Howdy, Neighbor!!!

This welcoming doorway lives two blocks from Bean Up The Nose Art's house in West Marin.

It belongs to this studio.  

Which belongs to wonderful artist Kathy Piscioneri.  Who "the photographer" neglected to take a photo of, during shooting the studio?!?!?  What?!?!?  Oh well.  Sometimes we are not very linear or detail-oriented.  Especially when excited over looking at everything inside . . . .

So . . . let's take that look inside.

Kathy and her partner built the studio themselves, in their creekside backyard, where Kathy now paints four days a week.  FOUR!!!  That is totally admirable.  Sometimes she even sneaks in 45 minutes in "a fluidity that I'm loving."   

And it shows.

Kathy paints landscapes.  "Always.  I can't stop.  I've tried to quit them, but I can't."  Aware of the troubles with solvents, Kathy nevertheless paints with old-school oils because nothing matches the "squishy" fabulousness of them as they move across the linen.   And when you see the movement and drama and energy of her work, you can understand why she wouldn't want to give them up.

Kathy grew up in New York City, majored in art, and got a Masters degree in education.  She has been a museum educator as well as an art teacher, and now the kindergarten through second grade kids at Brookside School are lucky to have her as their art teacher.

Kathy's studio is currently full of pieces she's created for the upcoming Marin Art's Council Open Studios in May.  Like this triptych of beauties.

She's also got a store on etsy.  Which she populates with goodies she makes and keeps here.

Like these little clothes hanger people.  Don't you want them on your line?

You can also follow Kathy and her creativity on her Facebook art page.

It's lovely to share this neighborhood with creative folk like you, Ms. Kathy.  Truly a treat!  Can't wait to be seeing folks in their Open Studio travels between our two places.   You rock!!! 

Brick & Mortar Friends: Kiss My Ring

Welcome, welcome brick and mortar friend Kiss My Ring!

Located at 2522 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley -- in the totally hip area at the crossroads of Dwight Way -- Kiss My Ring is an awesome shop.

It's got an all-world feel, with "objects of desire" from all over the place.  Like this Moroccan lamp.

And this altar.
And lots and lots of amazing jewelry -- made by the shopkeeper herself, Melissa R.

During our visit on a rainy, grey Friday mid-day, Kiss My Ring was filled with customers coming and going.  One woman remarked to her teenage daughter, "Wow -- this is powerful jewelry."  And that is exactly the feel you get from Melissa's pieces, and from everything in her store.

Totally cool mixed media pieces.

And great clothing, lots of which is created by local artists.  Because while many of the ultra-cool objects of desire come from all over the world, Melissa is also committed to supporting and showcasing us local folks, as well.  Yay!!!!

This is one of my favorites, for all of my vegetarian buddies.

Thanks so much to you, Melissa R. and to your great Kiss My Ring shop.  It's a real glowing pleasure knowing that Bean Up The Nose Art's greeting cards are among your rich offering of treasures!  Rock on!!!! 

Brick and Mortar Friends: Rafael Florist

Here's a hearty Bean Up The Nose Art "Welcome!!!" to a new brick and mortar friend close to our 'hood.

You got it:  Rafael Florist.  Which has been around for 35 years.  You'll find this venerable shop at 831 Fourth Street in downtown San Rafael, CA.  It's big . . . spanning lots of building space . . . thus the split photos above.  

Inside is a quintessential traditional florist space.  Flowers, flowers, and more flowers.  Which is wonderful -- because how can you ever really have enough?  And the smell is heavenly.

And they've got some cards, too :)  Which we're very, very happy about . . . because they now include Beans!!!!

As well as being a classic store-front operation for all these years, Rafael Florist also has it going on in the world of the internet and social media.  You can order on-line.  And find them on Facebook where they post specials.  And they tweet on Twitter!  

