Stitching the pieces together
Comments
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Gardengumby, Perhaps DS could put your scarves wherever he's selling his glass. There's a glass blower around the corner from us and he puts paintings and other stuff in the selling area. I know what you mean about selling; I'm horrible at it. DH sold manufacturing equipment for years and loved it.
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Wren, that would be nice but he lives in Hawaii and we live on Washington. I've done craft fairs but don't like them. Whatever we do, though, we'll have some time to figure it out.
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garden gumby: another idea - any time you go to work (or as much as possible) and when you are out and about wear one of your scarves. If someone compliments you, say 'this, oh, I made it'......and you never know they may want one! It's inexpensive to have business cards made. Carry some in your wallet. If you could get super-brave, call a large up-market department store near you and make an appointment to see a buyer. Take in a suitcase of your scarves and all they can say is 'no thank you' or they could want 50!
I'm glad your son is doing well as a glass artist. Here in Queensland, we are starving. I'm glad I don't have to rely on my glass work to put food on the table. Whereas, when we lived on Kauai, I had all the work I could do! But I was recently told times change, decor changes and people are getting more back to warmth and natural things rather than all metal, modern and shinny.
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Gardengumby: I live in Hawaii, too! What island does your son live on? Does he have a store or place to sell? Next time you see each other do a scarf transfer so he can sell them for his mama....and I'll buy at least one, if not more for gifts!
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shellshine, I never thought of it as being the artist in us, but you are SO right!!! We would be creative in anything! I, too, find it hard to sell my art...
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I tried a craft fair once. I hated it.
What about Etsy? You really don't have to be face to face to sell.
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Gardengumby, Try places that use local artisans. Fireworks in Seattle, Made in Washington, places with lots of tourists. Cannon Beach in Oregon had lots of boutiques with that sort of thing. You know how you go somewhere cool and want a souvenir, but are you really ever going to wear a t-shirt that says Cannon Beach?
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I had my first art fair in May and I felt like I was holding a garage sale at first!!! People were looking but not commenting. I sat back and worked on my needlepoint and felt safer to talk, but still didn't sell anything. The lady across the room had her arms crossed as she stood in front of her table and she sold a lot!! Go figure!!
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and why are some artists not good saleswomen? It's because it's controlled by two different sides of the brain. Their is the practical selling side and then the creative side. I quake in my shoes every time I walk into an art gallery to see if they will show some of my lamps or windows. When I lived on Kauai we had given to us by a wealthy man a shop on the main street of our little town and we turned it into an art gallery. Everything had to be made on the island. Staffing was done by the artists. No paid employees. We split the electricity bill. There I found each other's art work complemented anothers and it was easy to talk to the people. When they had questions about a piece of mine, I would answer them and often they would ask if they could meet the artist and commission a special piece. I would say 'that is me'. I almost quit nursing I had so much glass work but switched to part time as didn't want to lose my benefits or seniority. Since Kauai, I have never had the interest I did then in my glass. Even before I showed in our artists colony gallery there, I would have a steady stream of work by word of mouth.
People have told me to go on ebay but when I look up stained glass lamps all I see is stuff imported from China. My son say I just should have my own website but don't know how much it would cost. It can't be much as I don't make much!
I sound more like Barb that I could be happy making cuts and soldering at an art show than just standing in a booth!
Here is Queensland we have 5 miutes from us the biggest outdoor market every Saturday. Over 1000 stalls, but not all handmade. You have to audition to get a place and there is a waiting list. And I need a place where I can plug in the lamps....haven't tried it. Guess I could/should....look on Internet Eumundi Markets, Eumundi, Queensland, Australia.
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Deb, why don't you try fabric art like me?? Glass is my first love, but was too expensive so I switched to fabric. It is quicker and thus more gratifying and there are miniature quilts that would blow your mind!!! Just think about it for a second....
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I have made a couple of quilts years ago, but didn't enjoy it like you all do.....but it doesn't mean I haven't heard you Barbe and will give it a thought! Especially with buyers so few and far between. My husband says just do glasswork for me but we have plenty of lamps in our home and now my son has two but I have promised him a true Tiffany style one but of my own design - so just designing it will take time, and not cost anything but frustration!
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Shellshine - my son lives on Oahu, Northshore. I've thought of asking his wife to try to sell some of my scarves as she sells her shirts (she designs tee-shirts), but I know that they need to put every bit of their energy into their own stuff, as they lead a fairly hand-to-mouth existence.
