I got back from both New York and Philadelphia markets last week.  It looks like we’ll be so busy in the next few short weeks, but it must be said, I did not write the usual number of orders required to keep us busy and profitable for the next few months.  I am very frustrated.

I have always believed that not everyone should be self-employed.  Making your own money is a hard thing to do.  It’s a tough life sometimes.  Sure, there is great freedom, especially when you have enough business to hire employees to create certain efficiencies.  But there can also be huge anxiety.  There is no safety net, no corporate big brother to make sure those paychecks are distributed on time, or even that there is money in the bank to support them.

Self-employment is not for the faint-of-heart.

My Philly show was quite rewarding, especially in light of the fact that I, and so many other artists and buyers, arrived late due to the blizzard of 2010.  I didn’t score a lot of new business, but previous customers came and replenished their inventory.

My New York show, however, was a different story.  Even after having my mother (remember, I mentioned employees) make one hundred phone calls in advance of the show, my final numbers were so low I lost money on the show.  I’ve never had that experience at New York Gift before.  Usually, the New York show is the big money-maker for me.  I couldn’t believe the lack of business.  On the plus side, every previous customer I saw did stop and write a new order, for which I am evermore grateful.

At first, it appeared that everyone in my section was having the same, surprisingly quiet show.  By the end, however, it seemed that things turned out “okay” for just about everyone else in my area. My question is this: is it just a matter of adjusting one’s expectations?  And, here’s another: how does one keep one’s faith that everything will be all right, when things don’t go as planned?

I’ve asked myself over and over what I could have done differently to achieve better sales.  Frankly, I cannot come up with an answer.  I did a mailing, an email blast, my mom made the phone calls, the booth looked good, the lighting was generous.  I introduced new work, and even offered my buyers chocolate!

I’ve now seen the results of a survey conducted by Larry Hornung of http://craftshownews.com.  His respondents seem to echo my experience: the Galleria handmade section just did not see the same buyer traffic as the rest of the show.  It may be that the further back the buyers need to go, the less likely they are to get there.

Fortunately, GLM and Javits will be addressing that issue: Javits Center North will be open in August, placing us back at ground level, and integrated with the rest of the US/Canadian handmade product.  Global Resources will be established to showcase handmade product made in other countries, which usually results in those inexpensive imports.  Hallelujah!  We’ll be in our own venue, which I believe will increase visibility, as well as keep our product from having to compete with cheaper imports.

In the meantime, it’s my job to reach out to the customers I may have missed at this year’s Winter shows.   I have a strong track record of sales and profits for my company, as well as high customer satisfaction.  It’s been a tough couple of years; we artists felt the recession coming long before the mortgage crisis hit.  At this point, I need to re-commit to making the company strong, even when I feel fear.  I have to deliberately construct my confidence.  What’s that phrase? “Fake it ‘til you make it”?  Yep, that’s what I will do.  Rather than drown in my fear, I will choose to remain confident, choose to remain committed to my customers and their success.  I make great work, and support my own work.  When the market comes back, I will be here.

Here’s a bit of the newest work:

Wide-Band Rings hand-crocheted with Semi-Precious Stones

Lattice Ring

Hand-forged Silver FlowersHand-forged Gold Flowers

Hand-forged Gold Flowers

Boogie Nights- early daysvi2361065753 boogie nights trailerDuuuuuuuuude

In 1997, a great movie was made, Boogie Nights.  Marky Mark Wahlberg, Heather Graham, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and even Burt Reynolds starred.  It was an epic,  a three-hour long extravaganza focusing on the growth of the porn industry from the 70’s and onward.  While it was interesting for obvious reasons, it sticks in my mind because it spawned a significant theory that drives my life as I raise male children.  What theory, you ask?  My Boogie Nights Theory of Hair Length for Men.

You see, what goes around, comes around, in fashion as in life.  My son, Jonah, now 13, has had long-ish hair for most of his life.  As a little boy, I had his hair cut into a short preppy style, but as he got older, we both agreed that his iconoclastic persona (my words, not his) and desire to be “different,” meant that he should be among the first to experiment with the free-and-easy symbol that is longer hair. 

The girls love the long hair!

 His little brother, now almost 3, has the long hair, too. 

