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In Appreciation: Self Employment Slow Food-Style

Teal Palmera metal art

these are just some thoughts that have been wandering around my brain, just wondering if this strikes a chord with anyone else…

Have you heard of “Slow Food”? It speaks to small farms, local food, good for the planet, appreciation of the act of cooking & eating. I had read the term a while ago, but it popped back into my head recently.

It is spring.  I was laid off this time of year, and was realizing this as I sat in my front yard and watched the crocuses which had just bloomed. Every year for the past 10 years I had promised myself I would take a moment to notice them when they popped out of the ground. Or take some time to plant a garden. Or spend more time with my nieces & nephews. But my job always got in the way. Come spring I would be slammed with testing and grading and everything that goes along with the mad rush of the academia world I had been in for so long. But this was the year I saw the crocuses.

Being self-employed has it’s own slam-time — there are definitely days/ weeks/ months when I’m so busy I can’t see straight. But they are balanced by moments like these. And there is a certain ebb and flow, a self-employment tide, if we can only see beyond panicking when the tide is out and sales are slow, and panicking when the tide is in and things are a busy blur.

Running your own business is like Slow Food — not because the hours are less, but because they are more meaningful. You savor the journey, because there is no destination. You create and craft things with your own hands. You work with your mind, heart, and body. There is a connection between materials and product, and it is human. You are not sheltered by a counter or desk or a phone or a corporation. Your customers are real people, with names and sometimes faces.

My income is not what it was when I was working full-time. But it is enough. My bills are less, my day is longer, and I have the freedom to linger on a moment when I want to. It is a better life, a more meaningful life, than I had before. It’s not without its challenges. But the challenges are within my grasp.

I know a new business can be difficult when you are starting out, whether it is a side gig or  a new full-time venture. But you build a wall one brick at a time. See it in your mind, believe it with your whole being, and work toward it, brick by brick. And appreciate the journey.

Crazy Changes

This time of year always makes me reflective. When I find pockets of quiet in between the busy craziness, they are just a little more introspective than usual. It’s 4am and there is a dusting of powdered sugar snow outside and I am filled with the nervous energy of “to do” lists and show preparation and the secret excitement of the season that is filled with so many changes this year.

The past six months have been a whirlwind… exciting and challenging commissions, a crazy renovation that levitated my garage, a fellowship application and all the nervousness sealed alongside it in the envelope. Losing a job and launching a business. Meeting the man of my dreams and his crazy little dog. I used to be able to see out my personal windshield to the curving roads ahead, but not recently. It’s been like driving through a fog, eyes wide and nervous but appreciating the loveliness, not knowing what would happen until it was there in front of me.

This weekend I am gearing up for ArtCraft (details below) – please do stop by if you’re able! I will have lots of work available; more than I’ve ever had in any one place. Lots of new pieces, even ornaments, which are barely days old (p.s. these are in limited supply, so if you would like me to save you one, click on the picture or email me!) If you come by, please say hello :}  It’s always a lovely show and and exciting time.  You’ll find me on the 6th floor with a ton of other lovely artists — look for me in the middle room.

Until then, I will be finishing and packing and and attending to details……………………..

With much love,

Chris

2010 ArtCraft Holiday Sale
Saturday, December 4, 2010, from 11am to 8pm.
Sunday, December 5, 2010, from 11am to 5pm.

The 23nd annual Holiday Open Studio and Sale
Over 20 Downtown artists and 30 regional artists working in fine arts
and crafts across diverse media.

At the ArtCraft Building, 2570 Superior Avenue, Cleveland 44114
Studios on the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th floors.
Free Parking available.  Elevator access.

Visit our website at http://artcraftstudio.wordpress.com/ 
for more information on participating artists.
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