Painful lessons are the hardest to take.
Last July, I was contacted by a gallery-Queen City Emporium- interested in consigning some of my handmade bags. As an artist, it is always thrilling to get this type of recognition. Unfortunately, this gallery’s intentions were far from honorable, and along with many other talented artists, I’ve just learned this weekend that I’ve been scammed. Now I am having to learn the ins and outs of dealing with the proper authorities in an attempt to recoup my losses.
While I may be out several hundred dollars, it breaks my heart to see that other artists may lose thousands of dollars. And while For the Love of Pete is not my bread and butter-the same cannot be said about all of us involved, and losing money for some literally may take food from their tables.
As artists, we know we have to take risks-we put our work out in the public eye, fully aware that there may be criticism and rejection. These are hard enough to take-but they can also cause us to do some re-evaluating- potentially helping us improve what we do. But dishonesty is different-because it destroys trust in others and makes us jaded-something I don’t want to be.
But I am jaded now. Because I will never again risk being cheated this way. And it makes me doubly sad, because the reason I named my business For the Love of Pete was so that I could honor my uncle-someone who valued the meaning of honesty and integrity.
Yes-I’ve learned my lesson. But my heart is broken.
Important! If you are reading this and have consigned with QCE, there is now a Facebook page called Stop Queen City Emporium that can assist you in taking action against these people.
