This is just an update to let you know where I'm at practically (and mentally) because I've had another influx of emails/messages since the 'I Made It At Market' follow up series aired.

 

Also, I mean this update with kindness and sincerity as a way to clarify my situation. Text can be hard to read without the context of tone and this is just to be as transparent as possible.

 

So, I've had almost every email/message start with something along the lines of "I understand you are very busy..." except (and through no fault of your own) you probably aren't aware of the full situation.

 

When the first episode aired ('Make It At Market'), I received around 300 commission enquiries. These were conversational, so realistically I sent around 700 replies. I like to be personal so I make sure to be attentive and put a little bit of me in every one. Exhausting but I want to treat everyone as the complex person that you are and I'm not a corporation; I'm just a person too and I feel like you deserve that.

 

I ended up so busy with shop orders that I only took on 2 or 3 small commissions for people who were particularly suffering (I swore them to secrecy because my heart can't take that potentially being used as a factor in the future!)

 

So say there's 290 commissions still waiting. The newsletter has nearly 3000 subscribers; if we half that and say, theoretically, 1500 people are ready to purchase something. 1790 people in the waiting, got it.

 

When 'Make It At Market' originally aired, I received 350 orders on my website, some were multiple pieces, some ended up being refunded. Lets just go with 350 pieces need to be made for simplicity. 25 Pieces per month = 14 month waiting list.

 

Now, 25 pieces per month is killing me, I won't be reopening with the idea of doing those kinds of numbers. Reducing it to 20 is way more manageable.

 

So 1790 people, divided by 20 pieces per month, is a 89 and a half months (7 and a half years) waiting list. No Holidays, just weekends off.

As of now, my hope is to reopen the shop in September; doing a small batch of pre orders so they can be ready for Christmas. I then think that doing 6 month preorders will remain a good cycle so things are ready for Summer and Christmas. It also allows for any potential delays by giving me a few days wiggle room each month (and if everything goes without a hitch) also some time off at  the end. (I'll continue to update you as a more solid plan comes together.)

 

I also think that, for now, I won't be taking commissions. They're a very time intensive process because there's a lot of back and forth and it is hard to manage that between shop purchases.

 

As for mentally! WhooWhee! There's a lot that's been happening in the past 18 months that are contributing to a death by 1000 cuts (both personal and proffessional). Generally, I'm pretty good but I am definitely feeling the fatigue and burnout reaching the cusp. I've essentially been running on adrenaline and pure strength of will for the year and a half and now I am tired. I just need to get through the next couple of months.

 

I'm extremely grateful for the enthusiasm for my work and I'm also very grateful for your patience while I navigate first time success. As you can see by the numbers, receiving a whole bunch of emails from people hoping to be added to a list or be an exception is impossible.

 

I think announcing when and what I will be taking preorders on will be the fairest way to reopen. That way you are only spending 10 mins every 6 months to see what's available. Set and forget.

I've also had suggestions to get apprentices or scale up my business but that's not something I care for.

 

I don't see you as a customer, I see you as a patron allowing me to continue doing something I love; it also just so happens you get lovely piece at the end of it.

 

I'm also a simple man, so earning enough to live and maybe impulse buy a weird musical instrument every couple of years (or have a holiday) is how I get my kicks.

 

I know this is a long update but it's a complicated process and I've tried to make it as concise as needed.

 

Thank you for joining me on this and I hope you are keeping well, luv yah, Richard.

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