Tuesday, August 12, 2008

You Can't Get Away From Me

About to head out on another trip, this one up the Atlantic coast with various destinations and stops along the way:
So, just so that you can come along on the grand journey -- don't you want to? -- I've signed up for Twitter (slightly delightedly because, along with Google Maps Street View, it is one more way the world is moving intocyberpunkdom and slightly reluctantly because sometimes cyberpunkdom isn't all it's cracked up to be, and woe is me, this could be another tumble on the slippery slope to never leaving my computer again although I haven't signed up for Second Life yet, so there IS hope).

So they'll be up there on the sidebar, all my updates, which at the moment are sort of silly but may or may not improve in interestingness. I make no promises. I LOVE silliness.

Are your bags packed yet?

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

In which I re-use analogies, get a few extra minutes of fame and thank YOU.

I've recently read a few different articles about mountain climbing that stressed that most accidents on mountains actually happen on the descent, because the climbers are tired and have let their guard down, and, I imagine, because the sense of euphoria fades a bit, leaving them feeling slightly at a loss.

I imagine, too, that for those who do make it safely down, this faded feeling must make it especially nice to receive a bit of notice, a few more pats on the back, once they get to the bottom, when the peak is again a distant vision, only now behind them.

I've been so lucky that being one of Etsy's featured sellers brought me a huge number of sales from some incredible people, and that it brought me some incredible commissions, which have been keeping me working hard in the weeks since. But the speed at which general attention to my store dropped off once I was no longer on the front page, and now even on the sidebar on the featured seller page, has been almost as staggering as the intense explosion of attention the day I became a featured seller.

Although it has been, to be honest, disconcerting, this isn't actually a bad thing, because it gives me a breather in which to work on commissions, collect my thoughts, refill the creative well, plan ahead, rethink strategies, and most of all, get some painting done.

Also, I believe that it's probably a very normal experience: that for almost everyone, the path to success is not straight but a series of ups and downs and highs and lows. It's a trail that is occasionally paved perfectly, but more often consists mainly of faded marks on distant trees or even disappears completely.

Which means that each pat on the back becomes even more appreciated and encouraging, a way marker reminding me that I'm going in the right direction, and so, I'd like to thank Dotty of Indie Finds on Etsy and dottyral.etsy.com for interviewing me specifically about my featured sellership.

I'd also like to extend my special thanks to someone who has been a repeat customer, who features me quite often in her treasury creations, and whom I frequently find sneakily praising my name in comments other people's treasuries (she probably thinks I haven't noticed): thebeadedlily. She has also interviewed me for a feature on her blog, in which I avoid re-using analogies but tell you why I finally feel like a "real" artist and why my arms are so tired.

And I'd like to thank you, my friends, family, and wonderful customers, for keeping me going all the time with your never-ceasing pats on the back and much-appreciated encouragement. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Coffee or Tea?

(No, this isn't really a discussion about the merits of these two beverages, because, in truth, I adore them both.)

There are two kinds of shopping I actually LIKE to do: books and travel stuff. I would rather spend days looking for the perfect suitcase than an hour looking for the clothes to put in it. (Unless it's travel clothing, of course.)

And now I've found what I'd like for the next 10 Christmases or birthdays or the first thing I buy when I win the lottery:

A genuINE pretty-fied airline beverage cart:


Found at the so-fabulous Flight 001, found through DailyCandy. Just one of the many amazing items they offer for sale, most of which are far less expensive and slightly more practical.

But not nearly as fun.