Bees in my Bonnet: October 2006

Happy Monday everyone!

Well my last post stated that "I think I got my mojo back" and I guess this message will create some doubt about that! tee hee!

I have been examining the reason I make art these past few months and I think I've come up with the reason I feel so many ups and downs with my business!

Most artists....(I think)....make art as an expression of themselves. I would love to be able to do that! Maybe I'm just not as evolved as I need to be! I've realized lately that I make art for others. Now before you think I am getting all high and mighty on you....just remember.....I don't think my art is going to change the world or make THAT much of a difference in anyones life....BUT I do receive great joy from knowing that my art may have caused someone to smile or chuckle on a day when that may have been difficult!

Consequently when my art is selling and/or I am receiving lots of "strokes" from others about how my art may have touched them...even in a tiny way....I'm on top of the world! 'Course I'm sure you can guess what the opposite of that is! When things are slow AND I'm not getting too much feedback I am completely paralyzed! I sit in my studio with EVERYTHING I own layed out on the tables and floor and just stare at it!

I'm not writing this to nudge anyone into "action"! I am just hoping that my thoughts layed out in words will help me decide how I need to change to be able to cope with these realizations!

At the risk of sounding like a BROKEN RECORD this whole thing may still have to do with my older sister's passing in june OR the fact that I am totally burned out from making 365 atc's in one year. I don't know but I am beginning to "not know who I am" without this passion for art that has ALWAYS burned so bright that I sometimes couldn't even sleep! That's actually the reason my business is called....Bees in my Bonnet......Sometimes the ideas are so relentless that is't almost annoying!

I have always relied on my art sales to help pay the bills and although I never did break any sales records I was bringing in enough money to help close the gap. It has begun to dawn on me that:

1) I'm either going to need to figure out a way to "drum up" some business....

~OR~

2) I'm going to need to get a "real" job! YIKES!!!!

I guess the "sales" part of my business I really don't care for. I feel like I'm forcing myself on everyone when I try and keep my name "out there". Let's face it! There is sooooooooooooooooooo much competing for our attention or maybe just because as a nation we are so easily distracted that anyone in sales has to continually keep the new ideas rolling in AND promote their product if they expect to have any sucess. I think I'm just so tired of doing that and even though I know it is a necessary evil I just wish there were another way. (you know like being discovered and having agents bidding for a job and becoming rich doing what I love to do? something simple like that !!!)

Anyhoo...I would love to hear what you have to say about this subject. Any and all comments are welcome...be kind though...I am ridiculously sensitive! Remember to leave me your email address so that I can reply!

Thanks for you time!

Love to all!
Becky

http://www.beesinmybonnet.etsy.com

http://tinyurl.com/drshh

http://www.beckychristian.com

WOW! It's been over a month since I posted and I think I'm getting back to normal! Well normal for ME anyway!

I've had quite the creative week and have now listed LOTS of fun things in my new ETSY store!

Take a peek!

www.beesinmybonnet.etsy.com

I will probably still list some things on ebay but I am REALLY excited about the "etsy" possiblities! There are already lots of things I like better about Etsy! Much more user friendly and the quality of listings are really great! If you haven't checked it out DO THAT RIGHT NOW! It's fun!

here is a sample of what I have in my store so far!

An entire set of PERFECTLY VALID reasons why we SHOULD NOT clean our houses!