August has been really slow so far in my etsy shop but when it's slow, instead of getting down about it, I have to take advantage of that time for creating new things. I finally made some more girl aceo's which are all listed in the shop now. My favourites are the pink and yellow girls. If I didn't have black hair, I'd want to be a redhead.
In an effort to get some new wholesale clients, I pounded the pavement today along Queen Street West. After the first shop owner was less than impressed about my drop-in, I decided to just get the rest of the owner's/buyer's contact info from each store. Lesson learned. But you never know until you try. Plus, I don't have a ton of money to invest in getting catalogues printed and mailed out right now, so a face to face meeting is the most direct and cost-effective way for feedback right now, even if it means dealing with some up-turned noses and dirty looks.
The highlight of my excursion was when I spotted a woman wearing one of my Bad Kitty shirts. I even held the door open for her, but was too chicken to blurt out that I'd made her shirt. I think that was the first time I've seen someone wearing one of my shirts.
And last week when I stopped by the vet's to pick up more pills for Suki I got another ego boost. The receptionist asked for my name and when I told her, she said "Oh you make those shirts! I have one (bad kitty)."
The feeling I get when I sell one of my creations, especially an original painting or one of my shirts makes what I do worthwhile. While it doesn't make the tough times go away - how I wish it would - it fuels my fire to keep doing what I'm doing. After all, Bad Kitty was the original design that started off my line of kitty products. If people are still interested in her, then I'm doing something right.
Tomorrow, Matt and I are off for a week to Saskatoon. It'll be my first visit in several years - I can't even remember how long it's been, that's how long it's been - and Matt's first time ever. I'm looking forward to my mom's cooking, seeing my sister's place, playing Scrabble with the family, catching up on reading and checking out the annual Folkfest that I used to partake in. I'm sure we'll be following the Olympics too. Hopefully the kitties will be fine here (yes, that's an old photo, but I haven't gotten around to uploading new ones). Our cat sitter has promised to keep us updated with daily emails. While I will have internet access, I probably won't be updating my blog until we're back.
Hope everyone has a great week!
2 comments:
A big reason I like your blog is that you don't shy away from telling people how you feel, even when its not sunshine and lollipops. And even though you sometimes worry, you always seem super driven and positive at the end. As an artist doing the same thing as you, its a nice place to visit and feel encouraged. :-) Have fun on your vacation!
P.S. I love the redhead too. *Jealous*
Love those new girls!
I hope you had a great trip--I just got back from visiting my parents in Traverse City. Lots of Olympic watching and Scrabble playing there, too. LOL
I'm sorry about the bratty shop owner. Sounds like a miserable person! But how wonderful to be followed up by someone wearing your shirt! It's a sign that you are doing the right thing, I think.
You're braver than I am to do the cold calling--I'd be interested in hearing some tips on how to approach shop owners. Us creative peeps tend to be a bit too shy for our own good sometimes, so kudos to you!
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