2011 has been a little unsettling for me so far. I'm unsure about what direction my life is taking. Up until I had my children, and we decided that I would stay home with them, I had always been fiercely, obnoxiously independent. I'm not sure why it's taken me almost 13 years to recognize that I am about as far from independent as I can get, at least financially independence. My pottery does not support itself and barely adds anything to the household income.
I decided to look for a job, part-time and related to my art. Penland had a part-time sales job in the supply store. I applied, interviewed (well, I think), but they hired someone else. I was sad for a moment or two, before I realized that it meant something better was just around the corner. Boy was I right!
A couple of clay artist friends and I have been discussing ways to promote ourselves and our art community. We toyed around with the idea of organizing a show, but then we stumbled on the idea of starting a co-op. It's too soon to tell whether this will pan out, but I'm taking the bull by the horns. I've registered for a couple of free business seminars over the next couple of weeks, and we're planning regular meetings to see how we can make this a reality. Anyone have any thoughts on starting a co-op or gallery? We're very excited, but I'm not sure we even know the right questions to ask.
Even if the co-op falls through, those business seminars will be helpful in launching my other brilliant idea. Burnsville approved alcohol sales nearly a year ago. We have an ABC store, a wine shop and a couple of restaurants that serve alcohol. How is it that no one has opened a pub?
