One of the many fun parts of my job...

One of the best parts of my job is the process of finding cool new things that my clients get as excited about as I do. There is a plethora of hand-crafted work out there but not all of it is at a high standard and in many cases, the lack of a professional product is a hindrance. I mean, it is always great to create something and sell it but hand-crafted work still needs to meet a standard and should not look unprofessional, cheap or like it is going to fall apart as soon as it arrives home with you. Sadly, that is often the case and I always feel badly for those artists because sometimes they aren't even told how to improve their work to make it present better. I am never insulting towards someone's creation but I very often will give advice, when solicited, for how to improve an item's presentation or saleable. I certainly don't consider myself an expert but I HAVE been doing what I do for almost eight years so I might have something of value to add, if someone is open to the feedback.

For me, in finding new items for Creative Genius to represent, it can be very challenging to weed through the lower level items to come up with a product that meets my own internal standards for both creativity as well as something that looks professional and is well-made. I have encountered many people who think their creations are of a high level. Yet they have not even explored the industry further to gain a better understanding of what is out there, what the market will bear for their product and the level that others working in a similar medium might be creating at. All of these things are important to know. It is fine to create off your kitchen table if the products you are creating are professional, finished looking and sell at a level that is consistent for that medium.

Especially with the upsurge of upcycling that has become in vogue in recent years in the crafts community, it is even more important to seek a high standard of creativity as well as professionalism when I am adding art to the existing Creative Genius environment. Our latest artist addition has definitely found the right balance between creativity and a professional product that anyone would be proud to wear. There is nothing junky about her jewelry creations and we're excited to have her as a part of Creative Genius...welcome Tracy!

NEW STUFF!

Some new arrivals have just made their way into Creative Genius and kept Reece busy unpacking for the better part of this morning and early afternoon. She's finally opened the last box and is done with the display part, which is usually the most fun. And now we get to share the new creations with our customers. That is always the most fun part!
Included in our "newness" are the following items:
Earrings, necklaces and bracelets from Ted and Mary Walker
Earrings and necklaces from Shining Creations
Matted, unframed photographs from Elaine Walsh
Wood creations including wall pieces, boxes and  furniture by Gary Edelstein
Linoleum and linoleum reduction prints by Diane Podolsky
and there's more....but you'll have to check out the rest in person...
Just a note that we'll be closed on Sunday in celebration of Easter...
Happy Easter from Creative Genius Art Gallery & Studio!

Happy Holidays!

A wish to you and yours for a happy holiday season...here at Creative Genius, we appreciate the support of our loyal customers over the past 5 1/2 years...thanks for being there!