Long Beach WomenSpirit Faire

I participated in a biannual faire last weekend.  It was quite a bit of fun and work.  Loads of work!  I feel in some ways that I am still recovering from it.  I sold journals and goodies that I still have from my trip to India.  The lanterns in the picture are from India and they danced overhead in my tent from every corner and in between!  They add such a sense of the magical as they swayed and twirled all day.  We were definitely the most colorful booth there!

I've sold at this faire may times in the past.  Its equal parts sales oppurtunity and social gathering as I know so many people from different aspects of my world that attend. This year sales were ok.  Better then last time, but not by much.  And this is where things begin to get challenging for me.

I am really struggling with this dual role of artist and business woman.  In a perfect world I would spend my days creating whatever it was that wanted to be created, and lose myself in the process.  I wouldn't have to train my brain to think in terms of profit margins, weekly budget, and marketing strategies.  Trying to figure out if something like the fair is cost effective and profitable in many ways takes away from the experience for me.  It also changes how I create.

Recently, I met a man who owns a store in Big Bear, California.  He loves my journals and would like to have about 25 of them along with a story board display to sell in his store.  He loves them so much he will pay retail prices for the whole thing!  I am floored by his confidence and overwhelmed by such volume.  Its a great opportunity. 

There is a time factor of course, along with the set amount.  I am aware that even through my excitement, there is a bit of hesitancy, even a sensation of being a bit stifled.  Rather then create out of whatever impulse is wanting expression within me, I now have to create that 25 times!  Am I making this more complicated for myself then it has to be?  I wonder if this is really just an "upper limits" block I have and not an artists' sensibility and commitment to the authentic spontaneous creative process?

I dont' know.  But this really came up for me at with the fair.  I found myself calculating how many journals and art pieces I had to sell, compared to the time spent preparing, and money invested in participating with what needed to be sold in order to not only cover my time and invested money, but also create a profit.  :/

Taking all these things into consideration... I did not make a profit.  And I am trying to really learn that making a profit is just as important as the experience, and the fun, and the socializing.  I am finding this to be a challenge, particularly on how it colors my creative process.  I don't know how to create with free abandon while having all these considerations and calculations in my head.

Are any of you creatives hitting up against this?  How do you work with it?  I would love to get feedback and hear how you are all doing with this.

Comments

[Melba]

I can really relate to this post. I am just starting out selling at craft fairs. I have my first BIG one in two weeks. there is so much preparing!!! Right now I am creating what I want and hope I can sustain my love of creating. I definitly struggle with how much I feel comfortable charging for my creations. The financial side of a creative business seems to be the most challenging for artists.

[leah]

hey there! i posted a response on my blog here: http://www.creativeeveryday.com/creativeeveryday/2008/06/penelopes-web.html

[leah]

oh, here's another good post that i think addresses the topic well: http://37days.typepad.com/37days/2008/06/trust-yourself.html

[Rebecca]

Marianne Williamson has a quote about how we fear success more then we do failure, hence your reaction to creating an abundance of journals - because it is not as if you wouldn't be as creative on each one - you just fear. You have that much creativity in you - I bet you have that many images that fascinate and that many stories to tell.

And if you have fun at these faires go even if you don't make a profit. How much would you spend for a vacation weekend, and consider it a vacation where you display your creativity - of course, one where you have to work really hard for the good time. Economic times are tough right now and many creative enterprises are feeling the crunch. And it sounds like you came out even - I'd say that is very good.

If you are required to make a living with your art, diversify - galleries, a vareity of shops and stores, art and spiritual faires, online, farmers markets even.

And meanwhile, just create - I suspect you can't help yourself - whether that is upon request or the muse. Enjoy it all.

[Jakk]

Although a bit late in commenting on this post, I can completely relate. In a perfect world, I would make what I love and give it away to whomever was drawn to receive it. But that's no way to run a business, I suppose.

I believe that my creations come through me, not from me. When it all starts to feel like I'm working on a production line, I have to take a break and step away from it entirely. I'm still trying to find a means of sacred commerce that feels just right for me.

Thanks for sharing about this topic!