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That’s the most hideous thing I have ever seen!

11/14/2011

4 Comments

 
_ I am working on the next book in The Shy Artist Guide series. I haven't settled on the title yet.  For now I am calling it The Shy Artist's Guide to Answering Those Annoying Questions. It is filled with all those questions and comments that artists and crafters hear all the time. You know, like, "Did you make these?"

So, I was working on the chapter dealing with the comment, "That's the most hideous thing I have ever seen!" I have yet to come up with an appropriate response to this comment. And, I think it is probably best left alone. Here's an excerpt from the book. See what you think …

_ ----------------
I had left my booth to go use the restroom. As I was coming back, I was following behind two ladies who were headed for my booth. One went straight up to one of my favorite pieces and exclaimed in a rather loud voice, “That’s the most hideous thing I have ever seen!” Her friend was mortified and tried to get her to recant. As I stood behind them she continued her rant. Eventually, they walked away never knowing that I heard the whole thing.

My immediate response (after picking my jaw off the floor) was surprise at how tactless this woman was. How could she say anything so negative about my work? After all, it’s my artwork and it’s beautiful, right? OK, time for a reality check. Not everyone has the same taste as you. Face it, some people will love your work, some won’t notice it at all, and a few (hopefully, a very few) will hate it. It is probably not worth the effort to try to get someone from the latter group to change their mind. (Although, if you have nothing better to do, then it may be a good exercise in people skill building.)  Just let it go, maybe get a laugh out of it, and move on.

4 Comments
Helen
12/24/2011 06:50:51 am

I would have gone over and said
"Thank You SO MUCH. You are the first person who has not only seen what I was trying to do but also had the guts to say it ! Thank you, you have made all my hard work trying to shock people worthwhile"

Reply
Loretta
12/25/2011 05:21:45 am

Hi Helen!
What a great response. I don't think I had the guts to say something like that to someone back then. Maybe now I would. I'll keep it in mind for next time.
Loretta

Reply
sherry peterson link
10/10/2012 07:53:40 am

I got a giggle out of this post, it reminded me of a show I did where a woman came in and asked the price of a piece, I replied "$450.00" to which she said " you ought to be ashamed of yourself, I saw the exact same thing at Walmart for $49.00" I was stunned and then from somewhere inside flew the words, "if I were you I would run back and get it right now, that's a bargin". No point in telling here I had hand dyed all of the fabrics that went in the 60 inch square wall quilt

Reply
Loretta
10/10/2012 09:18:05 am

Hi Sherry!

Some people just have no clue. Thanks for sharing your story!

Loretta

Reply



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    Loretta Alvarado, Fiber Artist

    About the Author

    Helping artists and crafters improve their sales, one word at a time.

    Loretta Alvarado is the author of several business for artists books. She spends most of her time in her studio making art and writing. But you can sometimes find her on Facebook.



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