Meet the Maker | Part II - 2018
- Home Bound Journals
- Mar 31, 2018
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 5, 2019
Hello, end of March (where did you go?)! It's time for Part II of Meet the Maker. Here's the prompt list again, just to refresh:
16. Helper
Unfortunately my helper is no longer living with me in my new residence, but Miss Maddie enjoys product set-ups and flatlays the most. She is still spending her days napping and sitting on newspapers.
17. Customers & feedback
As I've already said in Part I, I've only had a few incidents and unhappy customers. Recently, I've had nothing but pleased reviews. I try my best to accurately describe, price, and package all of my products--and am so glad when customers enjoy them.
Since my shop is so small and makes so few sales compared to others, reviews are so important. Critical reviews help show what should be changed, while glowing reviews show other potential buyers what to expect.
18. Inspiration
This is a tough one. To be cheesy or typical, inspiration is a constant thing. I'm often inspired by vintage ephemera and botanical prints that I've come across in either online research or everyday life. Some of these things I print out or use as color palettes for junk journals or catch-all dishes. As far as products, if I come across a tutorial or an image of a craft that interests me, I sometimes try to duplicate them. And if I like the finished result enough I make more.
19. Can't live without
Tea. All kinds of tea. If I need extra energy to finish a craft, I can brew something caffeinated. Alternatively, I often forget about my tea until it's cold because I'm so distracted and intent on what I'm working on. I currently have about 15 unique mugs and just as many varieties of tea.
20. Tools & materials
I've already published a Top 5 Favorite and Most Used Supplies post, but basically things like scissors and glue are pretty necessary for most of my crafts. I also use things like scrapbook paper, clay, ribbon, tissue paper, thread, binder clips, and stickers on a regular basis.
21. Stories - a day in the life
I'll just list out some different scenarios:
If I'm working on crafts and don't have anywhere to be on that day, I wake up and eat breakfast while checking my laptop (shops, emails, YouTube videos). Then I start working on whatever I need to make--dishes or journals. I cut paper or roll clay, then stitch it together or bake it. After everything is done, I clean up the materials and get the products ready for photo shoots. Then I most likely eat lunch and move on to something non-craft-related.
If I'm photographing new products or flatlays, I wake up in the same way. Then I clear off my desk and lay out my background (I'm currently using a white poster board). I set up the products and accent them with any appropriate props. Once they're photographed, I download all of the images and put away the props and products. Then I adjust and resize the images and create listings, blog posts, and/or social media posts.
22. Sketchbook & lists
I don't sketch anything, but I do make lists. I have a chalkboard in my office to write down bigger monthly goals: "make more journals" or "shoot dishes". But I also have scratch paper lists, daily reminders in my agenda, and a notebook just for Cadenza Dolce things. It usually has lists of finished products, but sometimes I draft ideas too.
Oh, and I also have a giant spreadsheet for each product: when it was listed online, when it sold, if it was at a craft fair. (Which reminds me, I need to update that...)
Below are lists of flower crown descriptions, new themes for junk journals, and astrological catch-all dish descriptions.
23. Hands at work
I should probably take more progress shots. If anything just to have more of a variety of images on social media. It's so easy to become obsessed with the clean look of the final product, but it can be just as pretty (and extremely valuable) to show how an item is crafted.
Below is a sort of color/pattern palette for a new journal that I just finished. (New junk journals coming mid-April!)
24. Achievements
I suppose just having more than one sale is my biggest achievement at this point. I hit 20 Etsy sales (and a little beyond) in the New Year. Although my listings were sporadic, I was glad to have made that many people interested in what I had to offer. And yes, I have had my handmade items sell in other ways (local fairs, Storenvy, and Depop), but Etsy seems to be the place for handcrafted items. Unless of course you sell directly through your site, which I hope to be able to do at some point.
25. Being a maker means...
...living with a lot of materials. Seriously, I save little bits of everything that can be used later. Junk journals are a great way to use up scraps of paper, stickers that have lost their stick, and ribbons from gifts. I have a giant tub with just journal materials. Luckily the other crafts take up a little less room.
26. Books, blogs, & podcasts
This one is tough. I'm going to have to change the meaning a little bit. I've read a few books that have been helpful/inspirational, I don't actively follow any blogs (I'm a terrible blogger), and I don't listen to artsy podcasts. BUT there are still a few things that I can list.
As far as creative books, I've had Liz Lamoreux's Inner Excavation: Explore Your Self Through Photography, Poetry and Mixed Media on my shelf for a few years. I've also worked through some of the prompts in How to be and Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum--the creative staple by Keri Smith.
As far as intriguing books, I've been reading Sally Mann's memoir Hold Still. While she is primarily a photographer, she is still a visual artist and hands-on creator--especially since she works in a darkroom. (And her writing is lovely.)
As far as other print media, Bella Grace is a gorgeous magazine. Their taglines are "Life's a Beautiful Journey" and "Inspiration for Discovering Magic in the Ordinary." Though they aren't really craft related, they allow written and photographic submissions from anyone (I recently sent them some photos, so we'll see where that leads). It's fascinating and uplifting to read from others (mostly women) sharing their life stories.
27. Recommend a maker
I'm not going to pick one because there are so many amazing small business owners. Here's a few makers that I enjoy following (and have also purchased from), in no particular order:
Craft Boner - for those that enjoy hand-lettering and humor
GNGJewel - for those trying to find the perfect wedding or engagement ring
CottageWicks - for those that like unique scents, simplistic design, and long-lasting candles and soaps
dirtcouture - for those that need high quality faux plants (especially succulents)
BeeZeeArt - for those that like cute and cuddly plush animals and mythical creatures
28. Organized
Being organized is the best way of being able to find things for later. Even though my workspace may be messy mid-project, I always clean up afterwards. I have three hat box-sized boxes for ribbon, stamps, and washi tapes that are stacked in the corner of my office. The other supplies are in photo boxes or giant 20+ gallon tubs in the closet. My packaging supplies are all in one place, and my finished products are also contained.
29. Community
...was a great show on NBC. Oh, wait.
The only artistic communities I've really been a part of were with other students in a photography class or other musicians in ensembles. While there is an art presence in my town, it's just not the right fit for what I make or who I am--there's a big emphasis on "fine" art and overpriced things for tourists to take home. In terms of online community, I do follow other crafty personalities and artists on Instagram and Etsy (see number 27). Those platforms are generally incredibly supportive.
30. Top tip/advice
Make it because you want to. I have so many "failed" products sitting in storage tubs because I enjoyed making them. Even though they haven't sold online or in person, the act of creating was still valuable and therapeutic. I was recently told "everything sells eventually." And while I'm still waiting for that mantra to take effect, I do believe in that statement.
31. Creative friends
My two closest friends are both creative in different ways. We met in either high school or middle school, so we've known each other for quite some time. All three of us are musicians and visual artists.
Rachel sews clothing and decorates tops for shows and gogo events: think glitter, lace, and bold colors (she also modeled most of my flower crowns! Please excuse the quality...).
Chloey mostly works with found and natural objects: journals, collages, gourds, polymer clay, beading, and a ton of other mediums.
Although our creations are vastly different from one another, we all have a shared connection through art. I did not link their social media for the sake of their own privacy. They create things for their own enjoyment (and usually their own use). Neither of them have online shops at this time.
And there you have it: Part II of Meet the Maker. I'll try to get on it next year (on Instagram), now that I know about the challenge. But this was a fun and simple way to share a little bit more than just "here's some new products!" Thank you to those that read either or both of these posts! If you have any other questions related to these prompts, feel free to send a message from my Contact page.
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