A few years ago, while I was still a potter, I got an airbrush gun and a compressor. I had spoken with some fellow artists who were using an airbrush gun to give their glazes a new look. I thought it would be fun to try something new so I made the big purchase for myself. Well that’s as far as I got. I opened the box that contained the compressor and closed it with a sigh. I did actually take the airbrush gun out of its wrapping and then immediately wrapped it back up. This big step was a little too intimidating for me. I decided to stick with what was working for me. I wasn’t ready to take that next step and venture into new territory. The learning curve was too risky for me.

I read the Wednesday Spotlight about Barbara Erickson of Tats All Folks. I could easily identify with her. When she got her equipment she felt frustrated getting the equipment to work. She stuck with it and worked out all the bugs and now is a successful tat artist.

When we sell a system we often get a call from the new artist feeling frustrated because they cannot get the system hooked up right, or the airbrush gun is not working as it should. Often times these problems can be solved over the phone with a little adjustment here or there. The more the customers work with the system, the more familiar they get. Pretty soon they are able to solve their own problems as they arise. It is a little overwhelming getting all that new equipment. Not only do most people need to get acquainted with the equipment, they also need to learn how to apply a tat.

It does take a little time and practice to do it right but not a whole lot. I am constantly in awe of people who call up, order a system on Monday and almost as an afterthought, say “I got to have that by Thursday because I am doing a show on Friday.” It is true some of theses people have had some airbrushing experience but a lot of them have not. We get calls from them at the show on Friday needing help with one thing or another. Talk about Baptism by fire……

What I am trying to say is the key to being successful is the desire to want to make it work. If the desire is there, that alone can help you get over all the road blocks that pop up along the way. Persistence does pay off.

I was also happy to read that Barbara has been applying the crystals to her tats. Way to go Barbara!

Happy tatting,
Bonnie