Post #150406 by bigbrotiki on Thu, Mar 31, 2005 10:31 AM

Guys- All this philosophizing about mass market taste versus creative freedom is very nice, but what we should provide for "Beachin" right now is a cold hard look at if she will sell enough of her 400 mugs at Tiki Oasis.

The internet and global marketplace is a huge field where somewhere there is someone for every item. In contrast, the Tiki Oasis attendees will be comprised of very specialized, dedicated Tiki Fans that are spending lots of money on the trip, and will look very closely at what else they will spend money for.

I have advised many of today's carvers and mug makers on their work, and I am spending my time with this matter because I feel a certain responsibility. Maybe not directly, I do not know if Beachin even knows the Book of Tiki. But I have had quite a few other Tiki converts tell me things like "I quit my boring job and started carving Tikis because of your book" or "I was inspired to open a bar because of it." While it is very elating for me to hear that my work was the inspiration for life changing endavours, there is also some trepidation for that person's decisison like "Ooops, are you sure you did the right thing?" in the back of my mind.

Beachin is by her own statement in a financially tight situation. Will YOU take the responsibility and buy her mugs if she doesn't sell'em? No. Supportive positivism and noble thoughts on free creative expression won't pay the bills.