Day 17: Assuming Got Me Nowhere

365 Days Of My Life As A Studio Artist: Day 17

Day 16 Donations: $3.50709

Donations Running Total: $6.659789

Day 17 Growth Idea: Not Assuming I lost a job (but not the customer) yesterday that I pretty much thought was a given for me. This customer was in a hurry and told me what they wanted, the deadline, the price range they had to work with, and how they heard of me (from the Sourcebook at Guild.com). What did I learn? Don't assume, no matter how promising it sounds, that it is a for sure till the contract is signed and the money is received. Although time has shown me this is true, because of our initial conversations, I didn't send this potential customer all of the information I normally send with a quote... my resume, my list of references, past jobs, etc. I was told I was not working with a committee so the CD slide show of previous jobs, and my technique was not important. In the end, her biggest concern was a lack of knowledge of my work and not having seen previous jobs I have completed and their quick turnaround time did not allow her the opportunity to visit jobs I have already installed. Next time, I'll send it all and they can weed out what they don't want.

My History: In the early years of my business I did a lot of advertising in newspapers, radio, etc. I'm not going to say it didn't work, but I didn't see a direct response to that advertising. Internet was not really popular then and I didn't use the Internet for advertising. About a year after moving into the small space in Tecumseh, I moved to the building next door. The space was much larger, but it was on the 2nd floor. Although I did not have a main floor window, I did have much more room and lots of windows to display my glass work. If I remember right, I moved into this space about the same time I found out I was pregnant with my third child. But, I kept moving forward. The lamp shown here was one of my first custom made pieces some employees had made for their boss.

Today's Business: #1 on the list for today is to send the customer above the documentation not included initially. I will be sending a list of my references and public places she can see my work in. Future jobs could depend on her getting this information. #2 on the list is to finish several small projects I need to get paid for. Monday I want to start gluing glass to my easels for my Women's Rights window.

LINKS: Guild Sourcebooks This is a wonderful full photo book of artwork of all kinds in public places, private residences, churches, and commercial buildings.

What was I thinking?

365 Days Of My Life As A Studio Artist: Day 16

Day 15 Donations: $1.16712

Donations Running Total: $3.142699

Day 16 Growth Idea: Profitable Glass Quarterly. Reading trade publications always helps me. This months Profitable Glass Quarterly is exciting from the first page. The Editor tells of the Celebrity Cruise she went on that raised over $14,000 for scholarships and efforts to deliver glass art books and magazines to art teachers. So in between visiting the islands, there were glass classes, workshops, seminars, etc. This kind of inspiration is priceless to me. It reminds me of what the Michigan Glass Guild did for me in my early years. The link for the next cruise is listed below. (In this photo, my husband thought he was a photographer and... I don't know what I was thinking. For most of you who know me, my normal dress is jeans and work shoes. This room of the cruise ship was all hands - the walls - the chairs - and all the decorations. I was talking to my cousins wife and we are both dorky enough to only rollerblade with wrist guards on. Can't imagine being without my hands. I have even practiced doing things left handed, just in case something was to happen. Ever try brushing your teeth with your left hand?)

My History: Making customers want what I had was not so easy. Early on, I joined the Michigan Glass Guild. That was a wonderful resource for me even though I couldn't make it to very many events. The Guild would have monthly pot-lucks at a different glass artists studio. I didn't know anybody, and didn't feel qualified to be there, but I learned from every meeting I went to. I would see other artists techniques, their approach to their art, and their ideas about how to market themselves.

Today's Business: Busy. I have a lot of projects started that need finishing. One of them is a sandblasted window that I am duplicating to match an existing window for a customers home. The design was created using American Bevel Designer II, it was printed out on vellum, developed on Photobrasive film, and transferred to the glass for sandblasting. Better get busy.







LINKS: KBW Foundation Cruise 2011