The biennial PMC Conference is July 17-20 at Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana.

Registration is still open and Linda Darty is the keynote speaker.

Check out the list of seminars:

• Trends and Techniques in Glass for PMC — Ed and Martha Biggar
  This presentation concentrates on new trends in the fusing world. Pate’ de verre refers to glass paste, and we will cover new methods including “Freeze and Fuse,” inclusions in fusing, using whole and partial flame-worked beads, new tools to shape glass, and creating carved looks in the glass.
• The Art of Marketing — Tonya Davidson
  Looking to take your business to the next level? Need help creating a brand, more ideas on marketing your work, or how-to’s on approaching galleries? Perhaps you want to know how to convert your hobby into a business. Whether it’s marketing your masterpieces or your classes, I will cover all sorts of tips, tricks, and plans for improving your business. Bring your questions, your notebook and we’ll get busy marketing artfully!
• Those Who Can Do More, Teach — Robert Dancik
  Learning to teach a subject well can take just as much dedication and passion as learning to work with a material, process, or procedure. This presentation is designed to support PMC artists who are presently teaching, or are considering teaching in the future. Robert will draw on ideas, musings, and observations he has gleaned from his many years of experience in the field.
• Creating Expressive Faces and Hands — Vera Lightstone
  The face and hands are as much a tool of communication as speech. The instructor will first demonstrate how to make realistic faces and hands. This presentation will show you how to make them speak in your art.
• Explore, Evolve, Execute: Developing the Artist Within — Hattie Sanderson
  You’ve worked hard to develop your metal clay skills. Now it’s time to tap into your inner artist to wake up the innovative designs that dwell within you. Hattie will discuss a variety of design concepts and practices that will help you explore and discover inspiration, evolve an idea, and execute the work of art. You will experience the creative evolution of several works from “spark of inspiration” to finished piece.
• History of Accessories — Petra Slinkard
  This talk will give a brief overview of the history of jewelry as a personal adornment, the developments and changes in technology, and the shifting trends in jewelry design. Additionally, Petra will trace the history of ancient jewelry designs to the trends of American costume jewelry designers working in the 1930’s-1970’s. Ms. Slinkard is the Curatorial Assistant of textiles and fashion arts at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
• Bronze Clay — Bill Struve
  Welcome to a new adventure in metal clay art — creating with Bronze Clay!(TM) This presentation will discuss a brief history of Bronze Clay(TM), the differences between Bronze Clay(TM) and metal clay, how to use Bronze Clay, and its artistic and mechanical properties. Jewelry and art pieces made from the new materials will be on display.

Visit the conference site for more info on registration, classes, seminars, vendors, etc.

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In my ideas about what to do in a bad economy I talked about simplifying.  Reading back through one of my other blogs I found a post about simplicity in designs.

It’s a little discussion about why it might be so hard for some of us to keep it simple.  Maybe if we can see through a non-beadmaking-potential-customer see, we can  move towards more simplicity.  That is, if you want to try that.

If we knew what to do in a bad economy, it wouldn’t be a bad economy, right? More and more I hear of people struggling. Sales are down, customers show up to shows but are only looking, people just aren’t buying. What can we do?

While there are not magic answers, here is a list of things to think about. Some are obvious, some are temporary, some are meant to encourage. All are to help you start thinking in a different way so you can come up with your own ideas of where you can go and find success in a niche market. The cheese has moved. The market has changed. Let’s look for some new stuff.

• Simplify Designs.
  If you’re into intricate beads, find a way to simplify designs.  For one, the trend is simplicity these days.  Large areas of color, simple geometric designs.  More is not always better.  Simplifying designs will save you time (which is money) and you might be surprised at what people will like…if that hasn’t already surprised you by now.
• Learn to talk about your work.
  Yeah, I know.  Here are some tips on how to do that.  How to Raise the Value of Your Work with Words.  Who is going to love your work if you don’t?  How are they going to know you love it?
• Wear your work.
  Obvious.  But so easy not to do.  Find a piece you love, know its price and wear it.
• Shamelessly Promote.
  You’re embarrassed to do it?  You hate when other people do that?  That’s your choice.  But if you want to keep doing what you’re doing during this time, you need to learn to promote yourself or else there won’t be anything to promote before long.
• Focus on One Market.
  In this internet age and this consumer society there are so many places we can sell.  It is easy to spread ourselves and our work too thin.  Beware of spreading yourself too thin.  It does no good to have pieces out there everywhere if you’re not able to market and get potential customers there to see them.  You waste your time editing images and writing descriptions that you could be spending on creating more work or focusing on promotion.  Pick a venue and focus on it.  Once you get it going, add another and do the same thing but be sure not to drop the last one if it’s working for you.
• Don’t be Afraid to Start and Quit.
  Try new methods and designs.  Give them an honest try.  If you find something isn’t working, drop it.  If you believe in it, keep at it.
• Tighten Your Belt.
  It might be time to go on a purchasing diet.  You don’t need to have the latest and greatest color or gadget at this point.  If you’ve been in the business long enough to feel the drop in sales, chances are you have enough in your studio to get you by. Again.  Simplify.
• Sell Stuff.
  And I don’t mean your art.  Do you have something that’s been sitting around forever without use?  Sell it.  List it on craigslist, a forum, ebay, your local bead/jewelry group.  It will supplement your income until you find the niche market you’re going to be searching for.
• Drop that Show.
  I hate this one because I love shows. But, if you find that the last two years of a show have not been very good for you, drop it.  You can’t depend on a promoter or a venue to make you successful.  Unfortunately, they’re in the same boat that we artists are.
• Have a Home Party.
  While this might not have sounded appealing to you in the past, it might just be what you have to do right now.  Some people love home parties.  It’s a social time and they can get cool stuff while they’re at it.  Make sure to have reasonably priced items, food and a little drink. Demos or interactive things are always a plus too.  Make sure you have cards and/or brochures to promote yourself for future parties.

Whew.  Those are some things to think about.  Believe in yourself, press forward and focus, focus, focus.