Finding a purpose and an audience

As you may know, when I set aside my queenly status and the requisite plastic tiara,  I teach a freshman college level writing class. My students often need to be convinced, cajoled, and/or coerced (!) etc. into believing that they have anything worthwhile to say.  Part of this convincing includes me exhorting them to think about who they’re writing for and what they’re trying to accomplish in their writing, ie, their purpose. They often look at me, like, “duh, you’re my instructor, so I’m writing for you and my purpose is to earn a passing grade.”  I get that.  However, once I’ve encouraged them to think beyond the immediate context and goal–pass WRIT 1120 with a decent grade–the lightbulb starts to glow and they realize they have something to say to a particular audience.  It’s a fun epiphany to watch.

I had a similar epiphany as it relates to my furniture and furniture processes, and the direction(s) Queen Patina might take me.  I recently participated in the Duluth Junk Hunt–super FUN!–and very similar in nature to the fabulous Junk Bonanza and other similar types of junk shows.

I met wonderful people, fellow vendors and customers alike, but I gradually came to the realization over the weekend that it’s not the right context for my purposes/goals: ie, selling high-quality furniture at a fair price, for myself and my potential customers.

I’m often asked at the Junk Hunt if I have a shop that I sell out of (negative), how long I’ve worked on furniture (10+ years), if I have a workshop (negative again) and if I have business cards (finally, yes!). In the past when people have asked about me and my furniture habit, I’ve laughingly described myself as a dabbler and say something to the effect that I enjoy working with my hands and the furniture provides an artistic outlet.  And the dabbling has been fun, it’s true.  However, reading posts from Christina (she’s a cool gal!) of Phoenix Restoration and others that articulate  clear, unashamed small business goals make me rethink my goals.  At venues like the Junk Hunt, customers often comment on my artistic vision and its execution, and the general quality of the work; this, combined with my own increased interest in working on and selling more pieces–leads me to the conclusion that the dabbling stage is coming to a close.

I’m a furniture fixer/lover/refinisher/painter who consistently produces high-quality work and I’m guessing it’s time that I recognize that I’m more than a “dabbler.”  I’ll still do junk shows like the Junk Hunt–they are so FUN!–but will probably change my selling and presentation strategy.  And, I suspect this personal epiphany won’t make Queen Patina more popular on FB or on Pinterest (um, you should not follow me on Pinterest yet….pretty sure I have not pinned. a. single. thing!), or even net more furniture sales.  However, like my students, the lightbulb has gradually begun to glow: I begin to grasp my purpose and goals in working on old things and, as a result, begin to find my audience.  It’s probably going to be bit messy, like writing, with its version of scrawling hand-written revisions, re-thinkings, additions, etc., but like the best writing, fun to experience.

PS:  Again, just for kicks, I’ve linked this post up with Finding Silver Pennies, The Painted Drawer, and the ladies who host Friday’s Furniture Fix.

Signed,