Elliot, age 2 3/4

So back to the movie: At the beginning, the porn industry was just coming to life.  It was populated by cute young kids, eager for sexual experimentation, with only a few hardened souls to show just how bad things could get.  The kids, Marky Mark in particular, had soft, longish hair.  No more tight, preppy cuts, things were just growing naturally.  As the movie moves forward, hair starts getting longer, and longer.  By the epic third hour, when the porn industry has devolved into one drug fest after another, the hair gets too long, lank, unclean  and unattractive.  The characters are all in trouble, strung out and addicted, not having the happy sex of their youths, but rather doing what they have to do to keep themselves addled out of reality.  The characters’ hair is a great metaphor for the downward spiral in which all find themselves.  In a nutshell, the cute, sweet characters of the beginning turn into something like this:

Whoaaaaa, duude

And here’s where I’m going with this: Jonah’s hair is too long.  It’s starting to look like the strung-out guy above, and it’s starting to affect his reputation, at least in my eyes.  Is his shaggy look a mirror of his inner self?  And if so, is he hiding under all that hair, as a way of softening the slings and arrows of being 13 in a divorced, reconstructed family?  Or, maybe he thinks it’s cool, so his inner self is doing great. 

I love my Jonah, and I think my job as  mom is to help him keep his options open, for now, as he discovers himself.   Here are a few men’s ‘do’s that I think fit the bill.  Jonah would cringe, knowing that I’ve chosen celebrity heartthrobs as my examples, but they were easy to find.  Because of his previous investment in long hair, he can claim to be ahead of the pack in going shorter, no?

Zac Efron Hair

Still a groovy 'do

Of course, Jonah is the biggest hearthrob in my life.  And I’d rather he think I’m a big dork (duh) than have him be the bigger dork.  Of course, it’s not the hair that makes the man, but rather the other way around.  I just want to make sure he’s moving forward with the hair, as he does in the rest of his life.

As an “object person,” I frequently come across things, usually clothes or accessory pieces, that keep me awake at night. This week, I am drooling over a few belts and boots. I suppose, given the delicious crisp autumn air we’ve had of late, it’s my way of welcoming the season. A girl’s gotta celebrate, yes?

My usual gun-to-the-head, the Sundance catalog, has a few gorgeous belts that I’m coveting.

peace, love and happines belt

This “Peace, Love and Happiness” belt is making me googly-eyed, that’s for sure. It’s only available online, of course. Oooh, exclusive… It’s troppo caro, however, $148, which is more than I am likely to spring for, for such a unique piece. I don’t know that I’d be able to wear this with everything. I mean, of course you could wear it with every brown boot, and all your denim, but it’s so unusual that you’d come to be known as the “Peace, Love and Happiness” Girl. Something this distinctive is hard to buy on a limited budget.

Hand-wrought Genevieve Belt

Here’s another totally gorgeous piece, the “Hand Wrought Genevieve Belt,” also $148. Hmm… this one might be worth the splurge. I like the red-brown pattern on the dark background. And there’s also the “Larissa Belt,” another goodie:

Larissa Belt

This one would be great with the tobacco-colored boots I’m dreaming about. (I think the Larissa is less expensive, maybe $78.) And speaking of the boots, I am a big advocate of La Candienne, a Canadian company (duh) that uses a lot of eco-friendly practices, as well as waterproof suede. I’ve had a few pairs of their boots, and I’ve finally worn one out. Instead of thinking, blah, I’ve killed it, all I could think of was buying a new pair! My new Felicia boots arrived last week- just in time for rainy season- hooray!

Felicia

I got them in the dark brown. I’m also in love with their Camille boot:

Camille

This is a little motorcle-y, and I think it’s so cool. I’ll have to find the price for this. It’s probably a little high up there, as their boots ain’t cheap. I love this in the tobacco color, which of course goes great with the Larissa belt. Or the Genevieve, for that matter.

 Here’s one more boot option for achieving nirvana: the Checkers Boot by Rocket Dog.

Checkers Boot

It’s a little grittier, which could be fun, and also probably a little less expensive at $85. Hmm… so many things to decide!

I just want to throw one more thing into the mix, since I am obsessing, of course. Sundance is offering a cashmere sweater group at a really good price.

Blissful Cashmere Sweater

So, I ask myself, is it time for another cashmere?  Well, is it ever not a time for another cashmere? If I go here, I might do something in color, rather than the usual black. I’ve been buying patterns lately, and another black sweater seems too staid.

Well, I’ve sort of spent my money on my obsessions, at least in my head. If anyone knows of other incredible items to obsess over, let me know!

