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Friday, July 31, 2009

Artisan of the Week DeDe Sorensen

Known for her use of striking colors and expressionism within the framework of realism, artist DeDe Sorensen is drawing national and international attention for her style of art that she describes as Pragmatic Expressionism. "In true expressionism, the emphasis is on the subjective expression of the artist's inner experiences rather than on the subject itself", explains DeDe. "My work, while expressionistic, is more strongly rooted in reality because I am at heart a pragmatist.

Fine Arts Education:
I started drawing in mid-1986 and completed my first oil painting, Waterfall shortly thereafter in August. I began exhibiting my work in October 1992. My first sale of art and my first private commission came in early 1993.

Professional Overview:
Throughout the years as a full-time professional artist, I have had the opportunity to work in numerous capacities within the visual arts field such as art instructor, art workshop lecturer, art conference panelist, art competition juror, portfolio/scholarship judge, gallery board member, visual arts publicist, and arts-business author in addition to the private commissions, commercial illustration and gallery exhibitions/sales normally associated with an artist’s career. My fine art is in private collections throughout the U. S. and in corporate collection in Kentucky. Two of my works have been acquired for permanent collection by museums; in the U. S. and in England. I have exhibited in galleries in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Pennsylvania and Idaho. My illustrations have been published in the U. S. and abroad in Spain, France and Argentina. My arts-related writings have been published in various periodicals in the U. S. including The Artist’s Magazine.

Artistic Philosophy:
Striking colors and expressionism within the framework of realism are the elements that make my work hard to categorize in present artistic terminology. Thus, I describe my work as Pragmatic Expressionism. My work straddles the realms of realism and expressionism marrying the controlled documentation of everyday life alla Norman Rockwell with the emotional renderings of inner struggles alla Vincent van Gogh - two of my artistic heroes. In true expressionism, the emphasis is on the subjective expression of the artist’s inner experiences rather than on the subject itself. My work, while expressionistic, is more strongly rooted in the reality of the subject because I am at heart a pragmatist. Extensive travel throughout my adult life has played a major role in my creativity. Embracing the unique beauty of each region while finding those familiar things that can make a new place feel like “home” is the challenge of every nomad. The artist faces a similar challenge to find those things within the subject that are common to humanity while embracing that which makes each subject unique. As an artist, what I bring to the work is my own particular viewpoint expressed not only in what I choose to paint, but also in how I present the subject to the viewer – whether I wish to accentuate its unique characteristics or convey its commonality. I strongly believe that my art is a gift and, whenever possible, I should use my art to aid those who are in need -- to speak for them through my art or use my art to raise funds or both.

Primary Artistic Themes:
I tend to gravitate toward the primary themes of land, sea, sky, felines and food; although I do explore other topics when inspired to do so or the needs of a client dictates.

Personal Information:
I was born in Ashtabula OH on September 5, 1961 at high noon - four minutes prior to my twin sister and number seven of nine children. My then two-year-old brother is responsible for my nickname as when he said “Denise”, it came out “dee-dee” and I have been called DeDe ever since. My mother is responsible for the odd spelling. At the age of eighteen, I joined the Army and left Ashtabula. I was stationed at a secure installation in Augsburg, Germany where I met my husband of twenty-six years who was stationed at the same installation. We have four beautiful children, or rather, successful young adults (our youngest is seventeen). We are proud homeschoolers. Prior to settling in Hanover PA in 1995, we lived in numerous locations across the United States and in Europe.

Got Cheese?

We had a new topic on Chocolate Covered Bacon tonight, and tried a slightly different format. Please let me know what you think. Today we discussed cheese! How to store it, wrap it and handle it, you know the basics. With some great tips on how to keep it from molding.

We then follow up with some great cheese to try. Manchego is a great cheese for cheddar and parmesean lovers. It's a great sheeps milk cheese that has an amazing flavor that is sure to please. A great serving suggestion is to slice membrillo and place the membrillo on top of slices of Manchego.

We also went into the great story of how Beemster came about, both the polner and the cheese! With some great varieties such as Graskaas and Vlaskaas. I would highly suggest you try these cheese if you can find them at a local cheese shop or grocer.

I hate to let you know that next week we will not be on the air, as I will be attending parts of the American Cheese Societies event in Austin, TX. I will be back live on the air on Thursday August 13th at 7PM EST with a recap of some the great new cheese that I will get to try and the event! So be sure to check out some of the other great shows on Blockhead Radio, as well as the great indie music! I will see you in two weeks!

--James, ClosetCreature in BHR Chat, your host

Manchego on Foodista

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Musician of the Week Chris Huff

Chris Huff is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer specializing in hooky retro pop songs that combine different genres. His sound has been described as "Bob Dylan and David Bowie jamming in Jamaica"; his songs have also been favorably compared to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Lou Reed, Woody Guthrie, Kurt Cobain, Martin Sexton, and Dr. Dog.

His latest CD Death and Texas LP is now available at CD Baby and iTunes. The disc has begun to garner excellent reviews (Origivation, Oct 2008), as well as attention from websites like OurStage.com where "Hey Now Now" placed at #8 in the Jam Bands category for June 2008.

Chris's musical background goes something like this: started on classical piano, moved to jazz bass with a big band, strummed some folky guitar after a bike accident as therapy, sang a cappella, opera, and gospel both solo and with award-winning choirs and ensembles, studied bluegrass in Kentucky, immersed himself in the electric guitar (focusing on anything pre-Van Halen), and hit the streets singing and playing in bars, clubs, restaurants, and wherever would have him (venues including Carnegie Hall and CBGBs). Along the way he has played and sung with progressive rock bands, large soul groups, little alternapop combos, scored for independent film, and written and performed children's songs and new age Kirtan chant. So, at this time in history where mixing and matching genres to create endless subgenres is all the rage, Chris is uniquely qualified for this sort of work with his eclectic, all-encompassing musical background and multi-faceted, flexible writing and singing voices.

For some people, this kind of genre-hopping might indicate a lack of focus but for Chris it serves to highlight his core musical philosophy. "I think of what I do as musical gumbo," he says. "In the way the great jam bands pool together all of their musical influences to produce something new, my main goal with my Death and Texas LP was to create a retro pop album that pulled from a variety of sources. It would be almost like listening to a mix tape except, of course, all the songs would be performed by the same person."

The CD was recorded while Chris was traveling around the US and Canada freelancing with a Broadway tour. He produced several projects for members of the company, most notably for Broadway singer Randal Keith (Les Mis?rables, Phantom, Spamalot).

