Another Day, Another Dollar

Two shows in 2 weekends and neither of them good. The Virginia Holiday show was terrible, though the managers were nice, there was coffee on the first day, help loading and unloading, and other comforts. There were just too few customers and they were not in a buying mood. As this was an expensive show for us, I was not too happy. Today I went to a long running local show in Arnold , MD and again, the show people were nice. Just not much in the way of customers stopping by, much less buying anything. I did make some sales so it was not a loss, but neither was it particularly profitable.
I did go to a Sugarloaf show on Saturday as a customer and that was both well attended and had lots of buyers. I think every 2nd couple in the show was carrying a shopping bag. As I was leaving, I noticed everyone walking back to their cars was carrying a bag. so perhaps all the serious buyers were there and not at the 2 shows I attended.
So that's the next strategy is , to try to get into this well regarded series of shows. I know our glass is made and designed well enough to be seriously considered. We just need to get some professional photos taken.

Veteran's Day, a bit late.

Our Patriotic Heart for those who we remember on Veteran's Day; and for those who serve now.

I like the more centered, stable red heart. It suggests steadfast courage and a deep, abiding Caritas.

I'm not usually this solemn. But there's something about Veteran's Day, about the chill November air and the lengthening night reminds us that life is fleeting even for the brave. Or perhaps it is especially fleeting for the brave, who know what they are risking.

Why Good Photographers are Worth the $

So a month ago I look a workbench pictures of this piece-which looks ... well like a snapshot of a work in progress. There's still a solder spill in the upper left corner , it's not framed yet, and the steel blue reads almost black. Last week, before the show, Di set up a stand, with reflectors and special light and took new pictures. Then, darling computer jockey that she is, she spent hours with Photoshop and other software tweaking the colors and the reflections so we'd get something that more nearly resembled what is actually there.The better picture does not quite show the difference in the dark brown square from the lighter brown sides, but wow! does the piece look great. Photoing glass is a challenge, as the colors never come out right and the is the reflection of the flash or of the lights to deal with.

When she brought down a disk of new pictures along with the glass she had made, I was absolutely amazed. I had not seen my pieces in a week since I sent them to her and wow, she made them look great. She even made a slide show we set up in our booth on her laptop showing our current works, works in progress and new designs.

Our little studio is lucky she can do all this. I'd hate to have to contract this out!

Four in Hand or Card Trick

Newest piece to be made. This is a small panel, only 6 inches across. We don't make anything that small anymore as a rule, but this design is so nice.

It looks best in North facing windows colors just gleam in the cooler light from the North. In a South facing window the colors wash out. We also made a few in bright primary colors just for that reason. The really rich , deep jewel tones look great too.

People and groups who make crafting fun

The kind folk who run the Ballston Arts and Crafts shows were kind enough to put up a photo of our booth in the October blog. http://www.ballstonarts-craftsmarket.blogspot.com/
A nice touch since the shows are over for the year.

Last weekend

Our booth at the show Our Booth at the Northern Virginia Christmas Show last weekend

Today's the Day- Or Tonight's Today

It's officially Friday November 9, so the Northern Virginia Christmas Market Show begins. Or it will in another 10 hours. We've just gotten back from setting up the booth. I'm nervous but have received a great bit of news!

I'm the featured blogger on the November newsletter from the Creative Glass Guild of Etsy. Stop and look at the newsletter at http://www.cgge.org/0004Newslette1107.htmThere's a couple of links there to some well written articles on glass cutting .



For those who do not know, Etsy is a crafters selling website where crafters sell their wares, network and generally schmooze. http://www.etsy.com/Great fun! I've met some great people online and through them, some really nice crafters local to the DC region.



Do stop by and see us at the show this weekend, http://www.emgshows.com/a_nvcm.htm. We're near the Cafe at booth 389. We'd really like to meet you.

Down to the Wire

Today's the day to check if we have enough electrical supplies, paper goods and other things for the show. Also have to fix 3 broken pieces- sigh, the results of outdoor shows and wind. And why do the inexpensive, easy to repair pieces never fall?
I'm determined to consider this an good omen. Heck I'm determined to consider everything a good omen!

A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Hearts

Here they are in all their multi-colored glory. Red, vermillion, scarlet, pink, yellow, caramel, green, forest, teal, azure, cobalt, navy, violet, and purple hearts. I'm still working on chocolate, brown and irridized hearts for the show.

I Heart Nothing

Hearts, hearts, hearts and more hearts. I'm up to 45 of them and am already sick of the things- and I've 55 to go to make goal.The freehand, eccentric hearts are out biggest seller- a small trifle that folk buy as Christmas ornaments, as small sun catchers and as little decorations. They are fun to make when I'm just fooling around. But when I feel I have to make so many for a show, they become like rabbits in the garden: charming in a few but a nuisance as a horde.
Not that I should complain. It's flattering that people like these. The hearts usually cover our booth fees and other show expenses. And they do have a wacky charm all their own.
I suspect I'm stressing over a really big show and need to quilt for the night.