#but i wanted to buy directly from her booth shop to support her and now im just sitting here waiting for the day she'll reopen & restock

[sonmuji]

really woke up today and been thinking about how i missed out on the R18 sonmuji doujin my favorite tpn artist did in 2019 and how that was 2 to 3 years ago, sometimes i do be thinking about that ;w;

[officialleehadan]

Wolf Pack

It was really only a matter of time before someone noticed the pretty, shimmering lizard hidden in Serine’s scarf was not, in fact, a lizard.

It was really, particularly hilarious when they decided to steal the tiny dragon, who was about the size of a hefty songbird, by jumping Serine and grabbing Glimmer.

Glimmer had strong feeling about stealing, and stronger feelings about being stolen.

Glimmer immediately set pretty much everything on fire, including the thieves.

Serine was, apparently, immune to fire.

She would have been much happier knowing that before Glimmer set everything on fire.

(They were very rude,) Glimmer seethed as they fluttered back to Serine, pausing to drop a load of dragon-chalk directly onto the face of one of the dead thieves. (The offense! To be stolen like a gemstone!)

“You’re valuable and look stealable,” Serine pointed out, moderately shaken by the whole thing. She was a good fighter, but she was one woman, and she could be outnumbered. It was by the grace of her travelling companion that she hadn’t gotten a knife in the ribs. As it was, the knife had been close enough to leave a long tear in her shirt, as the stabbing was about to begin about the same time that Glimmer started setting people on fire. Serine probably wasn’t as bothered by the setting-people-on-fire part as she probably should be, but to be fair, they were trying to murder her and steal her dragon. “Desperate people do desperate things.”

(They have lots of gold. I can smell it. They were not desperate, they were greedy.)

“That’s probably true too. You have any objections to my looting their bodies?”

(I want anything sparkly. You may keep the gold.)

Fair enough. Glimmer did for the bandits. They deserved first pick of the loot.

It turned out that Glimmer’s nose was good, and the thieves were definitely not desperate, if the heavy gold-pouches on each belt were anything to go by. True to her word, Serine presented the few gemstones, one ring, and three earrings, to Glimmer, who took the ring but hissed at the earrings in disgust. They were, apparently, glass, and they did not want glass in their hoard.

The ring vanished somewhere into her scarf, safe between Glimmer’s teeth. The scarf itself was heavy with the tiny dragon’s hoard of sparkly bits, and Serene, so far, had no idea what the dragon’s criteria actually was for acceptable trinkets. They had some glass in there, but the thieves’ earrings hadn’t made the cut.

Dragons. There was just no telling.

(Where are we going now?) Glimmer asked, still digging around in their hoard, only the tip of their shimmering white tail peeping out, flicking here and there happily. (You said you wanted to come to this city for information. So far the only information we have found is that thieves are very pretty when they are on fire.)

“We’re going to an Adventurer Tavern,” Serene explained, and tucked the end of her scarf in around Glimmer’s tail. In a city this size, there was no telling who might have noticed that her pretty lizard had a great deal of magic at their disposal. She didn’t want to find out if Glimmer could take on a powerful mage. Serine certainly couldn’t. Not without cheating, anyway. “Get some food. Maybe meet up with a friend of mine. He’s been talking about going west, and I would rather travel in a group. Maybe pick up a contract here and there on the way. Keep you in sparklies and me in gold.”

(Will your friend try to steal me?)

“Probably not without asking permission. He looks rough, but he’s a softie at heart.”

(Is he your mate? You do not smell mated, but I don’t know very many humans.)

Serine snorted at the very idea. “No, he’s not my mate. Trem likes his lovers to be pretty, and male.”

Glimmer accepted that answer and wiggled until they could poke their snoot out of the scarf, comfortably supported in their hoard and warm form the thick, woven silk. The scarf cost a small fortune, but Glimmer loved it, and Serine thought the cost was more than worth making her dragon happy. Besides, it mostly kept Glimmer form braiding their sparkly bits into her hair.

The city sprawled along the coast, docks thick with ships of every shape and size. The markets themselves were a thing of glory, boasting any and everything a soul might like to buy. Serine, however, bypassed the markets and headed deeper into the city, where the buildings went from white-painted houses to two-and-three story buildings hosting shops and inns that catered to the traveling adventurers.

“Keep your wings hidden,” Serine advised Glimmer, and petted their tiny head with one finger as Glimmer purred. “We can’t just liked people on fire here. Some of these people have taken on dragons before, and they know how to fight your kind.”

Glimmer didn’t reply, but Serine caught a sense of vague alarm as the dragon wiggled farther into their scarf to hide their wings.

The inn Serine was looking for was farther into the city, and brightly lit by lanterns on every balcony. Laughter echoed down from above, and she entered without hesitation.

“Oi! Archer!”

Trem, as he usually was, had claimed a corner booth. He was missing the dark leather armor he preferred, but his sword was propped in the booth beside him, easy to hand. That was wise. This inn was usually quiet, but there was always the possibility of someone stupid picking a fight.

“Hullo Trem,” Serine called back, and waved for one of the serving girls on her way over to her friend. “Where’s your chew-toy, brother? Last I saw you had an elf in your lap.”

“Wispy bastard wandered off. Something about ‘communing with the trees,” Trem said gruffly, and clasped hands with Serine. His wry smile told her that the parting was either long enough ago, or friendly enough, that her friend wasn’t hurting over it. It was hard to tell with him. Trem was a big man, and gruff. He looked like the sort to cause trouble, but Serine had known him for years, and she knew how carefully he worked to hide his kind heart. “I’m a lone wolf again.”

“Want to run with a pack again?” Serine offered, and nodded when the serving girl brought them both ales. “I’m still going west.”

“Ah,” Trem considered, and suddenly leaned over to present his fingers for Glimmer to sniff. “West, eh? Who is this?”

(I am Glimmer,) Glimmer spoke for themselves, and shoved their head under Trem’s fingers until he curled his hand out for them to crawl into, hidden by the booth. (You smell like oil and spices. Serine says you are kind.)

“You have a dragon,” Trem said dumbly, staring down at his palmfull of tiny white dragon. “How did you get a dragon? Where did you get a dragon?”

(Rude people pushed her down a hole. Now she is my lair.)

“Uh… well, if you’re happy with that.”

(Very.)

“Right. Well, uh, yes. I’m looking for work, and west is as good a direction as any. Let’s get some food, and we’ll talk travel plans.”

+++

Into the West:

Serine was on her way west when someone tried to murder her. Now she has a dragon.

Into the Crystal Chasm

Sparkle Nest (Subscriber Only!)

+++

More Stories!

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[phillymakerfaire]

https://ift.tt/31sVPDO

If you’re like many busy artisan entrepreneurs, selling on social media is usually an afterthought. You might share new products periodically or post about upcoming craft fairs, but otherwise… cue the crickets. 

Although it’s hard to get motivated if you haven’t been seeing results, social media can be a powerhouse for artists. Once you have a consistent strategy – and give your followers an easy way to purchase your items – it’s an excellent way to drum up business and expand your customer base.

How to Get Started with Social Selling

If you haven’t set up a social media account yet (or actively used it), here are a few tips as you begin.

Pick a Single Social Media Platform

Don’t worry – you don’t have to be on every social media platform. It’s more effective to have a well-conceived strategy for one than spread yourself thin across multiple accounts. 

So, which one should you choose? As an artisan or craftsperson, focus on networks where you can share high-quality photos and videos. Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok are great options. If you have a lot of corporate clients, LinkedIn is a good choice. Most importantly, ask your customers where they spend the most time.

RETHINK Tank Booth Setup

Create a Business Account

Every social media platform offers both personal and business accounts. If you set up a business account, you can view statistics about who your audience is and the kind of posts they love. It also allows you to run ads (if you choose to do that in the future) and incorporate online shopping features, which we’ll talk about shortly. Plus, most sites make it easy to toggle between your personal and business account.

Post Regularly

If you don’t have time to create and post content every day, designate two or three days a month for planning your social media strategy. Take photos or videos, write captions, and schedule them. Doing this all at once is not only efficient, it also makes you more strategic about what you’re posting. 

Check out the Instagram page of NextFab member Marsau Botanicals to see what a consistent posting schedule can achieve for your business. This approach keeps their followers interested — and eager to see what they’ll post next!

Courtesy of Marsau Botanicals

You can use services like Hootsuite or Later to automatically publish your posts throughout the month. Many of these have free plans. If you’re using Facebook, it offers a scheduling feature right inside the platform.

Promote Your Social Media Page

When you’re meeting new or potential customers at craft fairs, gallery shows, or community events, make sure your social media page is prominent. Include it on business cards, banners, and your website. Add it to your email signature. Drop a card in your customer’s bag with every purchase. It all adds up to more followers.

How to Get Attention on Social Media

Now that you have a solid foundation, let’s talk about how you can increase engagement and boost followers.

Share What’s Uniquely You

People who buy art and handmade products aren’t just seeking the item itself; they want a relationship with the maker. They’re in love with the item and the process you went through to create it. Fortunately, social media is the perfect medium for sharing your story. 

Think about how you can create a connection with your audience. It might be a personal experience that influenced your artwork or a demonstration of the physical steps to create something by hand. Behind-the-scenes posts are popular for that reason. Customers love seeing the blood, sweat, and tears that went into a beautiful piece. You don’t have to wait until the finished product is ready.

Here’s a great example from one of our NextFab members. Gwanyan of Kpelle.Designs is a Liberian-American artist who creates culturally-inspired jewelry. She recently posted an Instagram video of her sister doing a traditional African dance with a quote about Juneteenth. This offers her Instagram followers more insights into what inspires her personally and drives her creative work.

Courtesy of kpelle.designs 

Have a Purpose for Every Post

Before you hit publish, ask yourself why you’re posting it. When you’re conscious of the goal, you can be clearer about what you want your audience to feel, do, or say. Plus, mixing up these post types will make your page more engaging.

Building a relationship – Share personal details about yourself to create a connection with your audience. For example, a photo with the caption: “Today would have been my grandmother’s 99th birthday. She’s the one who taught me to sew, and I still use many of her patterns.”

Demonstrating your skill – Post a photo or video each day as a project is coming together. This will reveal the quality of your work and justify the price for the time invested.

Selling your product – Publish photos of your products with proper lighting and appealing props. Help the customer envision themselves using the item or displaying it in their home. 

Inviting to events – Notify your customers if you’ll be present at a craft fair, gallery showing, or any other opportunity for them to see your work in person. 

