Not all art shows are created equal. As much as we’d love to build one perfect “go bag” and use it for every event, the reality is more nuanced. Over time, I’ve learned that indoor and outdoor markets require two very different approaches. I still rely on a master checklist, but I now adjust it …
Pricing is, by far, one of the most daunting parts of running your own art business. There are so many variables at play that it’s hard to know with certainty whether you’ve priced your work correctly. You want your prices to feel fair to your buyers, but you also need to make sure you’re paying …
One of the most challenging aspects of taking custom commissions is aligning expectations between artist and client. As artists, we usually have a very clear vision of what we want to create. Clients, however, often come with their own ideas about what they want the final piece to look like. The question becomes: how do …
Now is the time of year when we’re in full swing preparing for the holiday season. That means producing large batches of products, bulking up inventory, and creating a wide variety of items to appeal to different customers. It’s a busy season that requires planning, organization, and a clear strategy. Whether you’re making dozens—or hundreds—of …
As a pyrography artist, woodburning will always be my first love. The grain, the smell, the permanence of the burn—it’s where I feel most at home creatively. But I’ve never believed in limiting myself to just one medium. Some purists will argue that pyrography should stand on its own, letting the natural beauty of the …
If you’re a beginner to intermediate pyrographer, you’ve probably reached a point where you’ve outgrown your first machine. Especially if you started with a solid-tip burner from a craft store, it may be time to consider upgrading to a higher-end machine. In this post, we’ll explore the key things to consider when selecting your next …
At Pride, a customer stopped by and was instantly drawn to my pyrography. They shared that they had a wooden chest at home, etched decades ago by another pyrographer. Seeing my work brought back vivid memories of that piece, reminding them how art on wood becomes more than decoration—it becomes part of their life story. …
One of the bigger challenges you’ll face as an artist, when trying to appeal to a broad audience, is that people like things that are recognizable. This means you may want to use popular characters, recognizable images, and subjects with broad appeal when making things you want to sell. If you’re creating something in the …
I’ve talked about Artificial Intelligence (AI) on my blog before. We’ve experimented with using it for several things, from making simple templates to creating product descriptions. Truth be told, we use AI every day at BZ FurFur for one reason or another. It is not something we are ashamed of or try to disguise. There …
This past week we attended the Friends in Business networking event with the LGBT Chamber of Commerce in Charlotte. We found it extremely enlightening to meet with other artists, businesses, and members of the various chambers that were in attendance. We had actually been considering cancelling our membership prior to this event but decided to …
