I've started selling!

So much has happened over the past year; an amazing trip to America, and semi-retiring which has given me more time to spend on claying. However, not being paid for a full time job has also meant that my clay 'needs to wash it's face' - a saying my sister taught me which basically means it needs to pay for itself. That means the dreaded 'selling' word. I hate selling, I glare at potential customers at craft fairs so they move on quickly, and prefer to give my creations away. But...... clay doesn't grow on trees, so it needs to make some money.
But first, something more fun. I was invited by Dr Ron Lehocky to be the 'dessert artist' at his invitation only retreat in Kentucky. This meant speaking for around an hour for three evenings, talking about my clay and demonstrating. It was a huge honour to be invited and my friend Donna Baratta (a superb clay artist) and I went there last October. It was a blast, the Americans are so lovely, so welcoming, and talking like the queen didn't hurt either (their words not mine). The retreat was full of such amazing clay artists, all willing to share their knowledge and expertise, and it truly was an honour to attend. I talked about how I became involved in polymer clay, how I got my inspriation, and other things in my life. The project I chose to demonstrate was a wall-hanging seahorse. 

​

On my return home I decided to take the plunge and start selling my work. I applied to rent a shelf at the Dedham Art & Craft Centre, and initially tried to sell bangles.

I sold two banges - one to my mother! This was not turning out to be a profitably selling experience, so changed to Christmas decorations, it was November, so I thought they'd sell well.

I sold about 8! Oh well, time for a change. I spoke to one of the ladies who manned the tills at the centre and asked what sold best, the answer was 'earrings'. I've never wanted to make earrings, mostly because I don't wear them, but decided to try. I looked at the earrings on sale at the centre and decided that there were no animal ones, so I'd focus on these.

These are just a few of the designs. I also made dogs, turtles, seahorses, owls and ghekos. So far I've sold one pair but I am feeling very positive, they've only been in the shop for a week and January is not a good time for selling. I've also enquired about two other venues, one being the Mercury Theatire, where I thought I'd sell more serious earrings and pendants.

Only time will tell whether I sell or not, but boy am I having fun claying! This, after all is what it's all about, having the time and mental space to create and play.