Other projects include his first CD North Cathedral Way which led to being a Finalist in the 2001 Independent Music Awards sponsored by Musician's Atlas. He also co-wrote liner notes for David Bowie's live and well CD (Chris's contribution is the first thing you see inside the cover). Bowie, who "quite liked" North Cathedral Way, sent a film crew to shoot a live performance of Chris in Central Park and featured video clips on davidbowie.com of Chris playing "Moonage Daydream" among other select Bowie songs.

Chris has opened for Hamell on Trial, Brooks Williams, Stanley Jordan, and played "The Killing Moon" live with Echo and the Bunnymen. He has also worked as a sideman with Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul, and Mary), Amanda Green (lyricist of Bway's High Fidelity), and Chuck Hammer (Lou Reed, David Bowie, TV/film composer).

Visit Chris on his website and blog.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Job Well Done

Larry let me know this morning that a local organization is going to cover a portion of the cost of the surgery. With the money raised by a group of individuals it will be enough to cover his part. Great job by everybody that worked so hard on this, donated, and bid on items.

Glasstastic is Fantastic!

Check out Glasstastic Treasures for some truly beautiful lampwork creations! From cute and whimsical to truly elegant, this shop offers a little eye candy for everyone.


Right now 50% of any purchase from her shop is being donated to the surgery that will help save Larry's life!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

"New Discoveries" July 28, 2009

This week I featured three fabulous shops. The first shop is www.NestleAndSoar.etsy.com. Here is an excerpt from her shop: "Welcome to NestleAndSoar! I create crafts that have the soft energies of nesting and gliding; I watch birds playing in my yard from my studio window. The Jewelry, Purses, Pin Cushions, and Paper Goods I create are my favorite items. I enjoy the natural world and use organic images like birds, nests, trees, and flowers in my work. My favorite day includes a walk in the forest and playing with the soft colors of blue, yellow, and green."



The second shop is www.GraphicDivine.artfire.com. A bit about Graphic Divine: "My banners include my personal photography from my travels, scanned items from my vintage postcards, stamps & nick knacks, clip art & graphics. All designs are sold only once. Only you will own this design:) With every Pre-made banner purchase you will receive a free sale avatar & sale banner. It will be created after purchase is complete & shop name is given."



And finally the third shop is www.CricketAndSix.etsy.com. "My name is Maria, and I am blessed to be able to be a stay at home mother of five children, four girls and one boy, ages 4-13. My children, along with their 15 cousins, serve as the inspirations, models, test marketers, and critics of all I do! I started sewing about eleven years ago. I saw a bedding set I wanted for our baby, but we were in college, and living off of love, so the price was a little out of reach. I decided I could make something just as beautiful, for a fraction of the cost, and my sewing addiction began!"

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Auction Not Enough? These Shops Are Donating to Larry!

If you're reading this, you KNOW about 48forLarry! Larry is our friend, buddy, and artisan! Along with the auction, there are NUMEROUS shops participating! There are 48forLarry sections, shops donating a % of their sales, and so on!

We also need CASH donations! Skip your coffee, bring lunch to work, and drink water with a meal--donate just FIVE BUCKS at www.blockheadradiolive.com and click the paypal button.

So if you have a shop and are donating a % PLEASE leave a comment and I'll edit this post as often as possible!

WE CAN DO THIS!

~~mama

Shops: (PLEASE SEE COMMENTS ALSO, I will add them in here as I can!)
Glasstastic Treasures
http://www.artfire.com/users/glasstastictreasures
50% of all purchases will be donated to Larry. From now until the end of the Silent Auction!

Fleur De Ink:
www.fleurdeink.com
100% of all sales this weekend

Mama's Little Monkeys
www.mamaslittlemonkeys.com
100% of 48forLarry section--until it's gone!

SoyScentual
www.soyscentual.artfire.com
40% of all purchases (donated to Larry)Sunday 5pm CST

LindaRoseOriginals/VintageDiva
50% of all sales until the close of the auction Sunday will be donated to Larry, from my 2 Etsy Jewelry Stores:
www.lindaroseoriginals.etsy.com
www.thevintagediva.etsy.com

ShakeYourBonBons
artfire.com/users/bonbonbabe
Proceeds from all "48ForLarry" Fudge purchases will be donated. Through end of day Sunday.

Lithos Designs
I will donate 50% of all sales in my shop from now until the end of the auction. www.LithosDesigns.artfire.com

PaintingPam:
I'll donate 100% of my sales to Larry through the 31st.
www.paintingpam.etsy.com

Butterfly Crafts
I will donate any profit made from sales until midnight UK time (24 hours from now)(7:15pm)
www.butterfly-crafts.artfire.com

Chantilly Lace
http://www.artfire.com/users/chantillylace
I will donate 50% of my sales until the end of the auction

Friday, July 24, 2009

Today is the Day

Today is the day we can make a difference. Join me tonight at 6 p.m. eastern time as we kick off the 48 for Larry Radiothon. Check out the 365 items in the silent auction........there is something there for everybody and 100% goes to Larry.

Thanks to all those who have supported this cause. Don't stop now.......go tell the world.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Chocolate Covered Larry!

What a great show tonight. I had a very special guest on tonight! Cyn Sorensen the editor of the 48 for Larry Video on youtube, was kind enough to join me on the air. Cyn and myself with the help of many other concerned people, worked together to come up with a great video to help support the 48 for Larry radiothon and silent auction that will be happening this weekend on Blockhead Radio. So we started off the show talking about the video and all those that helped out. We also got to look at some of the great items that are available on the 48 for Larry silent auction pages. I admitted that there were many that I had already bid on, and challenged many to attempt to outbid me! We shall see! With so many great items and not marking which I had already bid on, I might have to outbid myself!



Cyn and I had a great time on the air, and I would love to do more shows with her in the future. I tell you she is a radio star in the works! Thank you Cyn for coming on the air and for doing everything you are to support 48 for Larry!

Join us next week on Chocolate Covered Bacon-The best in independent food finds! Where we will bring up some delightful items to satisfy your cravings. You never know what I've got in store to dance along your taste buds!

--James, The ClosetCreature, your host

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Sabbatical ~ In the Garden

Several activities converge over the coming few weeks which facilitate my need to step away from In the Garden for a bit.

This week our shared BHR focus is on our 48 hours for Larry Radiothon and silent auction. As I'm sure you know, this effort is kicking off this Friday on Blockhead Radio. This is an exciting opportunity for our extended Blockhead Radio family to help out a loved-one in need. If you do nothing else this this weekend, be sure to pop a player and listen in ... to place a bid on one (or more) of the many wonderful silent auction items ... to make a cash donation to the cause ... to spread the word in any way!

