Art Up To Your Eyeballs - by Karen McGovern

Well, how was your Thanksgiving?  Are you still wearing your elastic waist fleece pants?  Are you stuck to the couch?  Have you managed to get the gravy stains out of...well....everything?  I hope you all had a peaceful, joyful, delicious, self-indulgent Thanksgiving with family and friends.  I know I did! 

 

Now, on to the important stuff.  WHAT ARE YOU BUYING FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS?  Not....I hope you'll give yourself a breather before diving into the next holiday.  Yesterday was Black Friday, and I stayed home, just like I do every year.  I'm still working on the turducken, and will be well into the first quarter of 2014. AND, I had some family to care for...

An orphaned grey squirrel...

An orphaned bongo antelope newborn.

Ninita, a baby pygmy marmoset.

Among about a thousand other critters that need my attention. 

Black Friday and Cyber Monday (day after tomorrow) are burned into our brains via the Gods of Advertising.  Yes, you can get some good deals a few things you might actually want, and end up with a TON OF GARBAGE YOU DON'T.  Here's my take....

 

If you follow this blog, you know that there are thousands of incredibly talented artists and independent vendors sweating it out to make a living, hoping like HELL they will be noticed in the coming days and weeks leading up to Christmas.  You've been asked and pleaded with to shop small and local.  What you actually do is up to you.  I'm not going to try to shame you into forgoing the mall--its pull is almost hypnotic.  SO MANY SPARKLY LIGHTS.  So, I'm just going to ask you to look to the right and left of this post for links to artists and vendors I hope you will at least consider clicking on and taking a look at.  One of them is me.
 

 I am not holding a sale right now.  I just had one to celebrate the launch of my own independent website with my very own online shop.  Not through Etsy, Artfire, BigCartel or anything else.  That's right folks--if you visit my website and make a purchase, you deal directly with ME.  I KNOW--CRAZY, RIGHT???  Well, it is.  And it's also a gamble.  No big storefront that is recognized by millions.  No advertizing other than what I can generate on my own.  No middleman (except for PayPal...can't get around that).  But, let's get back to the first sentence of this paragraph.  I'm not holding a sale right now.  WHAT???  I know, I seem to be Hell-bent on shooting myself in the foot, right?  Well, to be honest, I simply can't afford a sale now.  My desire as a jewelry designer and artist has always been to create AFFORDABLE work.  I donate most of my proceeds to support wildlife conservation.  My goal is to use my work to build a bridge between art and nature, cover my costs, and be able to give a significant portion in support of something I deeply believe in.  So, my work is already priced about as low as I can go and still be able to continue creating it.  Why am I telling you this?  Well, obviously, I hope you'll visit my site and consider making a purchase.  But also, I would like you to consider when you purchase from me or any of the artists you can find here, you have an opportunity you can't get anywhere else.  You actually get to know the artists you buy from.  So many have a really unique, wonderful story to tell.  When you purchase from an independent artist, like those listed here and all over this blog, you have the opportunity to create a personal connection, and I find that so interesting, rare and special!  Artists like us put it all on the table.  If you follow us or connect via our shops and Facebook pages you'll get a glimpse into a REAL LIVE HUMAN LIFE!  How cool is that?  If you go even further and read our blogs and personal posts, you'll get to see Staci build her dream studio, get to cheer as MaryAnn is able to  raise and direct funds from her work to purchase awesome cat condos for a rescue organization, get to read Mary Jane's stunning poems and insights into her jaw-dropping work, and get to hear me go on and on and on about wildlife conservation, among other things. That's just three of the MANY fantastic artists here!  You'll hear about our art shows, our amazing screw ups (sometimes with PICTURES) as well as our triumphs and joys.  WE LIVE THIS STUFF, PEOPLE!
 

 

So, what does this have to do with me not holding a sale?  Well, I guess I just wanted you to know that you have many, many more reasons to shop with me and the aritsts you see here beyond the enticement of a sale.  AND, by the way, that sale isn't easy for anyone to offer.  None of the artists here (in my opinion) should have to have a sale, yet they are, becuase this is their LIVLEYHOOD and they need your support, and because we seem to have become a nation that MUST HAVE A SALE AFTER THANKSGIVING ON EVERYTHING IN THE UNIVERSE OR WE WILL DIE.  Or something like that....

 

I know it may not be in my best interests to forgo this weekend in terms of sales, etc.  But, it is in the best interest of my conscience.  So, I'll go with that.

So, show us independent artists some love this season....pretty please!!

Happy Holidays to all, I wish you Peace, Joy, and Prosperity!! 

Shopping Small, the David and Goliath Battle of the Holidays

The Shop Small movement began a few years ago.  All over the ‘Net Shop Small logos began popping up along with websites encouraging folks to buy from local shops and independent vendors during the holidays (and beyond) instead of supporting chain, “big box” stores. 

 

As an independent artist, I support this wholeheartedly (Shop Small Saturday is Nov 30), but I have to say that in the contest between independent vendors and big box, we independents are getting our asses whipped.

