Sunday, September 29, 2013

Phone carrier dilemma!


This post is the other stuff involved in my journey with clay.

O.K., so let me see if I have it!  The sound of a computer generated voice now fills my thoughts as though I have a new best friend to converse with.  Yikes!  Battlestar Gallactica here we come (and if you notice they are back to using land lines on the star ships).  In the future we may have another word for land line on a space ship.

I remember a time when phone numbers use to start with evergreen or garfield, then the numbers would follow.  Aunt Valia and Uncle Emedio’s number was evergreen 24082.  I also remember when the land line phone companies were tweaking there phone networks and you would often get what was called party lines.  This meant that somehow a line would cross and a complete stranger would be on your phone line or, you could hear in the phone line a distant conversation others were having.  Proper phone etiquette back then was to pretend you did not hear someone else’s conversation as you stayed glued to the phone eating popcorn like it was Saturday night at the movies.  Come on, like phone tapping is a new thing.  Back then it was the norm.

Now, flash to today…  And, as a small business owner I thought it would be great to get a smart phone in order to accept credit card payment with the help of the square.  But, access to a data phone plan which would allow me to accept square payment does not fit in my monthly budget.  Yes, I (we, my husband and I) have a budget.  I would not have survived this long in the arts if I did not have a budget.  My best friend in high school convinced me to take an accounting and typing class and it ended up being one of the best things I ever did to keep me out of debt.  Oh yeah, it really is in the numbers.  This is one of the reasons I stopped selling at the “big” shows and even some “smaller” ones.  What, $1200.00 for a booth fee and you can’t pull up to your booth; and, oh sorry about the post in the middle of your booth; and the elevator is out so you need to carry your booth to the second floor; and, and, and……  O.K., so that is another story that I may never visit. 

 The past weak has been full of lots of new information.  Like which phone companies will take a current phone you are using if you switch companies and what phone unlocking means and oh, that company is a subsidiary so the mother company cannot help you and you are on your own.   Phone unlocking, is it legal or not?  Phone companies want you to think it is illegal but it is legal as long as you are not under contract (I think?).  But try getting the unlock number.  If you don’t survive doing this on your own, there are companies like Phone Ambulance on Mayfield Rd. in Mayfield Heights (Ohio of course) that can help you.  A great service if you need phone help.  The staff was amazing, friendly, knowledgeable and honest. 

 Anyway, I am going to try another carrier next week and see how that works out.  Wish me luck.

Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Getting the ducks in line!!!


O.K., so I just sent out this email to patrons as a heads up for upcoming events.  It made me think of ducks staying in line and marching or flying along to get to their destination.  It is so good to be busy and involved with so many wonderful events.  The  email read like this.....

Just a reminder!!!
Tonight is the last Third Thursday“s” in the summertime before fall returns.
So you are invited to stop by tonight September 19, 2013, between 6-8 p.m. for a visit.
The studio is open to the public for this last third Thursday event.
Thanks to all of you who have visited over the summer and for your interest in clay work.


FYI… 

The next 6 week studio class begins October 23.  No classes in December.

AND,

So, far I will be participating in these upcoming shows;

Heights Arts, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, currently showing…….. All-Ohio Ceramics Invitational .
The Gallery at Lakeland, building "D", first floor, The Skull and Skeleton in Art III:
Folk Art - Pop Culture... Curated by Mary Urbas
September 23 - November 8, 2013
Artist Reception: Thursday, October 24, 2013, 7-9 PM
Regular Gallery Hours: M-F 9-9, S-S 9-5
.

Gifts of the Craftsmen exhibition & sale of fine craft, November 10 through December 23, 2013,
Ohio Craft Museum/ Gifts of the Craftsmen 1665 W. Fifth Avenue Columbus, OH 43212.
Art and Soul A YS Art Fair,  A juried fine arts and crafts show for artists who "put their souls into making art,"

Saturday, November 16, 2013 from 10 am-5 pm at the Mills Lawn School Gymnasium,
200 S. Walnut St. in Yellow Springs, Ohio, $4 admission at the door.
Charm the Heart, Cleveland Heights Ohio (always the weekend before Thanksgiving).
Prosperity Annual Sale Cleveland Ohio, (always the Sunday after Thanksgiving).
Last Minute Market, Lakewood, Ohio, Sat. Dec. 21, 2013 10am-6pm.

Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo