Saturday, January 26, 2013

Listening to Public Radio...it's not illegal yet.

I'm really quite sleepy at the moment...but my head is still swirling from yesterday.  The class yesterday was on pricing wholesale and retail.  Do you see see yourself as an entrepreneur or wanting to become one?  If so, are you creating multiples that can me marketed to wholesalers? Do you see yourself as creating one of a kind pieces? multiples of one of a kind pieces?  how quick can you turn over work?  how do you find your target audience?  The presenter's pov is that an artisan should have a foot in both worlds.

I find myself having to adapt much of what is being presented for the way I work when what I really want is to have a business model to fit the way I work instead of me trying to pour myself into what feels like a size 8 dress.  When it comes to business models, does one size fit all?  There has to be various models out there?!  I love the physicality of creating art quilts.  Exploring processes is a dialog that I'm having with not only my mind and spirit, but my body as well.  I try to focusing on doing while at the same time listening and focusing on what my body is doing and learning.  I don't want to loose that.  I think I can take some of the ideas and apply them, just not all.

For months I've been yo-yoing over joining a new co-op gallery at Mellwood that opened last Spring.  Well as of yesterday, I'm in!!!!!  I'll have a place where my work can hang and breath instead of being stored away!  I will gallery sit about 4 hours each weekend and will do a website.  I created the FB page and update it already for The Kore Gallery.  (see why my head is still swirling?).  More info will come as plans crystallize.

Do you listen to Moth Radio Hour?  Saturdays are great for listening to the local public radio.  This American Life, followed by Snap Judgement, The Moth Radio Hour, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, and Bob Edwards (a Louisvillian, btw).  When I'm at the Studio I can listen without interruption while piddling around.    I heard a great story today about a therapist who was challenged by a dying patient and a dying automobile and how both gave her clarity in the end.  Last week I listened to a story about a young white woman whose father became ill and her mother, thinking her husband might not make it, revealed to the daughter that her father had kept a secret...he was actually a black man from Louisiana.  I didn't hear the end of the story and looked for it on the website, but I couldn't find it.  If you caught it, let me know how it ended please.

I think I finally have a plan to feature this fabric in a quilt...

Here is the design I layed out:

The green fabric is hemp.  I ordered 1 yard of it and dyed it when I was all in love with chartreuse.  It is more textured and weighty than the focal fabric which is cotton.


7 comments:

  1. I LOVE Moth Radio Hour! I love that you got into a co-op gallery - that is so cool. I would love an opportunity like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Gerrie, it wouldn't have happened if I had not made the connections by having my studio at Mellwood. The artists I've known for 3 years...we all know one another's idiosyncrasies and still get along very well. So I'm confident that together we can figure stuff out and still stand upright after going over the bumps in the road

      Delete
  2. i LOVED your comment on seth's blog, Karoda. i wish the same, oh to see the possiblities! i perused your other site first, and your quilts, RING MY CHIMES, truly, what a gift you have!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Wanda! Thanks so much for popping into my blog and letting me know...much much much appreciate that! I just came from your blog and we can form a mutual admiration society :D love the ornaments you did in Dec. I saw them and thought of necklaces and earrings.

      I started a pilot program last month that the state SBA is offering specifically for artists and craftpeople on accessing and expanding our market. Although I'm not quite feeling it, I'm committing to staying with the program for the year. It is the traditional monolithic business model that is trying to be a one size fits all...so I'm in desperate need to here Seth's voice this year and will be sticking close to his blog. I've downloaded 2 of his books yesterday also.

      Delete
  3. I just love to see you going forward, and somewhat enjoying some of the struggles. I admire your tenacity. Do what is comfortable to you and what feels right. Seems like you keep making the right moves.Best wishes for your success.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Carol. I wouldn't take nothing for this journey that is for sure...there are times I wish it was easier or clearer than it is, but all I know is to just keep it moving as best I can. Living ain't long enough...peace

      Delete

Swatching it!

Well, well, well...look who is swatching!  The plan (here goes...) is to knit my grand daughter a sweater.  This will be my first knitted ...