Finally managed to put a finish coat on painted stones from earlier in the spring, resulting in what I guess we would call new inventory even though it is kind of old!
Anyway, getting the stones finished and ready to be priced, photographed and put on Etsy so they can be part of our stock feels like a major step towards finally getting unstuck, as I have felt since early this year.
We are now about two months away from the Renaissance Faire event that we are participating in in September, so getting organized is important. I hate running around doing things last minute like a chicken with its head cut off!
Meanwhile, have I mentioned how much I dislike it when art supplies vendors sell you stale art supplies? In this case, we're talking about oil-based ink pens with metallic ink that I use to fill in certain spaces on some of the stones.
On the last group of supplies I ordered a couple of months ago, several of the pens had manufacturing dates that were over two years old. That's just annoying. Most of the time they do work okay but generally they don't last as long as a new pen would.
I suppose it serves me right, and I should just be buying liquid pigment that I can prepare as I need it. But the metallic paint pens are a nice shortcut in an otherwise extremely time consuming process. And, as far as I'm concerned, still constitutes painting.
Still haven't really done a lot to follow through on the social media marketing, but I am working on another story to put on my patreon page and once I have a few fairly recent looking updates I am hoping to start driving traffic there and maybe pick up a few paying members.
If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out The Hive Rocks Project and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!
Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a part time living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!
My Alchemy Stones Patreon appeal
Alchemy Stones web site and blog
Regardless, your upvotes and comments are always appreciated!
2026.07.07 AS-TXT-398/368