NextFab member TWEE (maker of fun handmade chalk) does a great job of keeping a goal in mind every time they post. They have photos of children happily using the product, invitations to an Open Studio Tour, and bright, appealing product shots.

  Courtesy of TWEE

Leverage Social Media Analytics

Social media platforms provide detailed analytics about your account. You can use this information to improve your social media likes, comments, shares, and purchases. 

For example, on Facebook, this is called Page Insights. You can view things like page likes, post reach, and post engagement. It also tells you when your fans are typically online, which post types are performing best (video, text, image, etc.), and what kind of fans are engaging the most (by age, gender, and location). 

It’s important to review these reports regularly so you can look for trends and adjust your approach. Experiment with different types of posts and see what happens.

How to Sell Directly on Social Media

Social media gives artisan entrepreneurs the ability to showcase their unique brand and present their artwork online. That’s powerful. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram also have integrated shopping features that allow customers to buy your products without even leaving the app. Let’s take a closer look.

Selling on Facebook

When you have a Facebook business account, you can add a Facebook Shop tab to your page. The process for setting up a Facebook Shop will depend on whether or not you already have an e-commerce website, such as BigCommerce or Shopify. If you do, you can sync your product catalog and manage sales, inventory, customers, and orders in one place. If not, you can add your products manually to your Facebook Shop and connect payment providers like PayPal or Stripe.

Check out NextFab member PLAID’s Facebook Shop to get an idea of what your shop could look like. Their entire inventory of laser-cut, industrial design products are easy to browse. Best of all, customers can buy in just a few clicks.

Courtesy of PLAID

Selling on Instagram

Once you have your business catalog on Facebook, you can take advantage of the shoppable posts feature on Instagram. You’ll need to connect your online shop to your Instagram business page. Once it’s set up, you can tag certain items in your photos. Your followers can click on the tags to view more information and then they’re guided through a seamless checkout process.

What’s Next for Your Social Media?

Check out NexFab’s four-part webinar series, From Making to Selling, for more insights about online marketing, branding, and social media.

If you’d like more one-on-one support, NextFab recently partnered with Bad Town LLC, an independent art label that serves the Greater Philadelphia area. Bad Town rolled out a comprehensive digital marketing brand audit and analysis service package (at a special rate of $199) that assesses the artist’s style, examines their current channels, and recommends a customized pathway for accelerating their business.

The post From Making to Selling: Selling on Social Media appeared first on NextFab.

[ladystylestores]

Hong Kong’s Opposition, Battered by Security Law, Looks to Elections

HONG KONG — Defying warnings from local officials that the Hong Kong opposition’s unofficial primary vote could be illegal under a sweeping new security law, hundreds of thousands of people chose avowedly pro-democracy candidates to run in citywide elections this year, results released Monday showed.

Early returns showed that the more than 600,000 people who had voted favored candidates who were prominent supporters of the months of demonstrations that have gripped the semiautonomous Chinese city. Their choices indicated a desire to see the goals of the protest movement pressed within the government itself, but could lead to an intensifying confrontation with the authorities, who could bar some from running.

“So many people came out to vote despite the threat that it may violate the national security law,” said Lester Shum, a 27-year-old activist and candidate who was among the front-runners on Monday. “That means Hong Kong people have still not given up.”

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement has been hobbled by mass arrests at protests and by the new security law, which bans vaguely defined crimes of secession, subversion and terrorism and is already working to mute dissent. The one remaining avenue of resisting Beijing’s tightening grip over the city, they say, is to capture a majority in the legislature in September.

The obstacles are enormous. Hong Kong’s electoral system has long been weighted heavily in favor of the establishment that is backed by the Chinese Communist Party. Pro-Beijing parties are far better funded than the opposition.

Now they must contend with the new, far-reaching national security law imposed by the central Chinese government that makes speaking out against the authorities possibly criminal. Opposition candidates, whose calls for democratic freedoms could be deemed as hostile to China’s ruling Communist Party, say they fear that whoever has protested the law could be disqualified from running or jailed. Even if they did succeed in being elected, there was no guarantee that the party would let them govern.

Supporters of the democratic camp have been grappling with whether to rely on familiar, moderate politicians or to abandon them in favor of more confrontational candidates — and those disagreements have threatened to divide the vote.

The informal primary this past weekend to help determine who should run in September sought to avoid such a split. Among those in the lead were activists such as Joshua Wong, who led the large street demonstrations in 2014 for freer elections, and Ted Hui and Roy Kwong, young lawmakers who often tried to mediate between protesters and the police during last year’s unrest.

“They are in favor of electing people who have a strong record in the protest movement so that they can continue the protests” within the legislative body, said Ma Ngok, an associate professor of political science at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “Those who have strong recognition in the protests stand out, irrespective of their parties.”

The turnout represented more than half of the opposition’s votes in 2016, and was several times higher than the organizers had expected. Voters went to polling stations set up on sidewalks as well as in unconventional venues such as a lingerie shop and a converted double-decker bus.

Joyce Leung, a 35-year-old mother of two young children, said that she had decided to vote for candidates who regularly attended the protests even though they were at risk of exclusion from competing.

“I think they will definitely be disqualified,” she said on Sunday, after having cast a vote at a sidewalk polling station on Hong Kong Island surrounded by tenement buildings, office towers and coffee shops. “But I still wanted to show them that a lot of people are supporting them.”

Hong Kong’s electoral system has never been equal. Britain had little interest in democracy when it ran the city, and China quickly undermined a pledge that the entire legislature would be elected, by maintaining the British colonial system of limited voting.

Just half of the 70 seats in the legislature represent geographical districts that are directly elected by voters. The other half are so-called functional constituencies, most chosen by corporate voting and more likely to go to establishment candidates. That tilted system has historically discouraged some Hong Kong residents from participating.

But in November, after months of fierce and at times violent antigovernment protests, voters turned out in large numbers for an election of Hong Kong’s district councilors, a low-level office that previously drew little attention. More than seven in 10 eligible voters cast ballots, compared to a previous high of 47 percent — and delivered a stunning victory for the pro-democracy camp, which swept 86 percent of the seats.

That victory shocked Beijing and emboldened protesters to set their eyes on the more ambitious target of elections for the Legislative Council, a far more powerful body. Their goal has taken on extra urgency as other displays of dissent have become increasingly perilous under the new security law.

Sage Ip, a 29-year-old flight attendant who cast her ballot on Sunday at a community office, said she voted in the primary because she was worried that she would never get a chance to do so again. “Voting is something that is still within our capacity. We can’t express ourselves at protests anymore.”

The police now regularly ban marches, citing violence and coronavirus-prevention measures, and sweep up hundreds of demonstrators in mass arrests.

“To cast your vote, you do not need to risk your life,” Benny Tai, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong and leading strategist for the opposition, said in June. “It is a form of protest that actually is risk-less, I would say. So why not? Why not use your vote to buy a chance?”

Gwyneth Ho, a 29-year-old former journalist who emerged as a front-runner in her district on Monday, has urged pro-democracy supporters to keep fighting, no matter the odds.

“We all know, we do something not because it’s effective, or because it’ll succeed,” she called out to commuters streaming past her outside a busy subway station on a recent Wednesday late last month. “It’s because we can’t give up on any front.”

If the pro-democracy candidates were able to capture a majority in the legislature, they could use their position to block the government’s agenda. Some have proposed vetoing the government’s budget, which could force the dissolution of the legislature. If a new legislature were also to block the budget, the chief executive would be forced to step down.

Erick Tsang, the constitutional affairs secretary, cited such a threat when he warned last week that the pro-democracy camp’s primary could potentially violate articles of the new national security law against secession and subversion.

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s leader, repeated Mr. Tsang’s warning on Monday that if the goal of the primary was to deliver a legislative majority for “resisting every policy initiative” of the Hong Kong government, then it “may fall into the category of subverting the state power” under the new security law.

But the electoral push also displayed rifts within the opposition movement. A few candidates who champion more aggressive tactics refused to participate in the pro-democracy camp’s primary, arguing that voters should be able to choose from the full range of candidates in September. More moderate voices have argued that voters needed to be strategic rather than ideological, and should rally behind the candidates most likely to win.

A significant threat looms over all the pro-democracy camp’s plans: disqualification.

In the last legislative election, several candidates were barred from competing over questions of whether they acknowledged Beijing’s position that Hong Kong was an “inalienable part” of China. Six who won later lost their seats because they protested against China during their oaths of office. This year, many in the opposition fear that election officials will also bar candidates who have questioned the new security law.

Mr. Shum, who campaigned at the street booth with Ms. Ho, said his ultimate goal was for the pro-democracy camp to win so many seats that Beijing would be forced to take drastic action in response, such as disqualifying all the elected lawmakers. He said he hoped that such extreme action would then provoke an international response in support of the protesters.

But others warn that any large-scale rejection of pro-democracy candidates by the government could cause Hong Kong to erupt.

“This time around we are talking about the possibility of getting more than half the seats, but I think the reality is we may not be allowed to participate in the election at all,” said Fernando Cheung, a veteran opposition lawmaker who is stepping down this year.

“If that is to happen, the anger and the frustration would be extreme,” he said. “I’m afraid the confrontation would be much worse.”

