Not sure how I should feel about this

[acanthusleaf]

Ok, I had an odd thing happen this weekend, that in other circumstances wouldn't seem odd, but then again, I have chosen my circumstances and there they are.

I set up my booth to sell on Sunday at the Queen's Championship tourney. I was exhausted before I even began the drive at 6:30 AM. I had been busting my backside the day before to get all the stuff I'd polished all week gold-plated and set. (Now that I seem to have the system down I am *very* happy with the results.) I had some help setting up (thank you, Aliskye!), but it was one of those days where even the delights of the mocha frappucino fail to lift my spirits.

Anyway, I sold some stuff and fixed some stuff, and my friend Dante brought over a friend of his to introduce. This new acquaintance asked me to do his knighthood scroll. This fellow has lived in Caid for about 4 years now, and was in the West before that, but started off in Atenveldt. I think the knighting happened in the West. I told him that my number one priority was to get my business to the breakeven point, and he said that he understood that, and wasn't picky about the timeframe of either the artwork or the delivery. Now, I'm flattered that he took Dante's recommendation of me (I did Dante's knighthood scroll in the Visconti style and am pleased with the outcome, though that was the scroll that gave me the dog-nose story) without even seeing my work, but I feel rather put-upon to have some random fellow come up and ask me to give him several tens of hours of my effort for free, without any sort of offer of anything in return, at a point in my life when every ounce of effort I can muster absolutely has to go into the business. I've done plenty of scrolls for free, but it has always been my idea, and I pick whom to do them for, and it is a gift I give without reservation. I am not in a position to even be discussing such gifts right now.

And not a single gold-plated Laurel or Pelican sold. Sheesh.

I'm just so damn tired.

Comments

[aumtattoo.livejournal.com]

It is okay to say no, or to say that you're not doing any free scroll work right now.

You could always explain to they guy nicely that you're starting a business and that you need to devote all of your time and energy into creating income but that you can refer him to the scribal college, or some particular scribe if you're okay with having him do to someone else what he did to you. I would also explain all that to Dante and ask him not to refer to you any non-paying customers for a while. If you're not comfortable saying the stuff to the knight directly, you could ask Dante to tell him for you since he did put you in a bit of an awkward position.

You're not a bad person for drawing boundaries. You really DO need to focus on making money right now so you can pay the rent without digging too much into your savings, right?

*hugs* You rock.

[gottasing.livejournal.com]

Then tell him "sorry, but no". Gently. Firmly. I've seen you do it-you're good at it.

Some people in the SCA just don't get that it's not fair to expect an artisan to cough up for free. They mean well, but they're just clueless.

Don't feel bad, just say no.

[aliskye.livejournal.com]

I think you need to tell the Knight no. Explain that you don't have time for scroll work right now and can't commit to doing a scroll right now, period.

A lot of scribes do scrolls for free and for strangers because it gives us a creative outlet we don't get in our day jobs. You have plenty of creative outlet in your day job. :) You don't need to explain beyond the fact that you are concentrating on your business.

It's very cool and flattering to be asked to do a scroll (shoot.....I could really use that kind of validation of my work right now *grumpy aside*) but just say no.

Your work is beautiful and I'm sorry I didn't buy a gold-plated pelican, I just do like silver more. But when I'm flush, I may buy a gold one also and have a set. :)

[acanthusleaf.livejournal.com]

Oh, for goodness' sake! :-) I'm happy to make you a silver one. I'm just regretting staying home from Coronation to get all that stuff plated and then only "sell" three tiny roses. That is in quotes because the person didn't come back to pick them up and pay for them after I set the stones. Maybe I wasn't clear about the timefrome. I've emailed her.

[dernelof.livejournal.com]

It is freaky to me that not having been in Caid for as long as I have, I know exactly who you are referring to. He is nice and sweet, he was knighted in Caid, but he should really know better. You just need to tell him NO, nicely of course, something like "I am so sorry, but on further reflection and checking my schedule, I am just not able to commit to creating any scrolls at this point, my time and energy must go elsewhere." And as noted above, definitely talk to Dante.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

That was brought up during last year's scribal fu. There is an expectation that everyone in the SCA, for every award, gets a personalized piece of artwork for free. And they get to complain about it if it's "late". Just say "no."

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

Hey! Hey! We want bling! And we aren't even far from you, so quitcherbitchin! As for the asking to do a scroll without an offer of something in return, all I can say is that I would *like* to think that he KNOWS how much work goes into them and PLANS on doing something nice, and just believed it was so obvious that he didn't need to say anything. (Eyes rolling)

[semy-of-pearls.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Depending on how I'm feeling, I may splurge on a Silver Pel with a garnet at 12th night, so be sure to have one ready. If I don't get it, someone will. ;)

[ermine-rat.livejournal.com]

The free scroll story is a tough one. I give many away and rarely hear any thanks, even from the ones who ask me specifically to do them. sigh. but here scrolls are a sacred thing, and labor is taken for granted.

And on an unrelated thing, the wife's pel silver enamel medallion setting is damaged, and I'd like you to tell me if you'd be willing to fix it for whatever you think is fair.

[tonwen.livejournal.com]

Ok, I'm way far behind in reading your journal, so this is late. I'm with the rest of the crew. Say no. It really is ok to say no. And don't be going and feeling guilty for it either. Building a business if your priority right now, and it's a big committment. No time for doing stuff for free, and as much as I would like to hope otherwise, I'm not thinking this guy has any plans to reciprocate or he woulda said so up front.

First things first girl! Yo can only work so hard.