I don’t tend to describe myself as an “artist” but when I do, it is with a clear and specific reason. I have watched “starving artists” in the past, whom have made creative and interesting works of art and aged as those works of art sit along side of them: unsold. I know that feeling as well. People who identify as artists will use their creative juices in the Right side of the brain to make and design art and then they will use their Left side of the brain and realize that they can be paid for that art. Paying back for the materials and time of the product requires not only all of the marketing and planning and business that one can muster, but also some hope and luck. The below picture is one such example of this:

I first started to design and make jewelry in the middle of 2013 and at the time, it was very basic and simple things with which I had no idea how to price or sell. Eventually I learned, expanded and invested in better materials and items to make better and easier products. The above picture is a round piece of metal from some item, with an porcelain coated pocket watch dial and a wooden cross on top of that. That cross then has resin and Swarovski crystals and was arranged as a pendant.

Any artist or anyone who manufactures and makes any product knows that the product may not get sold immediately and thus enters a space to sit as inventory. That item, especially since I don’t make duplicates, went to every show, every con and every event I was a vendor. It sat on the table, displayed and hoped that someone would buy it and take it home. I sold that pendant last year (2023).

I thought it was a cool looking pendant when I made it in 2015 and thought that someone else would think it cool enough to buy it. But it sat and waited for almost 8 years. While I do truly wish to sell the items I create, I also want the buyer to be happy with the purchase. I may be the only artist/designer who wants my clients to be happy with their purchase. Sure everyone can be happy after buying something. But how many of you look at something you purchased a week, month, years later and still thinks that it was an awesome purchase? Every item I make, no matter how big or small, has a little bit of my soul in it. It has my time and effort and my thoughts and ideas. Every item has someone in mind to buy it. every item I make belongs to someone; a special someone. While it may not be 1 of 30 copies of a painting or a laser cut wooden display item where there can be thousands upon thousands of copies, those items I make may not appeal to everyone. This is why each item may stand out to a few, but it takes even a smaller number to want to make the jump and take it home.