Better than expected!

So I had my little booth at BazaarSpark this weekend and let me say - considering the economy and gas prices - I still made a profit (go me!). The whole event was very cool - lots of people came out and there was a very good variety of vendors and I was pretty impressed with the whole set up. There was live music, events for kids, crafts, food, and culture. I wish there were events every 2-3 months like this in every small city. Life would be different. This weekend was a chance for the community to realize that there is so much art culture in Raleigh and that they can involve themselves with local artists with out feeling inhibited. To me, that is so beyond wonderful.

For me personally, I can say it wasn't the best show I have been to - but it wasn't the worst either. I made a profit, and I got some people to sign up for my mailing list, and I met some awesome people who understood that my jewelry was a very high quality, not mass produced, and truly understood that each piece I make is one of a kind, which really helped drive the sale home for them. Some ladies tried on a necklace and were like "No one else will have this....I will get this one!" I have said in some other posts, but the feeling of knowning that a person is so happy and fulfilled with their purchase FROM me, is an undescribable feeling. As an artist I think sometimes you wonder if you are being appreciated, and on days like today you feel it completely. And thankfully - other artists were feeling this too (I hope, bc they were making sales too!).

I am doing another show in a few weeks and I hope that I get the same response. I think I came into this even with little to no expectations - this is mainly because I came into a city which I had NEVER been to before and got compliments that made me feel good. Even though right now, I am a lady with cramps (sorry fellas) that could kill - I threw on a smile, and unforunately not a windbreaker - it was so cold today. Like I didn't get the memo and thankfully brought a sweater and jeans - and chose not to wear my sundresses. hahha. I am excited for the next show!

I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the weekend!!!

Change of Plans...

Since the price of gas is becoming ridiculous, I have decided to stay a little closer to home for festivals/shows from now until further notice. I applied and was accepted to the Bluegrass Festival in Aiken, but after spending 100$ on gas last weekend going to and from Walterboro from where I reside I decided that I just cannot do that. Aiken is twice as far away as Walterboro.

SO I solved the problem by signing up for a more local show that is only an hour away in GA on Tybee Island. The show is called "Spring Art is the Park" and it is next weekend. They have a few other shows on Tybee that look interesting. Here is their website with the information and downloadable application: click here.

I had a bit of an interesting day yesterday involving the dentist, Sam's Club, setting up a new Ez UP by myself in my backyard, setting up my COMPLETE setup to take booth pictures for applications, speeding to the post office to get my application over-nighted, and racing to the south end of the island for another appointment, then finally ending up at the gym.

I posted about this yesterday in the forums, mainly to see if other people who may have ever been to a Sam's Club had an experience similar to mine. I was overwhelmed with the response: "I boycott Wal-mart...and Sam's Club is a part of Wal-mart!" I know what Sam's Club is and who it is associated with. To my knowledge it is the only store of its kind within 50 miles of where I live, and definitely off the island. I was a bit perturbed because I have boycotted Wal-Mart for about 3 years now and detest even going in the store (our wal-mart is really kinda weird anyway) and if I had another choice of going to Sam's or not, I wouldn't go to Sam's. I was offended that people were questioning why I went there, and then telling me there were other options in my state and etc (this person did have a point and stunning jewelry, but she lives about 4 or more hours north of me in the upcountry of SC, I live in the Lowcountry...acutally the lowest country in SC.) Hilton Head limits what kind of chains can really prosper on the island. They really do try to keep it for the little guy, which is one thing I have loved about growing up here. There are no billboards, no Olive Gardens, no Circut Cities, HomeDepots, Lowes, Michaels, etc. Everything is a little bit hidden from the road too (I mean you can see it, but it's really not as obtrusive as people are used to). All of the major chains and car dealerships are over the bridge in Bluffton, Beaufort, and Savannah. So you see, Sam's was my only option - especially since gas for me is 50$ a fill up.

