Art Plus Fear Equals Procrastination

I’ve been hearing many artists talk about art and fear lately. It’s amazing how so many of them don’t think they are true artists and even consider themselves an impostor or fraud of sorts and live with the fear that someone might “discover” who they truly are. Or something like that. I guess it’s all part of the tribulations that arise from choosing the creative process as a vital form of expression…

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Why Am I a Jewelry Designer?

Have you ever wondered why you are doing what you do, or why you chose a specific profession, or hobby, or activity to devote your time to? I am sure you have, especially during times when you actually had to ask yourself if what you were doing was what you really wanted to be doing…

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Ethical Marketing for the Creative Type, Part III

An artist or fine crafter is not really looking for a brand per se, but more likely for a personal and unique style or expression that sets him or her apart from other artists and crafters. That unique style is your brand.

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Where Does Inspiration Come From?

If you ever feel like your inspiration took a vacation, just give yourself a break and go to a good concert, talk about the stuff that you like with a friend or other creative types, visit a bookstore, and check out other artists and designers to get re-inspired to find your own voice and style. Finding your own expression can be a challenge sometimes, but you have to remember that everything in life is a process and give yourself the necessary mental fuel to feed the creative flame!

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Ethical Marketing for the Creative Type

Most business articles I’ve come across mention that you should do some market research to see what is missing in your community, or what sells and what doesn’t, before you quit your day job and start a business that will succeed. My guess is that this type of advice comes from standard business and marketing 101, which it is very helpful if want to start a business like say, a chain restaurant, or a kinko’s, or a dry cleaner, but it doesn’t necessarily apply to the self-employed creative type (artist, artisan, healer, herbalist, crafter, yoga teacher, etc.).

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