As for next week, I will be traveling tending to family obligations blended with some fun.

The week following I will be disconnected from the eWorld and be spending several days in the woods.

I will be back "Appraising" In the Garden on Thursday, August 13 at 11:30 AM, ET. In the meantime, I encourage you to keep your BHR players open to listen to all the really great indie music, the fun and informative shows ... and to catch up on any episodes of In the Garden you may have missed on Podcast on Demand!

Until then ~ be well and be inspired by Nature!


Tuesday, July 21, 2009

So Last Night at the SKAT Show...

The wonderful redneck Canadian, Lillet (pronounced LIL-AY) called in and gave us a hard time and we loved every minute of it. We did learn a little something amidst the chatter and laughter though: there are swamps in Canada. Eh?

Of course we touched on quite a few scholarly topics as well in between all the brain farts and um... bomb dropping. Which I'm sad to report will be remembered far more than our genius plan to balance the national deficit.

Honestly it doesn't even matter right now what it is that happened last night. What matters right now is that we all focus our attention on a very important event starting this Friday.

The 48 for Larry Radiothon kicks off at 6pm. If you've managed to miss all the hoopla leading up to and surrounding this special event we urge you to read more about it HERE.

So spread the word, pop those players, and gear up for 48 for Larry!

on a gravy train with biscuit wheels



That's right folks... this gravy train is taking us all the way to our goal of $20K for

48forLarry and all the passengers will have a great trip on this ride!











Our TOUGH TIMES show today was dedicated to Larry and the special Radiothon this weekend. Wildwood and Skyline were honored to support 48forLarry and share the plans with our listeners. Hundreds of beautiful handmade items have been donated by the artisan community; and you can make your plans to bid. While you're here be sure to join the chat room and say "Hello!"




"It is not the mountain we conquer....but ourselves"


-Edmund Hillary, born 1919
(first person to climb Mt. Everest)



Next week, TOUGH TIMES will be back to our regular topics for frugal living and household smarts...you can send in your tips, too!




peace, wildwood


Monday, July 20, 2009

No "New Discoveries" This Week!

The single most important thing happening on BHR this week is the 48ForLarry! Over 240 items have been donated for the Silent Auctions. You can help save Larry's life for only $5!

"New Discoveries" will return next week, July 28th @ 7:00pm EST.

Thank you all so very much!

~Chain~

Gearing up for 48 for Larry

48 for Larry kicks off this weekend there is over 240 items donated for the Silent Auction this coming weekend (thanks to all who donated )

The auction pages are being built today.

So you can start viewing them, Bidding does not Start till Friday evening

Any help spreading the word is much appreciated, It can help save a mans life and Sons Father, A wife's husband

If Tweeting please put #48forlarry in Tweets

We also have retweet Buttons on the website

http://blockheadradiolive.com/ 48forlarry

Any spreading of the word is so very much appreciated

If you have a Social Network with any of Social networks use them.

Other Forums, blogs, News forums

DeDe has sent out many press Releases throughout the country YEA!!

Also feel free to use any of my blog post that I have done for Larry



http://huckleberryarts.blogspot. com


"In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us." Flora Edwards

Printable Flyers

http://huckleberryarts.com/48forlarry/48forlarryflyerpage.zip



Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuqC8utc048


Lets try to take over the internet with the spreading of the word

Thanks so Very much

~huck


You click Launch player at http://blockheadradiolive.com to listen

There is VERY limited shows this week so we can gear up the weekend

Inspiration Time Cancelled for Monday July 20th

Hi everyone!
In a effort to get ready for the big 48forLarry radiothon happening this coming weekend- we are going to cancel this weeks show! However, I will be manning the station, along with the other BHR host for a small period of time- to give Rod a break!

During my shift, I will happily do live readings on the air- As soon as I know my time slot- I will post it here.

I do hope that you will all get involved this weekend- we have so many wonderful things up for action- we will have great music and lots of cool surprises- join us for 48forLarry and help us support this great cause. If you are in a position that you cannot help financially- then, please help spread the word.

The items that are up for auction are on the blockhead home page- check them out! Til next week- xoxox Paula

Friday, July 17, 2009

The Email I Sent to Gov. Bev Perdue of N.C. #48forlarry

Hi,
I am writing in regards to the cancellation on medicaid for Larry Hamm. After finding out he needed a surgery or have 18 months to live, your state all of a sudden realized that his family had to much income for medicaid. ($380 a week for a family of 3) So your state has sentence him to death in 18 months (that's what his doctors give him) for what reason? A few bucks.

Sincerely,
Blockhead Rod

http://blockheadradiolive.com/48forlarry
Your state may not care but we do.

Feel free to contact Gov Bev Perdue yourself.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Herbal-Infused Oils - In the Garden

Today, In the Garden, we explored making our own handcrafted herbal-infused oils.

I realized after the show that I need to add some clarity to the definition of what "infused oils" are and how they are used in comparison to other botanical oils - like essential oils, for they are very different.

As one who makes and uses infused oils in my daily living, I sometimes forget that not everyone is as familiar with them as I am. Silly me! So I will be circling back to this topic in an upcoming show. But to address what seems to be a key point of clarity ... herbal-infused oils are used for their nourishing, conditioning, soothing, healing (AKA medicinal) qualities, not their fragrance. While some of the volatile plant oils will come through and add fragrance, it is usually so subtle that it goes unnoticed. These are oils that are often used in bath and
body care formulas for their actions, not their fragrance.

I love infused oil of calendula flowers for its healing properties. I love infused oil of violet leaf for its skin softening qualities. I love infused oils of plantain leaf (Plantago species) and chickweed for their cooling, soothing, calming actions on the skin. These are
all excellent used as is, for massage and general skin applications. They all make lovely balms on their own, or mixed with other oils. They are excellent additions to creams and lotions and soaps.

Of course, you want to ensure that the plant you are using is safe
for general use on the skin and that you don't have any sensitivities or allergies to it. When in doubt, consult with a local herbalist!

As for the infused oils, they are so simple to make, as you know if you joined us today In the Garden! Simply ... I harvest my desired herb, discard any compromised plant matter, and dry dust any dirt off. I chop the plant matter and pack it loosely in a glass jar (like a canning jar). I poke mine with a chop stick, to ensure that the plant matter and the oil are completely mixed and that any air bubbles are released. If any plant matter is sticking up through the oil and into the air, I cover it with additional oil and cap it. Don't forger to label it with the herb, oil and date! And, you'll recall that my oil of choice is olive oil, for it is a good all-purpose skin oil, a good keeper and in all my years using olive oil, I've encountered only one person who's claimed sensitivities to it - unlike nut oils!

