Now, I'm no scholar of fashion, so I don't know if Uncle Karl has always been so practical, but I was a little surprised to read that. It actually woke me right up, and I started thinking about how I feel when it comes to my jewelry venture.
Am I an artist? The short answer is, no.
The long answer is that I've always looked at Little White Chapel as a business. Yes, part of the reason I got started was because I wanted another creative outlet, but it was mainly about the money. I was broke and working a dead-end job, so I decided to take my future into my own hands.
The word "artist" actually makes me uncomfortable. To me, an artist makes something new, and I'm not exactly reinventing the wheel with this stuff (as you can see). I have literally never wondered if I'm fully expressing myself. Or thought about my artist's statement. I love my jewelry, I think it's beautiful, and I would wear every single item I sell--but the only thing I ask myself is, "What can I do next to make more money?"
I was going to say that I call myself a jewelry-maker, but even that doesn't cover the full scope of what I do. I'm a business owner. Yes, I have fun making pretty things, but I also have to keep up with SEO, branding, marketing, advertising, and bookkeeping (which I'm amazingly terrible at). Little White Chapel is eclipsing my day job as my main source of income, so I actually feel like I would be doing myself a disservice so say that I'm an artist. It wouldn't be enough.
What about you? Artist? Hobbyist? Fellow business-owner? Why do you feel that way? And do you hope for things to change in the future?
Very interesting. Artist I think of as a passion more than a job. I am not one by any means. The hand distressing is an art that I have worked on, but my final pieces are more a design than art. plus I cant draw, paint, or sculpt, which I typically assiciate with artists. I Created J.Crabbit, because it is the opposite of my software based day job and a good way to relax after staring at the computer all day.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I wear all of those hats lol! Like you, I also have a full time job and Pulp Sushi I consider my second PT gig. For a long time I didn't know what to call myself. I wasn't confident enough in myself to refer to myself as a artists, jewelry designer, business owner, etc. It wasn't until after I took a couple of online workshops that I realized I really had to change my way of thinking if I wanted to see any results and be taken seriously. I do consider myself an artist because making jewelry is still a creative outlet and I also happen to like the business side of things too (I majored in Business Admin in college for a few years). Now a days with so many more people pursuing their own businesses, you can't afford to just be one thing anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to my business I do not think of myself as an artist (I make soap). I do however think I make a unique product with an artistic flair. But when it comes down to it I am a business-owner. I don't know if that makes me happy or sad but it's the way it is. :) Sea Marie
ReplyDeletejames and I have said a few times before that we consider ourselves more "hobbyists" but I would like to move our way of thinking over to more of a business-owner/artist category. I just don;t feel quite comfortable with it yet.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, are you talking about Indie Biz? I took that too, and it totally changed the way I think about my shop. It was at that point that I realized I was actually a business and not just "a thing I do on the side."
ReplyDeleteI think at heart I am an artist but if you want to make as an artist you have to be a good business/marketing person.
ReplyDeleteSooooo totally not an artist. I really like having something creative to do and I like being able to share that with other people. It gives me a little bit of "me" time when most of the day is otherwise taken. I agree- artist seems more like a visionary or something more abstract.
ReplyDeleteI make jewelry too, and I never really considered myself an artist until people started calling me an artist. I think you are an artist, creating anything, whether it has been done before or not is an art form! I think there is a little artist in all of us!
ReplyDeletebrittany
prettylittlevintage
I'm with you--not an artist. When customers say things like, "I trust your judgment because you are the expert" I feel like I've put one over on them. So often I see sellers on Etsy who are true artists and feel completely humbled to be in their company. (And I'm always thinking of ways to make more money too!)
ReplyDeleteI am a fashionista. I'm not a fashion artist. I'm not a fashion guru (although I could be). I'm a fashion-lover, admirer, fan, etc.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it would be cool if someone was to call me a fashion artist someday.
That would be a high compliment.
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
Paige: Yes! That is the class! I also took the "Dream Job" course by Elsie and Emma at Red Velvet, loved it! =D
ReplyDeleteNope. Not an artist. I have a skill (sewing), and an eye for color and design. I combine these skills to make fun and functional fabric items.
ReplyDeleteThere's a creative element in the process that keeps it fun--but not an artist. Because my day job still eclipses my Etsy shop, I guess I'd have to categorize myself as a hobbyist who is also a wanna be entrepreneur who can someday quit her day job.
It took a long time before I called my self an artist, but I learned to do it. I run my business (making jewelry is my full time job) and I create jewelry. I am an artist.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brittany Leigh there is a little artist in all of us!
Valerie
Everyday Inspired
Thought provoking. I think that is why all my attempts on Etsy have crashed and burned...not because they are terrible ideas, but because I was in it for the "art" and not the money. When my bizzes started to become more true businesses I get wrapped up in that piece of it and lose my fire for the art. I think I will stick to writing for now. It's paying my bills much better (: (And I think you have a lot of heart, smarts and sense of style which make you a successful business artist).
ReplyDeleteMy Etsy shop is purely a hobby, a creative outlet, and an expression of myself so I would lean more towards artist instead of business owner. Right now the money doesn't matter as long as it breaks even.
ReplyDeleteI agree that if it became my source of income things would be different. But for now I use it to get my creativity and art out there in the world.