Studio Sale, Claire Delaney Studio, Auckland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018
I’m a buyer, not a shopper. I tend to know what I need and dislike shopping as recreation.
There are exceptions of course. I love bookshops (especially second-hand) and small independent galleries.
And pop-up shops run by those who make the products; like my friend Claire’s studio sale last weekend.
Studio Sale, Claire Delaney Studio, Auckland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018
Claire makes her living entirely from art — teaching, painting and book illustration. Her annual pre-Christmas sale — which this year included the new edition of her book Little Wing — is an important source of her income.
I’m pleased to say that (appropriately) Little Wing was flying off the shelves, and there were lots of red stickers on the original art too.
Zimmerbitch 
Nice one
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I hear you regarding shopping as a leisure activity, I am not a shopper! Though I can spend hours looking in art galleries, second-hand bookshops and “arty” types places.
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Hehe. That’s not shopping so much as cultural appreciation. Though I’m very conscious of how important it is to support small I dependent businesses so they remain there for us to enjoy.
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Well, exactly and most arty places are usually small independent shops. Small interior design shops are a goer too 😁
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I am with you on not enjoying shopping as a recreation….
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I definitely like finding interesting shops to mooch around, but one or two is my limit. And malls ….. yuk.
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How wonderful that Claire is able to completely support herself by her art. From the looks of it she has some gorgeous work. 😀
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I’m glad you like it Amanda. She works incredibly hard, as you would expect, and has done so for many years. It’s great that she now has publishing as an income stream too.
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For sure. 🙂
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Totally agree with you on shopping, except for book stores, galleries, charity shops and fabric stores. So glad your friend did well, as her work is lovely!
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Thank you. Her work is good, and really accessible so people connect with it.
There’s a real theme here that so many of us love independent stores and places we can see/buy crafted things, and the materials to create ourselves. That is such a wonderful thing to know — given how strongly I feel about creativity and health.
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😘
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I like your distinction between buying and shopping, Su. I tend to also be a buyer, although like you, I can spend a lot of time at a bookstore. I can also while away some time in a thrift store. How wonderful that your friend is able to make her living as an artist. That’s not an easy thing to do. Her work is wonderful.
janet
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I should have added that a kitchen store can get me to spend some time, although not usually money. 🙂
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Hehe. I’m with you on that. Interestingly, it’s the Big T who spends money in kitchen stores. He loves shiny appliances.
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🙂
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I’m glad you like Claire’s work. It’s tough, as you’d imagine, to make a living from art and she works incredibly hard.
Thrift stores can be such treasure troves; I am often tempted by things that will be great in photo shoots, then have to remind myself how full my house already is!!
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You’re my kind of shopper, Su. I don’t go out unless I have to. I do love the art work.
Leslie
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Thanks Leslie. 😀
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😉
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Bookshops, stationery shops, galleries, antique shops and obscura are my kind of shops. How wonderful it must be to make a living from art.
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Oh yes; those are my happy places too. 😀
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Fabulous painting.
If I had lots of money, Su, I think I would like a gallery. I’ve only got the hallway left at my place to hang paintings.
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I’d love that too. I have run out of wall space, and and seriously thinking I’ll have to sell something.
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My sort of shop
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Thought you might like it 🙂
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Love her ‘resting rebel’ painting! And congrats for the sale! Would love to dwell in this little shop of delights! 😄
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