Home Parties

[Mary Sparrow]

Since your post, I have struck a deal with a local framer, she gives me the wholesale price (with my tax id number), and it has worked to my advantage because she wanted two portraits done of her grandchildren but couldn't afford it, so she is letting me run a tab to apply toward's her portraits!

As for the oils, I already have several quality frames in my studio, so that was never an issue. Framing Pastels is a whole different ballgame, that I am finding very annoying!

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Mary,

I was wondering if your friend had the party for you and how it went? Was it a comfortable setting? Did you get a lot of questions about your work? Were your paintings and pastels hung on the walls? I would love to hear more about the whole experience.

Joan

[Mary Sparrow]

Joan,
No, I haven't done it yet. And it is all my own fault. I actually have four separate people in four large towns with great connections that are continually reminding me..."when you're ready, let me know". I think I'm a chicken!

I keep saying, just another month or so and I will have work ready I am really proud of, and somehow that hasn't happened yet.

Fortunately I have a nice little backlog of commissions to do, so I suppose when that well runs dry I will be more motivated. Somebody smack me! I know better than to turn good opportunities away.

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Mary,

That's great that you've got a backlog of commissions! Chances are that if you have a backlog now then you'll always have a backlog, don't you think?

I wonder if you even need to do a party? Would your commissions be somehow better if you did have a party? Do you want to get commissions in a bigger town? If that's the case, then I suppose it would take a leap of faith to slow down on your 'local' commissions and go for it in a bigger town!

Good luck with it all. From reading your posts, it seems like you want to have the party. I would love someone to have a party for me so maybe I'm just projecting!

Joan

[Mary Sparrow]

I don't know, sometimes I have plenty of work and sometimes it is very slow. But then, I never advertise and it is all completely word of mouth.

I need to go up on prices, but I do not have the nerve to do it. So I feel like by hitting the larger markets, that I would be able to up the prices and start fresh without feeling like I need to explain myself.