We have a perfectly good well on our property. The trouble is, that it is 100 yards from the old empty well, and not yet connected. This will cost approximately $2000. For the past five years, we have been filling the old well with the water from the new well. Does this sound like a comedic event? It is, except in the cold winter months, here in Maine. The problem is money. We’re just plain out of it.
SO, the other night as I was going to sleep, I pondered the enormity of $2000. Then I realized that it’s really only a bunch of $20.”s!
What can I do to earn a bunch of 20″S is easier to consider. That’s how I decided to return to clay and throw 200 bowls, selling each one for $20. , which, yes, I know will earn me $4ooo. Gee, then I can put the rest to the siding, which is in sad disrepair.
Now, I stopped working in clay over 14 years ago, and I’m primarily a sculptor, not a potter. But clay is clay, and I’m good at it.
Though I’m doing this as a “project” with a specific goal in mind, once again, I’m grateful for the journey.
I love finding how other creative people approach problems, coming up with unusual solutions. Often the solutions, bring us to a better understanding of who we are. Sometimes they bring us in a new direction.
I wanted to be a writer, who once worked in clay. Now I’m a clay person who writes. I write in clay, and about clay.I write about what it has done for me, as well as what it is doing for me.
How about you? is any one out there willing to share how they used a resource to solve a problem, and found a new joy in the process.
p.s. I dropped your name on Gina's post, Barb. ;)
Wow – I wish I had something I could turn into money. Well done. Now you have me thinking!
I cook and bake, whoever wants homemade pound cakes and there is a little bar that as pool tournaments in which I cook for every 4th or 5th week….TRACK
p.s. SKILLS WE LEARNED EARLY IN LIFE ARE HELPING US TODAY!
thanks for the thus far two responses. ( as I’m editing this I realized it’s from me to me), I admit I love hearing myself talk, but I meant this as a response.
You know, not everyone is an artist, but every one is creative. We are made in His Creative Image.
When I was much younger, I told a friend that I couldn’t afford to do a particular thing. I’ve since forgotten what it was. She turned to me and explained the difference between afford and “not in my budget.” No one hade explained the process of shifting monies from one “need” to another.
It’s true that you’ve gotta love what you’re doing. But not necessarily for a lifetime. When I told this same friend that I wanted a potters wheel, her quick response was, “what are you willing to do for it?”
I was stunned. I never thought of it that way before. I didn’t like the sound of it at first. I guess it pushed old buttons of predatory traps. But then as I learned, it was simply to establish what I was willing and not willing to do in order to achieve my goal.
Can you guess that my friend was wise? She was and still is.
I waited tables for that wheel. And then I promptly quit my job. Waiting tables is not my thing, but it wasn’t painful either.
I know a lady who loves cows. She loves them so much she decided to buy one. Now her goal was simply to have a pet cow. But the expenses soon followed and so did her creative thinking. She made yogurt. The best this area has to offer.
Now she runs two farmers markets, here in Maine. And the kicker is, that she started out a city girl, just like me.
Having dreams is fun. Making them come true is also fun. It’s only hard work if you hate what you’re doing. ( which doesn’t mean it’s not DIFFICULT from time to time)
Problem solving is your personal creativity in action to achieve those dreams.
LilTigg, I’m sure you’ve got something that can be turned into money. I’m praying it will demand your attention. Word of caution. Wath out for the critical monster, the dream crusher, the voice that pretends to be a “realist.”
For Track:
I know a lady who bakes superbly. She uses the finest ingredient. But, by far, the finest of all her ingredients is LOVE. She started out with a hole in the wall place. The Cupboard is the name. Back then it was about the size of one. Today, she owns the building, which she and her husband built. It took years, but they’ve got such a good
, that even though it’s not on the way to anywhere(it’s on a peninsula, people travel well out of their way to go there. .
They serve breakfast and lunch. But they’re known for their fabulous desserts. They have even been written up in Downeast magazine.
Here’s wishing everyone successful dreams. Remember, you don’t have to know the end of the road to take the first step and enjoy the process.
I thank you so much for these words, for sometimes I don’t a get order for a while. So I say to myself, if they want what I got, they will pay, so not changing my prices but staying real. Thanks…TRACK
Stay right on track. Prices can change, as long as they stay on par with your area. I’ve helped a few people on my time with their businesses. Have you researched the going prices in your area?
Both my friends sell their baked goods at above the going rate, not by much but enough to establish that theirs is the BEST.
Then comes the marketing. Some people think this is all paid advertising. Paid advertising is good and necessary, but continuity is the most important thing a business has to offer.
Every aspect of your business must reflect on you and your values. So go down a list.
Is your product good? In your case, is it made with excellent ingredients? perhaps, organic, although certainly not necessary?
Does the presentation look as good as the food tastes?
Are you a generous person? If so,do the portion sizes reflect that quality?
You’ve got to ask yourself what are you trying to convey with these delicious products.
Most of all, remember that word of mouth can make or break your success.
Claudia, who owns the restaurant, has the best sticky buns anywhere. They’re quite generous in size, as she is with her time.
Every one who comes to her place is treated equally, with love attention and respect. Regardless of how much money they spend, how often they come, or how they happen to be dressed. Her customers range from cam diggers to wealthy summer people. It’s Claudia’s love of life and food, that bring us all together in a successful moment.
Her daughter now runs the business. Following in mom’s footsteps, the success continues. They make it a point to remember your name at the Cupboard. See. It sounds as if I’m getting royalties, by my blatherings. I assure you I am not.
If you have a good product it will sell. If you like being around people, then sell the stuff yourself. If you’re not good with people, no worries, get someone else to sell your goodies.
Write me more. I want to know more about your baking. If you love baking, then the rest is simply a puzzle that needs a bit of turning around.
Thank you for your time and attention. Will get back to you in private messages…TRACK…Thanks again