I've been struggling with what I want to do and what I feel like I should be doing for way too long now. It's become a very overwhelming problem in most aspects of my life but I'll spare you all the other details.
Truth is, I think up a lot of projects that will more than likely never see the light of day because I can't help but feel like ultimately I'm the only one who wants them so why wast my time making them. For example, some of them are related to video games which just adds to the struggle. With my little animals I have a better idea of who my audience is. When it comes to some of the game related stuff I want to make, I'm not sure. Within the craft community it seems like unless it's 8-bit and made of perler beads people aren't going to care. Why that matters to me so much, I don't know. Especially because that's not the kind of stuff I have any interest in making. (I'll save my giant bucket of perler beads for something else, thank you.)
I think that is where part of the problem comes in. I think that I should be making stuff I know I can sell. My brain can't seem to handle the thought of making something that isn't custom and selling it for more than $20. I've just started working on some small paper embroideries and am already second guessing whether or not to put them in my shop. If for no other reason then they are different and I'm not sure if anyone would want them.
I've been way too unhappy in my work for a while now and just trying to ignore it. It's nice and it's easy to be comfortable but not when it's making you unhappy. I feel like it's been pretty evident via my shop and flickr if nothing else. Not much work has been happening. But let me tell you what, I have really mastered the art of thinking about maybe possibly sometime starting something great that I really want to make. I'm sooooo good at that.
make what you want to make, sarah! and you never know, they could be a hit! you'll never know unless you take the risk. you're super clever & talented!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who made patchwork clothing for years, shut that down to make wordart, and is now starting to print fabric, I can tell you I've been all over the place with my creations. I say stop second-guessing yourself, you'll never know if something is going to be popular until you put it out there.
ReplyDeleteI've come up with new items I thought were going to sell like crazy, only to have to have them sit around in the shop. Other things were a surprise hit and soon became one on my regulars. Because I do this for a job, I will stop making something if it doesn't sell well, and that can be sad, but there's enough out there to keep me busy.
There are also a ton of shops out there that make all kinds of things (and other that open a second shop to sell new, different items). Check out "There's Something Hiding in Here" or "The Small Object".
I agree that crafting can take you in all different directions and you shouldn't feel so confined to any.
ReplyDeleteBut I have found that I want to make things that I really don't want or need but I just want to try to make them to see if I can. I try to find a swap, this way I can make something cool for someone and get something cool back. It's a problem, I can't stop making things.
and I think you want to check out:
http://geekcrafts.com
and
http://www.flickr.com/groups/geek-craft/pool/
you'll find a nice playground there,
Love your stuff!
Your enthusiasm for what you do will always eclipse the output itself. It's called "arts and crafts" for a reason, Sarah! It's hard to have an art school education and be working in the craft industry, because there's no easy compromise. You can't survive just making what you want if it's your primary form of income, and you can't be happy just making stuff that's designed to sell. It's hard to find a balance.
ReplyDeletePerler beads are for pussies. I can't stand sprite art done with beads. It's frickin' grid painting! There's no skill involved! Stuff like the Path bears you made? That's something I can get behind. Stuff where the hand of the artist is visible, stuff that I would want to own, stuff I would want to look at for a long time. Mark! Color! Expression! The conceptual angle is there if you want it, but the immediate visual impact is accessible to anyone.
Want to know who your audience is for video game stuff? Me, and all the other techy hipsters like me. We have disposable income! We like art! We also like video games and can appreciate well executed original ideas!
But if you're ever not creating... that's bad. You need to change gears. It's too easy to fall into the trap of being a regular person who doesn't make stuff all the time. Don't let it happen to you.
Dude - you are so crazy talented. Make things you want to make! You know that crazy robot I made that everybody seems to love... he was just a doodle on a cocktail napkin that I never thought would turn in to anything. True story. Sometimes the cute and nerdy things that you love but aren't sure other people will love, end up being the things that people love the most.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you may need one of these awesome screenprints: http://www.20x200.com/art/2009/04/get-excited-and-make-things.html
I thought it was clever! Don't worry, you rock! Now go out and make things!
I can relate! Why do we not talk about this? Over gelatto? :) Seriously I love everything you do...I have it tattooed on my skin for goodness sake. Maybe we should collaborate or something. I seem to need people to make me do stuff lately otherwise I sit in my chair and do nothing.
ReplyDelete