So, I let the oil and herb macerate for 1-4 weeks (sometimes using low heat, in my dehydrator). I watch it closely during this time, to address potential mold before it becomes a problem and ruins your oil. When its ready I gently strain it, to separate the pant matter from the oil. I do not push or squeeze the plant matter, for water is often trapped in the plant and we don't want to release that into the oil, for it would encourage mold and spoilage. I let mine sit for a few days, covered with cheese cloth or muslin to allow any residual water to evaporate or sink to the bottom. Then I bottle the clear oil, label it and place it in my dispensary until I'm ready to use it in balms, soaps, lotions and the like.

By the way, I rarely keep infused oils for more than a a year. Frankly, I rarely make enough to keep on hand for that long!

So there it is. If you missed today's show, you can listen to it at Podcast on Demand, and you'll get even more information! In any event, I hope you will try making your own herbal-infused oils, and I hope you love them as much as I do!

I hope too that you'll join us again in two weeks - after our 48 for Larry week - In the Garden at 11:30 AM, ET on Blockhead Radio. And remember, be inspired by Nature!

Outside the Frame, July 15 show recap


On Wednesday’s episode of Outside the Frame we discussed the business aspects of donating art to charities. Throughout my career, I have supported numerous organizations with my art, my services or my time. For me, such contributions are a way of giving back to those who are less fortunate than myself or to support a cause that will make the world a better place for my children and their children to inhabit. The key for me is that I never donate art to a cause that I would not support monetarily and I only donate to causes that I care deeply about.

Giving of your time. There are so many ways in which you can donate your time to support your favorite charity or cause. For instance, you can donate your time working behind the scenes such as stuffing envelopes, printing and distributing flyers, or volunteer to staff the office. These sorts of jobs are tremendously important and sadly the most overlooked. Another way that you can give of your time is to serve on committees or the board of directors for your favorite charity or cause … help to organize a fund-raiser or volunteer for community outreach efforts to benefit your charity or cause. Do you support Arts in Education? If so, volunteer to teach art at your local school, library, or youth organization.

Donating services. Aside from the obvious services I listed above such as staffing and stuffing, take a look at your unique skill-set. Perhaps you are a gifted promoter or publicist, you can use your skills to publicize and promote your cause or charity’s fund-raiser. Perhaps you are an HTML code wizard, you can use your skill to build or maintain your cause or charity’s website. Perhaps you are great with graphic design, you can use your skills to create flyers, logos, banners, and other graphics for use by your cause or charity.

Donating your art. Aside from using your art to beautify and support your cause or charity’s business stationery and promotional materials, you can also donate your art to be used on products for the charity such a t-shirts, mousepads and buttons. Another way you can donate your art is to actually create the art as part of the fund-raising event. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a few of these types of events and found them to be quite fun. Here’s what happens … I set up my painting station and begin painting at the start of the event. As the event progresses, guests can watch me work and ask questions, make comments, etc. As the close of the event draws near, I finish the painting and it is put up for auction right on the spot. This particular type of donating art has proven to be most successful in terms of exposure as such events always draw the media and the interaction with guests is extremely beneficial. If you happen to be participating in an event such as this, make sure to have your promotional materials available to guests so they can take them home as you may get calls from bidders who lost out on the painting that was auctioned at the event.

Another way to donate your art is to contribute a piece to an auction … this can be either in the form of a live auction or a silent auction. What is the difference between a live auction and a silent auction? A live auction is held with an auctioneer (or some other personality) describing the work and prompting bidders on to spend more money. A silent auction is held without an auctioneer and bids are submitted via write-in or some other process such as an electronic input form. Original art tends to sell for much higher amounts during a live auction as compared to a silent auction; prints do well at either. You don’t have to limit yourself to donating a particular piece in support of your favorite cause or charity. You can submit a gift certificate to put toward a piece of work in your studio or gallery. You can also donate a gift certificate to create custom work for the highest bidder if you prefer.

Over the years, I have developed several rules regarding donating my art to auctions. My first rule I stated at the beginning of the show is I never donate art to a cause that I would not support monetarily and I only donate to causes that I care deeply about.

My second rule is to only donate fine art to auctions where the auction coordinator is art savvy. As an artist, for me it’s most important that the cause or charity to which I make my donation understands the value of the gift I am giving. By that, I mean that the auctioneer or on-air reader can appropriately describe the piece in its best light in order to appeal to the fine art bidder. This gives both the charity and myself the best mileage – the charity will get a higher return on my donation and I will reap the benefits of appropriate exposure from the event. An unfamiliar person selling your work to an equally unfamiliar audience is a recipe for disaster.

My third rule is to only contribute work I can afford to let go. By this, I mean that I’m pragmatic and keep my most important pieces for other, paying venues. That is not to say that I contribute less-than-perfect works. A professional should always try to make a good impression and giving work that does not represent your basic standards for quality will work against you. You maximize the impact of your auction participation by donating high quality works.

My fourth rule is that I will not contribute work to any auction where they do not post a minimum opening bid of 10% of the retail price of the work (at the very least) and honor that minimum bid. It’s an added bonus if the auction establishes a reserve bid option on high-ticket items … typically 40% - 80% of retail … whereby if the bids received do not equal 40% - 80% of the retail value of the art, then this work is returned to the artist as unsold.

My fifth rule is that I will not contribute work to any auction where a record of the final bid and contact information of the highest bidder is not provided to the artist after the auction. And for the contact information, I want full information; name, address, email, etc. not just a name and town. These records of the donation are important for tax purposes, as well as, artist documentation.

My sixth rule is that I only donate to auctions where they have clearly stated what portion of the proceeds from direct sale of auction items goes to the charity. Is it 20%, 40%, 50% or as in the case with 48 for Larry 100%. The higher the percentage of funds going directly to support the charity or cause that I am donating to, the greater my confidence in contributing to that organization.

My seventh rule is that my preference is for organizations that provide a pre-auction preview as this helps to build excitement for certain auction items and whets the public’s appetite for bidding.

My eighth rule is that the organization should have adequate insurance to cover the loss, damage or theft of my work throughout the time that the artwork is in their possession. If the artwork is to be sent to a different location for sorting and tagging before being sent to the final auction location, this process of the receiving and transporting of the work should also be covered by their insurance – so should the shipping to the final bidder.

Following these rules and developing your own policies toward donations will enable you to joyfully and with peace of mind give freely of your art to help those causes and charities you support. Once you’ve decided to donate art to a fund-raising auction, there are certain things that you can do to maximize the impact of your donation, which benefits both you and the organization.

