I hope you had a wonderful Christmas day!
I've updated the Drawing Board blog to include at least 18 new pencil portraits that were completed recently. Please visit the Drawing Board blog by clicking here, and I'd love to have your comments!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Store Employee's View of Christmas
I'm going to take you along with me as I revisit working for Waldenbooks Inc. during the years 1985-1996. You can be my shadow. This will perhaps give you some understanding of what sales clerks, cashiers, salespeople in general in retail stores are going through this time of year.
Ok, ready?
The Christmas books and huge increase in inventory starts in October, so let's get all that stock put somewhere and displayed nicely. Each box weighs about 50 lbs. Please stack 3-4 of those on a hand truck (total weight: 215 lbs if you count the weight of the hand truck) and take them out to the sales floor. To get them all put in the right places, you will need to pull some other stock, lug that back to the stockroom. Now put the new stuff onto shelves, do displays, and climb up ladders in order to stack the rest of it in the "overstocks," (the shelves way up high). Oooh, glad you aren't wearing a dress today!
So while we're all out of breath up on the ladder with a stack of Guinness Book of World Records 1994, we hear a chime ring. That chime means they need us up front to help ring up customers. Either quickly stash those books in the overstock, or bring them back down, but you can't leave them on the ladder, or someone will move the ladder and the books will come crashing down on someone's head.
Go to the checkout area. You cannot get to your register because 3 customers are standing near the register because they need help finding stuff. Of course there is no way you can not help them. So you glance apologetically at your co-workers to tell them "sorry, I'll be back!" and you go to help the customers find books. You help those 3 people plus 3-4 more who ask for your help on the sales floor. Thank goodness you've worked on memorizing book titles and authors, so you don't have to run back to the cash register area to look up anything. Someone asks you for a new book that has a helicopter on the cover, but they don't know the name of it or who wrote it. You remember it's Stephen Coontz's new book. Whew!
It's very aggravating to you that you know your store could sell a lot more books, if you only had the staff, but oh yeah, the company cut back each store's operating payroll hours. Remember when the manager of the store got us all in a huddle and said, "Look, the situation is this - either one person can leave employment, or we can each agree to cut back our hours so we can all stay." Of course, we decided we'd all cut back our hours to 28-32 hours a week. Sounds good, right? You'd think you'd get a 3-day weekend, huh? No, you will have 3 separate days off, because it works better for the schedule that way. We have to have coverage.
Ok, so get back up to that register. There are about 8 customers at least in each line, and in your peripheral vision, you can see a couple people breathing hard and being antsy at your side, wanting to ask you where something is, or to ask you to look up a book for them. Oh boy, you'd really like to help them, but you have customers in front of you, with their purchases ready and want to buy. They will stomp out in anger if you leave the register. You feel pretty helpless.
Oh, I forgot to say, while all this is going on, someone is invariably shoplifting. The phone is adding to the stress. It's ringing off the hook. A customer has come to pick up a special order, and you can't find it. People are anxious, short tempered, angry, and take everything out on you. Yet, you try to have a smile for everyone and follow all the company rules and regulations.
When Christmas Day comes around, and the store is closed, you are exhausted. You are sick of Christmas at this point. You may feel almost angry at Christmas. Christmas is what seems to cause this misery every year.
Bah humbug!
I haven't really exaggerated this. This is how it really was, very often on weekends, but definitely completely accurate for the Christmas season. Keep in mind too, that this was when the economy was GOOD. You know stores have cut back on payroll hours like crazy this year, due to the economy. So you may not have employees pick up the phone within 3 rings. You may not get the service you are accustomed to getting due to payroll cut backs.
Unless you have worked retail, you just don't have any idea what that employee is going through.
Please keep this in mind and please be patient and kind to people working in stores.
Ok, ready?
The Christmas books and huge increase in inventory starts in October, so let's get all that stock put somewhere and displayed nicely. Each box weighs about 50 lbs. Please stack 3-4 of those on a hand truck (total weight: 215 lbs if you count the weight of the hand truck) and take them out to the sales floor. To get them all put in the right places, you will need to pull some other stock, lug that back to the stockroom. Now put the new stuff onto shelves, do displays, and climb up ladders in order to stack the rest of it in the "overstocks," (the shelves way up high). Oooh, glad you aren't wearing a dress today!
So while we're all out of breath up on the ladder with a stack of Guinness Book of World Records 1994, we hear a chime ring. That chime means they need us up front to help ring up customers. Either quickly stash those books in the overstock, or bring them back down, but you can't leave them on the ladder, or someone will move the ladder and the books will come crashing down on someone's head.
