Specializing – Atheist Necklace
The wonderful world of business and of course life sometimes calls for specialization. We see it in professionals all the time.
Legal law
Cardiologist
Spanish translation
Stay at home mom or dad
People specialize. It insures that when you are looking for something you find it. That the focus of the shop or person is clear. “Niche” is another word for a specialized market.
This I am going to look at some of the specialized shops on etsy.
First is Gold Mettle a clever but cutesy name. Before you conclude that that is an insult, cute sells look at Disney. The name made me smile.
Gold Mettle sells one thing. (so far) Atheist Necklaces. She has 6 up currently. Photographing each one one in a slightly different way with different backgrounds. She has 14 sales since sept.
Would you put only one item in your shop. Probably not. It would be nice to see GM expand but what her shop offers is a niche item to a percentage of the population that is usually forgotten. After all how many non atheist have thought about creating a product that declares a non belief?
Yet Gold Mettle has found some success in this focused approach.
What can you learn from Gold Mettle?
Where can you focus your line to a specific group?
Are there things you need to drop to give your line, shop or life in order to become a specialist?
Can your categories help you separate your line or items into niches?
How does your clients see your shop or site? what do you sell?
Atheist necklace Via Gold Mettle @ Etsy
Planning Calendar: March 1-6
Blogging, social networking, tags and titles are all apart of marketing. Sometimes what to write about or how to tag is challenging. Possible Tags are in bold.
What are people looking for?
Birthstone: Aquamarine or Bloodstone Flower: Daffodils
March was named after the Roman god of war Mars. Who was Mars? What items were inspired by him? What myths, tv shows, movies, books feature or mention him or her? Where does the God Mars appear as something other than a Male? What women did he love? What women should he have stayed away from?
The God Mars on an Ancient Coin
Strong beautiful and Smart women are alluring but sometimes dangerous. which ones would you like to feature for Women’s History Month. Do you want to celebrate a particular person? Which quotes are your favorite. What females in history stand out? Are their any women now making history? Do you have a personal story to tell for this month about a woman that made a difference in your life? Jean Harlow‘s birthday is March 3 1937.
This month is National Crafts Month Who are your favorite crafters? what stood out in your favorite handmade sites? Old crafts you remember. Crafts that you wish people would stop?
Alexander Graman Bell and family
This might be the month to feature your vintage phones. Alexander Graham Bell birthday is March 3. How did the telephone change our lives?
Did you know that he invented the phone at the age of 29?
Bell Later in Life
“Leave the beaten track occasionally and dive into the woods. Every time you do so you will be certain to find something that you have never seen before. Follow it up, explore all around it, and before you know it, you will have something worth thinking about to occupy your mind. All really big discoveries are the results of thought.” – Alexander Graham Bell
It is also National Poetry Month – What do you know or love about poetry? who is your favorite poet? do you write poetry? What poet has the most interesting life? Dramatic story? Poetry doesn’t need to rhyme but rhyming can be quite a bit of fun.
We celebrate Dr Seuss birthday March 2. Is he a poet? I say yes. Robert Lowell is another poet that was born in March. Of course we can’t forget Elizabeth Barrett Browning born in 1806
Don’t forget #mm or #musicmondays on twitter. Johnny Cash and June Carter wed on March 1 in 1968. Glenn Miller , Harry Belafonte, Jon Bon Jovi were just some of the musicians born from March 1-6. Musican and actor Desi Arnaz was born March 2. I have only meet on person who didn’t like I Love Lucy. Do you know his music? or any of his films? Cab Calloway records “Minnie Moocher”.
If we talk music then why not movies ? King Kong made it’s premiere in 1933 including a skinny dipping scene. Alice in Wonderland movie premieres March 5th
Last but not least for the week of March 1-6 Remember the Alamo, The battle of the Alamo ended after a 13 day siege.
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Tips for Dating (1938) modernized.
I was over at Sad and Useless and scans of this 1938 article on tips of the single ladies. People commented on the posting saying the article was antiquated and sexist. A little dated yes. Sexist? not really. So I posted the pics here with updated advice and the men version. Will this be for every date? no.
Both – when your date arrives don’t keep them waiting, Don’t dress in front of them and Smile.
Men don’t like women borrowing their hankerchiefs, brushes, or other grooming items when you first meet them. Handle grooming including make up and perfume in private.
Women don’t like it either. Men groom in private and please light on the cologne.
Women, sit in a relaxed position. with your legs closed or crossed . Don’t look bored. Don’t chew with your moth open no one needs to hear or see your gum or dinner.
Men- don’t spread your legs and take up one and half seats. Don’t slouch half way down the chair. Sit up in your chair. Don’t look bored. Don’t chew with your mouth open no on needs to hear or see your gum or dinner.
Woman- when a man dances he sometimes just want to dance. If you talk leave it light on the dance floor and then only if it does not interfere with the dancing.
Men – If the music is load and the girl is enjoying the dance. Don’t talk. there is time for that at the table. It just shows that you are uncomfortable physically with a woman. Dance when you dance. talk when it’s time to sit and talk. (Does not apply to slow dances but keep conversation light or romantic)
Both – leave grinding to a minimum. While it is a form of dancing that is popular and has been it also sends a “I want to have sex with you” message. Your partner may get “I ONLY want to have sex” message instead.
