We had a big bash party last night--almost too many people to even fit in our long and narrow old house. Fortunately, we also had a huge bonfire in the backyard, so we actually had an "inside" party and an "outside" party.
As usual, I spent too much time in the kitchen and missed seeing many people. But that's okay, because I like putting on parties almost as much as I like GOING to parties.
As I sit in my unusually clean and sparkling home this morning, I think of the ways a party benefits us. And how many of those benefits can also transfer to an artist's open studio:
1) It forces you to clean and reorganize.
This is one of the most important by-products of having people over. You HAVE to clean your house. We grumble and whine about it, but in reality, if we weren't forced to do it for a party, we'd probably NEVER do it.
Same as my open studio. It would NEVER get cleaned if not for the fear of utter humiliation I'd feel if the public were to ever see it in its natural state. (That's a very long, convoluted sentence and I hope it made sense.)
As a side benefit, I've been able to accomodate residual sales from the open studio I had in November because the studio is still sort of clean. Work is still out and jewelry is still displayed. I couldn't work fully in such neat surroundings ALL the time, but having things squared away for a month or two is kinda refreshing.
2) It forces you to think about all the people in your social circle.
There were people we just haven't been in touch with recently, for whatever reason, and a party is a perfect opportunity to say, "Hey, come on over--we LIKE you!"
There were some people who just never seem to reciprocate our hospitality. We didn't deliberately "not invite" them, but we commented later that we just didn't think of inviting them, either. Sometimes you keep that door open, sometimes you just move on to another door.
There were also many, many people that we genuinely forgot, and scrambled to catch them in time. "We're such noodleheads, we forgot to call you, but we'd LOVE to see you if you can still come by!" We were pleasantly surprised at the people who were spontaneous enough to indeed, drop by.
Hmmm, how does this relate to an open studio?
Did you run any ads about your event? Piggy-back with other artists or organizations holding similar events the same date?
Did you do any publicity? Send out any press releases? Did you have a good image--a studio shot, a product photo, or a good "working artist" image to send along?
Mailing lists--are they current? Do they need updating? Did you invite that gallery in your area you've thought about approaching? Did you let your best customers know? Or maybe even invite them to a special preview night? Thinking about WHO your customers are, and WHERE to find them, and HOW to keep them in touch with your work--these are questions it's good to go over when preparing for your open studio event.
And...this sounds simplistic, but it's amazing how often we can get stuck here.... Just as you need to let go of the people who just don't want to be your friend, it's also good to occasionally let go of the people who steadfastly refuse to be your customers. Yes, I know the old adage about having to ask six times (and be refused six times) before you can make a sale. But sometimes it just seems a little belabored. Move on. spend more time with the people who DO like your work.
3. The more you have 'em, the better you get at them!
I know I have enough nice platters, serving dishes, glasses, etc. because I've gathered them over the years for such occasions. I know people don't mind plastic cups too much, but almost everyone HATES styrofoam cups--so I always use real mugs.
I know a ham is easy and cheap (and good!)
I know that air pots are efficient and handy for handling coffee, hot cider, cold cider, etc. And that such "beverage stations" can then be set up almost anywhere instead of the kitchen.
I know that even a few dollars spent on fresh flowers and greens can brighten up many, many corners of your home. This year, $15's worth of baby roses and tons of pine branches from trimming our Christmas tree provided a dozen mixed arrangements.
As I head into my fifth year of open studio events, I've become comfortable with "the drill".
I know how to set up a temporary "wall" for displaying my fiber wall hangings. I know how to optimize display space, but keep areas broad and clear so people feel comfortable moving through my workspace.
I know to provide unfussy and non-messy refreshments--because people like nibbly things but they also want to look and SHOP.
I know to set up informative or even just-for-fun displays that aren't just about "selling", because I want the message to be "welcome to MY world!"...
I know that if you clean TOO much, it doesn't look like you actually work in your studio. People actually like to see work in progress.
I know if you have something for young children and bored spouses to do, you will end up with a happy adventure the whole family will talk about for years.
4. But it's always fun to try something new, too.
After all, we humans love our comfort zones, but we also adore novelty.
Sometimes it's inviting someone outside our normal social sphere. Or trying a new dish. (My daughter learned her grandmother's recipe for breaded stuffed artichokes, and labored for hours to get them ready in time for the party.)
This year we had a bonfire. I had no idea how much people enjoy burning things... One neighbor got so excited, she made repeated trips back to her house to find more junk wood to throw on the pyre. Apparently, quite a few people helped her drag old fence sections and brush back. "Wow, she really got into it!" my husband muses. Who knew?
5. What a great teaching opportunity!
I think it's good for my kids to see what goes into entertaining people--that it's ultimately about taking care of people and making them feel welcome in your home.
I worried about loose rugs and tight corners for our elderly guests. We kept an eye on younger children and kept harmful things out of their reach.
We moved a few precious items that could be accidentally knocked over or broken. We thought about special dietary needs and allergy-triggers. When it snowed just before the party, my husband made sure the steps were swept and salted. We tried to introduce newcomers to oldcomers (is "oldcomers" a word?)and match up people with overlapping interests.
We talked through many of the pros and cons of our preparations. Okay, I'll be honest--we ARGUED a lot. I wasn't always right. (Horrors!) And some of our great ideas, well, we just ran out of time, space and/or steam. But our kids heard us working through the process. Bottom line, what was feasible, what would be worth the hassle and what wasn't, how would it make the party better, and how would it benefit our guests and yet not drive US too crazy?
That same care, translated to an open studio, makes for a better event.
You want to make your visitors feel like guests and collectors, rather than just carriers for money that you need to pay your bills.
It's about ENJOYING your customers, and in turn, letting THEM get to know YOU better.
It's knowing you can always do better, while realizing it will never be perfect.
6. It's about FUN, too.
And it's about remembering why you do this--because it's FUN! It's exciting to put our home, our family, our pets, our studio, our artwork, in their best possible light, so that we can all shine for a few hours. It's fun to open your home to guests, to say, "We want you to join us--we LIKE you! Come and eat ham with us!"
7. Eternity is....
...a ham and two people. You NEED a party once in awhile to eat up all that ham and turkey you bought.
And you need some excited, appreciative customers for all those damn earrings you made....