Once we get settled again (hoping fervently that the house we've put an offer on actually ends up going through this time....) I'll probably start making scarves again (I miss being creative) and will (try to) get hubby to take them to a few stores. I'm not good at the craft fair scene. I've tried it a few times and just end up feeling bad - even when things sell
. We've talked about putting in a 220 line into the garage so I can start glass fusing. Also, the house we are (hopefully) buying has a built-in bookcase that I want to make stained glass doors for (I hate dusting, so want the shelves closed). So IF the house goes through, at least I'll have something to work on for awhile.0 -
I just keep thinking about all the scarves I've purchased to have another center of interest on my chest. There must be some way to market to mastectomy patients.
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and there are so many of us.
I've got to admit, though, that I'd probably start giving them away as I feel so badly for others who have this beastly disease.0 -
Quilting doesn't have to be traditional!!! I do wild fabrics in amazing blocks with circles and curves and then mount them into old window frames and they look STUNNING!!!!!
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barbe - will keep the quilting as a backup idea!
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I seriously got into scarves after I had open heart surgery when I was 38. My career was blossoming and I didn't like having the chest scar always showing right above the neckline of my clothes. After the mastectomies the scar is now crooked(!) but it doesn't bother me anymore. Still have oodles of beautiful scarves and wear them once in awhile. Wearable art.
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I love wearable art. In addition to scarves I make and/or dye many of my clothes. Some are rayon or cotton, but I most enjoy dyeing silk. It's a little more difficult to sew, though, and according to my sewing machine guy, it's much harder on the machine (which seems weird as it's so soft).
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It's soft but strong. Didn't they used to make parachutes out of it?
I saw the most beautiful jacket at our garden center gift shop. It was silk, single layer with hemmed edges. The front gently curved and the sleeves were 3/4 length. It was a multi-colored flower pattern. Just begging for a sleeveless dress to go under.
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I think they did. (make parachutes out of silk, that is.)
I have a few silk jackets. I LOVE them.
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The best stitch to use with silk is the rolled hem stitch on your machine. It builds up a bit of volume of fabric and then stitches it to hold it in place.
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I am SOOOO bad at remembering to use the right foot and right stitch with the sewing machine. I sewed for so very many years on a stupid machine that had two stitches straight and zig-zag. My machine now can do so much, but I rarely ask it to because now I'm the stupid one and I don't remember to look for the possibilities.
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Don't knock yourself out garden!! I have those feet, but have never used them either!!! BUT, I did used to sell sewing machines so at least I know what the feet are for. I'd never expect anyone to rememeber. Just flip through your manual and it'll blow your mind what your machine can do.
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Maybe that's what I should do after I retire - sell sewing machines. Then at least I'd learn how to use all the capabilities of the one I've got!!!
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Oh no, sweetie!! I learned a TON and forget it as soon as the instructor left the room!!!! The day we had to learn Husqvarna sergers, I had forgotten my glasses if you can believe it!!! She went around cutting ALL our threads at random during the course of the day. I went home with a HUGE headache!!!! Then we had to learn to program the applique machines and that's where I went brain-dead. I'd taken computer courses in the past including AutoCad and found it fun while she went step-by-step, but again, when she left the room I couldn't do a thing!! heheheheheheheh I have forgotten MORE than I learned!!
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that's pretty much the way my brain is working anymore. I used to be able to really rely on my memory - not anymore - I can only rely on it long enough to get me into trouble!!!
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I have been very busy working and not much time for my creative side. I will be heading out to see grandbabies tomorrow and have packed some crafty stuff to work on. I am probably kidding my self as I will just want to be with the babies.
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Omigosh I am in way over my head with your sewing skills - I have no idea what you are talking about BUT...... I just busted out my sewing machine - haven't taken it out of the box, yet. The last time I used it was when my 19 year old son was in preschool, he needed a cover for his sleeping mat. I was sooooo proud of myself for making him one! I'm too chicken to open the box and see if it still works, please keep inspiring me, and stay posted....
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shellshine - if there is a sewing machine fixing joint around, you should take it in and have it cleaned. Nineteen years with no use means it will probably be a little gummed up
as the oil turns to something closer to glue over time....0 -
Just beware about the price for a tuneup. If it is an old inexpensive machine you may be able to buy a new one with more functions for a few more dollars than a tuneup & oiling.
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