I was driving my car today and mentally complaining about how dirty it was when I remembered that drought conditions here have warranted NOT washing your car. Our area is 40 inches of rain below normal for the last two years and one need only go for a short walk or drive to see the ramifications of this phenomena. Driving down the hill from our house, with smoke dust rising in big puffs, I’m reminded of tales of the Oklahoma dust bowl and know things could be worse. So, I drive my dirty car like a red badge of courage, thankful for the problem solving skills by husband has utilized to care for several hundred animals during dry times. He manages to keep our animal’s flourishing and never compromises the quality we strive to maintain. With a production sale coming up in October, I’m amazed at how he prepares our offering even knowing that this year will probably be a financial winner for the customer. His continual emphasis is on the customer. What would the customer need and expect? He could be breeding cattle for what he likes, yet, he is always looking to the customers to see what would enhance their herds. Surely there’s a lesson in that for me.

Since I’m known for stretching a story and making unusual connections, what is that lesson that might pertain to design work? I believe moving forward during stressful times is key for any endeavor. Even if there is not a show or customer immediately around the corner, I work just as diligently on my designs and maintain the same quality. A lull in business provides a great opportunity to try something new whether it is a technique, material or style. If nothing pleasant hatches, there’s nothing lost. As my husband does with the ranching, I continually problem solve and consider what a customer might want. A color, size or style might not be what I would wear, but the customer is the real boss.  One of my favorite ways to determine the potential of a design is to wear it while I run errands and observe whether people notice the piece. For example, I like the piece shown on the left, but I wore it and no one acknowledged it. The piece below, however, is another story. Folks looked twice at it and guess which one had sold. The one below is already gone.

 

  This is the piece that I strung at least four times before deciding it was fit for the public eye. I could have just left it alone the first time, but quality maintenance is important here at Dreamcatcher and I don’t want to give it up.

My dirty car, however, is something I’ll be happy to give up. I look forward to the rain and the return of green grass.