Thanks so much, Rafael Florist, for adding our products to your greeting card section!  We appreciate your making them available for folks who're sending out their love and support in bursts of flowers and art.  We love those kinds of people.  Rock on!!!  

How to: write a note of condolence

It is not a fun job, to say the least.  You are dealing with your own feelings of loss . . . and then, how even to start drafting a note to someone feeling it even more so?  It is difficult to know what to say, and how to say it.  

And yet, notes of condolence really mean a very lot to that someone who has lost her loved one.

Here are seven tips that can make the process of writing condolence notes "easier."

1.  Don't delay.  In days of shock and sadness close to the time of loss, people appreciate knowing that other people are aware of what has happened.  And they appreciate your reaching out more than you know.  On the other hand, if you learn about the loss later, don't let that time lapse deter you from writing, either.

2.  A phone call or e-mail are not the same as words you have written on paper and taken the time to mail or deliver.  Hand-written notes mean a lot.  And can be re-read, and treasured.

3.  When you're writing, try to avoid using euphemisms such as "passed away" and "passed over."  Using words that more specifically acknowledge the person's loss (such as "loss") touches the heart.   

4.  Let the person know what you remember about their loved one.  Again, specifics are great.  Specifics convey to your friend that you actually knew her loved one, spent time with her, valued her, and you remember what is special about her.  

5.  It's usually more helpful to pack your note with gracious words of warmth, memory, and togetherness, than to cover the territory of mourning by using words of loneliness, awfulness, and grief.

6.  Be respectful of your recipient's beliefs about life, death and what comes after.  

7.  Avoid asserting things like, "I know exactly how you feel," "It's for the best," or in any way comparing your experiences of grief with theirs.  This is their time, and we don't know exactly how they feel because everyone experiences things in her own way.   

 

For more information on this topic (and how to write many other kinds of notes, too), pick up The Art of the Personal Letter:  A Guide to Connecting Through the Written Word, by Margaret Shepherd.

You do a very kind thing when you send a condolence note.  It can feel uncomfortable and overwhelming when we need to.  But it will mean so much.

When you're on Whidbey Island . . . .

. . . here's where to stay.  

This post is an unabashed plug of love for Mitch and Lynda Richards, and their three terrific kids, who run The Lovejoy Inn in Coupeville, Washington.  (That's mid-island Whidbey, for those of you not lucky enough to have been there yet.   Make plans to get there ASAP!!!)

Inside this grand old house that overlooks Penn Cove -- and that is a two-minute walk from restaurants, coffee, shops, library, banks and post office "downtown" --  there are three bed & breakfast rooms for you:  The Penn Cove, The Landing, and The Coupe.  

If you'd like a bit more privacy and kitchens on your own, the property also has these other wonderful options (both of which I've stayed in, and loved.  I mean, actually, really, completely LOVED).  

This is The Carriage House . . . which boasts a terrific studio up over the garage . . . with a huge, heavenly bed, full bathroom, terrific kitchenette including a two-burner stovetop, and lots of well-lit room in which to sit around, laze, work, enjoy yourself . . . and even a French-doored balcony that looks out onto Penn Cove.

Much larger is The House Next Door, which has three full bedrooms, plus a built-out attic with more beds . . . two-and-a-half bathrooms . . . two living rooms . . . lots of space . . . and a kitchen pleasant and cozy for cooking and visiting.  Fully-fenced yard . . . glorious deck . . . pet-friendly.

And everything, everywhere, is wi-fi'ed!!!!

Mitch and Lynda are great hosts.  I truly miss this home-away-from-home when I am down here at my official home in California, and I try to be up on Whidbey whenever I can.  Thanks to the Lovejoy Inn, I always have a great place to stay.  Do yourself a favor and book yourself a spot there, too.  

 

How to: decide what to put on the back of your cards

Today's "how to" blog doesn't have any answers, folks.  Not even any tips.  Because, regarding this amazingly controversial topic, there do not seem to BE any answers.  

