Editor's Letter Art and Money Irish Red
.

Recently I applied for a job teaching polymer clay at well known craft store chain. The more stuff I brought to show, the more the interviewer said, "wow, you knock my socks off". And the more she asked if I did cute stuff, quick projects and push molds. Then she asked if I'd mind sharing the job with someone who was into doing this stuff.

Creative people (IMHO) don't have a head for business. Our heads are in the clouds, not numbers on pages. But those who are good at business don't seem to have a feel for art, either. It makes for much frustration on both ends.

We would like to make money selling our work, but at what cost to the heart? Business people see dollar signs and bottom lines and don't seem to see the future. What will happen when folks get tired of kitsch and want to move on to beautiful things that have meaning in their lives? They can have all the sales they want, but if they've lost the attention of their customers, it will make no difference.  Then they'll believe that this "fad" or that is over and discontinue merchandise.

How do we get it across to them?

IR