tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.comments2019-07-13T05:21:59.541+02:00Making a living doing what you lovebabastudioPraguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565676917982203983noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-85678235089313100592009-11-06T16:34:57.297+01:002009-11-06T16:34:57.297+01:00I've been following you blog since I was given...I've been following you blog since I was given the link from a friend and I must say there is some great advice..<br /><br />This post being one of them.<br /><br />Just be careful if you are starting a business as some of us cant be too picky who wish to have as customers. Thet said, dont chase unprofitable work or work you feel uncomfortable with- your clients will be able to tell the difference as well you know (!)Cambridge Pest Controlhttp://www.fenlandenvironmental.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-51968030172846882792009-11-01T16:55:05.359+01:002009-11-01T16:55:05.359+01:00Fashions and trends fade, only style remains ;-)
...Fashions and trends fade, only style remains ;-) <br /><br />Thanks for this post - it keeps me focused ;-)Christianehttp://www.cosmicstore.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-9664758784884533332009-09-16T14:18:19.085+02:002009-09-16T14:18:19.085+02:00Trrrr-end. It behooves us to say it again. Great ...Trrrr-end. It behooves us to say it again. Great post. Thank you.Virginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10811690314497763047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-13856668982728618012009-09-15T10:37:16.252+02:002009-09-15T10:37:16.252+02:00But this hasn't really got anything to do with...But this hasn't really got anything to do with tarot decks. When Kunati began, they were doing fiction - and it's notorious in the industry that fiction is not selling and it's almost impossible for anyone to successfully do a fiction-based start-up publisher. It's that simple.<br /><br />By the way, yes, I did see the crash coming - but I called it too early, around 2002 - same as Soros so at least I was in good company! But publishing has had problems for many years, particularly fiction publishing, the recession just made it worse.babastudioPraguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565676917982203983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-69473174275975558982009-09-15T10:23:20.839+02:002009-09-15T10:23:20.839+02:00For the record - if Kunati had stuck to tarot deck...For the record - if Kunati had stuck to tarot decks, it's likely they wouldn't have gone under, despite the recession. I think the "I gave them two years" is a bit unfair - did you seriously see the global crisis coming? Pity you didn't warn economists at the time ;)<br /><br />The sales of the two decks they published were very good, and the returns-rate much lower than the books they published. The thing that really killed them was the requirement (in the US market at least) to continue taking returns from wholesalers and retailers at any time that a product is still in print. Given the recession, businesses are lowering their stock levels to keep their own heads above water. Truckloads of books have been sent back, and I think the only way a small BOOK publisher will be able to survive in this market is to go print-on-demand and only commit books to paper versions when a final sale is made.<br /><br />Kunati spent very little on marketing, which was a complaint from some of the (unrealistic) book authors they signed. They did more hands-on low-cost marketing - eg blog posts, press releases, you-tube book trailers etc. Entering and winning awards was part of this, and I think they did a great job of that.<br /><br />It's sad that they've gone under, but I feel better for knowing that Touchstone Tarot was a good seller with a low return rate, and I'm still very proud of the product they produced - the box and the jumbo deck with gilded edges was really lovely.<br /><br />I had a great contract, and as such have the right to buy remaining stock at a hugely discounted rate, so at least the stocks won't be remaindered or pulped and it will continue to be available for some time to come.<br /><br />Good to hear that Baba Studios have managed to circumvent the recession with your wide diversification of products. Having a direct relationship between the artists and the end buyer is the way of the future, and you're doing an excellent job at that. <br /><br />all the best,<br /><br />kat black =^..^=VJzoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02653143009093894792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-5698088814852703352009-08-26T08:35:09.186+02:002009-08-26T08:35:09.186+02:00> At a small company you can dare to be honest ...> At a small company you can dare to be honest with your customers. <br /><br />I particularly like this point. If I'm able to, I answer the phone directly when in the office (a corner of my kitchen) and if a supplier asks to be put through to accounts, I'm honest and say "It's OK, you can talk to me, Jude, I'm the director." <br /><br />Another thing - corporate speak is anathema to me. My fiance was advised recently that to move up the ladder he would have to adopt corporate speak, and speak it fluently. He said flatly "That's why I don't want to move up the ladder. I'm fine where I am, talking plain English."<br /><br />A great post, Karen.Jude Calvert-Toulminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12112993362990797264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-54924940617738652292009-08-06T10:22:19.801+02:002009-08-06T10:22:19.801+02:00Hi there,
I like the idea of glasses cases, as lon...Hi there,<br />I like the idea of glasses cases, as long as they are rigid/hard material rather than soft, so the specs inside can't get squeezed. <br />Are you considering producing these? If yes, I'd buy one or even more;-)<br /><br />ChristianeCosmicCollectionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16310492630121158477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-85489254668194411622009-04-08T11:41:00.000+02:002009-04-08T11:41:00.000+02:00This is such a timely article. We do need to take ...This is such a timely article. We do need to take the small steps, chatting a bit as we go. Before long, we have reached our destination, with our whole self intact!Bonnie Cehovethttp://bonniecehovet.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-44875535887892913112009-02-17T00:26:00.000+01:002009-02-17T00:26:00.000+01:00I haven't read her, though maybe I ought to. I did...I haven't read her, though maybe I ought to. I didn't actually agree with much of what she said, but I found the talk really interesting - at least it made me think and question what I did and didn't go along with. I suppose I don't see "creativity" as some rare gift - it seems to me it's in all of us whereas she seems to want to see "creative" people as a special group. Still, I like that she can get me thinking!babastudioPraguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565676917982203983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-49584827001871984712009-02-17T00:02:00.000+01:002009-02-17T00:02:00.000+01:00I wasn't impressed..maybe I'm just jealous that sh...I wasn't impressed..maybe I'm just jealous that she was doing some really cool things.. but as a writer E. Gilbert is not my fave..Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14209402271810438954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-90895153899974670722009-01-27T00:17:00.000+01:002009-01-27T00:17:00.000+01:00Hi Sara - many thanks for reading the blog. I'm gl...Hi Sara - many thanks for reading the blog. I'm glad you like the post - I very much believe in not just sitting around thinking "If only" - although sometimes I do worry that I encourage people to take too many risks. Still, we all make up our own minds in the end.<BR/><BR/>I know the Osho Zen cards but don't use them. Maybe I should try them out?<BR/><BR/>KarenbabastudioPraguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565676917982203983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-68304687231080263372009-01-19T20:54:00.000+01:002009-01-19T20:54:00.000+01:00I found your site when I was researching an avatar...I found your site when I was researching an avatar for myself. I liked the work of one of your readers,kyrn. She had your blog listed on her blog.<BR/><BR/>I loved this post. You are so right that it's hard to be the "fool" and trust yourself enough to take a risky step. However, in my experience, when I've done this amazing things have happened!<BR/><BR/>Have you ever used the OSHO Zen Cards?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-16388349821135938862009-01-05T18:14:00.000+01:002009-01-05T18:14:00.000+01:00It's hard at times isn't it? I find I get quite ea...It's hard at times isn't it? I find I get quite easily swept up by the group thing and on Etsy I've sometimes contemplated doing all the owls/cowls/ stuff (if you know what I mean). It's important to recognise what's fashionable or a trend in a niche of course, but in the end, you need to carve out something more distinctive or you aren't going anywhere.babastudioPraguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565676917982203983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-11336910804245749832009-01-01T16:48:00.000+01:002009-01-01T16:48:00.000+01:00I've been thinking about these issues lately, as I...I've been thinking about these issues lately, as I try to work out where my little business fits in the world. I spent last year trying very hard to fit myself into the Etsy aesthetic, but I may just have to admit that it isn't right for me. That makes me nervous, as it's where buyers are actively looking to purchase handmade items, and it seems silly to turn away from that - but I think it's more important for me to make my business what it is, rather than trying to make it fit in to someone else's pattern. I'm not sure where I'm going yet, but I'm sure I'll figure it out!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-69938254445171999102008-12-29T00:52:00.000+01:002008-12-29T00:52:00.000+01:00Hi there, I totally agree with this post in terms ...Hi there, <BR/><BR/>I totally agree with this post in terms of trying to fit in. I sell on Etsy and the more involved I become, the more I am seeing that there is a certain audience that the company is trying to cater to. It IS easy to become obsessed with attempting to be noticed and sometimes, I find myself drifting away from my niche group and I have to stop to take stock and refocus myself. Hopefully, my niche will help propel me to success...:o)<BR/>Thanks for sharing!Nathifahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16909360259861230699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-7519783174672348522008-12-02T22:39:00.000+01:002008-12-02T22:39:00.000+01:00Yes, but in one sense Etsy is still a niche market...Yes, but in one sense Etsy is still a niche market. It would be awfully hard to grow a business based on these kind of items more widely. I don't mean cowls and fingerless gloves per se - but more generally the kind of thing based on "what can I make at a good price?" rather than, "How can I make what people want and produce it at the right price?"<BR/><BR/>In a way, in a small Etsy world these things can look trendy for a while, especially when they are nicely done and well presented. But I would argue that they just won't fly in the bigger world. And in the end, as we all know, you need to sell in the bigger world to actually make a living doing creative work.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for commenting! <BR/><BR/>KarenbabastudioPraguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565676917982203983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-87585698603847853572008-12-02T22:23:00.000+01:002008-12-02T22:23:00.000+01:00I agree with your point, but I've seen many seller...I agree with your point, but I've seen many sellers make hundreds of sales on both of those items, so they are selling more than just a few. One seller I saw just sold neckwarmers/cowls and had over one thousand sales...Briahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08049857425147019952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-69565463635542603742008-10-31T19:20:00.000+01:002008-10-31T19:20:00.000+01:00Thanks Sylke. It's good to see you here - and I ho...Thanks Sylke. It's good to see you here - and I hope the blog is at least a little useful to you. If your gallery online somewhere? I ought to know, I'd love to see it.<BR/><BR/>KarenbabastudioPraguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565676917982203983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-2585126689654207662008-10-29T18:33:00.000+01:002008-10-29T18:33:00.000+01:00Thank you, Karen, for this fresh and helpful hints...Thank you, Karen, for this fresh and helpful hints.<BR/>To be authentic in everything that you do-even marketing-seems to me as an very good advice.<BR/>I try this everyday with my little gallery, though it is an "insider's tip"-it will grow little by little.<BR/>Thank you also for be a reader of my blog and putting me in your blogroll!<BR/>Have a nice evening,<BR/>SylkeSylke Saischowahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07321864392750486413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580029472198866505.post-6696640749980134492008-09-12T14:14:00.000+02:002008-09-12T14:14:00.000+02:00I completely understand this! I was always: that g...I completely understand this! I was always: that girl/woman who read Tarot.<BR/><BR/>Now I'm that woman who *used* to read Tarot, because I am putting all of my creative and intuitive energy into my dream of becoming a full-time novelist. It's tough, because I still love Tarot and still read for myself and close friends, but I simply can't do it for a living any more. It is too draining. This has disappointed some of my ex-regular clients, but I have to follow my own path and allow my identity to change.Karen Mahoneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02358606301398259487noreply@blogger.com