Tasmanian Christmas Bells - Blandfordia punicea
Tasmanian Christmas Bells - Blandfordia punicea
I have finally pulled the plug on my store at Kiama. It closes in four weeks time. If you are down that way please visit and buy something before it’s gone. After a full year there I have been able to assess the figures and the efforts required to maintain something so far away from home. It turns out it was more of a vanity store and good for my branding, but not so good at making some money.
Unfortately life’s like that sometimes. While I love having exhibitions and don’t mind that the work doesn’t sell, having a store with weekly outgoings and monthly trips to restock that only just breaks even isn’t really worth the huge effort it requires. Besides there are opportunities a foot that are a bit closer to home in more artistic artisan environments. So I’d rather save up and try again at another time.
Each time one tries these ventures you learn a bit more.
Those that are successful at this type of venture are at it full time. I have been treating it as a sideline and haven’t been able to produce the merchandise at the right price points that I need too.
Recent discussions concluded that sales is about creating real connections with people. It was quoted to me that the best person to sell your work is you. People who sell your work on your behalf have to have the same passion (and knowledge) for you and your work.
I can almost predict the sales figures based on who’s selling. Fascinating.
I have a huge collection of gorgeous cushions that need homes, boxes of scarves, and lots of prints. Perhaps you’d consider visiting the studio at Willoughby if you wanted to buy something from me, while I am in between ventures. The stock won’t be here until mid March though.
Virtually all the prints from the exhibition I had at Leura in the Light and Shadow Gallery with Max Dupain have sold from the Kiama outlet. Peter did curate a lovely selection of my work for that show.
It is sad to end things. But that creates space for new and different things.
Don’t you wonder what’s next? I do.
Tasmanian Christmas Bells - Blandfordia punicea. Western Aurthurs, South West Tasmania. Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2020