1. Donate a good example of your current work. Never donate work that is old, shop worn, dated, seconds or that does not represent you current artistic style. Remember these people will only see this one piece so make sure it says the right thing about you. Keep in mind the audience that will be bidding and have your donated piece be appropriate to the audience.

2. State a realistic value for your work. Do not overinflate the price.

3. Think about how to make your donation a hit so that everyone covets your work. You can give work that might be thematic to the particular time of year. For instance, if the auction is in February, usually anything that includes a heart, is red, or has a theme of love will sell better than other items.

4. Prepare appropriate materials to submit with your donation.
An accurate description of your work is important, as this is the basis for the read-sheets used to introduce your items at the auction. Be sure to fill out all sections on your donation form and avoid acronyms or abbreviations that may be obscure to readers.
Make sure that you provide high-quality photographs showing your work at its best. These photographs will be used for the auction catalog and/or promotional materials.
A short artist statement included with the work enhances your donation.
A resume detailing your career highlights also enhances your donation as it provides bidders with background information about the artist.
Note: if the organizers do not ask for these items, provide your URL with your donation. Make sure that your website is up-to-date and contains all the important information about you, your work, and your career highlights.
Publicize the event … let your friends know, include it on your flyers and website. Spread the word and reap the benefits for both you (in exposure) and the organization (in bidders).

Finally, when organizations sponsoring or benefiting from fund-raising auctions act responsibly during planning, both artist and organization win. Artwork needs to be handled and displayed with care and respect. Every effort should be made to obtain the highest price for donated work, which is done by establishing (and honoring) minimum opening bids and all information regarding the purchaser should be forwarded to the donating artist after the auction.

Don’t forget about 48forLarry. Please read, retweet, tell your friends, donate if you can. Just $5 from 4000 people can save Larry’s life – won’t you give just $5? To send in your auction items, contact me at 48forlarry@blockheadradio.com the deadline for submissions is July 22.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Loads of Fun on Inspiration Time


Boy, you missed out on a bunch of fun if you were not here Monday for Inspiration Time! I talked about "energy" (not fuel, but personal energy) for the first part of the show.....

Then, I took questions from listeners and gave Live psychic/intuitive readings! That was a blast- lots of great questions. Although, so many people were to shy to call in- so, most of the questions were asked via private chat! LOL

Don't be shy guys! Just think of it as you are talking on the phone- turn off the show while you are on the phone with me and you will not have to hear yourself! For that time, it is just you and me- you do not have to use your real name if you do not want too!!

So, I need some brave souls to stop in next week and call the show for some insight! I have a feeling that it is going to start to be a very popular segment. I will only have time to take a few calls or answer a few questions via PM.

If you would like a personal/private reading- you can check out my website at http://intuitiveinsights.vox.com/ JUST FOR BHR Listeners- I will offer a 30 minute phone reading for only $35.00 I do not offer this option on my website- so, when you contact me- just mention you saw this on the BHR blog.

Until Next Week- XOXOX Paula

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Monday Nite SKAT Show... What did those gals talk about?

No, seriously y'all... what was it that Huck, Rocker and myself talked about last night?

I was there and honestly I couldn't even sum it up for ya in a nice coherent manner. But that is the sheer fun of the S.K.A.T. Show. Its much ado about nothing and made up completely on the fly!

I will try my best to give a recap and if I'm not completely sure then I'm just gonna make it up. Even if you were there chances are you couldn't tell any of us what it was we covered.

So, I think we started the show off in our usual manner. Then we talked about THIS... followed by a little of THAT. Of course talking about THAT led to the topic known as OTHER.

I'm sure there was mention of kittens being dragged...

Rocker's Pa making a homemade diving board that pretty much is the epitome of her country roots...

More talk of Nuts (mostly because we missed "HuffNuts" which means I regretfully missed my Monday night visual). That kind of segwayed into Rocker earning her Nut name of "Butchered Nuts" while I became "Wicked Nuts" and Huck became "Squirt Nuts"...

Then we poked a dog with a dead stick. No, not really. But we did talk about the fact that asking someone to censor art just because it isn't to your own taste is just plain wrong. So for the few haters out there... just know that you are greatly outnumbered by the admirers.


Yeah. You had to be there. And you really should be there every Monday night at 9pm EST. In fact if you don't show up it has been scientifically proven that every S.K.A.T. show you miss takes seven years off your life. (Okay, I made that up.)

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Booth Spaces Now Available!




Grab your booth space at the BHR Bazaar! For the first Bazaar we are offering booth space for the introductory price of $3! Any and every handmade selling venue is welcome to participate! Or if you sell your handmade wares off your personal site or blog you are more than welcome to grab a booth as well!

If you would like to submit a creation for a Door Prize please let us know! Also, once Door Prizes are available make sure to enter daily for a chance to win.

Follow us on Twitter and sign up for our Mailing List to receive:

* Dates about upcoming Bazaars!
* Invitations to spread the word!
*Exclusive Coupon Codes!
* Information about participating shops!
* Door prize information!

Friday, July 10, 2009

BHR Face Off


The BHR crew is gearing up for a weekly throw down! That's right... we just love goodhearted competition and talking smack to each other.

Each member of the crew will be picking a little something something to feature every Monday in the Face Off and we need you to vote for your favorite item!

How does the crew pick? Each featured item is something that has caught a crew members' eye. With such a diverse crew and tastes that run a huge gambit, things are bound to be interesting....

Why? Completely for fun and because any BHR host just loves to beat another host! Bragging rights, baby! It also helps us to achieve the BHR mission of exposing indie artisans to the world!The featured selection that gets the most votes will get hooked up with several plugs on the air, some linkage on the BHR page, and an invitation to call in and tell us a bit more about themselves and their craft!

Of course the crew is counting on your votes too. Who will be the first to get their bragging rights?

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Outside the Frame, July 8 show recap


On Wednesdays Outside the Frame we discussed the topic of Rejection: Arch Nemesis or Ally? Rejection and how to survive it is the second most frequent question I receive from artists. The first most frequent question I get from artists, of course, is how do I price my art. Rejection is a fundamental aspect to the business of selling art. Every artist I have ever known, the seasoned and emerging alike, have received at least one rejection over the course of their careers. The majority of artists, myself included, have received a number of rejections. Many successful artists continue to receive rejections after they’ve “made it” in the art world. Nothing is more frustrating to artists than rejection and while success may soften the sting of rejection, it does not eliminate it.

