Making Money & Making Art

Things are a little quiet. Up until the last few weeks I haven't really stopped. Not that I have stopped now. I have a large US order to fill, an exhibition piece to finish, and a couple of restocks due. But in comparison to how things have rolled along until now, it is a little quiet.

This is a good and bad thing. The bad is obvious (lack of income and all that), but I'd rather focus on the good. For the first time in soooo long I actually have time to design/make some new work, and I have to say that ideas are really starting to flow.

Finding a balance between making money and making art/craft/design or whatever, is tricky. I don't think these things are mutually exclusive, but you do have to develop some different skills. I believe that marketing and financial skills are just as important as artistic ability and vision. That is if you plan to be around for the long haul. I just hope that I can pull it off(?).

image above - necklace - in progress

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Too

Three rather fab exhibitions will be opening this week in Brisbane. I'll be attending all three, and not just for the free champagne!

Thursday:
Memories of the Ekka - Museum of Brisbane
Since I didn't grow up in Brisbane I have no memories of the Ekka. I'm thinking it is a lot like the Royal Easter Show (same diff - right?), and I do have loads of fond memories of that yearly event. Regardless of the possible differences they are both pretty much about the cupie dolls and showbags for me.

Friday:
neo goth: back in black - UQ Art Museum
I was a Goth - enough said.

Saturday:
Mel Robson - Jan Manton Gallery
Ceramics have long been a favourite medium of mine. I don't work with ceramic materials anymore but I am still a fan. Oh, and Mel rocks too!

Breast Cancer Exhibition

An exhibition and sale of scarves, wraps and contemporary neck pieces to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation will with be held at Craft ACT in Canberra during August 2008.

On a personal level I do have breasts which I am rather fond of (a little too fond of, some might say) so I'm putting my hand up to donate a neckpiece for this exhibition. I also have daughters, and a mother, and many female friends. I know women who have been affected by breast cancer, and those that have died from it. I can't pretend that it doesn't exist, and I can't pretend that it hasn't touched my life, and will continue to.

If you would like to contribute also contact
Belinda Jessup
Mobile 0409 841 705
belindajessup@gmail.com
asap!

Business and Friendship

The Umbrella Collective is no more. There will be one last show at KickArts in Cairns from August 5th -30th. That will be the last time we come together as a group.

The decision to disband was reached several weeks ago. As far as break-ups go it was a good one. We had all grown and changed since we first joined forces, and our practices were now moving in different directions. Our goals were no longer united, so splitting just seemed like the right thing to do, and it was. Still it was hard. I personally felt all the mixed emotions of being simultaneously sad and glad, and that it was a mature decision, and a failure as well.

Overall mixing business and friendship is tricky business. Great things can come of it, and problems as well. Being a member of groups such as the Umbrella Collective and MoB Workspace has taught me that. When contemplating mixing the two I would suggest questions really need to be asked beforehand. Such as, where is the line between business and friendship? What should you expect of a friend, and what should you expect of a business associate? The waters can get very muddy when you join the two, and unfortunately friendships can be damaged or lost, and business goals never truly achieved. Being part of groups can also give you some enormous benefits and opportunities, as they have for me, and I am truly grateful for that.

pictured above, Flying Star Toys on display at the Christmas Umbrella show.

Favourites

Making changes is difficult. I feel my work is at that point of change and it is a little stressful, and exciting too. Looking over my designs and picking the pieces that I really like, and want to wear, helps.

pictured above are some of my favourites.

Bubblegum Shoes

I would do unspeakable things to own these shoes. Maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but still it is only a slight one! My current obsession is Melissa shoes - they're plastic, designer, smell like bubblegum, and oh so modern.

I had pangs of desire and simpatico when I first saw the Campana Brothers shoes several years ago. A couple of days ago, when I clinked on a link via Vogue magazine, the fires really started burning. I've since spent many hours exploring every page of the website, searched through dozens of blog entries, found website shops, looked at images of people wearing Melissa shoes via Flickr, found many other interesting online references, and still haven't had my fill!

All this shoe lust has been fun, but also completely work related. It has left me wondering what makes a product 'must-have'? There is a secret formula, I'm sure of it! I may have to continue the research...

Evolution

necklace made today



Last week I knew that things would change. I had just layed out and priced my work for the studio sale. There were at least a dozen different designs of earrings, necklaces, brooches and even the odd ring. The jewellery came in bright plasticy colours made from my trademark materials, such as Tupperware, tape measures and knitting needles. There was certainly a lot to choose from. As I stood looking at it all I knew that my work would not stay this way for much longer. It wasn't a conscious decision, but it did feel like a certain one.

I'm not sure what I mean by this exactly. It was more of a feeling. I guess I know that I will be refining my work and many pieces will no longer be made, or will be reworked in some way. I don't expect the work will be completely different, but it will be different. I don't know when the evolution will end, but I feel it has started. I'm in no rush for change, although the change seems inevitable, and I welcome it.

Maybe this has a lot to do with my own changes, as my work is very much a reflection of myself. It is, and I hope always will be, true to me.