Winchester has a new friend. Charley is his name. He’s a Great Dane.
This makes Winchester very happy.
Charley loves to run and play. He plays differently than the greyhounds. Winchester doesn’t know what to think of this, but he still tries to get Charley to play. Charley has his own ideas of course.
So Winchester dances. And leaps.
And stamps his feet.
“Should I bring it?”
Bring it!
I abandoned my traditional merchant account (i.e. the thing that allows me to process credit cards) and went with Square for events. Here’s why.
The merchant account, through my bank, was killing me with fees. I don’t do events every month. Most of my online payments are made via paypal. My bank charged a monthly “no use” fee and these fees were adding up. Then I added the cost of the terminal lease, the increasing number of miscellaneous fees here and there, and the extra fees to accept various cards. I did the big math. Ugh. Then figured out the percentage I was paying after all was said and done, and cancelled my account that day.
I was apprehensive about cancelling the account. I know that my sales have increased double digits since I began to accept credit cards at events. I needed an alternative. Did a bunch of research and a bunch more math. I signed up for Square.
What is it? It’s this funky little credit card reader that plugs into the audio jack on a smartphone. I used my iPad. Just like a traditional merchant account, the company takes a percentage of your sales (2.75% for swiped sales). Their website has all the gritty details.
Because what was I out if it didn’t work? The reader was free. (I have seen the black reader in Walmart for $10). I already had an iPad so I thought I’d try it.
Here’s a note about the iPad I used. It’s an iPad 2 with 32GB – 3G version with Verizon service price $729. Overkill. The 16GB, $629 version would work great for this but I wanted more GB. I pay $30 per month for 3G internet, but turn this off when I don’t have an event since I’ve already got wi-fi in the studio.
I could write another post and all the ways I use the iPad in my artist practice. So not just for processing credit cards. I liked that I can use a multi-use device – not pay for a credit card terminal that does just one thing.
Okay… So back to square.
The Greyhounds Reach the Beach event at Dewey Beach, Delaware was the first big event where I’ve used this set up. This is my biggest event of the year. This is the event where I take the most credit cards. Did square work? Yes.
Really, really well.
My favorite thing was that I could enter my artwork into the Square app along with price the art work, description, and photo of the work. This made keeping track of sales easy and my tile inventory seamless!
Many people commented on the iPad verses smartphone. They loved the bigger screen and often followed along as I went through the steps. Only thing I would do differently is purchase a stylus for the customer to use to sign their name. The signing with finger worked okay – think the comfort level would be greater with a stylus.
The money appeared in my bank account quickly with no limit of the amount each day.
Very good experience.
I live in a town that bans residents from owning specific dog breeds. Whatever my feelings about this recently reviewed ordinance, I ran across some neat children’s picture books about the subject of dogs and safety that will be of interest to others.
May I Pet Your Dog? The How-To Guide for Kids Meeting Dogs (and Dogs Meeting Kids) by Stephanie Calmenson is a story about a dachshund named Harry. The illustrations are cute, but more importantly, very clear. Nice story about respect for animals.
Don’t Lick The Dog – Making Friends with Dogs by Wendy Wahman is a rhyming story with bold illustrations. The story is simple but effective. Not as in-depth as the previous title, but a great gift book that is fun, yet informative.
Not Afraid of Dogs by Susanna Pitzer is not an etiquette book but a story about courage and friendship. The story begins with a boy who is “not afraid of dogs, just doesn’t like them.” He has to confront his fear when his aunt’s dog comes to stay. The illustrations are beautiful.
I bought all three for our public library. If you have suggestions about more good children’s picture books about pets, I’ve love to hear them!
Must admit I’m feeling a little tentative about sharing my process on this blog. That is not good. Especially considering all the benefits received FROM sharing. So I’ve moved a few things around on the internets. Makes me feel better. And that talk with my lawyer.
Moving on! Besides how can one feel anything but inspired when we have sunrises like this?!
This one is thanks to Winchester. The photo, not the sunrise (though he may have something to do with it? Who knows…) Winchester has decided that I need to get out of bed at 4:07 AM. Exactly that time. Every day. For the last three days.
The benefit of this is that when the sun finally rises at around 7AM, I’m coffeed and awake enough to notice.
Winchester, however, is asleep at sunrise. He is also asleep at 4:15 AM. He goes back to bed after he’s satisfied that I’m awake. I’m still trying to figure out his grand plan.
There are two exhibition opportunities on the horizon. I need two pieces for the January show at the Dickinson State University gallery. This is the same gallery that Mom and I had our show in last march. The theme and title of the show is January Blues. Several artists have been invited to participate. I can’t wait to see how the other artist interpreted the theme.
The sculpture above is one of my offerings. Shown unfinished and unfired. The second sculpture is drying also. I’ll take a few photos and share them next week.
