Since the last time I wrote one of these updates, the art market came and went. It was an interesting experience. At first blush, it wasn’t particularly successful; after accounting for my market-related expenses, I was able to turn a very modest profit. I didn’t make as much money as the prior 2 markets I have done, and that is without even accounting for materials or my time (either making the pieces or attending the market itself over 2 days). So … calling it a “profit” at all is generous.
This was due, in part, to the attendance at the event itself which was lower than anticipated. The show was attached to a farmers’ market which is a weekly (and usually well-attended) event. For some reason, this particular weekend was a very quiet one. That’s just luck of the draw.
The other, and probably greater, reason is simply economics. This event reinforced my theory that most people have a price ceiling for on-the-spot impulse buys, especially in a situation like this where buying art was not the primary objective of their visit (most of them coming to the venue for the farmers’ market). Based on my observation, $20-40 is generally the range for impulse buys, with people perhaps willing to spend a little more on functional art – i.e. things like pottery and jewelry. The things that appear to sell most consistently at the market fell into that price range, whether art prints, postcards, stickers, key chains, ceramics, etc.
My pieces start at $50. Lots of people admired them, but few were willing to commit on the spot. And I totally get that. As disheartening as it felt in the moment to spend a whole day without selling a single piece, I am fine with it now. I got a bunch of new followers on my art account, some of whom may, in time, decide to buy one of my pieces.
I have given a lot of thought to whether I need to adjust my “offerings” to these market economics and I have decided not to. First and foremost, I am making art for myself – as art, not as commerce. I don’t want to let economics dictate what I make. Making smaller, simpler, less detailed pieces – just to be able to sell them for a lower price – doesn’t appeal to me whatsoever. And, due to the nature of what I make, it’s almost impossible to create something simple enough to be worth selling for, say, $20 a piece without compromising the appeal required to make someone actually want to buy it.
All of this to say: I am not in a rush to join more markets. They provide good exposure but I need to balance that against the cost (low vendor fees are key) and the time investment. Finding venues that offer good traffic, independent of my own advertising, is also key to exposure – i.e. having new people see my art. I also think I might have more success at art-focused events like Royal Bison or the Strathearn Art Walk, but I know it’s much harder and more expensive to become a vendor at those shows.
But leaving aside the profit aspect, the art market was a GREAT experience. I was able to share a booth with a friend and fellow textile artist, and these 2 days gave us a wonderful chance to connect. We were able to support and encourage each other, which was great because we both struggle with impostor syndrome and it’s nice to have someone pumping you up during an intense time like a market. I also got to see other artist friends who were at the event and feel like part of a community. I even made a new friend! (Which, for an introvert in her 40s, is a huge deal.) The event left me feeling energized and inspired, and I now have a long list of project that I want to make. I don’t have any definitive plans for selling all the things I’m planning to make, but I am excited to make them. Which is what this is all about.
Speaking of which, let’s talk about what I’ve been working on.
First, I made a few more things for the market:
This was part of my on-going abstract floral series. It actually sold at the show, together with another piece in the same vein – both to the same couple who loved them so much, they couldn’t decide which one they preferred.
This was a new version of an old design, which I previously made for myself. Although popular, it didn’t sell (yet).
This is a new design which could turn into a theme. I love playing with swaths of colour. This was one of the pieces that sold as well.
Moving on, I’ve been working on some other new things:
I actually made this hoop for myself. I have a little gallery of cartoon portraits (Frida Kahlo, Elizabeth I, Iris Apfel) and have been wanting to add to it. Marie Antoinette was fun to make – I got to play with lots of different textile scraps and get creative about textures.
Speaking of my gallery, here is another one. This is actually my second attempt at Girl with a Pearl Earring. I made one years ago but it was much more rudimentary as I was just starting to figure out these embroidered portraits. I am much happier with this version, which benefits from a few more years of experience on my part.
I am testing a new technique for using thread as “paint” – it’s a more impressionistic style, I think. This design was inspired by Aurora Borealis (northern lights). My bestie loved it, so I gave it to her.
Another experiment in the same vein, this time inspired by (what else?) Monet’s waterlilies. This is definitely one design I want to revisit, perhaps to play around with different colours as well.
Winter is usually my “crafting season” — as the weather turns cold, I tend to stay home more during my days off, which means more time to make art. So I expect we will have lots to talk about in my next update.
I still am coveting several of your items! If there is a way to buy online (I’m in the US) I would gladly direct my husband to purchase one for me for the holidays. They’re so unique.
Hi Pia – thank you so much! Unfortunately, shipping costs and customs forms make international shipping a bit of a hassle. For the time being, I am only selling locally, but I will let you know if that changes.
Hello Adina,
Context:
I have been reading your blog since sometime in 2014, but have never commented. I am a fellow thrifter, formerly a minimalist both aesthetically and in terms of sheer amount, or lack there of, of stuff (much to my dismay thrifting undermines this a bit, as you know), just a couple years younger than you, and have a very different lifestyle and income level from you which can sometimes make it difficult to read, and even after telling myself to stop, I keep returning for the intelligent writing, formerly for the tales from the thrift- miss them, creativity in remixing clothing items- intriguing despite are differing aesthetics, and watching you become increasing comfortable with yourself as evidenced in the evolution of your dressing. I do not have Instagram, so for some time I have been a blog-only reader. The artwork and crafting and book reviews are usually very far from my wheelhouse. We have very different reading interests. I don’t like to put anything on my walls- finding it soothing to come home to empty walls after being bombarded with so much visual input throughout the day. I’m not artistic and couldn’t “craft” much if my life depended on it. Watching your abundance of talent is thus not great for my self-esteem- hence I try to merely glance over or even let myself skip some of the “I make/did a thing” posts. But this post made me need to comment.
