More than you probably wanted to know...
Apr. 15th, 2002 10:39 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ellenmillionSpent the weekend doing taxes. Whee...
Had another loss to declare with the business, $1200. Materials costs were about 50% of gross sales. It surprised me to discover that ~20% of my gross sales went into artist (other than me) pay-out. I think that the changes in pay/pricing that I made in October will make that percentage a little less, but not much. I paid my artists a total of $1035 for the year, and earned Elfwood $303. The largest 6-month check I wrote was $198. Several artists had very little or no payment, which always breaks my heart. And of course, I didn't pay myself anything. Never have. All profits are re-invested, separate from my personal account. Would have made a profit last year without Reno costs, probably, though there was no catalog, so there may have been a trade-off. But I just can't consider Reno a loss because I had so much fun, met great people and made important contacts.
Thought a while about /why/ I run my business (since it's obviously not the money), but didn't have to look very far for the reasons. I remember that thrill, that absolute thrill of selling my work for the first time. That complete rush, even though it was only a few dollars. Everyone should feel that! Everyone! I want to give people that... that... satisfaction. That feeling of pride that their artwork is 'published,' that people see, and like it. I want my artists to get that amazing feeling that a paycheck for Art gives them. Even if it's just a couple of bucks and hardly worth the trip to the bank. If I could bottle that feeling, I'd give it as Christmas gifts.
I run my business for those every-few-day 'you have done something wonderful' or 'you always have exactly what I need' comments in my email or at the bottom of an order form.
I run my business because I love to create useful, beautiful things.
I run my business because I want to see that light in people's eyes when they catch sight of something that 'speaks to them' at the fair.
I run EMG because of those eager artists who write to me wanting to be part of this little business.
I run EMG because it satisfies something selfish that wants to soak up praise and recognition.
I definitely don't run my business because I love to sort receipts and do taxes on a weekend when I wanted to paint!
Had another loss to declare with the business, $1200. Materials costs were about 50% of gross sales. It surprised me to discover that ~20% of my gross sales went into artist (other than me) pay-out. I think that the changes in pay/pricing that I made in October will make that percentage a little less, but not much. I paid my artists a total of $1035 for the year, and earned Elfwood $303. The largest 6-month check I wrote was $198. Several artists had very little or no payment, which always breaks my heart. And of course, I didn't pay myself anything. Never have. All profits are re-invested, separate from my personal account. Would have made a profit last year without Reno costs, probably, though there was no catalog, so there may have been a trade-off. But I just can't consider Reno a loss because I had so much fun, met great people and made important contacts.
Thought a while about /why/ I run my business (since it's obviously not the money), but didn't have to look very far for the reasons. I remember that thrill, that absolute thrill of selling my work for the first time. That complete rush, even though it was only a few dollars. Everyone should feel that! Everyone! I want to give people that... that... satisfaction. That feeling of pride that their artwork is 'published,' that people see, and like it. I want my artists to get that amazing feeling that a paycheck for Art gives them. Even if it's just a couple of bucks and hardly worth the trip to the bank. If I could bottle that feeling, I'd give it as Christmas gifts.
I run my business for those every-few-day 'you have done something wonderful' or 'you always have exactly what I need' comments in my email or at the bottom of an order form.
I run my business because I love to create useful, beautiful things.
I run my business because I want to see that light in people's eyes when they catch sight of something that 'speaks to them' at the fair.
I run EMG because of those eager artists who write to me wanting to be part of this little business.
I run EMG because it satisfies something selfish that wants to soak up praise and recognition.
I definitely don't run my business because I love to sort receipts and do taxes on a weekend when I wanted to paint!
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Date: 2002-04-15 01:11 pm (UTC)Did you read that manifest about free sites on the internet? It may apply to you as well. I think there's a link in elfwood's LJ.
Thanks.
Date: 2002-04-15 03:44 pm (UTC)You do a great thing for a lot of artists. You give them a kickstart and a bit of recognition. It's wonderful. I've always thought that EMG was a great deal for the artists - all we have to do is send in a few designs and sign a contract and *cough* mail it, and you do all the hard work. It doesn't seem fair to you at all.
Thanks Ellen, for doing icky taxes on a weekend when you wanted to paint. :-)