"don’t ask what the world needs. ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - howard thurman
So, I truly, truly believe that it is the passion in people that draws us to them and draws us to the things they have created - our energy seeking out energy that makes us feel good - that makes us feel more alive -
the law of attraction thing that doesn't involve diamonds and maseratis.As I get ready for my first wholesale shows I had gotten myself a bit stressed out about the sales part of all of this
(and all the other parts, but this particular part at this particular moment).
I am not any kind of "sales" person in the sense that I can flatter, cajole or
close the sale.
Ever notice how hard it is at a craft show to just say the words -
"can I wrap this up for you?" ... ugh ... I used to be better at that when I sold things I didn't create.
I think the more personal the work we sell gets, the harder this gets for some of us.
As I am saying "can I wrap this up for you?" - I am hearing "do you like me?" - damn this stuff is hard)
Anyhoo, I realized just this morning that I have actually been looking at this entire situation
backwards. The question isn't what am I losing by not having a salesperson and how do I bring that to the table - well, that question does need to be addressed and I will get to that one, but the bigger question is what advantage do I have as the maker that the salesperson in the booth next to me does not have?
Well ... I have the why of this whole thing
because I am the why. I have the passion!Now, how I translate this passion into actual words that will reach the other person - because I can't just jump around and act all ... well ... passionate ...
(this would probably get rather exhausting and might even earn me a quick trip to one of those famous Las Vegas institutions for people who are a little too passionate - like those prophetizing the end of the world on street corners or selling other things on street corners)so I am thinking the key to all of this goes back to my why and connecting that why to those store owners who have their own whys for their own businesses.
For example I think that most people (when given the choice and the story - the why - the passion - of the maker
providing that passion is about more than making money)
want to buy handmade.
(and I should note I am not saying there is anything wrong with the maker wanting to make money too, of course, if we are selling our makings we want to make money, but a higher calling does create a higher energy)And I think that most people want to buy sustainable, eco friendly goods provided that 1. they do not have to go to any incredibly heroic lengths to do so, 2. that you do not make them feel bad about not doing so - no green-guilt please, I just hate that and I'm sure others do, too
and 3. that the items are truly cool and beautiful and not just "green". It isn't enough to be made from something already out there or something organic or something "green". It has to stand on its own two feet. My work does.
So this is the kind of stuff I will be talking about with these store owners - why their customers will want to buy my stuff from them!Oh, and I will be saying "can I write up an order for you?" or even better, if I am feeling very brave (
please, please let me be feeling very brave) "did you want the show special or to choose your own selection?"
As a side note, well 2 side notes actually: I went to the chiropractor and he did an ultrasound treatment on my forearm/elbow area for tendonitis and it totally cured my posion ivy which just happened to be in exactly the same place on my arm for almost a month (in less than 5 minutes) so you may be reading about this in medical journals oneday.
(if there is anyone out there who reads medical journals and Olive Bites blog)I should add that a friend had also given me Louise Hays book, "You Can Heal Your Life" . The book's suggested cause for poison ivy is “feeling defenseless and open to attack.” Her suggestion for a new thought pattern to cure this is: “I am powerful, safe, and secure. All is well.”
So, maybe the combination of ultrasound and ultrasound thinking has finally cured this thing.
Also has anyone seen an eggplant like this one - we have 3 of these growing in the garden - what the hell is going on with our eggplant?? (I added the rootbeer for a size comparison)
They look like some kind of genetic engineering experiment gone wrong- I wonder what Louise Hays would say about this?
mad, passionate love print by
theloveshop and learn it print by
iamserious both are available in their etsy shops
These wonderful little totems from Donald Corey are designed to create a visual reminder of our goals.
Could these clothes hangers by Anna Thomas be any more perfect?