Points: While I agree that most people seem to have a price threshold for certain goods, and I myself am not in a position where I could spend $50 on any item not a necessity (even items I thrift are splurges for me), I’m so impressed by the breadth of variety, even within the same medium, of technique, and of self-taught experimentation in your work. The abstraction of the aurora, the detail of the water lilies, both showcasing your new stitch, and the swath of color theme (to me appears as a silhouetted city against sun/sunset), your work is exquisite. EXQUISITE!!! Just exquisite.
That may not alter the impact of people not paying for art at a rate that acknowledges or justifies the amount of time, effort, skill, creativity, serendipity or accumulation and colliding of various inspiration, materials, and tools, imbuing/giving of the self, or magic required to create it, but I hope it resonates: Your creations are exquisite! Maybe, someday people will assign cost per wear to art, as they do to clothing in trying to make good purchases (This is not meant to lower art to the level of an article of clothing- though I realize you view dressing as artistic expression, anyways). How many times will I wear that $50 or $150 blouse this year? (Or even, for a thrifter, that $4 blouse or $7 dress…) How many times will I look at that piece hanging on my wall, when I wake up in the morning, when I walk down the hall and smile or marvel or reflect this year? Likely many more times than the article of clothing. And if they rotate art as you do, or as many do their closets, that leaves the possibility of supporting multiple artists as they do multiple wardrobe items or designers. In the meantime, I hope you continue to find the creation process soothing/therapeutic/inspiring etc. this winter and beyond. I really wish I had more time to make this comment as well thought out and as articulate as you deserve, but I’m rushing to write it so a) I can get back to my time-sensitive to do list and b) before I turn back into my shell and c) before the post goes to long without comment. (It bothers me when you post something amazing and it takes a while for comments to come in. Even though I am part of the non-commenting problem. The length of this one, though, probably equals 10 normal comments, so it evens out.)
Anyways… exquisite. They’re exquisite, as are you. Can’t stop looking at the waterlilies and I’m not even into floral themes.
Thank you so much for this lovely and thoughtful comment. It gave me a lot to think about, and I really appreciate the kind words of encouragement.
I know most people come to the blog for fashion, so I do try to keep to a minimum other topics like my art. However, as an extension of my creative side and a visual medium, I hope an occasional post about art is okay. I decided to delve a little deeper with this post because I think it’s important to acknowledge some of the realities of being an artist. Actually, I am still struggling to even call myself an artist, which is part of the problem. I hope that my being transparent about my experiences will help others in similar situations realize they are not alone. Again, I don’t plan to write about this a lot going forward (and probably just stick to posting photos of my pieces) but with this post I felt like it was important to go behind the “highlight reel”, so to speak.
I know that buying art is a privilege, especially in economically difficult times, so I understand why people may not prioritize it. At the same time, I also think that craftsmanship (especially outside of traditionally male art media like painting, sculpture, etc.) is very underrated these days which is sad. Appreciating it, even if it’s not something you are able to support financially, is very meaningful. Quite a few folks at the market commented that my pieces looked like they took a lot of time and care to make, and that felt great. It feels good to feel one’s effort and skill seen.
Of course it is OK! It’s your space, anything you want is not only OK, but the purpose. I didn’t mean to discourage the art or other non-fashion posts. They are more important, in my opinion, generally than fashion/style regardless of what I specifically come to your specific blog for- all of the content which is a reflection/creation of you. Just the opposite, I wanted to a) show that even for someone not normally interested in such for personal reasons, the creations are too stunning to ignore and b) to hopefully mitigate a bit of the discouragement you may have felt from the slow sales. Monetization does not equal art. Many a starving artist can attest to that. I actually like seeing the evolution and behind the scenes work. And I like the contrast of a traditional craft/medium with the original and varied subjects/themes. (Indeed, the medium is probably why I didn’t take much interest originally.) And, sorry, but you are an artist and a creator, though you can, of course, call yourself whatever you are comfortable with.;)
Best, A
P.S. I meant to term the cost per wear for artwork, “cost per view” in the original comment.
Monetization is one of the things I struggle with when it comes to art. That and self doubt. The market helped because I got to connect with other artists and realize that I am not alone. And getting such a warm response here when I share my art helps a lot too 🙂
* Please excuse the use of “are” instead of “our” and “to” instead of “too” in my previous comment. Was rushing…
I just love your art. They’re some of my favorite posts. Maybe someday you can ship a batch to one address in the US and one of us can distribute from there.
Haha – I like that idea! Having my own gallerist 😜
Wow, these are all so amazing! I especially love the aurora one, it’s so beautiful ! If you ever find a way to ship to Europe (I live in Sweden), let us know ☺️