These two pieces have sparked many ideas about a North Dakota themed exhibition. My sketchbook is humming! Where will this take me?
The other exhibition that is coming up is the Art Show At the Dog Show. This is a juried show for canine art. Deadline is January 11th. I encourage artists with work centered around the canine form to enter!
Took the hounds out for a walk on Thursday morning – out into the countryside. It way a beautiful morning. Immediately I regretted leaving my DSLR camera at home. These photos are from my iPhone.
Annie - Queen of her field.
Winchester, Sage and Annie with Jason with a glimpse of the buttes in the background.
Sage and his shadow.
And oh did they run. Won’t forget my big camera next time 
I’ve heard it said that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Mine version, created nearly 10 years ago, is in green. The one I stumbled upon on the internet (framed) isn’t mine (except that it is… kinda). Copied?
How about this one? Mine is the sculpture, created for a Greyhounds in Art show in 2003.
Or this? Again, mine in the sculpture created for the March 2011 Dickinson State University exhibition.
Or this?
Complete with emphasized feet?
But the one that kicked me in the gut was this one… Closer look?
Because that was so not cool. So, so not cool.
I want it known that none of these were made with my consent or sold with my knowledge. They are not endorsed by me or made in my studio or by my hands.
How does she do it? I mean… walk her Greyhound with the big, round tuft of fur around the hem of her skirt?
No wonder the Greyhound looks so happy!
(from http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/npcc.13418/)
The studio shelves are bare except for a few boxes that didn’t make it into the last firing before the big Dewey Beach event. They are now the beginnings of a next firing, the next kiln load.
More than any other time in the year, these weeks after Dewey Beach feel like a new beginning. Turn it all over, let’s get started again. Feels funny – the weather outside the studio is fall-ish. Trees winding down, losing leaves, getting ready for winter.
But it’s time to get moving again. I’ve got three pieces to start/finish for a January themed show. I need to figure out what I’m going to enter in the Art Show At The Dog Show also in January. And there are the memory boxes that need my attention as well. My store is in need of some small sculptures for holiday gifts.
Clay is a medium of chance and “kiln gods” and luck. It’s also wait and see, timing, and moisture. Time to get moving again.
I ordered more clay today.
Been a long time, eh?
Here’s the short of it: had an open schedule, then a full schedule. Trip to Helena, Montana for Archie Bray Foundation’s 60th anniversary celebration/symposium then preparation and trip to Dewey Beach, Delaware for Greyhounds Reach the Beach 2011. All good and much to write about.
So, for those who’ve asked, all is well. Hounds are good. I’m good. Art is good. 
In the spirit of the last post I thought I’d try to mix things up a bit. After posting that little whine about the lack of new challenges – jeez, it even makes me roll my eyes – I stumbled on Alyson B. Stanfield’s ArtBizBlog and her current online class. What the heck, let’s try it.
It’s day 2 of 30. I’ve run into trouble.
So the problem presented is to rate oneself from A to F on how well one is doing on seven different categories. A’s and B’s… except for the Fun and Adventure category. That’s one big stumbling block. The glaring F in red pen with a circle around it. Failure.
Because… I’m not that good at Fun and Adventure when it’s mixed in a non-art context. Like “Taking A REAL Vacation”. I read that and my eyes squint, brow furrows. “What does that mean?” complete with head tilt and quizzical look.
I suck non-art Fun and Adventure.
Fun and Adventure within the art context? I got that one covered. I know how to do this. But pull out the Art… and there goes the Business excuse for doing things… and my “This-Is-Not-Prudent” android-like inner voice becomes oh so apparent.
“Why would you want to do that? That’s expensive. You should be working. Remember that email you got three days ago about the (insert piece of art) that you haven’t finished yet? Besides you have XX number of projects to be finished at the library job. And who will take care of your dogs?” Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
I know what fun looks like. It’s why the hounds and I go to the dog park every day. Hands down, dog park time is the best part of the day. It’s the closest I get to non-art fun…. course if I bring my camera then I take photos that I’ll later use for sculptures and other art projects…
But conventional ideas of vacation fun? Like me on a beach with a fruity drink in one hand, lounging on a towel, soaking up the sun? I can’t imagine that that would be fun at all. Or Las Vegas? I am physically incapable of gambling. A cruise? I get seasick on boats.
Totally ridiculous.
So what is fun?
I should have scheduled a workshop. Or planned to attend the big event at the Bray. Or a vacation (what’s that?). Something to get away from this place for a while. Something to look forward to.
As it is, I’m waiting for boxes to dry. I’m working steady. Soon they will be dry and I’ll be loading the kiln, glazing and firing. Lots of interesting stuff to do.
But until then… North Dakota is dearth of inspiration. The rains keep coming but my creativity well is running a bit dry. Like the rain clouds… it’ll pass.
, Just Kids
, Steve Jobs
, The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood
and The Help Deluxe Edition
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