said my fortune cookie at the Dragon Wall, where my artist wife Lynne (www.rakubyshekinahclay.com) and I were celebrating a $160 Raku piece delivery. A lady had seen it at our recent holiday art show and husband arranged for a purchase for a Christmas present, in a parking lot, felt like we were doing some kind of drug deal or something.
Indeed our art show life has changed, after much scrutiny of our last 3 years of art show sales results, seeing steady declines, looking at uncertain 2011 economics, we decided to pull back from the 2011 show circuit and take some new directions.
2011 art show sales would take 3 potential directions; get worse, stay the same (not workable) or improve. We decided we could not risk shows staying the same or getting worse. I've mentioned in the past that setting a 2011 show schedule was like entering a big casino for a year. We've decided we just don't like the art show sales odds this year.
While there are some signs of improvement in our economy, as it has been noted by most economists, recovery from this latest economic debacle will be slower than previous recessions. With still high unemployment, millions of adjustable rate balloon mortgages coming due in 2011 & 12, housing still tanking, most of the holiday surge in buying was for clothing. From following AFI, it appears from show reports, sales around the country are still struggling. Show promoters are not reducing their costs and adding more questionable booths to fill shows.
Fortunately, both my wife and I receive retirement monies, so our balance of income need is not as great as if we needed a full time income. With Lynne being a lifetime educator, her teaching ranging from elementary to college level, she will be pursuing sub teaching. Employment opportunities here in the Paonia, CO area are limited, so I'll put on my sales/marketing hat and work the region to sell our work through galleries, gift shops, winerys, etc. We've never had the time to develop and maintain a local regional sales network. We'll also spend more time on web sales, consider doing some workshops and be open to creative new options. I'll not depend on such sales and will continue to look for at least part time employment. We'll still do the few shows that have been good producers and keep a close eye on the art show circuit.
So we rolled the dice and have placed our bets on a new game for 2011.
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