12.7.10

art licensing - lessons in patience and endurance...

One year and two months in the making, my first fabric collection for Robert Kaufman is here!  I have actual samples, of actual fabric, that actually has my name on the selvedge!  This is crazy exciting!  When I got the box I could not get it open fast enough in between jumping up and down for joy.  So here's the scoop guys, samples in hand - yes, BUT the collection will not be in stores until OCTOBER.  So don't run over to the RK site, or rush into your favorite shop just yet.  You can just salivate in anticipation right here for a few short months!  P.S.  I am dying about the way that blue coloway turned out, aren't you?

So I was catching up with a really good friend yesterday.  She is a creative entrepreneur as well (if fact she designed my wedding dress).  She has the most radiant soul, and she always has a way of keeping things in a wonderful positive perspective.  As we were chatting about what is going on with each of our endeavors, we landed the subject of the long process of getting a business going, especially in licensing.  I don't think it is a secret that I can be a bit dramatic at times (well its not now!).  I said something to here like 'it takes so loooooong', yeah, you can hear it right? Her response - this is all a lesson in patience and endurance.  If you really want to be successful in licensing, you must have these two things. You know how sometimes people say just the right things at just the right times?  She hit the nail on the head yesterday.  It was just a great reminder to continue to look at the bigger picture.  So today I celebrate my fabulous samples, and in a few short months I will celebrate again!  If you are at the beginning of your art licensing journey, use these two words as a mantra on the tough days (and there will be a few of course).  You will be sure to feel a surge of strength as I have.

14 comments:

Melissa said...

Truly Gorgeous - Congratulations! I can't wait until October.

jessica swift said...

Khristian, it looks amazing!! I can't wait to see it in person!

jan : daisy janie said...

Beautiful, Khristian! 2010 has challenged my patience more than any other time in my life - very much work-related. Coincidentally, I'm also in the best physical shape of my life - I took one and melded into the other for sanity's sake. Life is exhilarating!

stephanie said...

wow khristian! what an accomplishment! congratulations on all your hard work and patience. it certainly has paid off!

Cathe said...

Congratulations! Such a beautiful collection! I have just started on my licensing journey too. Thank you for the words of wisdom and sharing you lesson of patience & endurance.

khristian said...

thank you so very much stephanie! patience has truly been the big lesson for the last year, and I am still in the process of mastering it! :)

khristian said...

Thank you Jan! Funny you mention this. I am practicing taking energy that would be waisted on worrying about things I cannot control, and transforming it into something positive and beautiful. I have a renewed commitment to taking care of myself. So hopefully in a few months I will be able to say I am in the best shape of my life too!

khristian said...

Thank you so much Cathe! Best of luck on your journey, keep us all posted on the progress your stationary is so beautiful!

Tara Reed said...

LOVE IT! So worth the wait! October will be here before you know it...

Tara

Amy said...

Congratulations! The collection looks wonderful! I know you must be so excited!

khristian said...

Thanks Amy and Tara! I know October will be here in a flash! I'm just so excited to see what people make with something I made. That is just so cool! :)

Libby Unwin said...

Khristian! This is wonderful! And your patterns look awesome!!! Congratulations! I'm really happy for you. And thanks for your perspective -- I needed that reminder, myself, today especially. You're a gem, my friend. Congrats again. :)

--LU

Barbra Ignatiev said...

Khristian, the above rings true with me ~ regarding having patience and all that. Things definitely don't move fast enough for me sometimes, esp when I can see the bright beautiful future so clearly! Ack. :)

Your collection is AMAZING and so happy it came to fruition for you! So very organic and modern. <3 it!

khristian said...

thank you so very much Barbra!