i don't know about you all, but i have a hard time planning for the future. i am plotting for retail and wholesale shows that don't take place until the summer, fall, and even christmas time, and it just seems so daunting! until now i have just been making things i want to make, and hoping that they will appeal to people and sell, but now its time to notch it up. a lot. i have realized that if i am going to be successful at making a living from my work that i am going to have to be a little more aggressive about it.
this can be a difficult place for artists i think. most of us are makers, not marketers or sellers, but in order to make it work we must wear all these hats. i know i am not the only one who struggles with this, but that doesn't always make it easier to swallow!
i have recently hired some help for this, but in trying to give my assistant something to work on, it became clear that i have things to do before she can do her thing. while frustrating, it is also motivating, and seems to be helping me get my act together. a huge calendar went up on my wall last night that goes until september, with deadlines color-coded and underlined. i am visual, after all! hopefully this will help...if anyone has any other ideas on how to make it all work it would be great to hear them....i'm sure we could all use a little help!
ps. the picture above is of some snowfall on burrs in my backyard last winter.
