ShopDreamUp AI ArtDreamUp
Trying to feel inspired again.
3 min read
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I apologize if the following journal entry is a bit lame and whiny but I just need some avenue to let out some thoughts.
I've been feeling super discouraged lately.
Since I learned how to crochet last summer, I have fallen in love with the craft and that I get to meld it with my other love, Pokémon. I am also thrilled at how surprised and happy it makes people, whether they are friends or strangers, when they see the critters that I've made.
But there are a few things that have really put a damper on my creativity and motivation. Under the pressure of many people telling me that I should sell them, I created an Etsy shop. While I have had several satisfied customers, some experiences have really kicked my ass. There have been some hurtful criticisms from some customers that I just don't need in my life.
For my amigurumi, even though what I make is inspired by my favorite Pokémon, they're not always the most accurate representations. I began taking commissions here and there and for more complex orders, I promised only to be able to try and then I would let the customer decide if they would still like to buy it. Many customers were nice about it but I started to lose the joy in what I was doing. With these commissions came expectations that I was afraid I could not fulfill.
The reason I finally got off my ass and made the Etsy shop was when I was sitting in a cafe where a child came by with her mom and asked if she could buy the Chespin that I made. I didn't charge much because seeing how happy it made the girl was the most rewarding feeling in the world. To know that there's a 3 year old kid that has something one-of-a-kind that will be played with and loved as a childhood heirloom is the most I could ask for. That's what I wanted every sale I made to feel like.
I wish I could say that it has been that awesome since I've started selling on Etsy. I'm just bummed out that some people don't seem to understand that making these things takes a lot of time and effort because I'm coming up with my own patterns and sometimes I am not skilled enough to please them.
I'm going to have to take a break. I want to make Pokémon because it makes me happy. Instead I had started doing it to try and please others who don't appreciate it at all.
© 2014 - 2024 SirPurlGrey
Comments19
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I feel this so much. I haven't even started selling mine and people I know keep demanding I make them things that I'm unsure I can pull off. It also irks me that they act like I can do some insane project in a day and don't realize the hours of work it requires. I don't think you sound whiney at all, people just don't get it who don't work with this medium. They don't know the hours, blood, sweat, and tears that are put into these things and the agonizing you do over the littlest imperfection. Don't let people who can't fully appreciate the art ruin it for you.