I should preface all of this by saying that most of the time I feel quite happy to be a jewelry designer and artist and create lovely little trinkets for all of you, my friends and family. But from time to time I look around on Etsy and at craft fairs and I feel extraordinarily ordinary.
I feel as though my the things I create aren't creative or "out there" enough to be considered art. Perhaps my tastes are a bit too mainstream compared to the other beautiful things I see lining the pages of other people's shops.
And though I find myself quite blessed with the support of friends, family and a wonderful community of Etsians, I fear as though someday I might wake up and people will find me to be a Fraud - that I am not truly an artist in some sense of the word and that my shop and I will be discarded, lost to the internet abyss.
But, what can a gal do? I can only create the things that I find inspiration for and open my eyes as wide as they will go. I hope that I will continue to create lovely things for lovely people and find satisfaction in knowing I put my whole self out there and that simply is enough.
C.
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2 comments:
I think every artist (and I say artist, because that is what you are) comes to a point where they ask themselves if they are really creating something unique and artfull. The thing is though, that you can't constantly compare your art to anothers, because quite frankly, no matter what it is your own. You could make a pair of earrings and there could be a pair with the same beads, everything, but they would never be the ones that YOU created. Many people have similar ideas and that is the beauty of art, it is only interpretation of previous works. Nothing is ever completely original because the ideas came from SOMEWHERE ELSE. Whether it be the earth, the soul, or even a jar ;) that inspiration is the reason behind the creation. I think that your jewelry is beautiful, and it's timeless. You don't need to worry about trends or fashion because you've got things that people could wear no matter what- and that is what is most amazing about them. Besides, not everyone wants to walk around with some 8 inch glittered plastic anvil on their ears or wear a freestyle crochet headdress.
I hope this was a little bit more encouragement for you. Keep up the good work, and listen to your friends and family when they tell you not to worry- they're right.
-Stef
www.earthsouljar.etsy.com
Stef,
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond and for your wonderfully kind words of encouragement. It really means a lot.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Warmly,
C
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