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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.
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.
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From:
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I just noticed, though, that the store is "Canadian" arts so they may sell work of only Canadian artists.
In any case, I'll keep brainstorming, and I'll ask around for you.
From:
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From:
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But I'll keep brainstorming and I'll ask around, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for the Northwood Gallery. I think it would be a great fit and I'd love to see your art there when I go there.
*Hugs* You know I love your work and I'll keep my fingers crossed that you do well this Pennsic. And we'll definitely be stopping by to chat.
I haven't checked your website out recently, but if it's not good it really needs to be redone. Especially if outdated SCA prices are hurting you with the galleries. Did you design it yourself or did you have someone do it?