 

Holiday shopping has become a professional sport.  Multi-million dollar budgets dedicated to promoting chain stores that shower the nation with constant ads featuring giddy holiday shoppers laden with bulging bags bearing their logo is—shall we say—difficult to compete with.  News outlets started talking about Black Friday well before Halloween.

 

Black Friday—oh, how I hate you.  I would rather chew off my own arm and beat myself over the head with it than join the sea of chaos that is Black Friday.  Yet, I know people (some in my own family) that prepare for Black Friday with military precision.  Elaborate plans and schedules are devised.  Teams of shoppers are given specific destinations and specific items to acquire.  Track suits are washed, fluffed and set beside comfy sneakers the day before.  This is shopping WAR, people.

 

Doesn't this look like FUN?!?!?

Blarf.  I mean, seriously, BLARF.  How are we little craftspeople supposed to compete with mega-malls and SUPERSAVINGSLAYAWAYDEALOFTHECENTURYGOTTAGETITNOW?  We are the hippies sticking handmade flowers in the gun barrels of Wal-Mart.

 

How do we get our voices heard and our shops noticed?  Social media is our go-to virtual billboard, and we have to use it wisely and consistently.  I like working in groups, like Love My Art Jewelry, that have a steady following and membership.  We need to encourage and support fellow artists, cross post and share links.  I strongly encourage every member of this group, and every person that reads these posts to take it one step further, and share links to your favorite small shops and independent artists on your own personal pages.  When asked “What do you want for Christmas?” please answer, “Something handmade!” and then give links to artists and local shops.  We can’t do this alone and so appreciate any support that can be thrown our way.

 

Also, and this is just my opinion, I don’t believe independent artists and small shops should feel obligated to buy into the I HAVE TO HAVE A SALE stuff associated with Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  This may be the carrot that attracts shoppers to the mega-stores that can afford to reduce the prices on mass produced goods purchased in bulk and marked up 300% in the first place.  That discount was built in from the beginning.  Individual artists creating one of a kind works should not feel obligated to discount their work to meet some arbitrary shopping date on a national shopping calendar.  I guess I am just repulsed by the near hysteria associated with this time of year with regards to shopping.  Maybe I'm naïve, but I want folks to buy my work because they love it and want it, not because it's on sale the day after Thanksgiving.  Yes, I am naïve....sigh.  For all of you hard working artist that are planning Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, I applaud you and hope your clients understand that this is a sacrifice for you all, not a given. 

 

I’d like to see the message presented by the Shop Small movement remain true.  Support local shops and independent artists because what you are getting is BETTER than anything you could ever find in a mall or big box store.  When you buy local and shop small, you support not only the individual, but the COMMUNITY.  Our work is WORTH THE FULL PRICE…PERIOD.  So, when a small shop or independent artist does offer discounts and sales to entice you to buy, know that this is coming at a much larger cost to them than you probably realize--seriously.

 

Imagine, work created by REAL HUMAN HANDS!!  Now, that's a gift.

I hope many of you refrain from diving into the sea of chaos that is Black Friday.  I hope you stay home and have another turkey sandwich.  Enjoy the groove you have dug into the couch and revel in the tryptophan high with your family.  Then visit your local arts district and come home with something truly magical and original, without the slightest trace of a “Made in China” sticker anywhere.  You have no idea how great the power of the psychic ripples you will create from one purchase supporting an independent artist.   That purchase will help ensure small vendors like us can continue to create, continue to support ourselves and our families.  When you buy from us you sort of become a member of our extended family, and we need, love and appreciate you.

 

I doubt Wal-Mart can say the same.

 

I’ve listed below some of my favorite independent shops and vendors that I go to for holiday gifts.  Many are food related—who doesn’t love artisan or homemade treats?  Check them out, perfect for everyone on your list, INCLUDING YOU.  All ship nationwide based on availability.

 

Mincing Mockingbird --Stunning prints, books, cards and paintings of birds and more with hilarious and thought provoking titles.  By artists Matt Adrian and Kim Bagwill.

 

Tiny Confessions – Wonderful sketches of pets and animals complete with deep thoughts and true confessions, by artist Christopher Rozzi.

 

Das Foods – Artisan handmade caramels and more that will BLOW YOUR MIND!  Pistachio ginger!!!!

 

Pascale’s Artisan Jams and Preserves – I am addicted to the Apricot Lavender, but the entire line is DELICIOUS and handmade.

 

Glarus Chocolates – OMG, that’s all you need to know.

 

Farmhouse Tomatoes — Heirloom tomatoes grown in Lake Worth, Florida.  By the case, SPECTACULAR!

 

Rare Species Conservatory Foundation — A non-profit wildlife organization close to my heart.  A donation in a loved one’s name will support vital wildlife conservation programs around the globe.

 

Of course, for handmade jewelry, look no further than this blog page for links to INCREDIBLE ARTISTS!!!

 

Thanks, and I wish everyone a blessed and peaceful holiday season.