Ouch! I was just in the middle of writing a terrific blog post when- blammo! My computer freaked on me, as it is often wont to do. I’m just typing along, spilling my thoughts on my own validity as a metalsmith, how I have some new design ideas, maybe they’re worth exploring, blah, blah, when- blammo, as I said, my computer jumps to another screen! When I hit my little “forward” button, searching for my lost blog, I find nothing. Nothing had been saved, as I had not planned to abandon my writing at that time. Oy vey.

Well, the blogging on the new work will have to come later. I am too frustrated to go there now. Sigh…

But I do have one great thing that happened last week I’d like to throw up here now: I was on TV!  There’s a morning show on in St. Louis every day.  They had on one of my customers, Judy Berkowitz, Executive Director of a fantastic organization, Kids in the Middle.  (Kids in the Middle- so great!  They help kids whose families are going through divorce.  There’s group and individual therapy; it’s so supportive for the kids, who of course, often blame themselves for their parents’ relationship issues.  Please google…)  Judy was wearing my work the day she was on the show.  Someone there liked what she was wearing and asked about it- voila! Instant PR!  I’m going to try to post the link right now- wish me luck…

http://www.kmov.com/video/?z=y&nvid=396761&shu=1

Whew!  I see it appeared.  Please take a quick look if you’re interested.  Ididn’t realize I had such a beak!

The intereviewer was just amazing.  Carol Daniel is her name.  She’s been in radio in St. Louis for a while, and now she’s got a TV show!  She was just terrific.

Well, I guess I’m feeling better now.  Not quite as frustrated as I was when i started this.  One fo these days, it’s a new computer for me…

Yes, I am finally home, and back in the studio at last.  I had just too many trips this summer.  I truly feel like I am entering a new season, which is a feeling I enjoy.

I know some people think traveling all around the country selling art must be a good time.  In some ways, it can be.  It’s great to see new places, try new foods, have great conversations with people enamored of your work.  Those things are great.  But can I tell you how great it is to have your 2 1/2 year old son take a big sigh and just sit on you?  It is a little slice-o-heaven, let me tell you.  It’s even wonderful to have your 13 year old son grunt in your direction- that’s about all I get from Jonah these days, but he’s still my world and my life.  I feel a lot of guilt about being gone so much, and some anger, too, quite honestly.  I made these choices, and I’m so glad my business strategies are paying off, especially right now, but I dislike the feeling that these trips are necessary, and if I didn’t commit to doing them I could put my family at risk.  I’m not so good without financial security.  Some of my life choices don’t seem to support someone who needs it as much as I do, and I grapple with that all the time.  I always arrive back at “life has its paradoxes.”  In other words, we do the best we can to balalnce a variety of needs.

So I wonder if this blog thing really will become like a daily journal.  I’m a big journaler.  Using journals has helped me through some very dark times in my life; I recommend the therapy to everyone I know.  I suppose I would like to center the blog on business topics, but clearly, life will creep in.  As I develop a more regular habit, I’d like to add photos and video of things that seem important.  How will I find the time for that?!  I feel like I need to go back to school to learn everything about this social media stuff!  But, at least I’m starting, that’s the best I can do for now, and it’s certainly good practice.  Things will grow, and I promise this will get more interesting.

I have a business expansion project I’ve been working on.  I am up against a wall in terms of getting some information to someone who can help me.  This another reason for my anger about the traveling.  I’ve been out of town so much, doing business survival activities, that I haven’t been able to give this project my full attention.  I’m on it today, as soon as I sign off.  I have a feeling it’s going to be another one of those 15-mintue projects- the kind of thing that doesn’t really take very long, as soon as one is able to clear one’s head and really focus on it.  Focus.  Yep, there’s a word.

Okey doke.  I think I’ve inspired myself.  I’m off to do what I can on this expansion thing.  If it gets off the ground, you’ll read a lot about it here.  Good things to all!

Well, my goodness.  What a joyful thing to wake up to- a giant spate of support from my friends.

I’m still very new at this social media thing.  I’m making a very deliberate effort to get hip to Facebook, Twitter, etc.  But lo and behold, my tiny comment on my FB page yesterday about the NY Gift Show (and the poor climate control) elicited supportive comments from about 14 friends!  Thank you all!  It’s so amazing, in the face of a dry show, to feel like there is life outside the convention center.  The show yesterday was not quite up to my expectations (numbers running way below previous years, thus far), and this smattering of love from the far corners does my heart proud!  Thanks to all who commented.  Keeping your attitude positive is a vital part of surviving these events; I feel truly grateful to have so much assistance in keeping it together!

