This first one is living in the mountains of NC now. I sent it to one of my favorite artists, Nina Bagley. I met Nina through her blog Ornamental, check it out if you haven't seen her amazing jewelry. It looks happy in it's new surroundings doesn't it?
And then just a bit ago, my virtual friend Yolande posted a photo of a piece she bought from me on her blog Burnt Normal. Again, a great blog and an even better artist. I couldn't bring the photo over to my blog because it was too small but you can check it out here on her blog. So that little piece is now living in Canada with an amazing potter. Happy homes for my work, YAY!
I am so grateful every time someone buys a piece of my work. I spend so much time with these little barns and we get attached and then off they go. And when they go off to artists that I admire, it freaks me out just a little. It's one thing to sell to the general public, that's hard enough. but artists know....
you know? So, this has really given me pause. Nothing goes out of my studio anymore that I have just "settled" for. I had three pieces that I fucked with forever, trying to convince myself they "would do". I just couldn't convince myself, so I smashed them last week, even though there was a lot of time involved making them. They just weren't good enough. If you are trying to convince yourself a piece is ok, then it isn't. My standards for what is acceptable to sell have gone way up and my work has to pass the "I'm mailing this to an artist I admire" test now. It's a good way to measure what you think is good enough. I look at it and think, if I got this in the mail, would I be excited, would my heart go pitter patter, or would I say, oh this was a mistake....
I think you should be proud of what you have made, proud that someone wants to own it, and when you send it to them, let them know this purchase meant something to you. Send a handwritten note, wrap it nicely if you can, go the extra mile to make the purchase a great experience. Packaging can be less than attractive and that's ok. When I ordered the buddha sculpture from Yolande it arrived on my doorstep in a Huggies diaper box. This made me smile, because Yolande has three small children, of course she is using diaper boxes. I also like getting newspaper wrapped things, you can read what's going on in another town. The point is, if someone takes the time to buy your art then they should feel special when they open the package. I bought a bar of handmade soap yesterday at Whynot Pottery and the craftsperson I bought it from had taken the time to order unbleached wax bags online to use as a shopping bag. I love that. It's those little extra touches that bring people back to buy from you because they had a better experience than they would have at the mall. This is a good time of year to make sure we let our customers know how much we appreciate them and take a little extra care with their purchases. Thanks to all of you for the photos. I LOVE it!!!! xoxoxo
10 comments:
I love this...because I know how hard it is for me to 'let go' of my work. So for you to have the chance to see your pieces in their new 'homes' is a treasure!
The times I've been able to see my work in it's new home have really been a treat!
yes!
The houses with the painting is so perfect.
I think it's a great idea to make each piece with the thought in mind that you're sending it to an artist you admire. We want to impress all of our customers positively and make the full experience wonderful. You should also connect with your customers on some level so when you do send something in a diaper box they understand why. If you had not known her the experience would have been different.
A man was showing a lot of interest in one of your pieces at Mudfire Friday night. If he doesn't come back for it I'll bet his partner does for a holiday gift. Crossing my fingers.
Hey Susan, it is fun to see pieces you make in a new environment!
Meredith, I know! that painting should be hanging in my house!
Hey Lori, absolutely, the fact that Yolonde sent me this amazing sculpture of hers in a huggies box made it even more special because it had such a personal connection. I have been puzzled by the lack of sales at Mudfire, those are three really great pieces. Hope they find a good home this fall:)
Yeah these days Im more critical of my own work too but don't be too hard on yourself either in the same breath! It's great to see work going out into the world
I know! There is a fine line between being too critical and being just critical enough! My daughter was home and we were talking about the three pieces I was trying to make work and she agreed that there was something just not quite right about them, so out they went! Good to have an honest opinion to help with quality decisions sometimes and Wes is always very honest with me, which I really appreciate.
I LOVE how your work looks with the painting! And a special place on the hearth. How special that you have that image:)
Hey there Susan, thanks!!
very good thinking, as always, that of imagining an artist receiving your work.
& from your earlier post....love the idea of houses w/a place to honor different items & with a working door! i daydream of owning one someday, but can never settle on which treasure should go in it...
If you are going to have an attitude, gratitude is a good one.
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