So, we continue to work towards the show we're going to be vending at, next weekend.
My stint as "display builder" has temporarily ended, so now I need to get back to painting stones!
Tiny "Chakra" stones, ready to get their finish coat. These are just over 1" to maybe 1 1/4" in diameter
Sometimes I can't help but think that no matter what business you're in —including art — you have to have some kind of "gimmick" in order for your items to be attractive and interesting to people. Seems like a shame, but it also seems to be true.
In a way, I think it's a sign of our times... people expect to be "entertained" by everything, more than they ever have, before.
One of the things I've been painting for the last couple of days — in between making displays — is miniature versions of our popular Chakra Stones. Unlike the other Chakra Stones — which are sold as pre-picked sets of seven, each corresponding to one of the human Chakras — these are going to be just put out in a basket and people are going to be invited to "make their own set."
Before getting the final finish coat
Although it's not exactly the same thing, my mind goes back to when I had a retail store and how popular it would be for people to "rummage" through a bin of things in order to get a deal on something. I guess it stimulates our desire for "treasure hunting."
It feels almost sacrilegious to say this with respect to hand painted art, but you gotta do what you gotta do!
The other thing we are doing is incorporating driftwood from our local beaches (where we find the stones) as part of our displays while also making them available for people to buy to display their own stones on.
The colors "pop" a lot more once the finish coat is applied
It might sound extremely basic, but it goes a long way towards addressing the old issue of "what do I DO with a painted stone?" Well you can put it on this driftwood stand and it'll look pretty! It'll look even prettier if you buy the driftwood stand and put six stones on it, and call it a sculpture!
Just part of the ongoing show preparation countdown. Back with more as it unfolds!
I'm even thinking I might be able to create a "live" blog post from the show when we are there since we will have Internet thanks to the connection to our point of sale equipment. But that's a bridge that remains to be crossed when/if we get to it... of course I hope we'll be so busy I have no such time to do things like that!
Feel free to leave a comment, if you feel so inspired... engagement is part of what makes Hive such a cool venue!
If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out The Hive Rocks Project and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!
Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a part time living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!
My Alchemy Stones Patreon appeal
Alchemy Stones web site and blog
Regardless, your upvotes and comments are always appreciated!
Thank you for supporting independent art!
2023.09.02 AS-TXT-169/137