BTW: setting up an ez-up by yourself, while your dogs look at you as if you are totally crazy (you know when they turn their head a lil cockeye, as if to say wtf are you doing?), is hard. I wear a heart rate monitor to the gym to make sure I am in the right zone while I'm doing cardio, I had it turned on while I was doing this and my heart rate was 150. That's in the Cardio Zone for me. EzUP cardio.

Organization SLASH PAY TAXES!

Oy, this week is going to be a big one for me. Here is what my game plan is:

1. Get oil changed in car
2. meet with accountant and pay taxes already
   
3. full inventory of ALL items
1. Record w. Wholesale AND Retail prices ---> This is a HUGE thing for me
4. Make more items

While it might only look like 4 things to do. They are going to take probably 10 hours a day (besides the oil change). The pricing/inventory is probably the most important because I am trying to build up my confidence to get my pieces into boutiques. I have never done the wholesaling before, so if and when I finally get an appointment, I want to be fully prepared and be as professional as possible.

I have a show coming up this Saturday! If you are in the lowcountry area - you should come and stop by to see what us local artists have going on! I have been trying to do a lot of web advertising for the event as well as talking with people. Please contact me for more details!!!

Have a great day!!!

Morgan

Bummer slash Rant

Dear Economy,

You totally suck very bad right now. I am giving you the proverbial middle finger, the bird, the big F-YOU! Why are you making it hard for the small craftswoman? Some of us would like to move out and have a real life, perhaps one fully funded by their love of art and creating? Can you let up a little bit so all of us can feel better? Jewelry looks so nice on everyone, even you! Maybe if you take a break and even out, more people will want to buy more...think about it ok?


Your Arch Nemesis,

Morgan

thefind.com

Hey everyone,

I just found out that a few of my older items from my etsy.com shop made it onto a site called www.thefind.com

That's pretty bad ass and I had no idea my pieces were even on there until someone brought up the site. It is apparently a small section of the NY Times. I am pretty flattered and hope that some of my other pieces (which I think are better) get up there as well.

I am going to being preparing all my prices and doing a lot of changes to really prepare myself for potential wholesaling opportunities. I learned a lot recently about what really happens and want to make sure I will be prepared and as professional as possible. This is a huge task and will require a full inventory of all my items (which will be good for my upcoming shows) and I will really make sure all of my pieces are priced properly.

Have a great day!

- Morgan

Yay for Saturday!!!

I love the weekends!

Today I took my dogs to the beach and they got to run around in the water and sand without their leashes on...it was a really beautiful time and you couldn't help but smile just looking at them. They are so tired though because we jogged down there and then they sprinted all over the place. One of my spring time goals is to get them back in shape...they aren't puppies anymore!

I also got my a shipment of my artclay in this week so I am going to get going on that today. I have gotten a lot of requests for the leaf ring I made and sold on etsy a while ago. I do not know if I can do it exactly as I did before, but I am going to try. I loved that ring and even though I am really glad it sold, I miss it. It got a ton of compliments and people loved that it was actually really organic and made from a real leaf I found in my back yard. So thats what my plans are for this afternoon.

have a great weekend!!!

Back in the Saddle

I made a lot of earrings this week and and interesting necklace with carnelian and turquoise. It feels really good to get back in my studio again and just bust out a bunch of pieces that I REALLY like. I try not to make anything for my racks that I wouldn't wear myself.

I also started to use a lot of copper in my earrings. It is a cool way to bring warmth and enhance color in my earrings. I love the combo of amethyst and copper - perfect balance so far.

So I think I am going to try to make more earrings this week...I sent off my netflix so I am currently waiting for my new DVD. I got busy while watching Michael Clayton yesterday (ps good movie!) My boyfriend borrowed my RosettaStone in Spanish that I got for Christmas and finished the first level and has now returned it back to me. I am going to see how trying to get fluent in spanish and making jewelry will be. I hope Ill be able to multi-task like that!!

My friend Brian and his family own a series of really great deli's Gruby's New York Deli - to be exact. And locally his dad is going to put out my business cards... I am excited! I hope people take them.

I am really getting excited to take more pictures... perhaps I will start on that this week too!


CHECK OUT THE SALE!
http://karma711.etsy.com