyboard pads and squinting at my laptop screen. And still have quite a tidy sum of lovely baskets that people tell me are, "So cute!" "Really Great!" "Super".

I'm getting pretty frustrated. If you pray, please send one up for me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31019349@N06/

http://www.judyagoddard.etsy.com/

http://www.measureformeasuregrowthcharts.com/