Hobby Versus Business?
Monday July 6, 2009
Most of us start off crafting, whether it is jewelry or any other type of hand-made pursuit, as hobbyists. Eventually, however, one things leads to another, and a large number of craft hobbyists turn into craft professionals. So, this poll is for those who fall into this category. Has it changed your approach, outlook, attitude, or whatever when you moved from the hobby stage to the professional stage? Take the poll below, and feel free to add your comments as well.
Comments
I ended up with three answers — two “no”s and one “yes”. The “yes” was the one about having to spend time and effort on the business end of things…business registration, record keeping, tax stuff.
My actual time crafting is pretty much still what I choose to do. I don’t worry about trends, per se; although I do accept commissions, I treat them more like “hey, a project idea!”
I try to make sure that I spend time doing things that are not work related and just to satisfy my own creative need. For me, this is important, otherwise I just feel like I am a one-man production unit.
I am just in my first weeks as an official business in the UK. I have found the business side very hard as it just isn’t ‘me’…I far prefer to be making! Hopefully the creative side and business side will balance out when I get in the swing of it all. Although I keep track of trends I don’t follow them slavishly as I think it is important that your work retains your personal ’sparkle’. I intend to keep a couple of hours each afternoon for ‘research and development’ where I will let myself be creative and experiment with new ideas…and keep myself from going mad!!
I would like to know where can I enter for a contest, I work with sterling silver and gold
filled, I am a beginner.
Tks
I would have to say that my approach to crafting has changed. While I still maintain high standards of craftsmanship, now, I don’t have to absolutely love everything I create and I constantly remind myself that other people have different tastes than I do. I have found that many things I don’t particularly care for myself, others have absolutely loved and purchased them right away. I don’t feel that I am compromising my art, in fact, I feel now that I am more open to the ideas and perspectives of others.
Always the tradeoff of doing what you love versus what will sell. The secret is being able to do both!