Go to the checkout area. You cannot get to your register because 3 customers are standing near the register because they need help finding stuff. Of course there is no way you can not help them. So you glance apologetically at your co-workers to tell them "sorry, I'll be back!" and you go to help the customers find books. You help those 3 people plus 3-4 more who ask for your help on the sales floor. Thank goodness you've worked on memorizing book titles and authors, so you don't have to run back to the cash register area to look up anything. Someone asks you for a new book that has a helicopter on the cover, but they don't know the name of it or who wrote it. You remember it's Stephen Coontz's new book. Whew!
It's very aggravating to you that you know your store could sell a lot more books, if you only had the staff, but oh yeah, the company cut back each store's operating payroll hours. Remember when the manager of the store got us all in a huddle and said, "Look, the situation is this - either one person can leave employment, or we can each agree to cut back our hours so we can all stay." Of course, we decided we'd all cut back our hours to 28-32 hours a week. Sounds good, right? You'd think you'd get a 3-day weekend, huh? No, you will have 3 separate days off, because it works better for the schedule that way. We have to have coverage.
Ok, so get back up to that register. There are about 8 customers at least in each line, and in your peripheral vision, you can see a couple people breathing hard and being antsy at your side, wanting to ask you where something is, or to ask you to look up a book for them. Oh boy, you'd really like to help them, but you have customers in front of you, with their purchases ready and want to buy. They will stomp out in anger if you leave the register. You feel pretty helpless.
Oh, I forgot to say, while all this is going on, someone is invariably shoplifting. The phone is adding to the stress. It's ringing off the hook. A customer has come to pick up a special order, and you can't find it. People are anxious, short tempered, angry, and take everything out on you. Yet, you try to have a smile for everyone and follow all the company rules and regulations.
When Christmas Day comes around, and the store is closed, you are exhausted. You are sick of Christmas at this point. You may feel almost angry at Christmas. Christmas is what seems to cause this misery every year.
Bah humbug!
I haven't really exaggerated this. This is how it really was, very often on weekends, but definitely completely accurate for the Christmas season. Keep in mind too, that this was when the economy was GOOD. You know stores have cut back on payroll hours like crazy this year, due to the economy. So you may not have employees pick up the phone within 3 rings. You may not get the service you are accustomed to getting due to payroll cut backs.
Unless you have worked retail, you just don't have any idea what that employee is going through.
Please keep this in mind and please be patient and kind to people working in stores.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Quick Overview of Today
I have tried to make today a "no Internet" day, but I've gotten on several times anyway. (Can you say addicted?!?) I did manage to stay off Twitter, so that's saying something.
I bought the boys some Crayola Color Wonder/Color Explosion products. The fingerpaint set is really cool how it's no mess. Trying to teach Little Guy that he doesn't need to gouge into the color wells. The consistency is sort of like thick petroleum jelly. I don't know how Crayola comes up with this amazing stuff and still manages to keep it non-toxic.
I made Birdseye Viola! Sweet and Sour Chicken for dinner. That's one of those kits that you just throw it all in the pan, put a lid on it and cook for about 10 minutes. That's something even I can handle! I thought it was pretty good. Hubs thought it had too much pineapple in it, several kids wouldn't even touch it.
I updated a few of my Squidoo pages. I made the page on How To Draw Hair much better by adding more images & advice on how to draw gray or blond hair. You can make Squidoo pages on any topic. It takes a little practice, but it's really not hard to do. Anyone can do it. I get about $50-$80 per month from Squidoo, and another $200 per month from other affiliate things I have linked in my Squidoo pages, so if you need to do something from home to make a little bit of money, I do recommend it, especially since it's free. Start making your first page by clicking here. If you need any help, just let me know. I'm always glad to help.
I finally watched The View from Friday that I recorded. I was so happy to hear Joy Behar recommend Etsy.com as a place to buy handcrafted items and get good deals as well. I sell on Etsy myself at dixonart.etsy.com - any mention like that on TV can do wonders.
I bought the boys some Crayola Color Wonder/Color Explosion products. The fingerpaint set is really cool how it's no mess. Trying to teach Little Guy that he doesn't need to gouge into the color wells. The consistency is sort of like thick petroleum jelly. I don't know how Crayola comes up with this amazing stuff and still manages to keep it non-toxic.