So, we'll just be pointing out the nature of the controversy itself, in order to a) make you aware that this big old gigantic controversy exsists (WHO KNEW?!?!?!) and b) solicit your opinions/solutions in comments below.

The controversy?  What information "should" your company (you) include on the backs of your greeting cards?  That's right.  That turns out to be quite a hot-button issue.

We'll illustrate . . . .

On the backs of the first round of Bean Up The Nose Art's cards, the only thing printed on their backs was the copyright information, and a "Blank Inside" line (so that you would know . . . well, that the card was blank inside.)

This resulted in the following feedback from brick and mortar vendors:

*  "Why is the back of your card blank?!?!"

*  "I like to buy from local artists.  Can't you say where you're from on the back of your card?"

*  "Why is the back of your card blank?!?!?!"

*  "The first thing my customers do is turn the card over, to read the story of the artist who made them.  You don't have anything on the back of your cards."  

*  "Why is the back of your card blank?!?!?"

*  "Customers connect with stories.  Can't you put something on the backs of your cards?  They want to know who you are."

*  "WHY IS THE BACK OF YOUR CARD BLANK?!?!?!?"

From this feedback, one might reasonably deduce that a description about the artist should appear on the back of the cards.

Thus, Bean began getting its cards with this printed on the back:

Problem solved, yes?  

Not really.

Yes, there were many, many people who'd read the back and say, "Wow!  Glad to know this about you and your work!"  (And by the way, THANK YOU for that. You have no idea how much it warmed my heart.)

BUT . . . according to my sales rep, there are vendors who look at the back of the card and shudder.  And even customers who chimed in to say, "I hate ANYTHING on the back of cards.  Who cares?  I only buy the cards for the art and the sayings, and I don't give a s**t about what the artist does in her process."

Which, frankly, was what we thought in the beginning, too . . . that the cards were just about the art and the sayings, and who would want to read anything about the artist, anyway?  Which was why they were blank.  But then . . . all the vendor feedback about story-telling.  What's a person to do?

So now, here is what the current round of cards have on the back:

 

Which still doesn't solve all the problem.  Because some vendors still want cards "with the story." 

Of course, what is likely most controversial is the death penalty appeals part.  Because not everyone agrees that people who have been convicted of the death penalty deserve a defense. And I comprehend their feelings.  So, the easiest thing would be just to remove that part, and say the rest.  But the problem is, it feels like a big lie to have "the rest" be "the story," when my day job for the last 15 years has been that work.  To leave it out because some people don't philosophically agree with it seems hypocritical.  And then, it also starts to feel, when you're worried about what to write on the back, that card-selling and card-buying are in some way a popularity contest based on the artist's backstory, instead of based on whether you like the card itself.  Thus, we're back to basically blank.

Would love to hear your comments below about how other people have handled, or perceive this big old controversy.  Thanks for playing! 

Brick & Mortar Friends: Rhody Too Gallery

Howdy, howdy, howdy from Bean Up The Nose Art to our brick and mortar friend, the Rhody Too Gallery.

That's "Rhody" as in "Rhododendron."  Because the Rhody Too is owned and operated by the same wonderful folks who bring you the delicious, amazing Rhododendron Cafe.  In sweet Bow, WA.  

So, how lovely was the latest visit to all things Rhododendron during our recent (and too short) trip up to Whidbey Island?  

SO LOVELY!!

A delicious dinner of duck breast, with a side of broccolini and savory apple bread pudding.  Yummy!!!  A glass of wine.  A cup of terrific, strong coffee.  Heaven.

And then, owner Carol S. -- who waits tables at her own restaurant, because that's the kind of terrific gal that she is  -- let Beans inside the gallery for a photo op . . . all on our own, to lock the door behind us when we went.  Because that's how they roll up in that neck of the woods.  So NICE!  

Let's take a look inside the Rhody Too.

It's a great venue for local Northwest artists, with a mix of items from the rest of the world, too.