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from World Wide News https://ift.tt/3gUvXph

[cantstopthesignal2005]

kill yr gods

                                                 kill yr gods

              Anton Stewart sat transfixed by the panels of the graphic novel he recently checked out from the school library. The odd, melancholic spell cast by the kitchen-sink realism of the story was broken as his Journalism teacher, Ms. Combs, snapped her fingers.  “Anton. Anton! Excuse me! Hello! Thank you!”   “Yes, ma’am?”   “How are you coming along with your story? Kali needs it by Friday for the paper.” Anton looked over to Kali Wheatley, who sat hunched over with a large iced coffee, feverishly editing papers and adding comments.   “Uh, I’ll have a rough draft tomorrow, Ms. Combs,” he replied.    “Tomorrow? What happened to tonight?”   “I’m going to the concert tonight.”   “A concert? What?”   “The Canceled Alcohol show,” he brusquely informed her, his voice carrying an unmitigated bite to it. “It’s the concert I’m covering for the story. And since I haven’t gone to where the story is yet, I don’t have the story.”  Anton caught a few side-eyed glances and expressions of incredulity.    “Smart ass,” she blithely retorted. “See where that gets you in life. See where it gets you in school, or even in this class.”    Anton shook off his teacher’s cautionary attack with a brief, involuntary shudder. He returned to his poor posture and resumed the story. Comics were an integral part of Anton’s life. As a young child, he found solace in the altruism of the muscle-bound men and women who, burdened with great powers, sought to look after the meek and timid. He aspired to similar feats of greatness, albeit without any supernatural ability. Throughout middle school, Anton would obsessively write the phrase “I Will Grow Wings,” filling the lines of his composition notebooks. This was his mantra to remind himself of his personal endeavor to grow stronger and feel capable, soaring above his feelings of impotence. After discovering the cruelty of unprovoked violence and the ecstasy of masturbation, Anton rabidly tore apart the pages of his superhero comics, marking an estrangement from what he began to feel was the mythos of morons and losers.    Reality bloomed as Anton reached tenth grade, where he was fearful of the impending future and consistently horrified by the mistakes of the past. Without a car or a job, he didn’t have money of his own and would constantly depend on his mother for rides or pocket change, a chip on his shoulder regarding his own lack of agency had spread like a fever. The stories to which Anton gravitated were confrontational and brutal, concerning entropy, alienation, and depravity.  Unable to reconcile his anxieties and a lust for debauchery, Anton would vicariously approximate the insanity and genius of drugs by reading journals about the rough side of an acid trip at the devil’s hour.     The bell rang and Anton somberly ambled down the steps of building three to the courtyard. It was his lunch period and he planned to meet his friend, Peter. Peter was a friend whose binding tie was a similar love of literature and art. They would occasionally skip school and go to their local dollar theater and movie hop. Anton was unnerved as he saw Peter surrounded by people peripheral to their social circle, holding court at a brick wall, waxing poetic about the perils of too much vulnerability and compassion. He was wearing a black shirt with an image of Joe Strummer with bloodied knuckles and a towel carelessly draped around his shoulders. Peter looked over the circle of friends and nodded Anton over.  Characteristically overzealous, he extended his hand to shake Anton’s. “What’s popping, bruh?”    “I’m good. How goes it?”    “Yo, these are . . .  this is Larry. This is Dom. This is . . . oh wait, you know Chaz, right?”    “We’ve met,” Chaz curtly confirmed, gritting his teeth. Anton bristled at what he felt was an unmerited disdain.   “Uh, yeah. Uh, we’ve met,” Anton said, through staccato bursts of nervous laughter.   “What’s good, bro?” Peter asked, flashing his toothy smile, which appeared closer to demented than charming, as he hoped.   “Um. Just . . . just saying hey?”   “Well, you said Hey, kid,” Chaz said, rolling his eyes.   “I’m talking to Peter. If I wanted to talk to you, I would look at you. Chaz. Your fucking parents named you Chaz! What kinda shit is that?”   “You’re a fucking asshole, Anton.”   “Aight, aight, chill, chill.” Peter locked eyes with Anton and with a nod, dismissed him. Anton walked off, shaking with the rage of rejection. He fought the urge to, as he had when he was younger, scream, curse, and beat his fists against the ground into bloody pulps.  He wondered if remaining with his circle of friends was worth it.  He tolerated the occasional hectoring and outburst if only to stave off loneliness; his friends were a means to an end, and whether they knew that was unimportant. Anton was made to feel little, but always assured himself that they were even lesser than him since he never needed them.      The rest of the school day was an interminable slog, the only saving grace being that he would attend his first show later that night. As he approached the exit doors to the bus loop, Anton felt a firm tap on his shoulder. Violently whipping his head back, he saw his friend Alex, wearing a shit-eating grin. “Anton. Buddy. What’s up?”   “What’s up, what’s up?”   “What’s up. We were supposed to go to the diner, right? This is every Tuesday, we had plans, no?”   “Fuck, you’re right, I was just . . . it didn’t feel like a Tuesday.”   “Yeah, alright. So, we’re good to go?”   “Sure are.” The two walked over to the school parking lot, which Alex was grateful to have a spot in. He was the subject of great envy in their orbit for being the first to get a car, a job, and a girlfriend; there had been innuendos of him losing his virginity before his teen years, though no one asked to verify.  Alex’s relatively advanced social acumen inspired overzealous praise and myth making from his friends.     Alex drove at reckless speeds to Lynn’s Diner, a 1950s Americana themed coffee shop. There were black and white images from the days of yore for much of the wallpaper, framed photos of notable figures like Frank Sinatra and Benny Goodman occupying what little wall wasn’t taken by signs that said  “M A L T S,” “S H A K E S,” or “F R I E S.” Alex fiddled with the cylindrical straw container, delighting briefly in watching them umbrella.  The two walked over to a booth in the far corner, the seats cherry red, the table was eggshell white with sporadic bursts of dots making no discernible pattern.  Alex and Anton made it a habit to attend Lynn’s Diner every Tuesday at 3 PM, directly after school.  Tuesdays was when the waitress, Greta, would be working, and they were as much a part of her ritual as she was a part of theirs, having become one of her regular guests, to the point where staff would tease her about it. (“Hey Greta! Your boyfriends are here!”)    Alex and Anton waved off offers of menus, fully aware of what they wanted. Greta walked up to them, her hair a lot shorter than it used to be, dyed a fluorescent orange.  “Hey, loves,” she said, putting her hand on her hip. “Two doubles, no onions, extra cheese, pickle spear on the side, two cherry colas?”    “You practiced that,” Alex smirked.    “You know I did,” she smiled coyly.  “I ever tell you I was in theater?”    “No, but I saw you as Puck when you did Midsummer Night’s Dream with my sister, Shirley.”      “Your hair’s a lot shorter,” Anton abruptly remarked. Alex and Greta cocked their heads back, shocked by the jarring, unprompted comment.    “Uh . . .  yeah,” she said, visibly perturbed.  “Yeah, it is. I uh, I cut it . . .” She self-consciously primped the ends of her hair and shook her head.  “Uh, I’ll . . . I’ll be right back with your orders, love.” Alex shook his head disapprovingly, rolling his eyes.  Leaning in, he whispered, “Probably shouldn’t just like . . . shout something out while two people are talking. You know what I mean?”    “Yeah, but you said . . . you said it’s normal if someone like . . . it’s okay if someone inserts themselves into a conversation.”    “Yeah, but you have to know when to do it.”    “How would I know that?”    “Trial and error. This? Not the right time. Now you know for the future.”  Anton found himself resentful of the way people like Alex could float through life, aware of the right thing to say, when to say it.  He would often conflate their confidence and sociability with arrogance.  “I think I could get her number.”      “Isn’t she in college?”    “And you’ve never wanted to date a college girl?” Alex paused. “Or guy?”    “I mean, yeah. But guy or girl . . . I don’t think it would be, you know, appropriate.” Greta brought out their order on a plastic blue tray, forcing a grin. She dropped the order off and left without her usual parting banter.  Alex observed as Anton anxiously peered over to his watch.  “That’s maybe the third time I’ve seen you check the time since we got here,” Alex said, his mouth full of fries. “What’s going on?”    “Sorry. I have a show to go to tonight,” he explained.     “Who are you seeing?”     “Canceled Alcohol. I bought the tickets from Crates.”    “Crates . . .  Crates . . .  Crates, the record shop, Crates?”    “Yeah. Canceled Alcohol doesn’t really have a website or internet presence. I couldn’t cop them except locally.”    “I’ve heard of them. I know their shows are supposed to be like fucking super intense. I heard someone got knocked into a fucking coma there once.”    “Really?”    “This is what I hear,” he shrugged. Anton began to panic, his mouth drying up, his heart palpitating. He forgot to bring anyone for support to the show, and if he met harm as he was sure he would, there would be no help.    “Do you want to go?” he asked earnestly.  “I’m sorry, I should have asked you earlier. I can buy—”     “Nope,” he replied, unfurling a mischievous smile.    “Why not?”    “I think you should go this one alone. This one. I think, anyway.” The unspoken tension between the two was palpable, and so they completed their meal in silence. Anton became anxious with anticipation, expecting unspoken acts of violence to be visited upon him.  He’d realized that, upon stepping foot into the venue, he surrendered his control to the crowd and to the band; Canceled Alcohol was a band Anton was used to listening to at his own control.   He could turn their volume up, down, or truncate entire verses. The dynamic at the show would be diametrically swapped, his body now having to bend to the sway of the crowd and the ferocity of the band, which he assumed would be mighty; if his ribs were crushed, Anton was certain that the show would proceed without mercy.     Alex drove Anton home, generously playing Canceled Alcohol before ultimately deciding they “weren’t my cup of tea.”  Anton heard a vicious argument between his mother Marina and his brother Juan as he reached the front door. Knees shaking, he braced himself for the unfolding maelstrom.   “You’re a fucking cunt!” Juan yelled. Whipping his head back, he saw his little brother and dismissed him with wave. He returned to the object of his scorn and balled up his fists.  “You don’t have any idea what it’s like!”   “You still have to work, Juan!”    “Fuck you, bitch. I’m trying so fucking hard!”    “Smoking resin out of PVC pipes with your drop out buddies isn’t effort! You don’t do anything! I didn’t raise you like this!”    “You didn’t raise me at all! Abuela did! You lazy fucking bitch!”    “You’re so ugly . . .  you’re fucking . . . you’re just like him.  You’re stupid and you’re lazy. And angry. And you’re angry because you know there’s no place in this world for stupid, lazy people.” Marina shivered and shrieked as Juan tossed a cup of stagnant water at her. She stood, frozen with indignation. “I fucking HATE YOU!” Juan made a beeline for the door, shoving Anton against the wall.  Shriveling inwardly, he bit up the nerve to walk over to console his upset mother. Though Anton’s upbringing had been rife with turmoil, he failed to grasp the dialect of conflict and found himself at a loss for words. “Hey,” he said, his voice breaking. “Sorry.” Marina, wearing the humiliation of disrespect by her son, looked over to Anton with a fury scorching her face, her eyes bloodshot, her teeth jutting out from her lower jaw like a diseased dog; Anton went pale, unable to find his mother beneath her anguish. He rubbed his chest softly, hoping to nurse his racing heart back to normalcy.    “I hate you!” she exclaimed. “You’re ruining my life!”  Anton was fatigued from the day behind him, unwilling to contend with the mercurial tempers flaring in his house. While times spent with his mother were not all bad, he was frightened by how swiftly she could vacillate between Victim and Tormentor, just as he towed the line from Caretaker to Whipping Post.    “Mom, I love you,” he said, disgusted at his impish attempt to placate her.      “Yeah, your kind of love I don’t need.”  She walked up their stairs, groaning.  Anton took note that it was an hour and a half until doors.  Despite having negotiated the ride several months prior, he was aware that it would take an immeasurable amount of consoling to get his mother to drive him there now. He’d considered his options briefly before grabbing his ticket and darting out the door to catch the number 48 bus going to Ardenton, a town he knew by reputation (their high school football team often beat his) only. The venue, he read on a worn and faded flyer, was The Empire, 1709 Waterhead Boulevard, Ardenton. (“Real Hole In The Wall Shit,” as crudely promised at the bottom.)  He looked for any signs assuring him that he was on the right path, to no avail. As he shuffled through the streets, scanning the buildings for addresses, he came across a couple adorned in pelts, leather, and chains, and summoned the strength to approach them. As he neared, his eyes began fluttering, much to their bewilderment.     “Excuse me,” he said, gentling his voice. “I was . . .”   “Speak up, youngin,” the older woman said.    “Yes, hi. I was um. I was seeing. I was. I was wondering if you knew where The Empire was?”    “The Empire? Is that a store?” she asked.    Her partner, a much younger woman, chuckled.  “No, babe. It’s a concert place.”    “I don’t know this shit.”    “Sweetie, you’re gonna go up a block and two over.”    “Oh, okay. Thanks . . .  thanks so much.”    “Who’s playing?”    “Uh, Canceled Alcohol?”    “Roughneck shit,” she grinned, nodding approvingly. “First show?”    “Yeah.”    “Fuck shit up, dude.” Her partner admonished her with a playful slap to the back of her hand. “Be careful!” she’d warned him, shaking her head. He politely laughed and walked off.      Anton walked the blocks and clocked the addresses, most of the buildings’ aluminum numbers tarnished or fallen off completely.  He was uncertain of the directions given to him until he noticed a procession of people walking in unison, murmuring amongst each other. Latching onto them, he made it to The Empire, a narrow building with a towering spire piercing the swiftly migrating clouds overhead. The marquee read: Princess Annie & Canceled Alcohol. 7 PM. Sold Out.    A few groggy, disgruntled men wearing shirts bearing the venue’s name set up barriers, prompting Anton to look at his watch; noticing it was a quarter to doors, he grabbed the ticket and felt his heart flutter. His stomach began to churn, his mouth drying, gluing his tongue to the roof. An older, obese man began tearing tickets and allowing people inside, nodding happily at each person. Anton was swiftly approaching the front of the line, and he excitedly handed his ticket and made a beeline for the door before the formidable man’s hand blocked him.  “Hold up,” he said, screwing his face. Anton felt innately that there had been a mistake, that he needed identification or a parental guardian, neither of which he had. “I gotta search you, first.” After a brief pat down, he was ushered inside. The walls were lousy with graffiti, faded stickers, and flyers from past shows. Stale cigarette smoke stuck to the walls as a reminder of past shows, the granite floor was sticky with the residue of spilled lagers. The air was thick and muggy, he struggled to catch a breath, which was exacerbated by the space becoming occupied to the point of congestion. Anton centered himself by navigating a way to the back, where there were life-size banners of Canceled Alcohol’s most recent album, Gag And Bind—a ghastly image of a dominatrix caving a hole into an old man’s head, bloody gray matter spilling onto the white backdrop, his eyes replaced with shimmering gold coins, his tongue hanging slack from his gaping mouth, spittle pouring out. As he looked at the sensational image, he felt immense feelings of guilt and desire, which he couldn’t reconcile. To his left, he saw two slovenly dressed young lovers under the spell of some dangerous pill they couldn’t pronounce, idly peeling paint from the wall, near catatonic.      A tap at his bicep sent him shuddering, spinning around rapidly which elicited a laugh from the two young women who’d tapped him. Dressed in mainly all black, with the exception of some red stripes on their track pants and the white pentagrams on their shirts, one had aqua blue hair which reached just above her hair, the other had bleach blonde hair, the left side of her head shaved entirely. They both donned piercings across their face, the woman with the aqua blue wearing a nose piercing with a chain that reached to her ear. “Hi! Can you take our photos?” He obliged and took a few pictures of them: them holding their hands above their heads, them hugging, them kissing each other, them confrontationally staring into the camera with stoic fierceness. Handing it back, he smiled. “Thanks so much!”      “Was that like, a photo set?”     “We just wanted some photos of like, gay love. We’re a gay couple . . .”   “Right.”    “And we just felt like this was our non-violent protest. This was us, showing we can be gay and feminine and super sweet and hardcore and we can also enjoy the music.  It’s not binary and we felt like it would be cool to show it.”    “It’s for a project she’s making,” her partner explained. “She’s trying to normalize gay love by documenting it in unconventional places. This is her part where she puts us in the middle of it.”    “I always show up in my art,” she said, defensive.  “It’s my art and, intentional or not, I’m gonna be in it in some way or another, I can’t emancipate my expressions from myself, so I might as well implement myself.”    “That’s fucking rad.”    “Are you here for Princess Annie?”    “Uh, no. Just . . .  just Canceled Alcohol.”    “They’re okay, we’re here for Annie, cause you know, they’re a really great part of the gay community in Seattle, so it’s kinda rad that they’re here.”    The lights dimmed and the background music stopped. Everyone did an About Face and directed their gaze to the stage, which was massively unimpressive, being composed primarily of driftwood, electrical tape, and worker’s spit. Feet began to stamp on the ground, and aimless cheering and applause erupted. Princess Annie took the stage and the lead singer demurely waved to everyone as her bandmates readied themselves and took their positions. “Hi,” Annie Sutton, the lead singer, greeted everyone. “We are Princess Annie. And uh, we’re very happy to be here, thanks very much for having us. Um. Do you guys mind if we fuck shit up?” Her facetious request was met with thunderous approval, a mischievous grin unfurling on her face. The bass and drums began rolling out, cymbals being hit with great ferocity and Annie began to roar the lyrics to their song, The Stranger. The words were fully realized as she threw her body into the anguish of the song, her torso contorting, her arms wrathfully throttling the microphone. The orchestral hook allowed for some time to beat the device into her head, a bloody gash opening as she shouted:  