I made Birdseye Viola! Sweet and Sour Chicken for dinner. That's one of those kits that you just throw it all in the pan, put a lid on it and cook for about 10 minutes. That's something even I can handle! I thought it was pretty good. Hubs thought it had too much pineapple in it, several kids wouldn't even touch it.
I updated a few of my Squidoo pages. I made the page on How To Draw Hair much better by adding more images & advice on how to draw gray or blond hair. You can make Squidoo pages on any topic. It takes a little practice, but it's really not hard to do. Anyone can do it. I get about $50-$80 per month from Squidoo, and another $200 per month from other affiliate things I have linked in my Squidoo pages, so if you need to do something from home to make a little bit of money, I do recommend it, especially since it's free. Start making your first page by clicking here. If you need any help, just let me know. I'm always glad to help.
I finally watched The View from Friday that I recorded. I was so happy to hear Joy Behar recommend Etsy.com as a place to buy handcrafted items and get good deals as well. I sell on Etsy myself at dixonart.etsy.com - any mention like that on TV can do wonders.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Catching up...
I'm finalizing the last of the pencil portraits for Christmas gifts. I've done more pencil portraits in the last two months than I have done in recent years.
It's been a bit of a challenge as I was sick with sinusitis/bronchitis some of the time, then kids were sick with colds in rotation, to top all this fun off, 3 year old Little Guy fell face first on the driveway one afternoon. He looked awful - his nose and forehead were bruised and scraped. (I took him to the doctor the next day -luckily, he's fine). All that injury just because he wanted to beat me to the mailbox!
So I've had grand ideas of posting to this blog every day, but it hasn't been happening. However, thankfully everyone is now well and I'm starting to turn my mind toward cleaning the house (it's a wreck since I've been spending more time drawing!) and what kind of yummies we want to have for Christmas dinner.
It's been a bit of a challenge as I was sick with sinusitis/bronchitis some of the time, then kids were sick with colds in rotation, to top all this fun off, 3 year old Little Guy fell face first on the driveway one afternoon. He looked awful - his nose and forehead were bruised and scraped. (I took him to the doctor the next day -luckily, he's fine). All that injury just because he wanted to beat me to the mailbox!
So I've had grand ideas of posting to this blog every day, but it hasn't been happening. However, thankfully everyone is now well and I'm starting to turn my mind toward cleaning the house (it's a wreck since I've been spending more time drawing!) and what kind of yummies we want to have for Christmas dinner.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
My Kid Keeps Me Grounded
I finished a commissioned pencil portrait today. I have an art board that is about 24"x24", and it has double clips on it, like a huge clipboard really. I was showing my 5 year old son the artwork on the board. My ego swelled at his reaction: "AWESOME!!!" But then my ego deflated when he finished the rest of his sentence: "Where did you get that board with the TWO clips?!?"
Saturday, December 06, 2008
How Do I Give Gifts When I'm Grieving?
I create pencil portraits of stillborn/miscarried babies, and I thought that this advice article by one of my past clients, writer Alyice Edrich, would be helpful to readers of my blog who might be going through the grieving process right now.
Dear Alyice,
My child past [sic] away a few years back and I have a hard time seeing Christmas presents under the tree for my other kids, and nothing for the one I lost. How can I cope?
~Grieving
Dear Grieving,
I am so sorry for your loss and your pain. I understand what you are feeling because I lost a child five years ago. One thing a friend and I do every year is place a gift-wrapped box under the tree in our child’s memory.
Your box could be a soft, cushiony pillow that looks like a gift (which is what I have because it feels great to hug and squeeze when I’m feeling really down at any particular moment), it could be a fancy gift box found in more expensive stores (which you can fill with your child’s memorabilia to be looked at when everyone is in bed—a special time for you to share with your spouse), or it could be as simple as wrapping an empty box and putting your child’s name on the tag. Just think of that box as one filled with your love, hugs, and kisses and ask the Lord to send them straight to heaven.
Now, if Christmas shopping has you down because you can’t buy anything for your little one, buy it anyway. If you see something that you would have loved for your little one to have, buy it, wrap it, cry over not being able to give it to your child, ask the Lord to send your love to your child in heaven, then take your child’s gift and deliver it to a child in need.
I know you’re having a hard time right now, and you’re probably wishing this holiday would just hurry up and go away. But know that your other children need this stability in their lives right now, and your willingness to continue this celebration for them says a lot about your love for them and your character. And as hard as it is to believe, each year gets a little easier. The pain, the loss, the hurt, and the wishing for it to hurry past don’t necessarily go away, but it gets easier to cope and enjoy these special moments with the living.