Women- where a bra if you need one. Don’t wear clothes that are too low cut or too low riding. Wear clothes in your size not two sizes too small. Wear sexy and comfortable shoes. (yes there are such a thing)
Men -If you need a belt wear one. Do not show your ass crack, scratch your crotch or butt. Wear clothes in your size not two sizes too big.
Both- Fashion has it’s place. over sized pants, under size shirts are fine after the person gets to know you. until then you should be the focus not the clothes. What you were should accentuate not mask or over inflate who you are. In other words let them date you not your outfit.
Both – Don’t use the car mirror to fix your hair, contacts or adjust yourself. The driver need it to drive along with turning for blind spots. Use the mirror that’s attached to the passenger side sun visor. there is always one there. why the hell would you need to screw with the driver?
Both – Don’t be overly familiar with date. Touching them may not be appropriate. holding hands is fine. Light touches on the arms and shoulders is fine. adjusting their clothes? no. Cleaning something off of their face is only ok if they say so. It is never ok to use spit to clean someone else.
women- above.
Men – Don’t be pushy. Or give too much advice. If she doesn’t want to talk about her work, then drop it. Some women don’t want to work on their career when they are on a date. Most don’t want their date to fix them. women don’t like their men crying in public places either.
Both – Don’t be overly familiar with the waiter or waitress. Don’t talk about how much fun you had with someone else. Your date deserves your full attention.
Women – don’t talk about clothes, shoes or your “favorite” girly show. (you know which they are) Talk about things that he wants to talk about.
Men – Don’t talk about the latest trade to your favorite sports team or the motor in your car or your favorite video game Talk about the things she wants to talk about. If it happens to be the same thing. Great! (she may love sports, cars or video games)
Both – Don’t drink too much.
Some men get fun, most get loud and sloppy.
Both – Don’t flirt with other people or have long drawn out conversations with others. It’s rude to your date.
This includes cell phones. Leave them off or tell them you will call them back.
Women - don’t pass out
Men -Don’t pass out. You are too damn heavy to carry home.
Both – You may be left.
If you see the man all the way on the right. Avoid him. He is off of his meds.
Reader Response to Insane Artist Myth
A response from Jimmie Robinson to The Insane Artist Myth -
Of course the question on the face is simplistic, however, that could be said of any person who excels in their industry with some high degree of passion.
The question(s) that should be sought are the possible connections that the myth feeds to an already highly individualized mind as often seen in the artist community. Who, by several accounts, both meet the myth and shun it. Just as their are those passionate about their art and those who simply make commercial art. In short, this is a question of the individuals *identity* as an artist, which can be quite powerful and influential in their lives.
Learning a craft versus being born with a talent is in fact, a physical and neurological difference. This could impart how one aligns with a concept that the world is different naturally — despite what society informs — could be seen as the key between the range of those who call themselves “artists” and those who simply learn a skill or could lead their lives in any direction without a thought.
Not to say the question should be confined to the idiot savant, which marks the extreme condition of seeing the world differently, but a closer look that smaller and deft versions of that condition could exist and be molded by great artists. Likewise, the romantic myth of the loner artist is continued and fed. It’s not up to the artist to sustain the myth, but for society to embrace it. And likewise, as in a dance, it continues as it is needed by society and the culture that created it.
To debunk either side of the discussion dismantles the concept which lives on its own terms. Like a human romantic relationship, it’s not the man, or the woman, but also the relationship that exists in the center and around all three. Likewise, the myth of the artist, much as in the church, evolves and coexists with each person who has a relationship with their art. Picasso, in your opinion, may have been “nuts” but even that is subjective to definition and lord knows what he may have been prescribed as a mental patient, haha!
We can only guess what meds would have done to his art.
Likewise, I can only speculate on all these theories since I only live inside my own head and I’m not privy to the inner workings of others. Still, I can’t see it as a singular or simple question, either.
Humans are just way too complicated.
The Insane Artist Myth
There are many romantic scenarios of the solitary artist living alone in a loft, with plenty of lovers of course.
The misunderstood artist who cannot create and be in a relationship, the working spouse just doesn’t understand. The all consuming artist the one that does nothing but breathes, eats and sleeps art. Basically lives his or her art. The latter is the most favorite of patrons. It feeds in to the myth of artist being so different that they are insane. It also raises the value of art. It raises the adrenaline rush, which quickens the blood and loosens the wallet.
Van Gogh smoking and healing from the loss of his ear In no small way the gossip spreads.
Before Hollywood gossip there was artist gossip. Did you know Van Gogh cut off his ear? Picasso was known not only to save his hair but that of his son’s. Oh and Hemingway….could that man drink! Gossip still goes with art today. Yet gossip, even odd behavior, does not make you insane. It’s good press. That’s all. Ok maybe it’s just press.
Picasso Getting a Hair Cut. Yep that’s him. Today we know that Van Gogh is like to have been an epileptic. The depression that he wrote about was, by some, believed to be manic depression. If he had either or both would he be…insane today? Or would he be part of the thousands that take medication or are otherwise treated? Hemingway was an alcoholic. Know one? Are they insane? OK Picasso he was nuts. You got me there. Or not. We could take apart each artist and see what made them tick, what “damage” we could find. Yet that would only lead to post mortem therapy (possible- many famously dead are on twitter, go ahead check) or it would lead to us finding out simply that artists are human. Each artist with their own quirks, manners and abilities.
The equation artist = insanity or artist =odd or that artist = solitary or artist =broken is wrong. And a bit insulting because it is much too simplistic.
Hemingway pouring a drink. Would you have a drink with him?