                        If I catch you!                         If I ever fucking catch you!                         Death will be too good!                         But I’ll never be good!                         No, I’ll never be good!                         I’ll never be good again!                         I’ll never be fine again!                             Never go to bed again!                         Never again, not never again,                         Never again, not never again                         Not never-FUUUUUUUUCK     Annie motioned for the crowd to make way for her to descend downwards and she gracefully stepped down. Anton was taken aback at how readily the crowd parted as though it were the red sea. Annie sewed sutures on the wounds she opened every night she sang the song which she knew would keep her honest. They washed her bloody face with love and adulation, crying with empathy, holding her to keep the panic away.  She concluded the song by saying, off mic, “Thank You. Thank You So Much. I Love You So Much.”   Making her way back to the stage, she sat hunched over at the edge, breathing heavily into the microphone. “Hey, our set is gonna be like me, it’s a little short. We only have about five songs left. Then you guys get to see Canceled Alcohol!” She held for applause, which filled the room.  “You guys are gonna love ‘em. We’re so so so so so honored that they brought us out on tour with them, they’re so fucking cool. Really. They’re real roughnecks on stage but total sweethearts in person. They’ve even invited us to join their knitting circle.” Jessica, the drummer, etched a hammy smile on her face and played a rim shot. “This is our 49th state. First time in Florida!”    “I’m sorry!” one person yelled out, which received some chuckles from the audience and an admonishing finger wag from Annie.    “Hey now! We like it here. We like what we’ve seen. Well, we’ve only seen the inside of this venue. But, hey. It’s a nice venue. This uh . . .  this next song is called Stupid Bitch. It’s about white guys. And please, all white guys. Don’t get upset when we play this, it’s never a good look.”      Anton felt at home with the warmth of her generous stage banter. Everyone was experiencing exactly what he was, there was a truth to this moment in time and it was a sweaty, blood drenched woman believing in herself and engaging with four hundred disparate people. He knew he would never be alone if he remained in the comfort of human body odor and weed smoke. They soon left the stage which was to be empty for another forty minutes.  Then, the lights dimmed once again and the crowd showed their love by bleeding their throats dry. The band swaggered on stage, and simultaneously Anton was delighted to be in proximity to such greatness and crestfallen to discover that they were a little short and appeared to be unassuming men, ready to do their job. However, once the front man, Sean, looked out to everyone, his eyes were searing and demented, striking fear. He took the pulpit and delivered his sermon:

                                                Kill God if you feel like it,                         Kill me if you feel like it,                         Just make sure you know why,                         I’ll never be anything other than that which I am,                         I’ll only be a part of the plan,                         My body is a prison,                         Break me out of this prison,                         Take me out of this prison,     The fury of the crowd reached a fever pitched, everyone being pushed to the front and shoving elbows into each other. Everyone edged everyone else out and a swirling vortex of pain erupted, young men in cargo shorts performing spinning kicks, their chests slamming into one another. Anton was reminded what it was like to feel vitality coursing through his veins as he was pushed into a snake pit of antagonism. He recalled placating his mother, contending with supercilious teachers, recoiling from his brother’s wrath, and how tired of it all he was. Something atavistic responded to the busted, bloody lip he suffered. He found his voice in pushing back and visiting violence onto others and receiving it, becoming baptized by pain. He screamed until his lungs felt on the verge of collapse. He knocked his head into someone else’s and gripped the back of their neck, being met in kind with an identical grip.    “I love you!” he yelled, locking horns, knocking into him, shoulder first.    “I love you too!”     The ritual eventually petered out and the show concluded as plainly as it began, the band members departing with a cold casualness. Anton felt beautiful as he walked home drowning in a pool of collected sweat, the wind whipping against him as he shivered waiting on the bus.     Creeping into his room, Anton confronted the new, primal version of himself and noticed a congealed patch of blood on his face. Removing his shirt, he was thrilled to observe the black and blue tattoos he received. The bumps, bruises, and scars served as a reminder of the fight he had to keep in his heart to refrain from timorously occupying the fringes of life. Galvanized to report on the part of the world he just saw, he swiftly grabbed the composition notebook and a pen from the computer desk, his foot anxiously tapping a hole in the ground as his hands, tremulous from adrenaline, wrote:

                          Tonight, I found God in the grooves of a combat boot.

