Restructure
Hello everyone.
I had a good run of things for a while. Moved a lot of handmade books and grew my mailing list. However, with an extended period of travel over the summer I have lost momentum. In an effort to build up again and remain in business, I need to restructure.
Those of you who encounter my postings on Instagram will have likely noticed that I’ve taken a stall at Greenwich Market here in London. I’ve just successfully completed my third and final probation weekday and can now pick and choose when to attend. Most art sales to local residents happen on weekends and so I will try my hand at that and see how it goes.
The decision to apply to Greenwich was not entirely about exploring another revenue stream, though this is an important aspect obviously. It was more to do with learning how to best interact with customers face to face. It’s a different dynamic to social media and selling via my website. I have taken learnings from observing how people interact with the stall and the books and which attract the most attention. It’s when people pick up a book that the magic happens. But it’s difficult to get people to do that.
I am reminded of when I worked at Apple. Devices are beautifully displayed but when you approach one they’re a bit awkward. Phones and laptops are set to particular angles requiring adjustment or picking up to be interacted with. Bingo. They’ve got you. Before you now it you’re exploring affordability options.
I’m taking my learnings from the stall and thinking carefully about how to implement across my practice.
Making books to order is no longer viable. It’s too time consuming and I cannot easily up the price to compensate. The market won’t take it. So as of now I will make books in small batches only. Once those are gone, I will consider whether or not to make more or move on to other projects. I will also change the binding method to improve efficiency but this will require a change in paper stock. That’s where PermaJet Matt Proofing 160 returns as it’s a little heavier.
Prints will continue to be made to order from my website up to A2 on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Smooth. These are gallery grade and made under my supervision.
However, I offer A4 and A5 matted prints on Epson Premium Lustre and soon PermaJet Oyster at my stall. I make these myself.
I hope I can count on your continued support as I implement these changes.
Thank you.
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1 remaining copy of Many Happy Returns. For now.