It's Not Just Business...

Everyone knows doing business in a small town, (or a very competitive one), can be a challenge. Especially when everyone you have to do business with, has some kind of personal connection in some way. That makes doing business, as business a bit funny.

I would say it's a touchy situation, becuase it's not just business. People tend to make things personal, or, expect that since you're their friend, family member or who knows what the relationship, they just demand more, expect more, and feel they're allowed to have more breaks. (They may not say it out right, but after a while, you start to see the signs, oh hell, before you know it, they're not only talking business, they're asking you to do things that has no benefit to you., Like womens prayer circles, helping with their kids fund raisers with your stuff, oh, and by the way, lets have your work as a trunk show, and they get 50% mark up. Dam!!!) Kind like they think they're doing you a favor, but wait, we're the ones giving them merchandised to put in their store. (Free money for them, since it's on consignment) Oh yea, they say it's a 50% mark up, but when they decide they want to swap out a piece or two, for something else to move inventory, you find out that it was more like 100% mark up. Wow! (I thought friendship goes both ways, I guess in some situations, money takes precedence.)

Any ways, I found in my experience as of late, it's a very blurred fine line, where choosing to do business locally due to these issues can make it a real nerve racking dilemma. I love my friends, don't get me wrong. Love em!!! But, I've decided to try to keep with people I really don't have some sort of personal relationship with. I find it's easier just to state my position, ask for what I want, and wroth, and they can do the same, with out having feeling hurt, or demands expected. To me, I feel that it helps me to be me, with out compromising my worth, or loose people that I like.

But most importantly, I can enjoy building my business, with out feeling compromised in the name of friendship. Like I've said the lines are very blurred. Let me know how you feel about that matter, or if you've ever experienced such issues.

PK

Head Tripping...The Duality of The Gemini Mind

Okay, let me just spit it out, I'm a Gemini, anyone who lives with one, or is one them selves will totally get this post. For you all who's never experienced the true meaning of what that means, trust me when I say, it's called duality at it's highest level, with a touch of chaos, mixed with frustration and super over load of ADHD. We're what astrologers call the multitaskers of the universe, that's in the positive, or our worst enemy.

Running business for us Gemini's can be wonderful if we don't get in our heads that we gotta do everything, oh yea, all at once. One minute we're on one tangent, the next we got a bright idea and we're off in our own head doing that too. Some times it's a curse, other times it works wonders. The question is, how do we figure out how to use our skills with out fighting with our selves?

Worst yet, being the artist type, just puts it off the charts. That brings me to my dilemma.

How do we make what we love to do, and yet still create for the masses that have the money to buy what we make? It's a catch 22. Simply put, anything creative can and is an addiction. For me any way. So I have to some how balance bringing in an income to support my addiction, and yet still feel I'm being true to myself. (The manic Creative addicted man woman.) I'm always trying to figure how not to sell myself out to the mundane trends, that seem to sell, and every one on etsy is doing. I just feel my stomach get all knotted when I think of just producing. But I still have to support my shop, overhead, you know the drill. (Plus those of you who know etsy, will understand that when something new comes out, everyone starts to do it, like wild fire, than it's saturates the market, and everything looks so common.) That's so not like me.

I feel I'm beating myself over the head everyday, just to find a niche that suites my needs, and most of all makes me happy. If you feel my pain, let me know. Any advice, I'd take it too.

Thanks for the ear.
Pk

Camera Tricks...Having Fun Taking Pictures For Your Shops

It's all about the angle, that's what I figured out all by myself. Wow! Novel concept. I've had two cameras, one broke after I stated to get use to using it and figuring out how it really worked. (Trust me that was a real bummer.)



My second is great, I'm learning not to be afraid or intimidated of taking photos, or how I think they should turn out. The trick I've found is to take as many pics as possible of the same item, in as many ways as possible. Once I'm done, I use a photo imaging program to help clean up the imperfections. I only keep the one's that really appeals to me, and keep in mind if I'm using them to post on etsy or other sites, I try to keep one that appeals to the site as well.

The main thing is the more you take and play with your camera, the more you'll get the hang of it. I know it's time consuming as well. What works for me is I love to plan a time that I have nothing else to do, no ones around, put on some really good music, set up the shot with papers, dishes, whatever works for you (props) and just go for it. Have fun, don't make it a job. and trust me it will all turn out okay.

Oh Yea, don't listen to all these site admins that expect you to only follow their perspectives in order to get chosen for their front pages. It's all a bunch of you know what. Do what you like. After all it's about the love of what you do, rather than trying to please the team. Oh and don't forget it's about appealing and catching your next buyer. Yes, that's right, it's all about 3 seconds of attraction. So go to it. and jump off the edge, the lens is your friend.