[incontinence-paris]

Demolished or relocating: Businesses are on the move in Tallahassee commercial real estate scene

Brenda Francis (Photo: Brenda Francis)

Every quarter commercial Realtor Brenda Francis compiles a newsletter on the latest scoops in local real estate. It includes what companies are coming to town and who is moving into what commercial spaces. Here is the April 2019 edition.

MARKET SQUARE

This is the latest from Leon Capital, the owner of Market Square, 1415 Timberlane Road:

The building that houses Connie’s Hams, Au Peche Mignon and the former location of Gordos’ is going to be demolished. At one time, the plan was to only take down half of the building. The building where A La Provence is and where Market Square Liquors is will also be demolished.

Southern Seafood and Tropical Smoothie will move into the west building that now houses Tropical Smoothie. They hope to move Au Peche Mignon into that building as well.

Morrow Cleaners will not be staying (but they may be open for a long time before work begins on the front building). The owner has plans to renovate the front building that faces Timberlane Road but no time frame was disclosed. The pavilion will have to go to make room for the theater and new restaurants. A La Provence’s plans at this writing are unknown.

Connie’s Ham and Catering is closing its Market Square after being open for 30 years.

(Photo: TaMaryn Waters/Democrat)

CONNIE’S HAMS is closing. They stuck it out in Market Square as almost all of the other tenants left. They waited to see what anchor tenant the landlord would bring in and what rate and terms they could negotiate to stay. But it didn’t happen that way. Cinepolis Luxury Cinema and a Marriott Hotel are going to be built on the property. Jill Richter, owner of Connie’s Hams, received a letter from the Landlord dated Feb. 6, 2019, advising her that she should vacate by May 31 as the demolition will begin shortly thereafter. They welcomed her to enter into a new lease once the Market Square renovations are complete, but she isn’t planning to come back.

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE is expanding but not into the space next door to their current location. They are being relocated inline in the building. And they’re hiring! The landlord wants to leave the end cap where Tropical Smoothie is now plus the next door space fronting on Timberlane Road for an upscale, sit down restaurant.

AU PECHE MIGNON is still planning to stay in Market Square and is negotiating a lease and new location. Joseph and Lisa Gans own and operate the shop and opened a second store downtown at 220 N. Duval St. They moved their kitchen to the Duval store, so if there is any downtime at Market Square during construction, they will still be open on Duval. But they expect to be able to move directly into the new shop without closing.

Au Peche Mignon, a French pastry shop in the Market Square shopping plaza, is a staple for those familiar with the Market District, a neighborhood in Tallahassee’s north side.

(Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat)

SOUTHERN SEAFOOD isplanning to move into the west building inline by Tropical Smoothie.

MARKET SQUARE LIQUORS is also supposed to relocate to the west building.

NOTE: There still may be changes in design and location of these tenants but it is imperative that the public understand that the establishments that are still there still need our business. I hesitate to write this article because I do not want to cause any negative response that could affect these tenants. They deserve our support.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

SUNSHINE SAVINGS BANK, now owned by The First Bank, has closed its long time branch at 3534 Thomasville Road, across from Killearn Estates.

FLORIDA STATE CREDIT UNION purchased the building at 2520 N. Monroe for $500,000 in April of 2018. Sperry & Associates is renovating for the credit union. Years ago, this was the Comcast building, if anyone remembers that far back like I do.

MEDICAL

TALLAHASSEE MEDICAL CENTER, LLC (owner of Capital Regional Medical Center) is constructing two free standing medical emergency centers in Tallahassee. One is at the southwest corner of Orange Avenue and Capital Circle SE, by Southwood. The building will be 12,833 SF, according to the permit info provided by Economic Vitality, and should be completed by November 2019. The other is at North Monroe, just north of I-10, at Okeeheepkee Road. This ER will be 10,800 square feet and is expected to be completed by early 2020

TALLAHASSEE ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC. The first phase of this project is under construction on Welaunee Boulevard. It will be a two-story, 38,418 square foot medical office with a November 2019 expected completion date. The second phase will be a one-story, 19,800 square foot building. (Office of Economic Vitality)

More: New buildings, new faces, new healthcare services coming to Tallahassee | Living Here

More: The $270-million M.T. Mustian medical marvel: TMH lifts veil on ‘marquee kind of facility’

STATE OFFICES

CENTRE OF TALLAHASSEE: Much of the Centre of Tallahassee, formerly The Tallahassee Mall, is being converted to state offices. Tallahassee Retail Venture, LLC, of Birmingham, Alabama, had great plans to revitalize the mall as a major retail and entertainment center but revamped those plans due to the market and the death of the owner, Alex Baker in 2017.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH will be occupying 137,267 SF plus 12,656 SF in the Dept of Health Annex next to Guitar Center.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES will take 227,819 SF on the end of the mall by AMC Theater and Belk and another 36,937 SF behind Dollar Tree and Ross.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE will move into the 31,774 SF one story, old gym building. Site plan shows a building edition of 4,338 SF.

Construction workers hammer together a structure at The Centre of Tallahassee Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

(Photo: Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat)

Right now, there are temporary partitions outside of Belk and AMC Theater while a floor is installed for the 2nd floor. The open area outside of the theater will remain open after construction and the two restaurant locations will still be available for restaurants. AMC Theater and Cold Stone Creamery are open now and will continue to be.

The Urban Food Market is now closed but Elizabeth Poindexter, Director of Leasing for the Centre, hopes to bring that back as soon as construction is complete. There are plans to demolish the front building facing North Monroe and I’m told we can expect an announcement soon on a new tenant there. There will be 2,500 state employees working in this Centre once all departments have moved in.

RUSSELL OFFICE PARK, fronting Blair Stone Road, Paul Russell Road and Orange Avenue, will be the home of three new state office buildings totaling 164,167 square feet for the Department of Transportation, Division of Retirement and the Florida Game and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Site is being cleared and building permits are under review, per Economic Vitality.

EDGEWATER CORPORATE CENTER, 2639 N. Monroe, just north of the Centre of Tallahassee, will house a portion of The Department of Financial Services. DFS will occupy 30,000 square feet in Edgewater Park.

SUMMIT EAST OFFICE PARK, is constructing a two-story, 74,043 square foot building on the corner of Highway 90 E and Summit Lake Drive for another faction of The Department of Financial Services. This location had originally been intended for restaurant or retail but is now being used for office space, according to the Office of Economic Vitality.

IN GENERAL

EDGEWATER CORPORATE CENTER at 2639 N. Monroe Street has also acquired a new tenant, CareerSource Capital Region. Career Source has moved into a newly designed 10,000 square feet office suite.

THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, owned by Gannett, is moving the print processing plant for the paper to the Panama City News Herald, with newer equipment. Tallahassee’s equipment was installed in 1968. Deadlines for staff may change somewhat due to the time difference but deliveries are expected to be the same. A truck will deliver the papers to Tallahassee every morning and the carriers will pick up as usual for deliveries to customers. What do you do with an old and big newspaper printing press?

CRAFTY CRAB RESTAURANTwill be coming soon to 1241 Apalachee Parkway, 6000 SF, in the former Crispers space. Their signature dish is their New Orleans style low country boil, made with their own home-made seasonings.

GEICO, now in the Morgan & Morgan Building at the corner of North Monroe and Tennessee, will be moving. Jim Smith is buying the old Wise Realty building at 2508 N. Monroe Street and plans to be in the new location by June 1. Jim Smith has been in business in Tallahassee for 16 years and says Geico is the largest auto insurer in the State of Florida.

REFINERY BARRE FITNESS is moving into Capital Plaza at 1866 Thomasville Road. According to their website, the permitting process is delaying their opening but they are diligently working toward completion of their new studio.

PETSMART at 1759 Apalachee Parkway is expanding into another 4482 SF, according to the Office of Economic Vitality.

PARKWAY CENTER on Apalachee Parkway at Magnolia is about to undergo major road construction at their entrance. The establishments in the center ask that the public have patience and remember they are STILL OPEN and need your business during this inconvenience.

LEMOYNE’S CHAIN OF PARKS is April 27 & 28. I will be in booth #64 with my paintings. Please come by and introduce yourself and let me know if you read this column!

Brenda Francis, CCIM, is with Structure Commercial Real Estate in Tallahassee. Information for this report is obtained from sources deemed reliable, however, it is not a complete list and project plans may have changed before publication. If you want to sign up for her newsletter or know of a new business that should be spotlighted, email her at brenda@structureiq.net.

The LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival is set for April 27.

(Photo: Ashley White/Democrat)

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[unholyhelbiglinked]

Saluting Sgt. Helbig | Sixteen

The bitter cold ate away at my fingertips as I fastened the leather jacket around my mid-section, the black t-shirt underneath not doing much to help against the sharp wind. I wasn't used to the winter, or any of the seasons changing after the half of the year I spent overseas.

Everything in the city looked virtually the same, the lights still strung out on the picturesque streets, the houses pushed close together until you went closer to the outskirts of town. There was snow collecting at the edges of the streets, pressing against the curbs.

Our boots crunched against the freshly lain powder, our breath puffing out in front of us. My chest was tight with a mix of excitement and anxiety, the medium sized duffle bag pulling on my shoulder, making it even harder to control my breathing. I ignored it for the most part, happy to have the warmth of the bag press against my back.

"Will you slow down?" Cass mumbled, shoving her hands in the pockets of her black pea coat.

"Will you speed up?" I gave her a playful smirk "come on Cassie, I'm the one with the fucked up leg, and I'm moving faster than you.... That's a serious problem."

I earned a huff in response, but did slow down my pace, matching her speed as we fell into smaller steps, swallowing a cold gulp of air as we continued our trek to the middle of the city. I agreed to get Cassie where she needed to before heading off to the house... not even know if Hannah was there. I hadn't spoken to her since that time on video chat, and that was months ago. She was bruised up and short with me, never a great combination.

"Where'd they want to meet you again?" I knit my eyebrows together, trying to remember the name of the place her brother agreed to meet her at. He had traveled into the city just to see her, just to take her back home for a few days before she returned here.

"Some new place," Cassie shook her head, "apparently it's the best bar in town now. Don't know the name though."

"Good," I scoffed "I need a drink. I think we both do."

"Not of legal age yet, Helbig." She warned as I shook my head at the twenty year old.

"Said the girl who downed half a bottle of liquor from my stash at the base." Her cheeks heated as she laughed, shaking her head. "Anyway, have any idea where this place is? My fingers are starting to go numb."

