I have been so busy this month, and so full of new ideas and plans that I haven't even taken the time to blog about it!
So, a quick overview. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend two days with Thomas Mann at East Stroudsburg University early in February when he came out to the Poconos to offer his Design for Survival seminar, and to present Storm Cycle, his exhibition of art focused on his home city of new Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I met and reconnected with so many people from our local arts community, and I immersed myself in the many opportunities Tom offered to help artists create lasting businesses based on their art.
A few short days later found me in Philadelphia at the Buyers Market of American Craft show, overwhelmed with the opportunity to learn the business of marketing wholesale crafts first hand, from some of the best known names in the crafts world. During the weekend, I was treated to the hospitality and fine business sense of a good friend and jewelry artist in Philadelphia.
From Philadelphia, I drove down the east coast to Chesapeake Virginia, where I was privileged to spend five days with good friends who all happen to be ... wait for it... jewelry artists! Do you sense a theme here? On my way back up to the Poconos, it was a treat to spend even a short visit with another friend (and yes, a jewelry artist) in Wilmington, DE. He helped talk me down from my jewelry high. Thanks, Gary. I needed that.
What an amazing month this has been. I have hardly begun to process all that has been presented, but I sincerely believe that my future as an american handcrafter and business person has been strongly shaped by what I have learned this month.
Details and photos to follow, so check back!
So, a quick overview. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend two days with Thomas Mann at East Stroudsburg University early in February when he came out to the Poconos to offer his Design for Survival seminar, and to present Storm Cycle, his exhibition of art focused on his home city of new Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I met and reconnected with so many people from our local arts community, and I immersed myself in the many opportunities Tom offered to help artists create lasting businesses based on their art.
A few short days later found me in Philadelphia at the Buyers Market of American Craft show, overwhelmed with the opportunity to learn the business of marketing wholesale crafts first hand, from some of the best known names in the crafts world. During the weekend, I was treated to the hospitality and fine business sense of a good friend and jewelry artist in Philadelphia.
From Philadelphia, I drove down the east coast to Chesapeake Virginia, where I was privileged to spend five days with good friends who all happen to be ... wait for it... jewelry artists! Do you sense a theme here? On my way back up to the Poconos, it was a treat to spend even a short visit with another friend (and yes, a jewelry artist) in Wilmington, DE. He helped talk me down from my jewelry high. Thanks, Gary. I needed that.
What an amazing month this has been. I have hardly begun to process all that has been presented, but I sincerely believe that my future as an american handcrafter and business person has been strongly shaped by what I have learned this month.
Details and photos to follow, so check back!
