Oohhh...multicraftual here ✋ my fun stuff is knitting and spinning, I guard it's *fun* boundaries carefully! I'm also highly susceptible to give things a go - recently lino cutting, and I've got cyanotype chemicals waiting for the sun to come out.
I started doing pottery for fun and though it's not my work it's feels as though it's sort of become a kind of work...if I don't sell pieces then the house will collapse under the weight of ceramics!
that is the only trouble with doing lots of making, finding somewhere to keep it, someone to give it to, or selling! I long to try cyanotype - perhaps one to add to my ever increasing list!
I feel you, in that sometimes my creativity cannot be limited to just one medium. Sometimes words are the best to express myself, and other times it's drawings. I felt I needed to focus on one thing and abandon all other pursuits, but your post is really enlightening. I should do it all! I mean, why not? Thanks a lot for sharing your perspective, Emily!
I often wonder if my inability to choose was the reason I wasn't able to sustain making a living from my creativity. I think there are good reasons to focus and I completely get it, but I couldn't make it work! I just don't want to feel constrained that way!
Yup, I get it. That whole “a Jack of many is a master of none” does make it hard to monetize art, but it can also certainly make creating it all the more fun!
I THINK and truly believe that the saying You mention is mostly untrue, and just a very basic concept of the capitalist mind.
Maybe For us, the "multicrafters" 😁, Is going to be harder to specialize and really master smtg, but WHY is it so absolutely necessary to master THE ONE TASK which will define us and our work? Why is there this necessity? Is it because it is easier and "safer" to monetize? I really don't know, but since a while I have this strong feeling, and i believe that minds which are creative in unexpected ways could really undermine those profit-based structures.
I Hope You all can understand my thoughts, as English Is not my native language.😅
Yes! Exactly. I think I do. I think some of the wonder of creativity is in the imperfections. They make it human and I certainly don’t believe we must be a master of our craft to get an abundance of joy from it ✨💛
Ahh, this is just lovely Emily - thank you so much for quoting my comment too… when I read it again, I wondered when was the last time I actually had time for anything just for me..? The last few months have been so crazy busy…. So a huge thank you for the reminder - It’s time for making time for joyful creating! For me.! 💐xx
It was such a beautiful comment Susie, I’m so grateful to know you a little here and chat to you through the ether. I hope that you find some time to create just for you 🤩
Love it Emily. Love this bit: “I’ve realised that there’s a lot to love in just allowing all the ideas to flow and mix and reshape, appear and disappear. Though many of them will never alight with me, there is still joy in letting them light up my soul and fill me with excitement at the endless possibilities.”
In Human Design I’m a Manifestor Generator. It was the biggest source of relief to read up on it and discover I’m not lazy or incapable of sticking to one thing, it’s because that is my design, THAT is what my strength is! Haha, that was magic for me.
I have a thing for creating scrappy journals from old hardbacked books. 🤓🪄🤸🏼♀️
I have lots of them! 🤓…Have you ever come across the yummy Jessie Chorley? She used to have a magical shop on Colombia Rd in London…Well, anyway, I once joined a workshop she did in Wales about and I was in love with the whole process. Especially bc theyre sooi imperfect! 🤩
That whole niche thing is what I have been contemplating a lot lately. That's why my last post was called "no marketing plan". Probably my worst ever piece of writing but you get that some days.
There is such healing power and joy from allowing our creativity a space to flourish. I am tired of having to relegate it to the back burner and focus on the "serious, money making stuff."
I feel I am a better person when I can be creative.
I always enjoy your posts Jo, and the last one was no exception 💛 I feel like we end up in a place where the energy and effort and time has to be ‘worth’ it in some capitalistic way, instead of the enjoyment being reason enough. I hope that you get to be creative just for the joy, as much as time and energy and resources allow xx
Yes Emily you're right on the "worth" front. And that worth is what so many creative people struggle to put a value on possibly because society has not seen value in it we feel awkward asking. xx
This is so lovely.. thanks for the mention and I loved reading all the other positive comments too, how wonderful 💕 I actually did a little sketch of a bird a little while ago and you inspired me to be brave and share it with people.. which actually got a lovely response 😊
This is do totally me. I am a fiber artist and also make jewelry. Recently I am learning drawing and watercolor painting. So many ideas so little time is my mantra. I love learning new things and seeing what happens.
