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[merimask]

Grrr...

Well, life can be rough sometimes.  Buying trends change, expendable income for the middle class can dry up, demographics shift.  I exist as a self-sustaining artist at the whim of the buying public...and my market is dry like the Sahara.

So, what to do...what to do.

Go where the money is, I suppose.  Yet, I can't do that because...it's just ridiculous to pack up my stuff and trudge across country like a modern day peddler with my wares strapped onto my back.  So, I'm doing a version of that by calling well known high-end mask retail galleries & gift shops in tourist spots all over the country.  I've sent out two information packets in the last two days (one to an awesome-sounding gallery called "Rumors" in New Orleans...I guess they're the best-known & biggest mask retail gallery in the region) with another one in the works for tomorrow.

I looked online & found a maskmaker in Key West (he was the official mask provider for Fantasy Fest for several years in a row)...HIS gallery has closed (because, he says, he's sick of dealing with the public.  I guess that's endemic to maskmakers everywhere.  ;-)  ), but he was very sweet and gave me a lead and a name for the buyer at a major art-object (& especially masks) gallery in Key West.   I'm calling later today, so wish me luck.

I HATE doing this stuff.  Hate hate hate.  I am just not as naturally good with people as my brother is...this crap scares the hell out of me.  And yet...I guess it has to be done.  As much as I hate this, if I want to keep making these masks for a living I HAVE to do it, because there's just no alternative.  I love making masks.  It's my life and I can't imagine any other.  But I can't afford to just make them for the sake of making them...I'm not rich like that.   John says "Unseen, untold...unsold", and that's where I am right now.  The best freaking maskmaker that's not selling masks.  :-(

Fortunately  my quality of work, lack of greed, and realism are just what the buyers are looking for.   I also have experience selling to retailers already, which helps me put together a pretty package for presentation.  Also, thank you Cirque for buying that mask!  I can't say enough about how that turns people's heads.  When I name-drop that account (and I do.  Shamelessly.  Like a whore) you can actually hear the tone of the buyer/gallery owner's voice change right over the phone.  It's a beautiful thing.

If ANY of you out there know of a store or gallery (in a tourist or high-traffic area...I need to go where art is selling) that specializes in masks and gifts of a handmade, artsy nature...drop me a bit of contact info in your reply to this & I'll be sure to check them out.   My stuff could be coming to a shop near you!

I bought a thick sheaf of high-quality matte photo paper and re-stocked my ink.  I'm going to keep mailing until all of that paper is gone.

Comments

[shvetufae.livejournal.com]

*hug*

Sending you all the luck and love in the world for that phone call! No, it's not easy to deal with people if you're like us, but you have so much talent. Go out and knock 'em dead, Tiger!

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

I was going to say (er...in my response your response to my response to your last entry) that it could just be an off year? Or that people aren't travelling due to gas prices? Certainly the psychic fair was just a horrible event, not promoted properly at all.

Unfortunately you said you can't sell in Canada so I'd be of no help in locating more places. Plus Ottawa is my city, and honestly I LOVE it and it's very quirky, but it's NOT very culturally rich (in any traditional way at least) so whether your masks would work here is a complete toss-up. People would probably expect to buy them in a furniture/home deco place, lol. Yep, Merimask at Pier 1. (Or in an art gallery of course, but I'm not sure our few art galleries even SELL much, in Ottawa...they're more museum-y, all about the show.) Most artists here have their own little stores/galleries or sell in a co-op or an artists/farmers market in a semi-permanent stall.

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

Awww. I've read your posts over the last few days catching up from being out of town (I love your new hair color, by the way) and I'm sorry to hear that things aren't going well for you. I think for a lot of SCAdians gas prices are very much an issue. Most of the people I know have cut back on events and carpool, but we've always carpooled so we're still not saving money that way. We are going to Pennsic, though for what it's worth, and I really want one of your new masks--I just can't decide what. I can't afford your really spectacular new dragons at the moment, much as I love them. But even though I love the masks I already have, you've really grown as an artist and I would love to have a new one. I have hubby's permission to get a new mask this year at war. I just have to figure out what it is that I want to get.

By the way, speaking of Pennsic, Cory--the one who commissioned the wolf plaque at Baron Wars--is going to be there after all, so she'll be picking up her plaque herself. She's very excited.

I know a gallery that might be very good for you--Northwoods Gallery in Midland, MI. I can't find them on-line, but they may be perfect for you. Midland is a pretty wealthy community (home of Dow) and the gallery includes paintings, glass sculpture, and beadwork, among other things. It's an incredible store. I do beadwork, and I'm blown away by some of the pieces that I have seen there, for example. I have a couple of smaller beadwork pieces purchased there that are incredible (gifts, as I couldn't afford them). Your stuff would fit in well, I think.

As I said, they don't have an on-line presence, but I'll see if I can get a contact number for you.

[dagonell.livejournal.com]

Fleur de Liz: Perennial Accessories

Liz Curtin
Email:lizcurtinartist@yahoo.com

Tell her the chainmail jewelry guy gave you the e-mail.
-- Dagonell

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

Ah, found it. Turned out I was spelling it wrong (It's Northwood, not Northwoods like the Barony of Northwoods. Oops). There's not a lot of information available, but there is at least contact information.

http://www.northwood.edu/mi/northwoodgallery/

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

I know that you said that Canada was a problem for you because of import duties, but there is a wonderful art gallery in Stratford that I think your work would do well at as well.

I haven't been able to find a link directly to/about the store, just it listed under various business directories.

Davis Canadian Arts
Tel: (519) 275-3373
Location: Downtown Stratford
106 Ontario Street, N5A 3H2

If you can swing it, Stratford would be another excellent place because of the Stratford Shakespeare festival--a lot of tourists visit Stratford, and they tend to come from higher income brackets.

[kls-eloise.livejournal.com]

People's Pottery is the right kind of store, but I think they don't allow you to sell direct if you're dealing with them, and that wouldn't work. I'll nose around in the more blue-blood parts of CT and also see if any of the people I know in Boston have any ideas.

How about something down New Orleans way for the Mardi Gras tie in? Does HGTV still do that show "Modern Masters?" It sounds stupid, but that's what turned me on to an astonishing glass blower that I want to invest in a piece from.

Have you given thought to upgrading your website? I buy a LOT of print art, and I find almost all of it on the web. I think that's where a lot of the buying has gone. And sweetie - I love you like a sister - but your website is sad and NOT reflective of the amazing artist that you are. Web presence can make a big difference.

Oh - and please do something for me. If you don't want to hire a lawyer, at the very least fax or email me anything that you're thinking about signing. I can spot some of the really icky clauses, because we use them whenever we can get away with it. Not a lawyer, but I play a legal assistant for TV. ;-)

[pzb.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

It is REALLY rough right now. Talking to a friend who just got back from Anime Expo, her comment was "Be glad you didn't make it this year."

I suppose I should be thankful that I do have a steady (somewhat) art-related job....as much as I hate it... But I totally feel your pain right now.

You know, i need to listen to Jim more often... He said at the beginning of the year that they were predicting an economic downturn this year. Stupid me for not thinking it would effect me...

[indigos-angel.livejournal.com]

Good for you darling!!!

I know how hard it can be to get out there and sell one's self. Believe me. >query letter sits in inbox< lol

I love you lots and just know you'll be a huge success. Did you ever think of getting an agent? I wonder if that would work in this arena?/

And I laughed at the whore thing and Cirque. All I have to say is "work it baby, work it, work it!!!" XDDDDD

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I'm not quite sure what kind of places around here that you would find useful. I'm too savy on what's in the area besides local crafts and such.

The business world is scary.