Most makers and creators are solitary individuals we are best on our own and in our own small world of creativity. There are some that love the limelight but most of prefer the quiet life sat in our creative spaces doing what we love best.
Events are funny things they can be wonderful places well organised with a great mix of other creatives happy to chat and share the life as a maker. Others can be stressful badly organised places where no one seems o know what's going on you look at your creations and wonder why you ever booked the event as you just don't fit in.
Then there is always the self doubt, am I good enough, will people like my stuff, I like my stuff but will anyone else ? its all part of a creatives life. It affects us all to some point or another.
This weekend I was part of a wonderful event called Springfest organised by a lady who started out as a maker and has stood behind her own stalls so understands how we all feel. Her events are spacious, she cares about the mix of products and quality and is always well organised. Even these events can lead to the anxiety creeping in will anyone buy ? Will they like it?
Then you get a moment like I had on the first day when two ladies stood muttering, "is it the same one"? " I am not sure do you think so"? So I had to ask can I help ? "yes do you sell in Tamworth at a shop called Bette's"? Well of course the answer was yes and she went on to tell me how she went in most weeks to see what I had restocked with and had bought several items in fact a collection.
Its at that moment you suddenly think, this is why I do what I do its worth the anxiety, stress and worry when you get that great feedback there is nothing quite like it, ask any maker.
I met some wonderful souls over the weekend not all bought some stood and passed the time of day, fussed so many dogs big and small and met some other wonderful creatives. Maybe events are not my favourite part I still love my own space, head down and creating something from nothing, but with out your customers you are not a maker, an artisan, a creative because there would be no one to appreciate the time and effort it takes, to appreciate that every piece you make has just a tiny bit of your essence in it, a tiny piece of you.
Events are funny things they can be wonderful places well organised with a great mix of other creatives happy to chat and share the life as a maker. Others can be stressful badly organised places where no one seems o know what's going on you look at your creations and wonder why you ever booked the event as you just don't fit in.
Then there is always the self doubt, am I good enough, will people like my stuff, I like my stuff but will anyone else ? its all part of a creatives life. It affects us all to some point or another.
This weekend I was part of a wonderful event called Springfest organised by a lady who started out as a maker and has stood behind her own stalls so understands how we all feel. Her events are spacious, she cares about the mix of products and quality and is always well organised. Even these events can lead to the anxiety creeping in will anyone buy ? Will they like it?
Then you get a moment like I had on the first day when two ladies stood muttering, "is it the same one"? " I am not sure do you think so"? So I had to ask can I help ? "yes do you sell in Tamworth at a shop called Bette's"? Well of course the answer was yes and she went on to tell me how she went in most weeks to see what I had restocked with and had bought several items in fact a collection.
Its at that moment you suddenly think, this is why I do what I do its worth the anxiety, stress and worry when you get that great feedback there is nothing quite like it, ask any maker.
I met some wonderful souls over the weekend not all bought some stood and passed the time of day, fussed so many dogs big and small and met some other wonderful creatives. Maybe events are not my favourite part I still love my own space, head down and creating something from nothing, but with out your customers you are not a maker, an artisan, a creative because there would be no one to appreciate the time and effort it takes, to appreciate that every piece you make has just a tiny bit of your essence in it, a tiny piece of you.