This morning I sent out a short email to the storeowners I have worked with over the past years, telling them that I will no longer do wholesale. It was a rational decision, made after much consideration, and I know it is the best choice for me personally. But it was a hard thing to do. Many of them have become friends, some are disappointed, and I feel like I am letting them down...
Giving up the wholesale accounts is just one of several small changes I am making this year. From now on I will sell my work almost exclusively in the etsy shop. Etsy has been a wonderful experience for me and the artists and customers I have met there have enriched my life. I will be able to concentrate all my production and marketing in one place, instead of stocking and promoting several sites. The etsy shop also allows me to offer one-of-a-kind objects, like the big heart pillow above, while maintaining my original line.
Which leads me to the main reason for all this reshuffling and reorganizing. What I really want to focus on are my larger art pieces, quilts, and textile collages. I love using fabric as my canvas, incorporating printing, dyeing, stitching, and vintage into the mix. I am still learning, and I am not sure if my work is that good yet. But it is evolving and it makes my heart sing... My main web site is now devoted to the art quilts, and I hope that will help attract interest from gallery owners, buyers and collectors.
Only time will tell if my strategy will work. If not there is always room for more change, and new dreams and aspirations...
Exciting changes for you...and amazing pieces you're showing above...the heart pillow is stunning and I can't wait to see what's next for you...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for your recent chabnges! I'm very impressed by the quilts you show on your website, they are extremely beautiful. Hope all your dreams come true and more ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good decision. It is what you feel now, so it will be ok. Good luck with new next projects
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Lotta. And I love the quilts and textile art. Love love. Someday one will hang in my bedroom, I swear it.
ReplyDeleteHope you are keeping warm.
Heather
Lotta - I am so thrilled for you and the changes you are making. The focus on your art and your family (while achieving a balance) is inspiring . . .
ReplyDeleteI think this is very exciting Lotta. It is hard to absorb the disappointment from others, if you are like me that way. However, you are focusing and refining and making your dreams come true for you. Your heart sings! This makes my heart sing. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very difficult decision, but a good one. Your art quilts are fascinating to me, I can only imagine how fulfilling it must be to work on them. I'm excited to see what one-of-a-kind things you come up with as well!
ReplyDeleteamazing works here.the fabrics are fabulous and so is your talent
ReplyDeletechange is good - these pieces are beautiful - I like the stitching detail.
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT decision, Lotta. My sister made that decision in her business a year ago and has never looked back. Your post is truly inspirational (both images & words, thank you!) to me and really makes me think. I plan on spending the weekend making good choices, hard choices, and moving forward choices.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2010, Lotta, it' been a fun ride so far...thanks!
It seems to be a big year of change for a lot of us out there - your quilts and textile art are beautiful.
ReplyDeletewish you plenty of Etsy sales !!
ReplyDeleteI think you are thinking exactly right. Wholesale is not always the best idea. Good luck
ReplyDeleteYour work is so beautiful. I especially love that first photo, I could gaze at it for hours.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Lotta! All of your choices make perfect sense and I'm sure your wholesale accounts, though genuinely disappointed, understand completely. I love the subtleties of color in the third photo -- the one of the textile with the oval, the overlapping leaves, and the wavy stitching. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteGood move! I'm sure you will benefit. I never could understand how artists could sell at wholesale. Much luck!
ReplyDeleteYou need to follow your heart. And I honestly think you've made the right choice for yourself, Lotta - even when I can see how the store owners may have been disappointed. But it sounds like these changes will allow you to spend more time and energy doing the things that bring you true joy, no? So, in that spirit, congratulations my friend!
ReplyDeletelove,
-maria
Hi Lotta I love your latest work, I follow your blog. Change the computer and had lost your data. I'm glad I found you visiting Poppytalk . How beautiful your workspace.
ReplyDeleteToppen gumman! Jag vill gärna göra en "In The Spotlight" intervju med dig (om du fortfarande pratar med mig...). Talas vid i veckan?
ReplyDeleteKram, Mon
Lotta, I am doing the same thing! Phasing out wholesale and focusing on Etsy. It kind of validates my decision to know that you are making the same move.
ReplyDeleteSharon
Nu leker jag 'catch up' med dina blog inlagg och sag precis detta.
ReplyDeleteJag tycker att du gor helt ratt Lotta. Det ar battre att fokusera pa farre kanaler och gora det val.
Etsy later toppen och ar sakert ett flexibelt satt att visa dina vackra skapelser. Haller helt med att din web ar bra for att na galleri agare osv.
Jag haller pa dig!
Stor kram!
Charlotta xx