Creamy White Bridal Fascinator
Recently I have spent a trial year of consigning my hand made hats with local boutiques and shops. The question for me, as a craftsperson, is when to sell or simply consign. When I began producing my product I was certain I would not consign pieces with shops. I created a list of terms, conditions and a minimum order amount to share with the potential buyer. This worked really well until the economic downturn. Then, it seemed, most shop owners wanted to consign; so I began my trial year of consignment. Consignment involves the artist retaining ownership of the product while the shop carries the piece for retail and display purposes. When the piece sells, the artist is paid. It’s a very popular notion and almost risk free for the shop owner. The artist carries the costs sometimes over several months depending on when the piece was created. The question remained; was I asking for what I deserved for my hard work? I decided not.
ASKING for WHAT I DESERVED
I was planning a meeting with Cindy, the owner of Eden. She is opening a new bridal section of her fabulous Eden Boutique. I was prepared with a statement of ‘why I don’t consign’ and my terms and conditions sheet. Yet she pre-empted my need to explain by saying what I always believed: art created from our hands has an energy and until that energy is released from the owner, craftsperson or artist through purchasing or gifting, the piece is not as free to go to a new owner. Connection by agreed philosophy; we set up an order of fascinator hats.
THE SPIRIT LINE
The Navajo women weavers inserted a contrasting thread of color running to each edge and called this the spirit line. In fact, you can spot an authentic rug or blanket by this intentional flaw; it is meant to release energy that may be trapped.
This is a lovely reminder that our artistic creations have energy and when purchased or given away we pass that energy along.
Blanket weaving with spirit line
It is also how I view the connections of people that have come into my life; we share some kind of energy and a reason we found each other. Sometimes that connection is in our lives for a long while and sometimes for a short bit. We may be conscious and aware enough to know when it is time to release the energy and set the other person free.
I thought about adding a spirit line to my clothing and accessory creations for I definitely impart them with my energy, as does anyone that creates. I have gone back to my policy of outright selling to shops, although occasionally I make an exception to consign. Now, I may ask for what I deserve.
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