Oh goodness...all of this resonates so much! I write, I paint, I dabble in about a jillion other things. I used to beat myself up for that (the whole "you have to niche down!" "you have to focus on one thing!") but I'm at the point where I'm just going to roll where my creativity wants to lead me....writing a book, painting, gardening...the list goes on. I've made peace with the fact I'm never going to get rich off my creations (I can't be arsed with things like marketing and promotion, once I'm finished something it's just time to move on to whatever comes next) and that's been very freeing. I could veer off on a lengthy diatribe about how the internet has simultaneously inspired and crushed my creativity over the years but I'm guessing you already have an idea about that. :)
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment Melanie - it seems it needs to be said doesn’t it! There’s so much telling us all to do this or do that, and all I really want to do is make art in whatever way I’m inspired 💛
For a long time I thought I was doing it wrong because I couldn’t niche down. Now I just do what I love and put it out there.
Yes! It’s so freeing to realise the answer is to do what we love and what we feel inspired by 💛💛
Oohhh...multicraftual here ✋ my fun stuff is knitting and spinning, I guard it's *fun* boundaries carefully! I'm also highly susceptible to give things a go - recently lino cutting, and I've got cyanotype chemicals waiting for the sun to come out.
I started doing pottery for fun and though it's not my work it's feels as though it's sort of become a kind of work...if I don't sell pieces then the house will collapse under the weight of ceramics!
that is the only trouble with doing lots of making, finding somewhere to keep it, someone to give it to, or selling! I long to try cyanotype - perhaps one to add to my ever increasing list!
I feel you, in that sometimes my creativity cannot be limited to just one medium. Sometimes words are the best to express myself, and other times it's drawings. I felt I needed to focus on one thing and abandon all other pursuits, but your post is really enlightening. I should do it all! I mean, why not? Thanks a lot for sharing your perspective, Emily!
I often wonder if my inability to choose was the reason I wasn't able to sustain making a living from my creativity. I think there are good reasons to focus and I completely get it, but I couldn't make it work! I just don't want to feel constrained that way!
Yup, I get it. That whole “a Jack of many is a master of none” does make it hard to monetize art, but it can also certainly make creating it all the more fun!
I THINK and truly believe that the saying You mention is mostly untrue, and just a very basic concept of the capitalist mind.
Maybe For us, the "multicrafters" 😁, Is going to be harder to specialize and really master smtg, but WHY is it so absolutely necessary to master THE ONE TASK which will define us and our work? Why is there this necessity? Is it because it is easier and "safer" to monetize? I really don't know, but since a while I have this strong feeling, and i believe that minds which are creative in unexpected ways could really undermine those profit-based structures.
I Hope You all can understand my thoughts, as English Is not my native language.😅
Yes! Exactly. I think I do. I think some of the wonder of creativity is in the imperfections. They make it human and I certainly don’t believe we must be a master of our craft to get an abundance of joy from it ✨💛
Being creative simply for the joy of creating is the best. No expectations, no time constraints
, no need to please anyone except yourself ❤️
It is! Simply the best 💛 thanks Tania
Ahh, this is just lovely Emily - thank you so much for quoting my comment too… when I read it again, I wondered when was the last time I actually had time for anything just for me..? The last few months have been so crazy busy…. So a huge thank you for the reminder - It’s time for making time for joyful creating! For me.! 💐xx
It was such a beautiful comment Susie, I’m so grateful to know you a little here and chat to you through the ether. I hope that you find some time to create just for you 🤩
Huge thanks Emily, the feeling is so very shared here too! Have a fabulous week lovely! 🤗💛xx
Love it Emily. Love this bit: “I’ve realised that there’s a lot to love in just allowing all the ideas to flow and mix and reshape, appear and disappear. Though many of them will never alight with me, there is still joy in letting them light up my soul and fill me with excitement at the endless possibilities.”