Copyright, Alyice Edrich
Want to share this post? The direct link is:
http://darligraphy.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-grief-stillborn-baby-loss.html
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Art Calendar Business Magazine for Artists
There is an excellent magazine for artists called Art Calendar. Have you heard of it?
When I first saw it in a bookstore, the title of the magazine made me think it was just directory of art show dates or something like that. I couldn't imagine there could be a magazine about that, so I picked it up. As I looked through it, I saw it had all kinds of articles that are useful for someone who is working on making a living as an artist.
I immediately knew that Art Calendar was different from magazines like American Artist, Artist's, etc. Although they are good magazines, they cover mostly techniques and features on artists. They had very little about the business end of art.
Because I have the October, 2008 issue next to me here, I'll give a quick overview of what is in this issue, so you can get an idea of what to expect from this magazine.
The title: Art Calendar: the business magazine for visual artists:
Also in this issue:
Preparing For Your Financial Future-
I have subscribed for a year, and just renewed for 2 more years. I read this magazine from cover to cover, then I re-read the articles that are especially useful to me at the moment, then I put it in my magazine file, and I do find myself reaching for my old issues again. I would not throw away any of the issues.
You can subscribe to Art Calendar through Amazon.com
or visit www.ArtCalendar.com to find out more.
Art Calendar also sponsors a free networking site for artists and crafters called ArtScuttlebutt.com that you might also want to check out. It's a lot like MySpace, but for artists.
When I first saw it in a bookstore, the title of the magazine made me think it was just directory of art show dates or something like that. I couldn't imagine there could be a magazine about that, so I picked it up. As I looked through it, I saw it had all kinds of articles that are useful for someone who is working on making a living as an artist.
I immediately knew that Art Calendar was different from magazines like American Artist, Artist's, etc. Although they are good magazines, they cover mostly techniques and features on artists. They had very little about the business end of art.
Because I have the October, 2008 issue next to me here, I'll give a quick overview of what is in this issue, so you can get an idea of what to expect from this magazine.
The title: Art Calendar: the business magazine for visual artists:
- Art Marketing
- Juried Competitions
- Grants
- Fairs & Festivals
- Career Advice
- How to create commissions clients love
- How an animal portraitist breeds clients
- Making commissions part of your business
- The art of commissioned work: communicating with your clients
- Earn your M.A. or M.F.A. Online
- Writing your artist resume
- Tattooed Sargent: the business prowess of Shawn Barber
Also in this issue:
Preparing For Your Financial Future-
- Creating permanent portfolios of your work
- Trusts and Estates
- 10 Ways to Appeal to Investors
- Low Cost Legal and Accounting Assistance for Artists
I have subscribed for a year, and just renewed for 2 more years. I read this magazine from cover to cover, then I re-read the articles that are especially useful to me at the moment, then I put it in my magazine file, and I do find myself reaching for my old issues again. I would not throw away any of the issues.
You can subscribe to Art Calendar through Amazon.com
or visit www.ArtCalendar.com to find out more.
Art Calendar also sponsors a free networking site for artists and crafters called ArtScuttlebutt.com that you might also want to check out. It's a lot like MySpace, but for artists.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Staff Holiday Gift Ideas
If you are an employer looking for a special gift for your staff members, you may be interested in my portrait art gift certificates. It is a personalized gift that is perfect for everyone.
I can make the gift certificates in any dollar amount you desire, and I can send them out very quickly to you. To redeem the gift certificates, your staff members would just contact me through my website, email, or by phone to tell me that they have a gift certificate to redeem.
They would pick a favorite picture of themselves, their child, or their pet, and send that to me by email or regular mail. I draw the portrait, send them a preview of their artwork to approve, and once it's approved, I mail the art to them.
I can accept credit cards through PayPal and Google Checkout. I also accept checks.
Click here for more information on my gift certificates for custom art
I can make the gift certificates in any dollar amount you desire, and I can send them out very quickly to you. To redeem the gift certificates, your staff members would just contact me through my website, email, or by phone to tell me that they have a gift certificate to redeem.
They would pick a favorite picture of themselves, their child, or their pet, and send that to me by email or regular mail. I draw the portrait, send them a preview of their artwork to approve, and once it's approved, I mail the art to them.
I can accept credit cards through PayPal and Google Checkout. I also accept checks.
Click here for more information on my gift certificates for custom art
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