Introduction:
I don’t often enter group shows. People ask why and I guess it comes to I don’t like to be rejected. But what I often say is that my work somehow doesn’t fit into group shows and doesn’t look good. Also, I don’t have the tech skills to enter such as the pixels, etc. I’ve never kept up with the show scene as well. I succumbed last week to a small sale at the World Shibori Network’s garden event because real textile people show up and I always have had a great time.
I put together this table and rack of my art scrolls I made during the pandemic. I took backgrounds and special textiles I made or collected and matched them up to support each other. I had a few scarves included that were left over from my big sale last year. All around the San Francisco Bay Area it was a scorcher day, but in Berkeley under a shade tree it was delightful, and I was proud of the table I put together. However, this was not the place for art sales I learned. From 10am to 4pm I made only 4 sales! People preferred things to wear or jewelry instead. I learned a lesson that taking something to a show does take work, but it also creates wear and tear on the items. By now I’ve put away almost everything I brought back—another consideration I hadn’t made for allowing time.
I showed the box I made a while ago and people were interested, and I enjoyed chatting with people as well as the other sellers. I also showed my little pouches I made. I got the idea in Japan when I saw them as part of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. So, I made my own with collages of fabric I had dyed and kumihimo cords I made. In the tea ceremony they would have a little pot inside where the precious green tea powder was kept. The special knot used was to know if anyone had stollen any tea, because they wouldn’t be able to re-tie the knot!
You never stop amazing me! To get to the point directly how much are your tea pouches. Isa Vogel
Hi Isa,
I’m not ready to part with the tea puches just yet, but was thinking of $100 each. Does that seem outrageous?
Peggy
This is very helpful information. I’ve been reluctant to go the route of group shows too, for the reasons you’ve written about here. Your experience only strengthens my resolve to avoid putting energy into this sort of thing.
The box is stunning, by the way.
Now I don’t feel I’m so different in my feelings about this. I’m glad you appreciate the box. I do hope to get back to my studio and make a perfect one and some creative ones.
Peggy
Not many sales for you but you’re exposing a new audience to your fine work…so thats the benefit.
I didn’t think of that. Thanks
Peggy
Put them up on the website and see what happens!
That’s been on my mind and thanks for the encouragement. It now really makes sense to find people who would be interested in my things.
Peggy
It’s a lovely table, and how clever to use the old reed as a focal point for the special tea pouches. I wish I lived closer. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about Japanese tea ceremony traditions and your works of art.
Thank YOU.
Peggy