It is hard to run and maintain a business. For some, it is a venture that is not long-lived. Whenever a business has to shut its doors and discontinue services to our community I am saddened. It doesn’t matter the reason, there is always a void placed in front of us when someplace we frequent or have support for has closed.
This is the case for a local bead shop in my area. I have only visited and purchased from this particular shop once in the last seven months but, I supported their efforts in bringing the love of beading to many it served. Perhaps if I had lived closer, I would have been able to take advantage of shopping there more often. Needless to say, the bad news is the closing of a bead shop. Now that the owners have decided to close their doors for public business, their bad/sad fortune in closing has become the limited time good fortune and good news for those gaining from their clearance prices.
Today, I am going to check out their remaining inventory with another fellow jewelry maker. I have no idea what I will come home with, if anything at all. I do know that my friend and I have different styles in our creations, so I am sure that if we get anything there to add to our supply list, they will be very different items. That fact alone may be a most interesting tidbit of information to realize in our shopping experience. What will attract her eye and what will I find interesting or useful in comparison? Our design styles will certainly call for the need to shop with different eyes, for different items.
I think that it is important to spend time with those with similar interests in business. It is a good opportunity to brainstorm and ask for advice if the other is willing to share information and experiences. Many times artists feel that they are in direct or indirect competition with each other. I can see how that belief can be possible but, there is also another side to this situation. I look to others in the same field as partners in a way, because we are along the same path. Our journey and adventure may be very different but, still a common bond can bring us together. For the love of beads can’t we all just get along!
This is the case with my jewelry-making pals. We all have different styles and customers. If we happen to ever have the same customers, it is because of their love for art in general. Styles are individual and pleasing to many. We make our creations with love and care as artists, no matter what level we are on in our specialty craft. We have opportunities to look to and to look out for our fellow creators. I am happy to support local businesses and people associated with the common bond of beads.
To take this support to a new level, I have an idea in the works that will allow fellow artists to show support to one another. Stay tuned to this blog for more information on how I hope to bridge creative people together with others and allow them to share their talents and shine. I welcome you to “FOLLOW” this blog for updates on future posts. Keep informed of creative ideas from creative people. Thanks for stopping by the blog today creative friend. Have you been inspired to support the efforts of a fellow artist more deeply?