I remember my first rejection as if it had been sent yesterday but in fact it was way back in 1989. My first competition – The Artist’s Magazine’s annual competition.
It’s funny I remember the rejection well but cannot remember which painting I had actually entered! This is not so unusual as I know many artists who have experienced the same type of memory lapse. The rejection was a plain white 3 by 5 index card with the typed note “Dear Artist, Thank you for your submission(s) to The Artist Magazine but your work(s) was not accepted. Sincerely, The Artist Magazine.” Talk about your form-letter rejections!

I look at this fading index card tacked on my bulletin board in my studio and see it very differently than I did when I first received it. I look at it now with a certain fondness – a badge of honor – my first rejection. Of course, when I first received it; I injected all sorts of meanings into the brief 21-word rejection. Such as … my work must have been truly awful if all they could muster was this crappy index card as a response to it. Now, after having served as an art juror myself, I see it exactly for what it is – a speedy, efficient and cost-effective means to communicate to the artist the fact that their work had not been accepted as a finalist.

There are a number of reasons as to why a particular work is rejected and rarely is it an indication as to the quality of the art. However, that is the first thought that comes into the artists head … my work wasn’t good enough. For instance, my second rejection, also early in my career, came from a local art guild for an open juried exhibition – my work was not accepted because my frame was 1” larger than the size requirement stated on the prospectus. From this rejection, I learned a very valuable lesson – always read the prospectus and follow the submission requirements to the letter!! Had I not been rejected, I’m not sure how long it would have taken me to learn that lesson. So you see, rejection can be an ally even though it is most often regarded as an arch-nemesis.

When I served as an art juror, one-fourth to one-third of the works submitted had to be rejected outright because the artist did not adhere to the submission guidelines. This was not a one-time incident either, this happened for every show. Therefore, it’s important to remember that your chance of being rejected is decreased significantly when you follow the submission guidelines, rules and instructions. A little insight into the jury selection process may help to alleviate some mystery surrounding the “juried exhibition”. An art juror can serve individually or as a committee – usually an odd number to eliminate ties. Sometimes the art will come to us pre-sorted with the initial cut of those works that did not adhere to submission guidelines or competition rules already removed from consideration. Sometimes the jury is responsible for even these early cuts. Usually, the show will have some sort of general theme and this further helps us to zero in on the works that reflect that theme the best. After this point in the selection process, the jurors will begin to be subjective in their selections – much like choosing clothing; each will have their particular tastes and will choose pieces based on those tastes. The challenge, therefore, is to get all the jurors to agree either unanimously or by majority on each piece of art that they view. As you can imagine, it does take some time to get everyone to agree especially when jurors feel strongly about particular pieces.

Another instance where you are prone to receive rejection is when submitting to an art gallery, dealer, or representative for a portfolio review. Most gallery rejections come in the form of a letter stating that your work is just “not a good fit” for them. Well, what exactly does that mean? It depends. I bet you weren’t aware that there are actually degrees of rejection especially when dealing with a gallery or dealer.

The first degree or level of rejection is the Definite No. This usually is stated, “We feel your work is not right for the gallery. Thank you for thinking of us and good luck with your career.”

The second degree or level of rejection is the Not at Present. This is usually stated, “We feel that while you work does not fit into the schemes of any exhibitions that we have planned, we like your work …” The sentence usually ends with something to the effect of keep in touch. When you receive this type of rejection, you really should make every attempt keep in touch, as they want to see what type of relationship will transpire.

The third degree or level of rejection is the Maybe. This is the one that is the most frustrating for artists as they are taken to the next step but are not actually accepted. This is usually stated, “We believe that your work can be a fit for our gallery but need to see more.” Setting up an appointment for a visit to the gallery to show your work in person, if geographically possible, usually follows this sentence. It is possible to make it through to this stage and still be rejected.

Some of the reasons for rejection are:
* They love the work but do not have the customer base to support it.
* They may already represent an artist whose work is very similar to your own.
* They cannot reach agreement – one partner or committee member may like your work while another does not.
* The price may be too high or too low for the gallery’s customer base.

Now that we know the ways in which can be rejected, let’s talk about ways to appropriately handle rejection. First, do not give up. Avoid pinning all your hopes for your career on one possible outcome. When you do this you hand over all power to the person who is rejecting you. Which leads me to my second point. Consider who is rejecting you. Did you submit your work to the proper type of gallery for your work? Did you follow all submission procedures? Is it a new gallery with a relatively new director? I bet it never occurred to you that it could be the gallery director’s inexperience that is the reason behind rejecting you and not your level of expertise. This person may not be up to the challenge of marketing your type of work.

Most often artists get so dejected or angry when they are rejected that they cannot effectively analyze whether the rejection they received is an indication that something is lacking in their work or whether it is because of marketplace forces or other reasons beyond their control.

Many feel ashamed of being rejected but in truth, a history of being rejected speaks to your professionalism – it shows that you are committed to your career. Nicolas Cage said this, "If you decide to be an actor, you’re going to be dealing with rejection your entire life. And you really have to ask yourself if you want it that bad. That’s almost as important as your talent. How bad do you want it?"

That really is the question of the hour. How bad do you want it? Because things change such as a new gallery director bringing new ideas and a new focus to a gallery suddenly, your work fits in. Or that gallery is no longer representing the artist with work similar to your own so there is room in their roster for you. Another possibility is that you style may evolve into something that is more to their liking. If you do not stay in touch with the gallery or do not attempt to submit again after being rejected, you will have missed an opportunity.

Remember with any submission, you have a 50-50 chance of getting a yes. You increase those odds significantly by targeting the right venue for your work. Success is a gamble but certain is the path that leads to failure when one chooses not to try. So you should accept rejection as part of the process, stop viewing it as an arch-nemesis and start viewing it as an ally.

Thank you to Shell Auker from Rose Garden Fibers for being such a dedicated listener and frequent BHR chatroom attendee. You can read about the Outside the Frame Listener Appreciation Drawing winner for June here. Thank you to Shane Cox for provided the music at the opening and closing of my show. And a very special thank you to all the artisans who have contributed to the 48forLarry Silent Auction and an additional plea to the artist community to Save the Artist, Save the World – support 48forLarry. Be sure to tune into next week's episode of Outside the Frame.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Inspiration Time


Hi everyone! Paula here! Thanks so much for catching my show the last few weeks and if you have not had a chance to tune in yet- please check it out on Monday Nights at 7PM (EST) You can also check out past shows via the podcast on demand.

Last week was the first time that I was doing the show "live" and my guest host Lori of Risky Beads and I talked about the excitement of the indie arts industry. I got a bit off track and veered a bit from the "Inspirational" format- and I want to let you know that next week, I will be back on track. Additionally, I have some wonderful new things in store for you!