Lots and lots of paintings and watercolors.

Terrific work by fiber artists, as well.  Check out the yumminess of these scarves (which are staple accessory you MUST HAVE in Washington).

 
And the purses.  The purses!

Please let someone in my family know that this one especially would do just fine.

And, of course, our favorite place . . . the card nook.  

A big, Cabernet-style-hearty THANK YOU to wonderful Rhody Too for carrying Bean Up The Nose Art's greeting cards.  We so appreciate your support, and look forward to delivering orders personally . . . so we just so happen to have to eat at the Cafe while we're there . . . .

ROCK ON, RHODY FOLK!!!

Here's an artist you should meet!

Her name is Heidi Rand, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area -- and she has got it going on!

For instance, this is her own double-exposure self-portrait.

See what I mean?

Heidi is an extraordinary photographer, who likes to manipulate her images (usually of nature these days) and then DO MORE AMAZING THINGS, in order to make art products.

For example . . . SHE PRINTS THEM ON FABRIC!!! Check out this cat collar she's got for sale at her etsy store.

That's not all. Earrings. Purses. Shoes. Available for you and your loved ones (or, just you!) at several venues on the internet, including Zazzle. Check out Heidi's Garden Delights Arts and Crafts blog site website for the low-down on where you can find these wonderful items. Like this butterfly-winged switch plate.

I wanted to include photo of amazing peacock eye patterned tennis shoes from Zazzle . . . but I couldn't lift the image. So click right on over and check them out for yourself!

Heidi also makes mandalas and abstract pieces.

Heidi's art-world productivity is simply amazing, as is her internet sales presence. She knows a lot about this -- and many other topics -- AND TEACHES CLASSES IN THEM!! You can take them! In fact, this Saturday she is teaching one in Pinole, California, about the very topic of selling your art on the internet. Check it out!

And prepare to be even more amazed, and inspired to pump up your own creative can-do energy. Because Heidi works full-time in a completely non-art-related day job. She is a staff attorney in a court in San Francisco. Whew.

Heidi is a source of inspiration -- for her limitless energy, her focus, her technological knowledge, her internet sales savvy, her willingness to share all of this with us as a teacher, and for her kindness and consistent support of other artists. You go, Heidi . . . because you completely rock!!!

How-to: Figure out whether you want to market your art

It's not a question of whether your stuff is good enough.

First . . . I'm betting you, dollars to doughnuts, based solely on the fact that you're reading art blogs, that your stuff is AT LEAST "fine," and way more likely WONDERFUL. Second . . . even if you're saying to yourself, "No, really, you don't know -- my stuff is really questionable," what you don't know is the amount of truly questionable stuff I've seen SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES at big time arts and crafts faires. So, please do yourself a great big favor and STOP DOUBTING YOURSELF!!! Life is too darned short to be doing that for very long.

A better question, if you're wondering whether you want to market your wares, is, "Will I like the process of marketing my stuff enough to sustain that process?" Because, no matter how wonderful a product is, it takes a lot of time and consistent effort to plug away at the marketing part of life.

Here are five other questions to help you answer that big one.

1. Can I wrap my brain around the 50/30/20 rule?

See those bees? They've got it going on. Their systems of effort and production are some of the finest-tuned in nature. Every minute of their six-week life span is mapped out, task by task. Early days are for cleaning the cell from which they were born. Later days are spent on tasks like helping the queen, or taking care of larva . . . and, finally, going out in the world to gather nectar and pollen.

To market your art, you will need to have a bee-like sense of purpose, focus and time-management. Business and sales experts calculate that to be most effective at growing your business, you need to follow the 50/30/20 formula: spend 20% of your time visioning and making new products; spend 30% of your time on administrative tasks; and SPEND 50% OF YOUR TIME MARKETING. Seriously.

