The Big Three

There are three things to consider when deciding what to create: What do people want to buy, what are you good at, and what do you love to make. Starting out you may not know the answers to the first two, but you probably have a good idea about what you want to make. So that is where you start. Here’s the rub; the things that you love to make may not sell great initially. You have to test the market with things. The most important thing to remember is that not immediately connecting with your audience isn’t a bad thing. Pay attention to what people are saying they like/don’t like about your work so that when you can start answering that question about “what people want to buy”. Pay attention to which items do sell and consider making more of those.

You also need to try to answer that third question: Things you are good at. There are a few ways to do this. It can be hard to sometimes to have an unbiased critical eye on your own work so seek advice from others. Ask friends and family. Post online to FB groups, Instagram, and Reddit and ask for others’ opinions of your work. Ask people at markets. Sometimes I’ll have two versions of the same piece that is each slightly different and I’ll ask customers which they like better. Be warned; if you post online, be prepared for honest criticism. If you cannot take harsh critiques or aren’t used to receiving negative feedback you should brace yourself when posting your work online because honesty can sometimes be hard to hear and some people can be downright rude.  Just remember that your work is not a reflection of who you are and, with criticism, you can only improve.

Narrowing your scope

Now that you are starting to get to know the big three it is time to start segmenting those into different categories of work. I am going to break these down individually:

• Aspirational Projects These are the things that you love to make and people want to buy but you haven’t mastered the skills yet to create them. For me, these are photo-realistic portraits. I get asked for them all the time, I would love to make them (especially pet portraits) but I don’t feel my skills are there to quite do these pieces justice. I aspire to be good at this and one day I will but, until then, they are out of my wheelhouse.
• Things that make money but can burn you out These are those projects that you have made that everyone loves, you have perfected the skill of creating them, but you just aren’t passionate about doing them. I had a lot of success with coasters early on. I made dozens of coaster sets and, eventually, got sick of them. They sold well so I kept making them but eventually, I got burnt out. So I raised my price on them so, if people really want them, they can still buy them but I don’t find myself making them as frequently which means I am less likely to be frustrated when an order comes in for them.
• Things that you make for yourself There are going to be those things that you make, that you love, and that look fantastic but never seem to sell. This can be because they only suit your particular taste or because they just don’t have the broad appeal of some other things. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do those things. You do what you do because you love it. If these projects bring you joy then make them, hang them up in your house, and share them with your loved ones. Not every piece is going to sell and that is ok. It is about keeping your passion alive and, if you can do that by making the occasional piece for yourself, c’est la vie

The Sweet Spot

Obviously, as time goes on you’ll start to find that sweet spot.  The place where all three converge: Things people what, that you love to make, and that you are good at. Me, when I realized how much people loved my florals, it occurred to me that I found something special. Something that makes me happy, that I have honed my skills at, and that people absolutely adore.  Once you find that, try your best to capitalize on that. Make large statement pieces to draw customers in, make small affordable pieces to get those volume sales, and make mid-size pieces for those people who want some beautiful wall art but can’t afford the big statement piece prices.

Remember, finding that sweet spot isn’t going to happen overnight. It takes time to hone in on each one of these categories. If you listen to our podcast, PyroToastyTalks, you’ve heard Renee and I talk about this in “How to Stay in Love with Your Art”. Take your time, have fun doing it, and make sure you are constantly learning and adapting along the way.  Have you found your sweet spot? Let us know and tag us @bz_furfur and, as always, stay unique.

The post How to Find Your Niche in the World of Art and Pyrography appeared first on Burning with Purpose.

Four Reasons to Give Homemade

1. A gift should be unique. When you are choosing a gift for a family member or friend it should be representative of that person. Although getting a neat gadget or knick-knack might seem like a great idea those gifts are less likely to make them feel like you recognize what makes them unique to you. Handmade gifts are one-of-a-kind. Every crochet stitch, brush stroke, and marking is a one-of-a-kind. It will contain imperfections but, like us, those imperfections are what make it special. The receiver will know, without a doubt, that this was made with them in mind.
2. A gift should tell a story. One of the things I like to tell my clients who commission work from me is that the wood I use has a story behind it. Whether it is the tree itself that it was cut from, where it came from, a mishap or mistake that turned into your favorite part of the piece, or some new technique that you needed to learn to complete the piece. These stories become a part of the piece. They are the stories you tell when someone comes to your house and you are admiring it. They become a part of what makes the piece special.
3. A gift should last a lifetime. I never like to throw away a gift. This is something that was given to you because the gifter thinks you are special and deserving to be remembered. Giving something that is only meant to be used a few times only to be discarded or re-gifted means that the receiver will not cherish it. Something that is made with care, love, and quality materials is going to withstand years of use. These are gifts that will move with someone from home to home. These are the things that will be passed down between generations.
4. You don’t need to be an artist to make something homemade. There are plenty of ways to make simple, homemade gifts that don’t require you to be a master craftsman. Beginner crochet kits and Paint by Numbers are great ways to be creative while maintaining guardrails to help you along. Pinterest has tons of ideas for things that you can create that are beautiful and personal. Or, if you simply don’t have the confidence or the time, you can commission a handmade gift for a loved one. Artists such as myself love creating unique and personal gifts. These make wonderful gifts because, even though you didn’t create them yourself, it show that you took the time to find an artist whose art represents what you want your loved one to think of when they think of you.

