New Years Resolutions

1. To walk far.
2. To pot more.
3. To eat light.
4. To laugh a lot.
5. To stress less.

Here's a wish to all for a happy, peaceful and productive 2007.


Miss Kitty,the dog, beams her endless love.

The Earth Moves

Lovely Saturday before Christmas Eve. All is calm, all is bright (well, maybe that's stretching it a bit). Presents are bought and wrapped, tree is up and for the first day in weeks I don't have a huge list of things to do. It feels great to be sitting in bed, drinking my tea and typing away... OH MY GOD... JUST THIS MINUTE... WE HAD OUR THIRD TINY EARTHQUAKE.

The holidays bring home friends and family. Susannah's boyfriend finally arrived legally from Cuba. We are so happy to meet him and have him here. He arrived Wednesday night just in time for tremor number one. Daughter Molly arrived from New York two days ago. It's so fun having her home for a minute...enough time for pedicures, movies, lunches out and feeling the earth move. Ezra celebrated his birthday yesterday and as we lifted our glasses to toast in year 35 we had little shake number two.

Merry Christmas to all and a wish for Peace in the New Year and PLEASE no more earthquakes.

The Art of the Sale

Sunday was my last day working the show, watching people walk by my work as if in a daze (a holidaze), looking briefly and walking on. I am the WORST sales person - always was. It's just not in my nature to try to sell myself and boy, that's what's necessary. One poor lady this sale asked me "How do you work with porcelain?" and I answered that "I don't think I work with it very well"! What she wanted was whether or not you could put it in the dishwasher not my confessions.

When I would work the children's clothing shows in New York for Sweet Potatoes I would often hide behind the showing screens so I could hear the comments but not have to talk to people...The voyeur coming out in me. I was famous for when people would say they didn't like something I would tell them I didn't like it either ...Not a great way to make the sale. Needless to say I usually preferred to be the "hander offer" - the one with the hangers who doesn't talk.

I have always admired someone who can make people comfortable, keep the conversation going, make the products sparkle and make the sale without being pushy. I've seen so many people with this gift. At Sweet Potatoes we once had a sales rep who sold the old curtains off the display walls of our store...She could sell anything! In India there was a tiny old Muslim man who was missing several teeth. He was a rug salesman, not just any rug salesman. His shop was in the lobby of the Hyatt in New Delhi and he had sold rugs to Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, John Travolta and I think the Queen of England and had the photos and autographs to prove it. Here's a picture of him - notice the calculator. He had us with Hello! You absolutely couldn't leave his shop without HAPPILY being seduced by his sales pitch. It was an experience in sly theater and it was actually a pleasure to be part of the act. Needless to say I own several of his rather over priced beautiful rugs and I smile every time I recall the sales transaction. Oh to have that gift!

My work is still available at the Guild but no one will have to endure my awkwardness. I think I might sell more not being there than I did the three weekends I sat trying to find the right words to make the sale.

Kindness

After the first weekend of miniscule sales at the 36th Annual Berkeley Potters Guild Holiday Show I was filled self doubt and questions. Was there something wrong with my display? Was what I was doing just not what any one wanted to see in their homes? Were my prices out of line? Was my love of the pottery process and the vision of what I thought was good work just totally off base? This is my 2nd Holiday Show, my 5th show ever selling my work - so I in no way think I am a veteran. I have lots to learn and usually that inspires the "creative fixer" in me...But I was having difficulty figuring out what to do to fix this one.

The first weekend there were few people - the weather was cold and rainy the mood subdued- but others work was selling. My immediate neighbor Sarah Gregory has the most amazing and sought after work. It's so beautifully painted and crafted and perfect for our Berkeley Craftsman homes. She has a huge following and her work flew off her gorgeously merchandised pedestals. It was thrilling to see, mainly because it gave me faith in what people appreciate and will actually spend their hard earned money on. My work on the other hand seemed to sit quietly on it's shelves - almost like it wasn't there. This is difficult to imagine - not because it is such brilliant work but the colors usually bring some comment - like, " YIKEES - THAT IS REALLY ORANGE"!

This weekend started off a little better. The weather was warm and sunny and that seemed to reflect in the customer's moods. Sarah in addition to being a most talented potter is a kind and caring and thoughtful person with a keen eye for display. It helped a lot that our studio set ups are situated side by side and she was seeing mine all day. Taking her advice I added a screen behind the table to focus attention on the work and not the messy studio beyond. At 8:45 am on Sunday morning she called and said she was sending over her husband Chris to fix my lights (he's and electrician). Chris came moved lights, changed light bulbs and VOILA! my work came to life. People were now stopping and looking- seeming to see the work for the first time. Sales got better. The placement of a light, the changing of a backdrop but mostly the kindness, knowledge and sharing of a friend can make all the difference.

The rest of my unanswered questions hopefully won't rear their ugly little heads until my next show...UGH.