She shrugged, flicking her blue eyes to the street in front of us again. We were nearing the town square, the memories coming back in waves. We were on my block, my old block. The town homes turning into restaurants, those bleeding into shops and eventually leading to the hospital. We weren't going to walk that far, not yet.

"What they hell," I stopped in my tracks, muted music filling the almost empty street. Cassie looked around, confused as to why I had stopped, but not questioning me like always. Her eyes moved to a little café that had outdoor seating... the same one Hannah and I shared our first date at.

Her gaze moving back past me to the side of a large brick building with red fire escape running to the top, the logo of the place stood out in big block letters, almost like an old Hollywood mirror. Muted rock music rang through the street, people sitting on metal patio chairs with little black buzzers in their hands, waiting for a place to sit.

The smell of freshly cooked fries and meat filled my lungs, something I haven't had in a while, something that made my stomach growl. Cassie spoke up after a few seconds "Which one is the new place?"

"Ah," I blinked at the old restaurant "I'm guessing this one."

Cassie nodded, elbowing me slightly in the ribs as she started to walk forward. I shook my head clear quickly as I reached for door handle, pulling it open as a blast of warm air filled our lungs. The place was more than crowded.

The right side of the restaurant was full of tables and booths along the back wall, a few waitresses bustling around on the floor, not glancing up as they rushed back into the kitchen the rested directly across from us. There was a bar to the left, a few more patrons watching the televisions mounted behind the woman working the drinks. Most of them were men, but a few woman flirted by their side.

A hostess gave us a warm smile; taking in account the small military logo's sewn into our jackets, the small American flag with the colored bars just a standard when reaching through customs.

"Welcome to Graces," She beamed, giving us a tight lipped smile, Cassie glanced at me, knitting her eyebrows together as I gave her a slight shrug, counting the amount of odd coincidences that built up in my mind. "Would you guys like a seat in the dining area, or the bar?"

I glanced at Cassie, it was her turn to talk as I spoke up "The bar is fine."

The woman gave us another smile as she dipped her head back down to the seating chart, leaving us to find a seat in the bar stools. Cassie raised a brow as we sat on the end closest to the kitchen, the bartender keeping her back to us she filled up a tall glass with buttery liquid, the foam running down her fingers as it dripped onto the floor.

Cassie messed with a half cracked peanut shell between her fingers, "odd that this place is named after you." She mentioned.

"I don't think it is," I shrugged "just coincidence. Some very weird coincidence."

I shook my head, focusing my eyes on the table in front of me as I my fingers found the edge of a coaster, I picked at the side of it, feeling the worn out material split under my finger pads. I felt the heat of someone in front of us but still didn't look up, my eyes trained on something else, and my mind wondering further than it should be.

"Hi, welcome to Grace's I'm your bartender and-"

The rest of the words didn't register fully with me, the scent of lemons was suddenly thick in my lungs, the pale hands that rested partially in my vision pressed harder into the dark mahogany bar as a metallic taste coated my tongue as I bit into my cheek, finally willing to draw my eyes up to the woman behind the bar.

"What can I get for you?" she had her green eyes trained on Cassie, her gaze not moving over to me. I rested my chin on my hand, not knowing if I'd be able to fully support it with the way my chests tightened in straight fear and excitement.

"I'll take an amber ale," Cassie said, her voice not wavering as she faked her way through actually ordering a drink for the first time in her life. I smiled slightly at this, knowing that the only time we had actually been to a bar together was during a routine stop at one of the larger bases, which again, didn't have many rules.

She scribbled down the order on her notepad, turning slightly to me as she finished pressing her pen to the paper. "And for you sweetie?"

Her green eyes finally met mine, all vibrant color seeming to drain from them as she clenched the pen tighter in her grasp, her knuckles almost turning white. Her hair was ragged, but just as red as when I last saw her, strands falling from her bun into her eyes. She looked fitter, her arms tensed and strong, a red shirt with the logo 'Grace's' sprawled across the front. Silently, her mouth stood agape. A crystal tear quick to slide across her cheek, leaving a streak across her skin.

"I told you not to do anything stupid when I was gone," I gave her a weak smile "Like buy a bar."

"Grace," She whispered, her voice barely audible over the loud music of the bar "missing." Was all she could say more tears flowing over her waterline as her eyes became red around the edges.

Neither of us had every really learned how to cry with style like some of the people you see on the big screen. We couldn't silently dab away tears with handkerchiefs. If we were to cry, it was always on the brink of hysterical crying.

Her eyes were wide and luminous, her there was a certain rawness to the tears running down both of our cheeks. I was quickly in her embrace, Cassie moving back slightly as Mamrie practically hopped over the counter, her arms warm around my neck as her body fit to mine like a puzzle piece. I flinched against her weight pushing so fully on me, the scars and bruises from the constant beatings not yet wearing off.

She sobbed into my neck as I held her close, breathing in the scent of her hair as I held her just as tight, not caring how many people stared at the two of us. Mamrie smelled of salt and alcohol, her whole embrace warm as I buried my cheek into the side of hair keeping her in that position for as long as she needed, until her sobs died down to small whimpers.

"Oh my god," she sniffed, pulling back slightly as her fingers found my chin, her touch gentle but forceful as she got a good look at the long gnashes across my eye down to my ear. A few whips to the face could to wonders for the complexion, leaving me with more bruises than blood. "Oh my god, Gracie."

"Shh, It's okay," I kept my hands on her shoulders, as I pulled her back towards my embrace. She rested her head on my chest, breathing out a few times as she hugged me closer. "Everything is fine."

[goddessgardener]

Spring Forward with Be the Star You Are!®


Click to view this email in a browser: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/672296/d7e25a1009/288055965/ac7221bc2f/
 A Message from our Founder, Cynthia Brian “Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.”― Ray Bradbury Spring FlingCongratulations to all of the volunteers and supporters of Be the Star You Are!® as the charity has once again been honored as a TOP NON PROFIT by Guidestar and Great Non Profits, an accolade that Be the Star You Are!® has received every year since the awards have been given. Be the Star You Are® has been offering services to our communities, country, and world since 1999. We are small yet mighty! Thank you to everyone who believes in our mission of empowering women, families, and youth through increased literacy, positive media messages, and tools for living.   On May 13th, Be the Star You Are!® will be participating in the 11th Annual Moraga Community Faire. Thank you to Michael Verbrugge who is once again sponsoring our booth. Make sure to visit his web site for your remodeling needs. Gratitude to our two best selling authors, Diana Zimmerman and Brooks Olbrys who have donated books that BTSYA will give to kids and young adults. Additional sponsorships are available. Please email me for details, Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.orgOur volunteers are our greatest asset so we have decided to profile a couple of our stars each month as they write in their own words how volunteering with Be the Star You Are!® has impacted their lives.  With the April 15 tax day nearing, remember you can still make tax deductible donations to Be the Star You Are!® I much prefer to donate to this charity where I know the money is making a difference to increase literacy and provide positive media and message entertainment than to give my extra dollars to Uncle Sam. Donate by check to PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556 or directly on-line through PAYPAL where 100% benefits the charity with no fees attached. https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/search-cause?charityId=1504&s=3 Make sure to visit our website to find out more about our events and projects. Join my power party every Wednesday from 4-5pm PT LIVE on our radio broadcast StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® bringing you the information and inspiration to thrive. Check out more at our site.  
 
Read a book this week. Visit a library or bookstore. Our motto is “Read, lead, succeed. To be a leader, you must be a reader!”  Wishing you a beautiful vernal equinox. Spring has sprung and nature is reborn in all its glory!
Cynthia BrianFounder/Executive DirectorBe the Star You Are!® 501 c3http://www.BetheStarYouAre.orgCynthia@BetheStarYouAre.orgPO Box 376Moraga, California 94556 Communicating Across Generationsby Karen Kitchel Communication is a simple process of using words, sounds or behaviors to exchange information.  This process, however, can be challenging when those words and behaviors mean different things to different people. 
Age differences don't need to translate into more difficult communication.  Bridging age gaps does  often involve a bit more effort and investment in the relationship—at least at the beginning. Why? People are products of their history, their environment and all of their experiences, so people from different generations often have very different life experiences that shape how they think, what they value, and what drives them. However, we shouldn't assume that because people are a certain age, they will act a certain way. Think about the 70 year old computer whiz who designs websites and blogs, the 25 year old who is not computer literate or the 55 year old who regularly runs marathons.  What's important is to be open to various communication styles and make a real effort to get to know individuals.  To do that, try asking what challenges they are facing, since we all have challenges!  You may be surprised by some of the things you have in common and want to know more about each other's different experiences.  Some Tips: 1. Recognize  that  individuals each have their own personality, experiences, beliefs and goals.    Labeling everyone as the same doesn't work. 2. The stories you can tell. Genuine interest in another’s life unlocks conversation like no other key.  Sharing tales creates common ground.  Sharing lessons learned from past mistakes  can connect  the older generations with the younger generations.  3.  Social media can help or hurt.  Today’s constant technological advances can cause struggles. However, social media can also present the perfect opportunity for the younger generation to mentor its elders on using technologies and understanding social media.  Likewise, the older generations can mentor younger generations on the importance of face-to-face interaction and interpersonal skills critical to success.  In-person meetings benefit everyone. 4.  Ask questions.  Open-ended questions (those which can't be answered with a yes or no) allow for more information to flow and result in more productive conversations.  Everyone needs to feel safe to question and know he’s being heard. Remember that generational differences can inspire greatness.  And in the words of someone who invented a character that hopefully will be remembered by many generations:“If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each individual to learn to laugh at himself.”- Charles Schulz About the author:
Karen Kitchel is a Community Volunteer who is passionate about helping those who are homeless or disadvantaged. Previously she served as President of Cheerful Givers, a nonprofit organization, and Director of BI University at BI Worldwide. She can be reached at karenkitchel@comcast.net
Spotlight on Volunteer Brigitte JiaRadio Host and Reporter, In her own Words “I love BTSYA! I joined in 9th grade and the organization has become a big part of my life. I'm proud to be part of Be The Star! You Are and I personally think that this organization is unique in its message and goal of literacy and positive media. BTSYA has brought me so many opportunities. I've interviewed best-selling authors, TV show stars, anime voice actors, artists, and even a numerologist, a cryptologist and video game creator on Express Yourself, our teen outreach service radio. I talk with other teens every week on the radio, discussing our views on current events and societal values. Through BTSYA I get to host and volunteer at local events and see how books and positive media impact the citizens in my town, and I've been able to give back to my community in an innovative way that really matters.  BTSYA is made up of purely positive energy. Being part of it has helped me pull negativity away from my life so well that I've even been able to see my political views from another light; I am rather more liberal in terms of beliefs and views and when I am on Express Yourself! I interact with people who identify as conservative and they have helped me realize that at the end of the day, we all hold the same human-ness inside and we all wish to make the world a better place no matter what our political views are. I think with America's recent political climate that this is the kind of thing that is important---positive media that reinforces the good within us and pulls us away from squabbling over who's on what side. And I think BTSYA really accomplishes just that.  In the three years that I've been part of Be The Star! You Are, I feel that I've really grown as a person and as a volunteer. With the help of the support network BTSYA provides and under the guidance of Cynthia Brian I've been able to learn and find a path to the good in my everyday life. Right now, I'm improving my communication skills by finding and helping to coordinate guests for the radio show! I'll close this review by letting everyone know that honestly Cynthia Brian is the positive force behind this positive media charity---she is absolutely wonderful and she is key to our efforts and improvement. Working under her guidance for these past three years has been incredible and she is so positive even when times are tough; I can't claim Cynthia as my specific role model because honestly she's so inspiring that she's everybody's role model!” Tune in to Express Yourself! every Tuesday at NOON PT on The Voice America Kids Network.   Shop, Give, and Get Connected 
If you would like to make a direct donation to our giving fund, please visit our Paypal page!https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/search-cause?charityId=1504&s=3 Ways to Help 1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases http://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-33338822. Discounted books at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity3. Buy or Sell on EBAY:http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/be-the-star-you-are-501-c-3/1504/?favorite=link4. Use GoodSearch to search the web & buy from your favorite stores,. Choose Be the Star You Are as your charity to support. You can log in with Facebook, too! http://www.goodsearch.com/goodto-go/be-the-star-you-are5. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA6. BTSYA Logo Store: http://btsya.rylees.net7. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash back at 1800+ popular online stores, then donate a percentage to BTSYA: https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc If you would like to make a direct donation to our giving fund, please visit our Paypal page! https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/search-cause?charityId=1504&s=3 Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!® Positive Results: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-resultsAbout Us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_usPrograms: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/programsHow to Help: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-helpBlog:http://www.bethestaryouare.org/blogEvents:http://www.bethestaryouare.org/eventsContact us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/contactGREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/ Please join us on Star-Style Radio and Express Yourself! Teen Radio. Please also visit our calendar to find local events. www.BetheStarYouAreRadio.comCare to see what other people are saying about us? See our reviews at Great Non-Profits!GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/
 Thanks for supporting Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3PO Box 376Moraga, California 94556www.BetheStarYouAre.org

