Blog design by Sadie Olive.
Postcard is from my personal collection with a postmark of July 1920.
We have plans to head over to Jekyll Island to celebrate the 4th, and watch the fireworks with friends and family on the beach. Wishing each of you a fun and safe holiday weekend.
A while back I mentioned a project started by Enzie at World Market Portraits "Give Creativity Wings to Fly". Little did I know I would be the first to follow Enzie's sketch in the little book for its journey around the world. Needless to say I was excited to be a part of the project and scared to death to think I would be doing the first entry after seeing Enzie's sketch. A few days after I received my email letting me know the book was on its way to Georgia I began to panic....what was I thinking....what I am going to do....You know all those voices in your head talking to you trying to convince you that you were way over your head. The day arrived and KC opened the envelope, pulled out the little black Moleskine sketchbook I had sent Enzie as a thank you and party favor for participating in my birthday celebration. The look on her face and the sound of her voice almost did me in.....The sketch was breathtaking and it was only a rough draft! I could not wait until we were home and I could hold that little black book in my hands and study the details. Those voices came back and I will admit I was intimidated. I played in my own sketchbook for several days....nothing was working for me. Finally I just put the book aside and went on to other projects in the wing. After a few days I decided I had to do something....even my kids were saying, Mom just do your thing and it will be fine. So around 12:30 one night I pulled the book out along with a few supplies and just started doing what I would have done in my own journal. Creatively,
For months I have eluded to a new business venture I have been working on and many of you reading this have been searching for clues within the posts here.....some of you were given some of the details several weeks ago and it didn't take long for word to spread. Some of you found the new badge posted on my blog a few days ago and have spent countless minutes visiting the new sites.....and I thank you for your interest.
I am proud and excited to share with you....the MMCA Marketplace and Blog!
Even though it is official, the marketplace is not open yet, but it is getting very close. The blog is up and things will be posted there as we progress. You can learn more about the marketplace by visiting the blog.
This is not something that just came about a few months ago.....over 5 years ago I did research, bought the domain, started building the site....but as with anything there are things you don't think of....as things began to unfold I realized the timing was not right....there were legal and accounting issues I needed to investigate further. I spent the next several months meeting with our attorney and accountant while I continued to work on the website....then life decided to throw us a few loops and I made the decision my dream of a marketplace would have to wait....the timing was not right. There is a time and place for everything....sometimes just not on our own schedules.
Back in 2005 when I started MMCA I envisioned more than just a place for a group of artists to meet and share....I could see in time my dream of an online marketplace for artists and crafters just might work. Without saying anything to anyone and that even included Steve, I pulled out all the research I had done years ago and began doing some more homework. After putting my plan to paper, I decided it was time to run my idea by Steve not sure of what he would say. He was thrilled and suggested I call our attorney and accountant and move forward. The initial visits went well....they both sent me home with a list of things to do.
Life still continued and I had an idea in the works that I couldn't share just yet. After countless hours....well the accountant and attorney knew how many hours I was spending with them...funny how they don't miss a thing, I was finally ready to share just a wee bit of info with the MMCA group and mentions of a new venture here and there. Never giving way to what I was actually working on.
If was no secret to the group that I envisioned bigger things for us and on April 16th, I made the announcement of taking MMCA to the next level with the marketplace and blog. I was immediately greeted with support and questions which I did answer within our private forum. I kept them updated as much as possible with the details....and on June 4th; I posted the links to both sites.
For the past months, I have spent more time with the accountant and attorney taking care of all the legal issues. The past few days have been spent tweaking the application and Seller's Agreement hand in hand with the attorney. Information on how you too can be a part of the MMCA Marketplace will be posted to the website and blog soon.
Some of the questions that have come up....
Is this for members of MMCA only? No not at all......all artists and crafters are welcome to apply for a shop within the marketplace. Like any other gallery, shop or brick & mortar there will be an application process that has to be fulfilled prior to acceptance into the Marketplace.
How will the applications be processed? I have recruited directors of the local arts associations and owners of some of the local Brick & Mortar shops to assist me in making this decision. The way I see it who better to seek the advice of than the people that do this on a daily basis.
Are there any benefits of being a member? Marketplace members will have their own shop to showcase their artwork and be part of a national ad campaign in at least one well known publication to name just a few.
Where can I find the application? The application, fees, benefits and guidelines will all be posted to the website soon. If you are interested the best thing to do at this time is to keep a watch on the marketplace blog as updates will be posted there.
Can I share about the marketplace with my art friends that might be interested? Yes, please give them our website or blog address.
I know there are a lot more questions and I promise in time all of them will be answered....everything you need to know will be on the website soon and updates will be posted to the blog. I already have a list of artists and crafters interested and I would love to have you join them. Many of the MMCA members have already put the badge on their website….thanks girls!
As my dreams of owning my own online marketplace unfold....remember dreams do come true!
I received one of the nicest emails this afternoon from Enzie at World Market Portraits. She received a small package from me yesterday and is using the inspiration from one of my notecards "Free to Fly" to start a wonderful project....."GIVE CREATIVITY WINGS TO FLY". Click on the link above to read all about it and while you are there take a few extra minutes to view her gorgeous paintings. I look forward to each morning finding a blog feed from World Market Portraits....It is such a wonderful way to start the day.
KC and I hit a few antique shops and flea markets a few days ago....she is okay with the antique shops, but those really old dusty flea markets like the trading post pics I share with you a while back....she does not care for. As we were wondering through one Monday she could not get out of there fast enough....so I will have to return without her as it was filled with hidden treasures. I was able to grab a few things before she bolted when she thought she felt something run across her foot....told her not to wear flip flops!!! But what do I know!!!
Here is one of the postcards I picked up recently...I love the gorgeous flowers, but the back is what I fell in love with.......
August 3, 1913
Dear Wife............From your husband. I smile everytime I read it.....if I were to receive a card today from Steve written to Dear Wife and signed From your husband.....I would probably ask which husband!!!! Because mine would have signed his name!!!!
I want to finish up a few things tonight so I can pack up some pieces to deliver to the shop at Goodyear Cottage Art Gallery on Jekyll Island Friday and then some things need to be delivered to The Painted Cat Studio and Gallery in the next few days....Michelle is being very patient and waiting on me!
If you have not visited Enzie at World Market Portraits I hope you will hop on over. Thanks Enzie for such a heartfelt email and the compliments you shared in your blog post.
Creatively,
Click on the postcards above if you would like to receive an occasional email newsletter letting you know of new things going on at DOD.
2005-2008 © Debbie Overton All Rights reserved. Please do not use any photos or content from this site without my permission. Thank You.
Recent Comments