I’m having a try at creating a topic. I’m pretty new here but just having a try out.
I wanted to ask how people find the issue of keeping their shop coherent in style and staying focused in their area of making/crafting/designing. We’re all creative and I for one am constantly distracted by different colours, materials and ideas and sometimes it can all get out of hand! I worry a lot about going off on too much of a tangent with my designs. Do you go with it, or try to be ‘strict’ with yourself? I can’t be the only person who grapples with this!
I’m sure it’s a common problem. Out “in the wild” I guess it doesn’t matter too much, but with an online shop I imagine it needs a bit of discipline, because the skill-sets need to be developed further and deeper, not spread thin like butter over everything.
I’m terrible. If I go to a craft fair or materials show, my eyes are out on stalks, longing to try out and buy everything that looks intriguing, even though these days I do mainly painting.
With me it’s the issue of having lots of different ideas and trying to choose one direction to go in, but getting distracted by some irresistible beads I’ve seen. For example, when I started making jewellery it was supposed to be inspired by natural colours of earth sea and sky, but I couldn’t stick to it and veered off into bright and bold colours! But the soft naturals keep calling to me!!
For 5 years I was a bear artist and only designed and made bears, when I joined Folksy I needed some smaller more affordable items in my shop and tried a few different pieces and crafts but after a while I felt as though I was losing my identity as a bear artist so last year more or less concentrated on bears. I have introduced letterbox gifts and a more affordable range of felt woodland animals but feel they marry quite well with the bears so I’m happy to keep adding to those. I think it can be difficult sometimes, I like to do all crafts but have now become quite disciplined with it as I want to be recognised as a bear artist.
I think you have to do what you enjoy, if you enjoy making different things then give that a go, there are plenty of sellers on here that do really well and sell a variety of items in their shops but if you want to be remembered for a particular craft such as your embroidery then perhaps concentrate on that, it is personal choice.
I personally do remember those shops that concentrate on one craft or medium, that have their own particular style and are recognised as an artist in their field.
I do also have a sewing room full of every craft going and could never resist beads, buttons, fabrics, threads, paints…everything and don’t use it, think most of us are the same.
Hi Sue, welcome to the forums and well done for starting your first thread here
I always feel the same about having some sort of cohesive style. I think it’s more memorable and makes you stand out but I also think it can be creatively stifling to try and fit into just one box!
I personally say just do what you love and even if it’s a mish mash of things. Maybe you could arrange things in your shop by colour groups or something like that to make it easier to look at?
When I first had a shop here, I created a secondary shop where I intended to sell artworks and other things apart from pottery. I called it Dottery Dooh Dahs. In the end, I couldn’t be bothered to try and maintain two shops, so I just merged everything in one place.
I do sell mostly only pottery now, so it’s cohesive in the sense of just one type of craft.
I know it is hard, I often look at some of the many craft items i have and think oooh I would love to try that but then realise I don’t have the time to add anythinģ else anyway. I am one of those that sees something, likes it, buys it, then instantly buys everything I could possobly need for it… then put it in a cupboard never to be seen again
I think my shop is cohesive in as much as I only sell my paintings, mostly just greeting cards as I’ve found my paintings don’t sell here.
I do sew and knit, to a high enough standard to sell but they are not my passion, although I’m fast becoming addicted to hand dyed yarn and lace knitting they’ll never be sold on here.
As for my painting, I’m always trying different things, but, I always come back to watercolour florals because that’s what makes me happiest, maybe I should just concentrate on them but life is far to short and it is by experimenting we grow I think.
I totally agree, we have to keep moving forward and developing, and it’s a natural instinct! I think I’m just aware that I need to keep focused on what I put in my shop!
I would say keep moving forward and experimenting with new media and ideas. Many artists do a range of things (like Picasso with painting, prints and pottery). It’s really important to keep ideas fresh and vibrant and so carry on experimenting in different ways as long as you enjoy doing it. Obviously first attempts at a new medium can be a bit naff but as soon as you get reasonably proficient in the new medium or style then get your ‘new creations’ on sale. Usually work by an artist in different mediums or styles carries a coherent look anyway so it will probably all sit well together in one shop.
I agree, I have this problem too. Because I’m only just starting out with my mosaics, I always want to create something completely different instead of making variations on a theme and building stock. I have a rule now of making at least one variation before a ‘wild card’
I just see it as part of my evolution. I started with jewellery making and, over the years have largely narrowed it down to beadweaving and a bit of pearl stringing because a) I was enjoying this more and b) there was less competition in these areas. Then because a) I felt I was getting a bit stale and b) a few people liked my work but didn’t want/ wear jewellery, I branched out into beaded homewear and found a whole new lease of enjoyment. Where to next? Dunno! We’ll see where the voyage takes me.
Ha, yes, good discipline! I’m trying to make a few variations too, before moving on. I think it’s fine to just do a few of something or ‘one offs’ because after all we make by hand, not a production line. With my jewellery I’m trying to stick to a more limited colour palette now to keep things looking a little bit more coherent. However since I mostly use Preloved beads it does depend on what I find!
and don’t use it, think most of us are the same.
