Being In The Story

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.  ~Henry Ward Beecher

As Rod Stewart sang to us, every picture tells a story.  And every person has a story.  One of the things I like most about "the view from my perch" is not just knowing the story or each artisan at EarthWorks, but sharing it.   As a result, we get to be in the story.

A young man and his sisters were in for the first time last week, and they spent a good hour with us (not unusual for someone on their first visit in).  They started asking questions, and as we answered them they became more excited.  They would walk up to an item and ask, "OK - what's this persons story?"  

Some stories are very impacting - the reason Mr. Denholm's rosaries are so meaningful to him, or the items for Team Shawn or Mary's Blankets.  Everyone has a story, and they are all interesting.   And the responses are fun.  For example, "There is no way an accountant created this- it's too cool"  is one of my favorites of all time.
We signed a new jewelry designer last week, and as with every new artisan we told her we'd call when the first piece sold.  We call it the "ice breaker", and it's alot of fun - especially when the ice breaker in the store is truly the ice breaker for the artisan.  And this was the case for Jill Weiss.  

Jill's official ice breaker came about 30 minutes after she dropped off her work.  It's her first time selling anything anywhere, so needless to say she was thrilled to get a call so soon.  I don't even think she was home yet.  

But just as good was how excited the customer was to be the person breaking the ice for Jill.  When we told her why her purchase made us so happy, she was thrilled.  I sort of think she wanted us to make the phone call while she was there, so she could be a part of it and stay in the story.

Every time you buy a piece from EarthWorks, you become a part of an ever growing story.  True artists care very little for how much money they earn off their work - they are fulfilled most by knowing that someone chose their item.  A piece of their story has moved on to you.

Very cool.

PL&BB - 

Penni



 

Pushing the Season

 
Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.  ~W.J. Cameron

As a store-owner, holidays are hard for me.  I sincerely hate putting out Halloween items in July and Christmas items in October.  And yes, Fall and our Thanksgiving holiday have been demoted to a holiday not quite worthy of notice, from a retail perspective.   On Sunday I was in my local Rite-Aid and all Fall and Thanksgiving items were marked 75% off.  A week before the holiday even happened they were clearance priced. 

Last year, our first in a brick and mortar store - we held strong to our philosophy and not one   Christmas themed item came out on the floor until after the Thanksgiving Holiday had passed. We had a great holiday sales season, but I did find that for the artisans that had brought in their hand-crafted Christmas decor didn't find those items sold-out by Christmas.  

What I learned was that by sticking to our guns we did a disservice to a few folks that had worked hard to provide holiday crafts.  I guess in today's world,  we buy our winter and Christmas holiday goodies in October, and not again until the week after Christmas when everything is reduced.  On Halloween night, (in the same Rite-Aid) I took note of a woman pushing a cart with a tall Santa in her cart.  Whether I like this or not, it is the way it is.  

So, we now know that in order to serve our artists (which is our job) we have to give the people what they want - and when they want it, regardless of our personal philosophy.  

And so we have done this year.  We put Christmas and Holiday decor out in October, albeit in a back of the store, down low sort of display.  And after Halloween, we moved out the ghosties and goblins left over, and allowed Christmas into the seasonal area - intermingled with our fall and Thanskgiving items.  And last week, we put up holiday lights in the store windows.  

And while I know it's the right thing to do for the crafters, it makes me grumpy.  But that will only last for a few more days.  I'll be ready for it as soon as the dishes are done from the Thanksgiving feast!

PL&BB - 

Penni