12/10/2022 0 Comments Commerce & the HolidaysI've never been much on the hard sell. This leads to some interesting questions when it comes to launching an eCommerce site, especially during the holidays. The marketing experts tell me that I should tell you that you have a problem. That Whimsey Sky's products can solve it. That I should make you feel unsatisfied and the only way to fix it is to buy a mug from our store. And this time of year, that's pretty easy to do. It's so easy to believe that we're only being a good parent-partner-friend-etc. if we buy the perfect gift. And, the truth is, If you have a coffee drinker in your life, a mug might be a great gift. Tempting. The thing is, that's not the way I operate. I mean, I enjoy problem solving, and I definitely hope you enjoy our products enough to make a purchase. And, of course, I have gifting suggestions included in my product descriptions because if you happen upon Whimsey Sky in search of a gift, we may have what you're looking for. But I also think that there are too many messages out there already to tell you that you're incomplete, unfulfilled, obligated, or otherwise not enough. And while I do delight in finding the perfect gift, I believe that means a gift that shows someone I get them, that plays on our connections to each other, and that may not come with a price tag. It may be a recipe for a dish I've made that they enjoyed, or a handmade ornament commemorating something special that happened that year. I'm sure that as Whimsey Sky grows, and as we face more holidays together, I'll get more comfortable with inviting you to take a look at our offerings. In fact, I'm planning to share the story of the "Round Trip" paintings as we get closer to Valentine's Day, but that's because for me the artwork connects with both the joy of loving my partner and the emptiness of being without a partner. It's a chance to share something authentic about the art near a day that evokes the feelings I had when I painted it. And this is how I operate. I care about building connections. My hope is that you connect with the art, or know someone who will, and that this will be the motivation for your purchase. Because you're not incomplete. You can live perfectly fulfilled without my mugs and notebooks. They're here for you if they can serve to remind you of that - of who you are, or of the magic that it is to simply be human in this complicated world. They may bring you joy, but they won't make you whole. That's something you do for yourself in the daily practice of being who you are. So this is my holiday message, whatever the marketing experts may say, and whatever holiday you may be celebrating: I wish you connection with the people who matter and the knowledge that you are enough. You are the gift.
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AuthorBethany DuVall loves storytelling in all its forms. In addition to running Whimsey Sky, she paints, writes fiction, and offers creativity and life coaching workshops. She also teaches masters and bachelors courses in creative writing. ArchivesCategories |
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