[kateemmerson]

THE SASSY SYNCHRONISTIC STUFF OF SIMPLY SHOWING UP

THE SASSY SYNCHRONISTIC STUFF OF SIMPLY SHOWING UP #Minimalist meanderings

Recently in the quaint country of Romania for some work, I experienced some (well SEVERAL) sassy synchronistic stuff unfold as I allowed the special energy of this beautiful city take over for a while. I was staying in a flash 5 star hotel as a guest of my host in the country (Sassy #1 – having been delightfully upgraded from an already wonderful 4 star hotel as upon checking in they were renovating that back part of the hotel and a band had extended their stay, so they had no room at that Inn and so they “moved me” to the ooh la la Radisson on the front) Ooh I love that I believe in unexpected delights!

Sassy #2 – there were strelitzias basking on the new concierge’s desk at check in. Hello South Africa. The Radisson was also directly opposite the main concert hall near the old walled city, and 2 days later I discovered there was a special concert on THAT evening. How?

I had been gifted a three-hour private walking and driving tour of the city earlier by my hosts, and we happened to go inside the concert hall to view it’s historical magnificence when we stumbled across some deeply inspirational choral practice whilst looking up at the domed ceilings with awe. Sassy #3 – My amazing tour guide mentioned there was a very special concert on that evening – nudge nudge wink wink.

Sassy #4 – we then landed up in front of the “palace” that was built under Communist rule, now the seat of government. My host proclaimed, that although being Romanian she had never yet been inside or had the tour, and that sadly you need to submit your passport at least 24 hours before in order to get inside. We were marveling at it from the parking lot. Then she gets a twinkle in her eye and says- shall we try and get in? She made a phone call to a friend who works inside, and even though he WASN’T working that particular day he said – go to the entrance and they will allow you to visit today! My host and guide both decided I was their lucky charm, making everything so easy and effortless.

I started feeling a bit lousy in the afternoon after returning from the tour, and had taken myself off to bed for an afternoon nap, contemplating the concert that night. 35 minutes before the start of the concert, I knew I would regret not trying to get a ticket, so I dragged myself out of bed again, splashed my face and added a dash of lipstick, walked across to the “late sales” booth at the side, and stood in a long queue.

Mmmm bed seemed very appealing again. Waiting, slowly.

I saw a very well dressed elderly gentleman standing near the queue for the 15 minutes I was there and kept wondering what he was doing? He wasn’t talking to anyone, but kept trying to motion to them. I kinda felt sorry for him. As I got to the front of the kiosk, they told me they only accepted CASH> >>>aaaargh I only had my card. Cash machine here? No! Tickets were 75 leu and I had only 40 leu cash on me. Damn. Maybe the other Hotel across the road could convert my foreign money, as I knew my own hotel didn’t do that. In Romania what is weird is that all the hotels only work in Euro’s, as it’s now part of the EU, yet all the local shops and establishment still use Romanian Leu, the original, local currency. It’s a tad confusing.

That Hotel also had no local money for me and the banks had closed ten minutes ago.

Eventually after 10 minutes – with the show now starting in ten minutes, I found a cash machine, realizing it would dispense in local currency. DUH! Now, a little weird travel lesson from South Africa. We are considered a slightly “dodgy” country, you know because we look and sound just like Nigeria where most of the money laundering in the world happens. Every time I leave SA I spend about an hour on the phone calling my two banks and getting all my business and credit cards cleared for the countries of my travel, otherwise any foreign transactions might be deemed fraudulent transactions. And even after doing that time-consuming clearance, they can still decline transactions when I’m overseas. So I have multiple cards with multiple options so as not to get caught out.

It took me three cards to be able to draw cash from THIS Romanian machine!

Right – dash back, sweating and huffing to the queue, now with less than 5 minutes till show time. Old man still there. Sassy #5 – He shows me a ticket and says “you for one?” He seems to “imply” he has a ticket (in very broken English and of course I am 200% fluent in Romanian) so I go to the kiosk lady and get her to verify the ticket is indeed valid as there was no date on it (that’s how their special season tickets work apparently) and he says he wants only 60 leu for it. B for bargain, as the tickets were  originally 75 leu.

“COME” he urges, “we late”.

As we are walking and running up the stairs he manages to convey to me that his wife is home and ill and this is her season ticket – pretty good communication hey? We walk into this uppermost concert room and I gasp. OMG – vast, bold, exquisite and ornate. Everyone dressed to the nines and I am transported to ancient Eastern European grandeur.

Sassy #6 – He proceeds to walk to the FRONT ROW. I am front and centre and can hear the musicians breathe as they are warming up. In and out, deep and crisp and even. And the faint squeak the violin string makes before the haunting sound is emitted across the air. I can reach out and touch the conductor as he sashays to the front and lifts his baton!

I can see him twitch and sweat beads form on his brow.

Front row tickets for simply BEING in a city on a night and being willing to show up. I am in awe of the magic of life.

Too often we try and PRE control and PRE book. I believe there is a place for that, but I do love the magic of being in the moment and letting life unfold! FRONT ROW SEATS UNFOLDS! Sassy #7 -The next morning as I head outside to my taxi back to the airport to leave for Greece to run a writing retreat, I see the music conductor sitting in the hotel lobby. Already half way through the revolving door, I make a split second decision to do the full 360 degree circle and get out where I started. I walked up to him, apologized for interrupting his Sunday morning with his female companion, shook his hand and said how marvelous it was that I had enjoyed the privilege of being in the front row the night before. “I remember you, madam, thank you” he said, smiling and eyes twinkling.

And that is how I love to travel.

Do you need to start letting sassy magic unfold in YOUR life? Perhaps I can share some of my methods with you over the next few months?

Last week, I had 90 minutes to “kill” before meeting a dear friend for a mutually soulful chat and had gone early to make sure I was in the right place. So literally killing time, wondering where to go to I was just meandering along in my Russian hat. This “random” guy, bit older than me, Kevin to be precise, stop and says, “I know this is weird but I have (Sassy #8) “time to kill” before making my way to my theatre show tonight with friends and may I buy you a cup of coffee. You look really interesting”. I shrieked with laughter, looked a little shocked and amused at the same time and promptly tuned into my spirit and said yes. I KNOW some of you are reading this with many many “WTF is wrong with you Kate!!!” going round in your head.

As we sat and chatted and told each other a bit about ourselves, (and please let me re-iterate with zero weirdness or innuendos or sexual undertones whatsoever) I was telling him about my new book being released this year helping clients to get really clear on the complex emotional issues of detaching emotionally from a home before putting in on the market to sell, and to support people to sell, pack and move with ease. He just looks at me and smiles – he is about to sell his house and it’s a potentially complicated story with the house and…..Sassy #9 he ALSO works for a well-known estate agent in his town. Now – here’s the rub – I am I the process of looking for potential “brand partners” in the whole property industry, alongside “guinea pigs” to keep working with the material to give me feedback on how it all works for them. Social proof if you like. So this sassy just tickled me pink.

And then there was today catching a bus on a sad, dreary day from Rugby – saying goodbye to my mum on the side of the road just as the light was just coming u, I start chatting the the guy waiting for the bus with me, also headed to Heathrow Airport. Sitting across the aisle, we simply chat about where we are headed and why, and spend the next two hours chatting about work, life, beauty therapy, making brave bold choices in life and business and following our dreams. He landed up Sassy #10 – lugging my suitcase between the buses whilst we waited for an hour and he bought me a mug of tea and became my companion for a while on the road. We even landed up looking at his new brand logos for his business.

Yep, I speak to strangers and I let my trust in people, the world and what we are all doing here seep into my soul at every turn. It’s all to easy to shut off, shut down and shut up. How is that working for YOU?

