Progress Report

Umm... slowly, that's how things are progressing. Let's see, I've been working in the studio space when I can (which isn't as often as I would like) but it is beginning to be comfortable finally. I still have to install those couple extra outlets and breakers, but since I don't need them *right now* they can wait until after the Loring Art Fair. (Everything can wait until after Loring at this point ;p). It feels like I have plenty of work space, but I would love more storage space. I'll get some of that soon since they are working on the basement right now and there are a couple of pieces of furniture that will go into the house when they are done.

The two biggest challenges are firing and glazing now that I don't have kilns in the same building I'm working in. Ideally I will have a bisque kiln at home within the year, but until then I have been transporting my greenware (very carefully) to the Fisk Building in NE and firing it at Spirit Dancing with Fire. Luckily I have a shelf there where I can leave the bisqueware until it's glazed in their gas kiln. I'm looking into other options for firing though. There are a couple of places closer to home (Fire in the Greenway, Norther Clay Center) that have their various advantages, disadvantages and costs associated with them. Maybe another option or two on the horizon through other potters. Of course once I leave SDwF I will have to figure out how to deal with the studio glazes I have been using, some I can replace with similar glazes, some I can mix myself. It would be wise I think to figure out how many I really need, establish my "color palette" so to speak.

My work situation will be changing soon (hopefully for the better). It will mean more hours, but will be more physical and hopefully more fulfilling, plus less driving and less gas for the car. It's hard to feel like doing the business plan will be useful when my income and expenses are in a state of flux and it all feels to up-in-the-air. I don't want to do all the boring number stuff just to have to change it in a month because it no longer accurately reflect my business model. Hopefully by the end of the year I will be able to make a realistic picture of my costs of production and have a better handle on the "how" of my production in this new iteration of my art business!

Meanwhile, I am updating my website with the first information about the name change, and I am working on new business cards as well as some sort of informational enclosure about the transition to hand out this year. Oh, and I keep forgetting to send out an email to my mailing list reminding people about Loring and also preparing them for the name change! Gotta remember to do that very soon.