In Human Design I’m a Manifestor Generator. It was the biggest source of relief to read up on it and discover I’m not lazy or incapable of sticking to one thing, it’s because that is my design, THAT is what my strength is! Haha, that was magic for me.
I have a thing for creating scrappy journals from old hardbacked books. 🤓🪄🤸🏼♀️
Oh my goodness Suzy, scrappy journals made from old hardback books sounds amazing! I’d love to see! 💛
I have lots of them! 🤓…Have you ever come across the yummy Jessie Chorley? She used to have a magical shop on Colombia Rd in London…Well, anyway, I once joined a workshop she did in Wales about and I was in love with the whole process. Especially bc theyre sooi imperfect! 🤩
No I haven't, but I am going to be gooooogling!! Sounds amazing. I want to seeeeeeee!!!
Jessie Chorley is just a dream boat and I pretty much want to be her when I’m all growed up! 😁 I’ll send pics!
That whole niche thing is what I have been contemplating a lot lately. That's why my last post was called "no marketing plan". Probably my worst ever piece of writing but you get that some days.
There is such healing power and joy from allowing our creativity a space to flourish. I am tired of having to relegate it to the back burner and focus on the "serious, money making stuff."
I feel I am a better person when I can be creative.
A beautifully written post Emily. Thank you.
I always enjoy your posts Jo, and the last one was no exception 💛 I feel like we end up in a place where the energy and effort and time has to be ‘worth’ it in some capitalistic way, instead of the enjoyment being reason enough. I hope that you get to be creative just for the joy, as much as time and energy and resources allow xx
Yes Emily you're right on the "worth" front. And that worth is what so many creative people struggle to put a value on possibly because society has not seen value in it we feel awkward asking. xx
This is so lovely.. thanks for the mention and I loved reading all the other positive comments too, how wonderful 💕 I actually did a little sketch of a bird a little while ago and you inspired me to be brave and share it with people.. which actually got a lovely response 😊
Ah that’s wonderful Eva! Did you share it on Substack? Please share a link if you did as I’d love to see xx
Got it... https://www.instagram.com/p/C5CYE1ro_8Zj4yTBfdr8mZXrMbxUXBMkB3rEao0/?igsh=MW1sd2RlYmZydXVleg== hope that works 🤔😆
I’ve sent a follow request 💛
I shared on instagram.. feels like there are less people I care about on there 🤣 I’ll see if I can grab the link to that post xx
This is do totally me. I am a fiber artist and also make jewelry. Recently I am learning drawing and watercolor painting. So many ideas so little time is my mantra. I love learning new things and seeing what happens.
That's completely wonderful Nancy! Isn't it so wonderful to contemplate all the amazing and endless possibilities. So lovely to connect with you here.
Lovely that you connect directly back to your readers. You probably have many. I love your writing, it inspires me and speaks deeply to me.
Thank you, thank you.
Thanks for including my words with all these creators, such a joyful post! 🦋💛✨
It's lovely to be connected with you here Kate, thank you for your kind words.
Likewise! 💛
Oh goodness...all of this resonates so much! I write, I paint, I dabble in about a jillion other things. I used to beat myself up for that (the whole "you have to niche down!" "you have to focus on one thing!") but I'm at the point where I'm just going to roll where my creativity wants to lead me....writing a book, painting, gardening...the list goes on. I've made peace with the fact I'm never going to get rich off my creations (I can't be arsed with things like marketing and promotion, once I'm finished something it's just time to move on to whatever comes next) and that's been very freeing. I could veer off on a lengthy diatribe about how the internet has simultaneously inspired and crushed my creativity over the years but I'm guessing you already have an idea about that. :)
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment Melanie - it seems it needs to be said doesn’t it! There’s so much telling us all to do this or do that, and all I really want to do is make art in whatever way I’m inspired 💛
I can't ❤️this enough. I'm excited to read these (and share mine!). Thank you for all of this, Emily. Creativity is important. Creativity matters.
Thanks Janelle! I can’t wait to read yours - so exciting 💛
My first draft has actually just poured out into my note book! Thank you for the prompt. I don't think these words would have arrived otherwise
So looking forward to this Janelle 💛