  Call me crazy, call me naïve, call me mad. Or worse. I call it “THE SASSY SYNCHRONISTIC STUFF OF SIMPLY SHOWING UP”. And I mean showing up with trust, openness, love, compassion and your wits about you at every turn. Let life and people surprise the hell out of you, shock you and win you over. Yes, it’s a bit of a dare!

  WANT TO FIND YOUR OWN VERSION OF SASSY?

I am so passionate about this concept of LIVING IN THE MOMENT and being in love with your real self (as in deeply proud of who you are and how you live your life) and for me it all starts with HONESTY.

The starting point is simply to TAKE STOCK in all 8 areas of life, so that you get clear on WHERE YOU are and what is and isn’t working for you.

I have created an entire video series – FREE of charge to support you to get started. Click here to  QUICK SHIFT 1 THING using the 4  G-SPOTS of TRANSFORMATION If I can help you do that as smartly as possible, then you will have some starting points to let yourself meander and BE. And that is good for ALL of us. My mission is to help you find your own SASSY and SHIFT!

When you sign up, you will need to confirm your e-mail address, and get stuck into the first video with pen and paper. Then I will send you 2 more videos.

These 3 live videos will cover the 4 G spots of Transformation – Grips, Gap, Grow and Guts.

TAKING STOCK in all 8 areas will help you figure in which 1 area YOU need to shift immediately.

Then further down the line you will be invited to “The Cappuccino Challenge” -another surefire way to stay HONEST with YOURSELF. Courageous acts of self-love every day for 30 days. Loved by THOUSANDS of CLIENTS that have transformed their lives permanently in just 20 minutes a day  –  Just so you know what’s in store for you as you join my “tribe” ok?

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With lightness,

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Do you feel like you’re shooting in the dark when it comes to pricing your custom artwork? 

You’re certainly not alone.  

With something as personal and unique as art, many artisan entrepreneurs struggle to develop a pricing model that generates consistent sales, reflects the time and effort invested, and turns a healthy profit. 

The truth is, there’s no magic formula. 

So, rather than offering a standard solution, we’ll explain the key factors you should consider – and how to keep your emotions out of the equation. Then, we’ll look at some pricing methods for inspiration. Taken together, you can create a customized pricing system that works for you.

Remove Your Emotions from the Pricing Process

Jill Tarabar of JIST Designs has been designing and creating stained glass gift items, Judaica, and artwork for close to 40 years. She’s sold her pieces at respected, juried events like Sugarloaf Craft Festival and the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen in Rittenhouse Square. 

Despite these accomplishments, she notes, “The biggest challenge I’ve faced has been maintaining a level of confidence in my work and abilities, a level of self-worth. It’s taken me years to build confidence in the value of what I create. Self-confidence is vital but challenging to maintain.”

She attributes this partly to the fact that she’s self-taught. However, it’s a struggle that many artists face regardless of their formal training or experience. 

For emerging artists, that’s an important takeaway. The critical voice in your head probably won’t go away with time. But you don’t have to listen to it – and you shouldn’t let it direct your pricing decisions.

To make sure a lack of confidence isn’t affecting your prices, ask yourself these questions:

Am I frequently changing the price of a piece depending on the buyer?

Am I comparing my art or craft medium to others, assuming mine has less value?

Am I setting the price of each piece based on my own perception of its quality?

Am I properly accounting for the value of my time?

Am I offering drastic discounts that imply the art isn’t as valuable?

It’s not easy to stop doubting yourself, but having a set pricing method will go a long way in helping you avoid these pitfalls. Let’s talk next about the variables that go into a pricing model.

6 Questions to Ask Before Pricing Your Artwork 

By working through these six questions, you’ll have more clarity on the true cost of each custom piece, be able to factor in profit margins, and gauge what the market will bear.

How much time does each item take to produce?

Getting specific about how much time you spend on an item is the first step. Break down each part of the process, so you can identify opportunities to simplify and speed up your work.

For example, if you create custom woodcrafts like jewelry boxes, you might build templates for a particular cut or feature, making multiple components to assemble later. Alternatively, you may discover it’s better to outsource parts of the process that you find time-consuming or difficult.

What is an hour of your time worth?

Once you know how long it takes to produce a single piece, multiply that by your hourly rate to arrive at your labor costs. 

Naturally, there’s no clear standard for an artisan’s hourly rate, so you’ll need to come up with a figure based on supply and demand. Consider these questions:

Are there few artisans who can produce what you do? The more original you are, the less competition you have.

Are you exceptionally skilled at your craft? The more skill you have, the higher your rate should be. 

Do you have a following (online or otherwise)? This increases your perceived value.

Look for actual jobs that match what you’re doing (or somewhat closely) and check the pay. For example, The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Craft and Fine Artists earned a median hourly rate of $23.54. This is a good starting point.

What are your material costs?

Next, you’ll need to assess the cost of materials per piece. If you’re buying supplies in bulk, figure out how much you use for each item. 

Don’t forget to include expenses like renting studio space, outsourcing any production, gas or electricity to operate machinery, and maintenance costs for equipment. This should all be tallied up and divided by the total number of pieces you create.

How are you selling your pieces?

If all you had to do was set up a table in front of your house to sell your artwork, you’d have a great profit margin. But unfortunately, that’s not the case. There are costs associated with how you sell your pieces, and you’ll need to factor this into your pricing.

Let’s look at a few examples:

Consignment – Every consignment shop is different, but most will fall somewhere close to a 60/40 split. This means for each item sold, the consignment seller keeps 40% and the maker receives 60%. 

Wholesale – Almost all wholesale contracts work on a 50/50 split agreement. Keep in mind that retailers purchase wholesale orders upfront, whereas consignment shops pay after items sell.

Gallery – Galleries also vary quite a bit, but a 50/50 split is common.

Online to Consumer – While there are great benefits to developing a direct relationship with your art buyers, don’t overlook the costs of building an online marketplace. You’ll need to pay hosting and transaction fees, handle shipping, and drive traffic to your site through social media and paid ads.

Art/Craft Fairs – Consider the cost of getting a table, the materials to make your booth appealing, transportation to/from the event, and your time invested in getting ready and attending.

What’s the average price for pieces similar to yours?

Now that you have a better sense of your cost per item, it’s time to do some market research. Look for artwork that’s similar in:

Style or medium

Targeted audience/buyer

Quality

Next, examine the artist’s background.

How many years of experience do they have?

Do they have an online following?

Are they well-known in their community or for the type of art they create?

Lastly, see if you can figure out how well their pieces are selling. For example, Etsy shows customer reviews, which will give you a sense of their volume. Many sites also show when the artist posted an item. If you find similar art but it’s not selling, you may want to exclude it from your research. Or at least keep it in mind as a caution for what’s “too high.”

Once you’ve narrowed your research down to a representative sampling of work that’s similar to yours, average the cost to smooth out any outliers. Since every artist has different ways of pricing their work, this helps to get a more accurate picture of what the “going price” is for work like yours.

What would your ideal buyer be willing to pay?

Jane Yorty is the owner of Carriage House Style, a handmade goods boutique in Lancaster. As both an artist and retailer, she stressed the importance of setting a price that implies value. “The most important thing when pricing your work is knowing your market. Price creates a value…value creates demand…demand creates sales.”

Let’s say you’ve estimated your cost per piece, accounted for sales and marketing expenses, and added a healthy profit margin. But when you compare it to similar art in the marketplace, the price you came up with is much higher. You might start asking yourself, “Wow, is my work really worth that?”

Yes! Your art is worth what someone is willing to spend. If you’ve done thorough research and marketed your art to the right audience, a higher price creates more value, as Yorty pointed out.

3 Methods for Pricing Your Artwork

Let’s take a look at the three popular methods for pricing artwork. These should be more helpful now that you have an understanding of the variables that support these formulas. 

Cost Plus Pricing Model

In this product pricing model, you’ll calculate the total cost of producing one item (materials, labor, and marketing), then add profit to arrive at the sales price.

For example, let’s say you create handmade metal signs. The cost per item is $100.

Materials and machinery costs – $50

Labor ($35/hour x 1 hour) – $35

Marketing (Website and Etsy) – $15

Next, you’d add profit. You’d base this amount on what similar items are selling for in the marketplace and what you think your ideal buyers would pay.

What happens if you see similar items for $100? That’s your base price. How can you make a profit?

You’d have to look for ways to cut material costs, speed up the process, or explore more effective marketing strategies. For example, NextFab member Lauren Stamegna of The Fox & Sun  increased production of her home decor signs by utilizing the laser cutting and engraver equipment at our Wilmington location. A much less expensive and time consuming option than cutting everything by hand. 

The Fox & Sun

Value Pricing Model

In the value pricing model, you base your price on what you believe buyers would be willing to pay. In a way, it’s simply removing the costs from the equation. You skip directly to market and buyer research.

This approach works best for artisans who sell highly sought after items or something that’s completely unique. When your artwork or craft pieces are fairly similar to others in the market, profit margins can be lower. That’s why it’s important to understand your costs. 

Variable Based Model

With variable based pricing, you price based on a certain variable, such as size, weight, or dimensions. You’ll see this frequently with paintings or custom furniture. 

For example, let’s say you charge $2 per square inch. A painting of 12×16 inches would be $384 (12x16x$2). 

To arrive at the amount per variable, you may need to work backward. That is, select the price you think is in line with similar pieces and figure out what number would get you to that price point. 

Keep Your Prices Consistent

Regardless of how you structure your pricing model, Genevieve Coutroubis of The Center for Emerging Visual Artists cautions, “The most important thing for artists to remember is that their price should remain fixed.” 

In other words, your prices should be the same on your website, in a gallery, at art fairs, and anywhere else buyers might encounter your work. Coutroubis adds, “An artist can always extend discounts but it’s important for the work to maintain a set value.” 

If you’re selling items to wholesalers, keep a primary price and then determine a scale for reductions based on volume. If you use a variable pricing model, stick with one amount (ex: $2 per square inch) for calculating prices.

This consistency shows professionalism and confidence.

Need Help with your Crafts?

It may feel impossible to reconcile your creative process with scalable business growth, but it can be done. As successful artisans can attest, when you get your pricing right, maintaining this delicate balance becomes much easier. 

At NextFab, we help artisan entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. We’re a network of membership-based makerspaces that provide access to tools, technology, education, events, and services for makers of Philadelphia and surrounding regions. Contact us to reach an even broader audience with your handmade art or custom crafts.

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