So, my great friend, Jamie Cassavoy, of Cassavoy & Company, gave me great insight into a physical malady that’s been plaguing me lately.  My left heel is so sore when I awake each morning.  Apparently, I have plantar fascitis (which I hope I’m spelling even close to correctly).  It’ sort of a tear in the muscle across the bottom of the heel, which happens from the physical stress of standing a lot.  Duh!  OMG, as they say in computer shorthand- I’ve been standin’ all summer long!  How many shows- seven? Eight?   Transport, set up, stand around selling the goods, tear down, pack it all up, and move on to the next city.  I am well aware I’m far from the only artist pulling this off all summer long, but now on the far side of 40, I’m thinking I need to develop a better plan to reach the customer.  Stay tuned on that, as I have something growing in the back of my mind.

Okey-dokey, it’s time for me to start getting ready for another day at New York Gift.  I have a few stores scheduled to see me today- that’s a great relief. A girl’s gotta make a livin.’  Asking for love, joy, and success, and sendin’ the love back out!

Wow.  So here it is: the new website.  We’ve been working on this for several months now.  It’s amazing how long it takes to coordinate all the details of the site- the images and copy, the background, how the images rotate on the home page.  I think we’ve got it where we want it now- ready for prime time.  If it isn’t perfect, that’s okay, for now.  I think time will teach me how to update it, and I’m sure customers will not be shy to share their thoughts as well.

Thanks to everyone in advance.  I appreciate feedback, sales, and support of the universal kind.

Many blessings,

Randi

18K Yellow Gold: If you could work with any material in the world, why wouldn’t you work with beautiful, luscious 18K Yellow Gold.  It is just amazing. Buttery and with a satiny glow, I’m just in love with the material.  Of course, people in every culture understand gold.  It’s part of the language of adornment.  We connect to our selves and our world when we indulge in 18K.

Silver and Pearl: I first started making jewelry in Silver. When it came time to add stones, I was instinctively drawn to the Pearl.  Its luster, the organic shapes- sometimes chubby and round, others times skinny and branched like a tree- are so seductive.  Not to mention that I loved how it looked with the silver.  Everything was white and glowing. I also love the sweet and ladylike effects I can achieve with it.  Every woman wants to feel special, yes?  Every once in a while I’ll design with color, but the Silver and Pearl will always be inspiring in and of themselves.

Oxidized Sterling and 18K Gold: This group represents a thicker line.  The crochet wire is a tight, loopy surface, which I love, but this is a newer group, and shows that we evolve as artists.  I enjoy the contrast between the Oxidized Silver and the warm Yellow Gold, punctuated by the sparkle of diamonds as so many of these pieces are.  These are like 3-dimensional drawings in the air.

Bamboo: This represents another departure from the original crochet stitch.  In this case, the fabricated supports are parallel to each other, and I need to pull the crochet stitch longer from bar to bar.  I love how this creates a combination of straight lines, but with an organic hand to them.  It sort of reminds me of slubby woven silk- everything parallel and perpendicular, but with nature showing its hand.  I know I’m not up there with Mother nature in terms of making, but I can certainly appreciate a natural result.

Hammered: A hammered surface is actually a 2-dimensional treatment, but in my mind the thickness of the metal is a part of the story, too.  I design my hammered pieces so that the light-reflecting parts combine together to make the final piece.  It’s about creating a pattern in the air.

Linear: This is another attempt at drawing in 3 dimensions.  I like to pack the lines together, like a high-energy pencil drawing  I can’t believe these pieces were even able to come into existence- it’s a big challenge to take one form (drawing) and convert it to another- a tangible metal reality.

Stick-and-Pearl: This is me getting a little more strict with the line.  I like the way the straight pieces, when connected properly, make a soft, drapey piece.  I’d love to make a giant bib necklace some day- really let the metal become a fabric.

Shapes and Geometrics: Over time, I’ve challenged myself to take what people perceive to be so “delicate” and build it strong, so strong that it can contain a volume.  And, I suppose, I must also enjoy creating small sculpture, because this turns out to be what they are.  In some sense, a lot of these items were inspired by my trying to be “different,” but some of them are my most enduring designs.

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