I've been reading a lot about how to market myself and get my creations out there to the world. I got this awesome
little book for my birthday called "The Handmade Market Place" by Kari Chapin. 
In my reading, I've realized that I have the foundation of my craftygirlproblems already built. Which is awesome. Something most people don't know, Craftygirlproblems started with a tumblr page. It still exists. 
Check it out in one of my tabs up top there. From Tumblr to my personal Flickr account where I started marketing my creations using tags with my Flickr link (All 'marketing' with terrible quality photos might I add.) 
From Flickr to Pinterest,
Pinterest to this blog, this blog to Etsy, 
and from Etsy to Instagram. 
But before craftygirlproblems and social media, I was and still am just me, Erin, using my passion to create things for special people and special events. Everyone who has gotten any of my personalized gifts knows the quality of my work and how dedicated I am to making the recipient feel special and one of a kind. I'm still working at that with everything I'm making and now selling across the US.
A little secret/ struggle I've always had and still have to this day. I never wanted to sell online. I never wanted my stuff to be on the web without my (somewhat) control of who sees it. I never wanted to be an inspiration to anyone's work but my own. I'm selfish like that. I don't usually search for ideas from the work of my peers but I'd be lying if I said I haven't ever gotten any. I am so selfish that in my need to control my crafty viewers, I hindered my own potential and growth. After years and years of "Hey, you should sell on eBay." "Oh Em Gee, You should sell on Etsy." "Dammit, you need to sell!!" I got my head out of the sky and stepped up to the plate to sell. So, here I am a few years later, with a thriving brand with a collection and I've never been happier with my creative self. It still makes me shake my head when people comment on my IG to have their friends recreate my things but I'm working on it. Every day, Im working on it. I fight the urge to say " Hey Jerk, these are my products and not for recreation! Go to Pinterest and get off my page!" But I act like a grown up and fight the urge. See, progress. The pride I have for my completed creations over rides the pride I have for my ideas. Ah yes, progress.
Do I have any other crafty readers who struggle with this same internal conflict? Any tips on how to get the heck over it? Share your stories in the comment section or just private message me. I'd love to hear all about it!
Mahalo and as always, thanks for reading about my literal craftygirlproblems!
Erin
No comments:
Post a Comment