First of all, after popular demand, I am bringing back the horoscopes (collective scream of joy inserted here)

Many of you know me from the handmade community, however- what many of you may not know is that I have worked as a professional astrologer/psychic for over 20 years. I took a couple years off to pursue some other interest and to be honest- to take a break. Well, it is time for me to take up my life's work once again.

That being said- I will be taking calls and giving readings over the air beginning with the next show! I will take a few calls from callers who are seeking some insight on a pressing issue/question. So, please tune in next week and join me on this new adventure.

To learn a little bit more about me and my readings- you can check out http://intuitiveinsights.vox.com

Until next week- be inspired! Love, Paula

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Update You Can Donate Now #48forlarry

We have setup a button now so folks can start sending in donations as of today. This way when the radiothon kicks off we will start with a bang. Just go to the web page and the button is on the left side. You can use Paypal transfer, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or transfer from your bank acct. Paypal is a safe and fast way to send money. All the money is sent straight to Larry's account.

Thanks

Saturday, July 4, 2009

48 for Larry #48forlarry

First, thank you for all your support. 48forlarry has exploded. We have a web page setup now for the event. Click Here If you could start directing links there that would be awesome. All the information on donating to the silent auction is located there.

Friday, July 3, 2009

48 for Larry, Help save this friend to all #48forlarry

Larry Hamm over at Chelsea Lynn Designs on Artfire is a friend of many in the world of handmade, he is also the voice of The Crazy Train on Blockhead Radio. Larry has a fantastic wife Janet, and an 8 year old son Jacob who live with him in Lansing, NC deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Larry is a friend to everyone and just an all around swell guy. He is most definitely the “shirt off your back” kind of friend. Right now, all of Larry’s friends and Blockhead radio are teaming up to help him out in a tough time.

Larry is a disabled diabetic who currently has lost his health insurance. His medication alone monthly is over $2,000. Larry is not receiving disability, he has not been approved yet. His wife is the only source of income and she doesn’t make enough to cover his medications. Larry’s doctors have given him an outlook of only 18 months to live if he doesn’t receive a $17,000 gastric bypass surgery as soon as possible. Larry and his family need all the help from their family and friends they can get! Jacob and Janet need Larry to hang around here with them as long as he possibly can! All of his friends surely want Larry to stick around too!

All of us at Blockhead Radio are gearing up for the biggest Radiothon you’ll ever be a part of! July 24th at 6pm until July 26th at 6pm, Blockhead Rod will be live on the radio for 48 hours straight raising money for our friend Larry. A silent auction of donated handmade goods will also be going up on the home page of Blockhead Radio with 100% of the proceeds going to Larry.

If you would like to be a part of this wonderful event, please email DeDe Sorensen at: 48forlarry@blockheadradio.com Please donate any handmade items you can for the silent auction have your emails in with your donations by July 22nd. If you would like to donate cash for Larry’s prescriptions and surgery please visit Blockhead Radio July 24th through July 26th. There will be plenty of ways to get your donations in.

Keep listening to Blockhead Radio for fantastic indie music, and how you can help Larry Hamm of Chelsea Lynn Designs.

Help spread the work.....link this post or feel free to copy and paste it on your blog...thanks.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Give Yourself Permission ~ In the Garden

If you weren't able to join us In the Garden this week, I will do my best - in this post - to make catching up as easy for you as I am able.

I mean, you can listen to our Melissa Ale Follow-Up next week at Podcast on Demand or follow the In the Garden trail right here on this blog to get some of the good information to help you start making your own simple herbal homebrews like the one that was shared last week. In addition you can follow the Ale-n-Homebrew trail at my blog, What I Made Today.

But the bottom line, my friend, is to give yourself permission to relax, be creative, make a mess, HAVE FUN!

By playing with simple herbal ale brewing you'll discover the confidence to tackle more complex recipes, to try your hand at brewing lagers, to make wines and meads and even old school soft drinks.

And remember, you can take a look at some helpful images at our In the Garden Flickr Group, and post your garden and garden-inspired creations there too!

So relax, have a homebrew and be sure to join us In the Garden us next Thursday at 11:30 AM, ET only at Blockhead Radio. Slainte!

Chocolate Popcorn Anyone?

Looking for a great snack to enjoy with the summer movie? Well we have some great new popcorn flavors for you to enjoy! Join us this Thursday at 6 PM EST on Chocolate Covered Bacon-The Best in Independent Food Finds, for our guest this week! Doc Popcorn is an independent popcorn company that we found with some great flavors that will get your taste buds a jumping.


Don’t forget to join us each week by going to Blockhead Radio and popping a player. Once you do, join us in chat to talk to us about all that you find on the guests site. We would love to hear from you! If you have a favorite foodie that you would like us to interview, please email us at james@blockheadradio.com See you this week on the radio and in chat!

Outside the Frame, July 1 show recap


On Wednesday’s Outside the Frame show we discussed The Art of Negotiation which is important to artists as at some point in their career, they will need to sit down to the negotiating table with a client in order to land the big commission, gain gallery representation, or capitalize on secondary market sales – along with handling their client’s objections appropriately in order to land a sale. Additionally, negotiating skills are required to effectively deal with clients (even the difficult clients) to reach satisfactory terms and maintain good working relationships.

I hope you listened for the “tip of the day” and wrote it down to be eligible for the Outside the Frame Listener Appreciation Drawing at the end of July where you can win an 11”h x 14”w matted print of my work, “Whisper Rock”. See my Outside the Frame blog for full details.

Simply put, negotiation is a discussion intended to produce an agreement. We use negotiation in our daily lives with our friends, family, co-workers, and spouses even though we are often unaware we are doing so. For instance, if you convince your partner to view a movie they initially did not want to see, that is negotiation. If you were able to convince them to view the movie, and at the same time, make them happy they’ve attended; that is successful negotiation. How can you make them happy? You make them an offer of “conciliatory exchange” or simply put – a trade off – such as “you see this movie with me and I will (insert something your partner likes here) for you this (insert day/time/date here)”.

Effective negotiation is an art that requires preparation and practice in order to be successful. Your goal is to perfect your skills at negotiating so that your outcome is a win-win resolution in which both parties walk away from the table winners. Negotiation is a process that can be learned and the following rules and tips will help you:

Everything is Negotiable: Don’t narrow a negotiation down to just one issue. Develop as many issues or negotiable deal points as you can.

Crystallize Your Vision of the Outcome. If you can visualize the end result, you will most likely be the one who will guide the negotiation toward that end.