That is not normally how we think of spending our time as artists. But I decided to give it a try when I heard it from my sales coach last summer. And I'm here to tell you, it works. And, amazingly, it turns out to be FUN! You can find ways to get creative in your marketing, just like in your art-making. But if that 50/30/20 calculus makes you shake or vomit . . . .

2. Can I produce my stuff in quantities and qualities that will sell, and won't wreck me?

What do you make? Are they products that are reproducible in a cost-effective way for the fabulous people who will want to buy them, and for you? If you hand-make every single unit, will you be able to sell them for anything close to being able to pay yourself for your time? And will you get burned-out in making that same unit over and over again? On the other hand, if you are going to have your stuff reproduced by another vendor, how much will that cost, how will it work, and what will the quality be like?

3. Can I handle "rejection?"

I've put the "R" word in quotes because I aspire to actually believe that all information is good information. Sometimes, I actually pull that off. (I can hear several family members guffawing at this right now. To you, I lovingly point out that business is an easier realm in which to practice this than in than personal life.)

No matter how fabulous is your fabulous art, when you market it, you will hear people say all kinds of things about it that are not positive. For instance, turning to their friend at an arts and crafts fair and saying right in front of you, "WE could do this! We could do this BETTER!!" And, "Your prices are way too expensive." And, "I don't like the bio that you put on the backs of your greeting cards." And, "Your products are not a good fit in this store." And, "I'm sad to say, your cards are the slowest sellers in my shop."

Sometimes, you're going to sit at a fair and no one will buy anything, while the person in the booth next to you selling positively frightful stuff runs out of all the inventory she brought with her because everyone wanted one.

This stuff used to bother me.

Well, it still does.

But it doesn't deter me any more. Because WHY? Because all information is good information. You listen, ask questions, decide whether you agree or not (which often is wiser to keep to yourself), and move on. And you'll end up hearing people say the EXACT OPPOSITE. "Your price point is really reasonable!" "I love what you put on the back of your cards!" "My customers love your luggage tags!" You're going to hear it all. Because everyone has opinions and observations.

If you know for a fact that it is going to crush your spirit to hear things like this, and to not hear back from people at all, and to not make sales at fairs or on the internet during some time periods . . . think about it. I highly vote for us getting thicker-skinned and better-practiced at receiving such feedback, and moving right along and selling our wares. But if you are in a particularly vulnerable period, maybe give yourself a break until you are feeling back to your butt-kicking self.

4. Do I love the internet?

Because that is a tool that you are going to be using. A lot. To post and sell your items on etsy. To follow and comment upon other artists' blogs. To post about your art on your Facebook business page. To tweet about what you have to offer other artists and customers, and to thank your vendors, and to ask folks questions. To blog about information you want to share with others. To maybe start your own e-commerce website. If you feel happy and comfortable in that seat right in front of your computer, and if your fingers work at warp speed when they get excited about something they see on-line . . . well, that's a good sign!

5. Will I still like my art life if it becomes my job life?

It's a good question to ask ourselves. Is it going to wreck the fun, respite, nourishment, freedom we feel in our art lives if we make a business out of selling that art? Will the details, need for follow-through, pressure to keep marketing, worry about the financial bottom-line, travel to shows, efforts to put ourselves out there, and dealings with sometimes difficult people make this something we dread, instead of something we cherish?

As the lawyer part of me would say, "Reasonable minds can differ," on this point. To some reasonable people, all of this would be an exciting next chapter in their lives' creative-process novel. Because running a business IS creative. But to other equally-reasonable people, adding all these things would completely sink the activity that used to float their joyful boats.

I'm happy to be in the boat where marketing feels creative, and fun, and like a challenge that (most days) I enjoy figuring out and playing with. If you feel like that's the boat for you, COME ON IN!!! Post a comment below and we'll all cheer you on!!!! If you decide otherwise, you're also making an excellent decision.

In other words, stick a bean up your nose and see what happens! There is always the chance to try it the other way. And no matter which way . . . KEEP MAKING YOUR ART.