Happy Holiday Shopping

The holidays are so hectic and being creative may be the last thing on your mind for this time of year. Maybe, this year, set aside some time from your busy schedule, make a list of those loved ones who you know would appreciate the care and consideration that only comes from something handmade, and come up with a plan for how to make their holiday extra special. Have you ever received a homemade gift that you cherish? Share your story and tag us @bz_furfur and, as always, stay unique.

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As an artist, social media is both a help and a hindrance. It is both time-consuming but mandatory in today’s market. The struggle many artists have is finding a balance between personal and professional. How much of yourself do you put on display for the masses? Many artists show off only their professional side and their work. Others fully integrate their personal lives alongside their art. I’ve tried to sprinkle in bits of my personal life here and that, of what makes me who I am, but tow the line between too much and not enough.

My life outside the social media and markets

Earlier this year I was pregnant. Brian and I were ecstatic after having been told that, due to medical reasons, we would not be able to conceive. We had previously lost two babies due to miscarriages and were very pessimistic that we would get pregnant again. So we hoped and prayed until the seventh week. Our previous babies were both lost at week six, therefore, week seven was a victory for us allowing us to grow less wary and more hopeful. 

I had decided this pregnancy would be the one where I simply enjoy being pregnant. Foregoing the stress over what might happen in favor of enjoying the moments of knowing I was growing our little bean. Rather than plan too far in advance I approached it with a degree of cautious optimism. Despite wanting to dive into being pregnant, being a Mom finally, I knew that I needed to be realistic.

Complications

In April I was admitted into the hospital for shortness of breath which had gotten progressively worse over the last several weeks.  Assuming it was due to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle I attributed it to me being out of shape. That was until the day that I almost passed out walking a mere ten feet. It turned out I had developed a serious and potentially deadly saddle pulmonary embolism (blood clot) in both my lungs.

As a precaution, I was told to go see my OB for a post-hospital check-up. It was then that we received the heartbreaking news; our baby had stopped growing at nine weeks. To say we were devastated fails to capture how hurt and saddened we were, are, and probably always will be. The tiniest bit of solace came from the fact they were able to get a sample which allowed us to test for the gender of the baby and the cause of the miscarriage. With that information she was granted her name, one we had carefully chosen, Felicity Emma. 

Loss, honoring a life, and friends

When we first found out we were pregnant, I asked David and Renee (of Its David and Renee) to make a memory box. A place to store “All The Things” that come with being pregnant: baby books, sonograms, letters, post-it notes, hospital knick-knacks, and such. Knowing how amazing they are I gave them full creative freedom to create it however they saw fit. My only criteria was size and that it be able to close. It would be like receiving a surprise gift even though it was something I commissioned.

When we lost Felicity, her memory box became her memorial box. It still holds her baby books, her first and last pictures, letters, and notes. The box itself is truly a work of art. David crafted it using Curly Maple and Walnut. The chatoyance in the maple is truly beautiful and mesmerizing and I love moving it so I can watch the light dance on the grains. The walnut trim adds a beautiful contrast to the maple’s creamy light color. It was so beautiful I almost didn’t want to burn on it.  I knew, however, that to help me heal and to grieve I needed to complete it. We treated this piece as if it was a commission from a customer. I put us first and created a pattern that paid homage to us and her by creating bouquets of our birth flowers according to our month of birth. I lost myself in the burn, seeking solace as I created as I always do.

Felicity’s box is so much more than a box. It is a hug from afar, a simple comfort in a time of great sorrow. You can tell when the artist has become a part of the piece. I am blessed to have them as friends.

Facts about Miscarriages:

Miscarriage is the sudden loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. About 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. But the actual number is likely higher. This is because many miscarriages happen early on before people realize they’re pregnant. And because of the stigma of having a miscarriage.

Most miscarriages happen because the unborn baby doesn’t develop properly. About half to two-thirds of miscarriages in the first trimester are linked to extra or missing chromosomes. 

Things that don’t cause a miscarriage

• Exercise, as long as you’re healthy. 
• Sex.
• Arguments.
• Use of birth control pills before getting pregnant.
• Working, 

Things that may cause a miscarriage

• Uncontrolled diabetes.
• Infections.
• Hormonal problems.
• Uterus or cervix problems.
• Thyroid disease.
• Obesity.

If you or someone you know is in need of counseling, please do not hesitate to seek help. Loss and grief can be overwhelming. There are groups that specialize in infant and pregnancy loss. There are many groups and counselors available for support.

October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. I may be early, but I am honoring my girl.

If you read this far, I love you, and you mean the world to me for hearing our story. Stay unique my friends.

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