Prepare in Advance – Information is Power. Obtain as much information as possible before you sit down to negotiate to make sure you understand the value of what you are negotiating.

Ask Questions. You have time to ask questions and to clarify any information that you do not understand or were unable to attain. Very few negotiations begin when both parties arrive at the table.

Listen – Good Listening is the Key to Negotiation. In doing so you can gain ideas for creating win-win outcomes, as well as, make the other party fell cared for and valued.

Set a Goal for Each Deal Point. Define your minimum level of acceptance for each goal. If you are not clear on your goals, you will end up reacting to the propositions of the other party.

Aim Your Aspirations High. Your aspirations will likely be the most important factor in determining the outcome of the negotiation.

Develop Options and Strategies. Successful people are those who have the greatest number of viable alternatives. Successful negotiators have developed many strategies that they can use to turn their options into reality. They come to the table with several routes to their destination, not just one.

Be Adaptive. Adapt your strategies and behaviors to suit your counterpart. Even when negotiating with someone who leaves you little room to negotiate, you still have a strategy to suit – you can simply leave the table.

Be Honest and Fair. What goes around comes around. The goal in creating win-win outcomes is to have both parties feel that their needs and goals have been met. This way, they will be willing to come back to the table and negotiate again.

Never Accept the First Offer. Very often the other party will make an offer just to see how firm you are on key issues. Likely, this is an offer they are sure you will refuse. If you don’t have to fight a little for what you want, you probably won’t get the best deal.

Deal From Strength – If You Can. If you cannot deal from a position of strength, then create the appearance of strength. If the other party thinks you have no reason to compromise in your demands, they will be less likely to ask you to do so.

Find Out What the Other Party Wants. Concede slowly and call a concession a concession. Giving in too easily tells the other party that you will be open to accepting even more concessions.

Be Cooperative and Friendly. Being rude, abrasive or combative only serve to break down negotiations. Negotiations should not be adversarial, with the intent to win at all costs. Negotiations are give and take conciliatory agreements where both parties win.

Use the Power of Competition. Sometimes just the threat of competition is enough to encourage concessions. If the other party thinks its necessary to compete for your business, they may be willing to give away more than they had originally intended. Use caution here, however, as you do not want to be branded a liar.

There are no shortcuts to successful negotiation. The most important thing is to know what you really want. Many people enter into negotiation only to find out that they did not have a clear desired outcome in their own mind. Write down your desired outcome as concisely as possible and use this as the center point of your preparation. Here are some preparation tips that will help you:
Know Your Opposition. Learn as much as possible about whom you will be negotiating with – find out their strengths and weaknesses, their wants, their likes and dislikes.

Timing and Method Matter. Initiate the negotiating process and whenever possible make it face-to-face as this will allow you to have the advantage of preparation and timing.

Be Prepared to Walk Away. You are in your strongest negotiating position if you are prepared to lose it all.

Prepare Your Presentation – Point by Point. Outline your presentation listing each point and their benefits to each party.

Anticipate Reactions. In your mind, anticipate the other party’s reactions, objections and responses to each of your points; list positive alternatives and examples to counteract the negatives the other party may have.

Begin With Agreement. Initial agreement on minor issues or points early on sets a positive atmosphere for agreement later on more significant issues or points.

Determine Consequences. A clear understanding of paybacks and consequences for each party in the negotiation makes it easier to determine when and how to make concessions and when to stick to your guns.

Prepare Options Rather Than Ultimatums. You should approach every negotiation with options and alternatives that reduce defensiveness and lead to a positive resolution for both parties. An ultimatum should only be used as a last resort and only when you can back it up – and then only when the other party knows you can back it up.

Get Comfortable With Silence. Silence can be a powerful negotiating tool. Practice holding back on comments and responses and don’t feel compelled to jump in with arguments or comments every time there is a pause in the interaction.

Close All Negotiations on Agreement. When you are ready to end your negotiation, do so on a positive note by clearly outlining any conclusions or agreements that have been reached.

Dealing with customer objections is a part of everyday business, especially in sales. Whether the client’s objections are “pre-sale objections” or “during-service objections”; take a step-by-step approach when handling objections. 1.) Find out what the objection is; 2.) Question the objection to try to find (or guess) the root cause of the objection; 3.) Acknowledge the objection; and 4.) Try to highlight the other benefits of your product or service. Above all never lie or exaggerate, as this is the worst thing you can do with your customers.

Difficult clients are a reality that every profession is faced with, however, you can handle the difficult client effectively when you learn how to recognize the various types (these are available on the podcast) and how to arm yourself in self-defense. The first and foremost weapon in your arsenal against the difficult client is the CONTRACT, AGREEMENT, or PURCHASE ORDER. Clients can be the most difficult part of doing business, but without them, you are out of business. Learning how to handle difficult people takes some time and practice. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
1.) Always have a signed contract before work begins; 2.) Treat clients as you would like to be treated – adopt proper procedures from the start with regards to contracts and payments; use these procedures with all clients – not exceptions; 3.) Get everything in writing – put everything in writing; 4.) Be firm but fair when it comes to money and time. Set prices based on what it costs you to do business rather than pulling a number out of your hat. 5.) Avoid value judgments; above all, don’t make it personal and they won’t make it personal; 6.) It is your responsibility to clearly communicate your expectations to your clients so that they can know how to deal with you. Otherwise, they are completely in the dark and naturally assume everything is fine. Listen to the podcast to find out how to handle your most difficult clients and the three choices you can present to them. Tune in to next week’s Outside the Frame where we will talk about the artist’s nemesis: Rejection.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Widget Wars Round 2

Widget Wars Round 2


Here at BHR we are all about fun and giveaways. So every month we are going to be doing a new round of World of Widgets. For every place that you post a BHR widget you get one entry. We have a lot of different ones to choose from from BHR widgets to Stalker Widgets. All of the widgets that on our promote page are usable. Just go there and copy and paste the code of the widget you want. Place it in your AF studio, blog, site, etc and come back here and put the link in the comments. You get one entry for every place that has the widget up. We will be out checking through out the month. At the end of the month we will use random.org to pick the winner. Rounds run till the end of the month and the winner is announced on the 5th of the following month. Every month starts a new round. So, if you don't win this month just put the link in the comments on the next round and be entered again.

Want a bonus entry..........re post this post on your blog and put the link in the comments section.

So what is up for grabs?

A $20.00 Gift Certificate to Huckleberry Arts AF Shop.

Kewl.........

So get those widgets up and let us know in the comments.........we will be looking, and thanks to all of our listeners for their continued support of BHR as we expose indie artist to the world.