First, greetings all! I hope everyone is healthy, well and sticking to New Year Resolutions. It's a struggle, but I actually am doing just that feeling a sense of accomplishment each day that passes that I stick to my own resolutions. My reason for doing a plain 'ol blog post vs. a "40 Questions" one is because I have a wish for everyone. My wish - like there's a genie in front of me that will actually grant me this, but here's to hoping - is to not loose the drive to strive to do better. Better than last year in sales, better in your artwork, better as a person as a whole and better as an art business owner.I have looked back on things I have posted hear last year, discussions others have posted, show reviews as well as thinking about to personal experiences outside of this awesome social network and learned a few things along the way. The big thing is to not take a self-defeatist attitude seriously, but acknowledge it and then MOVE ON! I would like to reflect on just one or two points I have I think are worth sharing.January through December of 2010 had ups and downs for me as it seems for others too. I had crappy shows throughout the Spring which always made me question why am I still doing Spring shows? I think it is partially because I am foolish, but also think perhaps this year the results will be different and it wouldn't hurt to test market this or that... I had horrible weather at the shows I did and even a minimum amount of loss at one, which was fortunate as others, at the same show, had lost everything. However I strive to do better and realize that it is just one show, it isn't the end of the world!In March I launched a new craft line with the other aromatic stuff I create, a palm wax candle line - my profile photo is of one fragrance to give you a visual aid. While candles were the farthest thing from my mind to venture into, it was one of those opportunities I couldn't resist when the store owner (I work for part time) was looking for a local client who sells great quality candles. I took a cue from the hint and secretly played with a few different types of waxes, and after some testing and playing, I came up with one that I felt worthy of presenting to the owners. They LOVED it which began a several months of testing, smelling and creating (this was a few months prior to March) to get a product that was perfect for selling in their store which then gave birth to my candle line, Destination Scentsations. (My personal candle line isn't sold in the store as they have different names, style jars and so on - but a private label delio). If it wasn't for them and me entertaining the idea, I wouldn't have made the best sales I have ever had at the shows I sold at this past year - especially during the Fall/holiday season. Due to that I now have a wholesale client and since then a possible two others that have approached me. Here I felt doing something like adding a candle line to what I currently offer opened more doors that I ever could have imagined - striving to think outside the box to bring in better clientele, more buying customers, and doubling my overall sales from 2009 to 2010.The down side is not a whole lot of "art" shows see handmade candles - from scratch mind you - qualifies as "art". This made the pool of choosing shows more like a kiddie pool. Just as one door closes - as I did do fewer shows in 2010 than I ever have during my 8 years of selling at shows - another opens. That light came in the form of pushing me into a more "gift" realm, yet doing some "craft" shows that were open minded to allow candles especially if they are homemade and different than mainstream stuff on the market - like home party candle sales reps. Oddly enough, the competition for candles isn't that bad. So this year I am striving to look beyond "art" shows and do more with the wholesale/gift show realm. Granted its probably easier to poo poo promoters, complain about customers (or lack thereof of buyers), and all that other stuff than thinking positive. However, I took a step back and looked at things from different angles. I ended up listening to what the "heavens" are telling me and not resist, but go where the wind takes me. It's an odd thing how sometimes you don't choose your path, but the path chooses you - does that make sense?As far as striving to do better, I looked at myself and while I do believe I am an easy to get along with person, always happy and wearing a smile, I am seriously lacking in one area.... Taking care of myself. Many of my family members have serious health issues like diabetes and heart issues due to not taking care of themselves, but I have to strive to do better in taking care of myself. So, this is the year I am exercising and eating far more healthy and cutting my portions. I want to be able to set-up my Trimline faster and easier (which I do by myself already) without huffing and puffing, I want to look good at a show (not wearing clothes that hide my "muffin top") and be more quick on my feet and not be so darn exhausted after a show! Far too often I see obese "artists" at shows and I don't know how they are able to do a show (from set-up to break-down) just based on appearance praying they won't have a heart attack at the show. I don't want to be like that and no one else can make it happen, but me. So no more pushing things off until later, choosing the easy meal over a healthy one, and so on. I am striving to do better.So along this crazy tirade, how will you strive to be better come this 2011?- Michelle Sholund, By the Bay Botanicals - www.bythebaybotanicals.weebly.com
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