Friday, April 15, 2011

Can we talk?

I'm so bummed. I woke up this morning and watched the weather report because, like many of you around here, I have an outdoor show this weekend. Well, here's the report... Friday: Sunny 74f, beautiful, Saturday: Strong storms and wind between 12 to 6pm, of course the same time as the festival, and then Sunday 70f and beautiful again. WTF!!!! And then beautiful all week until Thursday when Shakori starts, and on Thursday and Friday a chance of thunderstorms again.
So, I'm not sure I am even going to get out of bed on Saturday, looks like a huge storm is going to move through and I'm not into trying to keep a 10x10 tent from blowing away.
This has me thinking about my future with outdoor shows and if it's worth it. I will lose the booth fee for this Saturday, just great! Shakori will be ok, because those folks carry on rain or shine. But my goal is to have a decent income from my work, and sketchy weather is not going to help grow my business. I am going to have to look for alternatives. I think I need to get busy and seek out some galleries, I have work that would suit some of the galleries around here. And then there is my Etsy shop, which is just sitting there doing nothing. Maybe I'll use rainy Saturday to shoot some pictures and add some things to my shop... it's just such a time suck and I get really bored typing all that shite. I would also like to do more indoor shows but the booth fees are insane for artists like me. Oh crap.... what to do. I'll probably head over to Hillsborough in the morning and just see how bad it's likely to be, worse case, there is a great coffee shop and book store there, I'll just get jacked up on caffeine and buy some books!

14 comments:

Lori Buff said...

Weather can be the bane of our existence, especially when we do outdoor shows. I just heard a story about a local potter who lost 1/2 her inventory due to wind a couple of weeks ago. I'm in the same predicament as you, looking for more galleries, wishing Etsy was easier, just trying to find opportunities. Thankfully this weekend's show for me is indoors and I give a percentage of sales, no upfront booth fee (I love the Avondale Arts Alliance). You've got the right attitude about trying to make the best of the day. When life hands you lemons, make whiskey sours (that is how it goes, right?). I hope the storm blows over tonight.

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Lori, wise words! I going to let life hand me limes so I can make Marguaritas!

FetishGhost said...

My sympathies on gett'n squeezed. I've had to jump of my chosen hamster wheel and get a job. (Gasp!) This had more to do with getting health insurance than a paycheck, but it's freed up what limited energies I have left at the end of the day to really through myself into what I choose to do in the studio with out all the distractions of whether the work will pay off.
Mmmmmm... margaritas!

Tracey Broome said...

Z, I hear ya. We just got Wesley's first bill for college tuition, I see a job in my future as well if I can't work this out....

Sister Creek Potter said...

Since you've paid for the booth, could you not put up the tent and just have a minimal set-up and participate only as long as weather permits? Sometimes that weatherman is way off--maybe he will be tomorrow! Wishing for a grey, misty day instead of storms! Good luck.

cindy shake said...

That's too bad... but weather forecasters ever that accurate? But then again, who wants a windy storm blowin' through their booth!! We had one of the rainiest summers on record last summer -the very first year of our Spenard Farmers Market. What I found was dress for it and show up -I always made sales and people appreciated all the vendors who toughed it out! Obviously protect your inventory but get out there, get your work out there and get your name out there, whenever you can. It all adds up! Try not to be discouraged before you even begin -your work is very good and needs to be shared and SOLD!

Michèle Hastings said...

we are bummed about the weather too. this weekend is seagrove's spring studio tour & kiln opening. of course we planned to be outside doing raku demos. we are setting up a tent as well and i am worried about keeping it well anchored. we are going to keep moving forward and hoping the weather won't be as bad as predicted. it is a two day event so we can look forward to a sunny sunday.
... i say go ahead an plan on doing the show, think of it as a marketing thing... at least your out there and building momentum... despite the f#@$'n weather!

cookingwithgas said...

we feel your pain.
We have three artist who were to set up in the yard- we are moving them to the work studio but will the weather make folks think about staying home???
It is all a big gamble.
I can tell you after 30 years of paying bills from selling pots it is getting harder and harder to rely on the income.
I will have to figure out something myself and I don't think Etsy is it.
Now let's really talk!
Soon!
M
oh- pass me one of those whiskey sours please hold the umbrella.

Judy Shreve said...

I hear you about college costs - the tuition is just a portion -- whew!

I think this is a huge storm system barreling across the south. Our storms are to hit here tonite - so I'm sure you'll get something in the a.m. -- maybe just plan on setting up a little later in the day.

I don't think you can make a 'live-able' income just selling pots! :-(

Julia said...

We are facing the same troubles here on the west coast, between the poor economy and people with out lots of disposable income and the bad Spring weather this year. Outdoor events are never my favorite this time of year with unpredictable weather, and sometimes are just "paying my dues" until the dog days of summer when I sell most of my work at farmer's markets in 100+ degree temps. I work a day job, too, waiting for a day when my pottery can be my sole income. I don't even know if that is possible anymore, given the current economy. I'm with Cindy, though, and your work is too beautiful not to take at least a few pieces with you & see how the weather shapes up.

Tracey Broome said...

Hey guys, appreciate your comments. If its not pouring here in the morning I'm at least going to head out and see what's happening. I don't mind the rain, but I am not fighting the wind! I'll be thinking about everyone in Seagrove and hope some folks turn out to see all of you. I do think there is some money to be made selling pots, and I don't need a lot, I'm just looking for a little supplemental income to help out with college expenses!

DirtKicker Pottery said...

Hi Tracy,
Sorry Saturday is supposed to suck. Maybe Sunday will be extra busy.
I think everyone who uses Etsy has a love hate thing going on. For a loner like me, it's the best gig around.
I love your houses and your pear. BTW, I'll take mine blended with salt :)

Laura Farrow said...

Your work is looking totally awesome, Trace. Sorry to miss seeing you in town. xo

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Cindy, I should get some Etsy tips from you:)
Hey Laura, I'm coming over to pick up the work that was in the gallery for the show, but I don't think I'm setting up! It's already raining here.