I think I get this way every June. I get really, really depressed and frustrated that I can't be a Bead & Button show attendee. I am so envious of all of my fellow beaders that are going. I haven't ever been able to attend Tucson either - probably never will because of the distance. BUT - Bead & Button is a driveable distance away - probably only about 10 hours. And still, here I am. I've even had the pleasure (and I mean that in a NOT so positive way) of having people look down their nose at me like I'm not important when I respond to their question about whether or not I'm going with a NO. So I sit here, wondering - HOW can beaders AFFORD to go to Bead & Button? I have a bead shop to run, I have stock to purchase, I have bills to pay, I have a husband that was until recently, laid off from his job. There is simply not enough $$$ in the budget for it. Does everyone just max their credit cards to the limit to make the trip? Or am I one of the 'poor' beaders that gets treated like I'm from the wrong side of the tracks? It's not like I don't try to sell my art pieces. MOST of my beadwork is very detailed, seed bead heavy work, ala Marcia, and Laura, and Rachel. It's all very unique, and unlike a lot of the other work around my area. I've got an Etsy site. I've tried local art galleries. I have it proudly displayed for sale at my bead shop. And all I get in return is comments and pats on the back. Which are nice. But they don't pay the way to Bead & Button OR the bills for that matter. And then when I hear and read comments from beady friends that are going about how many classes they are taking, and what they plan to buy, and attending the parties - it depresses me even more that I seem to be the poorest beader in town.
Maybe I need to start a local club for hard up beaders that can get together and commiserate and bead together during Bead & Button. The "We're Too Poor for Bead & Button but we still consider ourselves Beaders" club. Although I'm thinkin' I may be the only member....sigh.
So that's my rant. Sorry I put you through that. If there is someone out there with a great solution short of winning the lottery, I'd be glad to hear it.
5 comments:
I know you probably said that one key phrase in jest but it just might be your solution...do you have an area that you could branch out and give classes? Hold beading parties while you supply the beads/kits to make and take as a project. I know there are a lot of hard core beaders that have yrs and yrs experiance...but as with you ...us newbies are treated as if we are from the wrong side of town. Most beaders are very helpful but gosh some are terribly stuck-up. Some treat their designs as if they had invented the wheel. Anyways just my solutions to the make lemonade theory. Wishing you blessings and happy beading. Please don't let the joy of beading get lost in the envy of not going to a show. Beth
feel the same way you do. i'll never be able to go to b&b or bead cruises or any of those other "cool" beady things. when i get $30 or $40 to spend, i get REALLY excited! if i was close to you, i'd definitely be a member of your "too poor to go but let's get together group". can i be a long distance member? :) i too get lots of kudos for my work but have only sold one thing so far, but i'm thinking that maybe because i'm so new to the world of beading and haven't yet "made a name for myself". if you ever visit my blog, my email is my sidebar and you can't rant in my direction anytime you choose! we "poor kids on the block" need to stick together! lol have a beadiful day!
Thanks, gals - it helps to know I'm not the ONLY poor beader. Bellesandbeaus - I DO teach classes and sell kits at my shop. At least I try to. I really need to come up with a better marketing strategy or way to get more folks interested - right now I seem to have two types of customers - my regular already seem to know it all customers - who spend TONS of money and help keep me afloat (thank goodness), and the lookie loos - the ones that pass through, admire, ooh and ahh, and have all kinds of excuses for why they can't or won't bead. I need to find customers IN THE MIDDLE of that - want to learn and want to spend! I'm working on that....
I wish we had thought of the group thing earlier - maybe we could have done some sort of online or Facebook group bead! I'm reteaching myself bead crochet this week. I think. That may keep my mind of my troubles - or give me new ones to think about....;0). Take care gals - thanks again!
If you start a club I will join. Never been to Bead & Button or Tuscon, though I would love to go. To make it worthwhile you would need tons of money: all those classes and all those vendors. Someday I hope.
I just can't afford any 'real' travel, so unless I can drive it, I can't go, pretty much. The first B&B was held in Austin when my mom lived in San Antonio & I was able to go. Couldn't afford any classes, just lectures & shopping. I wish the middle of the country wasn't so ...neglected when it came to art happenings.
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