The holiday season is a busy time of year for most folks--especially artists who participate in holiday art markets. I usually sell my work in shops or online, but in the Autumn I like to add a few holiday markets to my calendar. They are great opportunities, not just to make sales, but to meet my customers face to face--hear what they like about my work or what they would like to see added to my collection. The events also give me a chance to meet other artists--admire their work and hear their insights about living and breathing the creative life. I often come home with notes-to-myself on scraps of paper that help me remember things I want to try next year or when I get back into my studio.
The down side of holiday art markets is that in order to have enough items on hand to fill my booth, I have to switch into production mode. And recreating finished designs can feel tedious. I miss the feeling of surprise and achievement that comes when a new pendant or necklace is finally complete. This year is no different, and I've been procrastinating about making pieces for my booth.
Lucky for me I have very smart friends to help keep me focused and motivated. Right now, it's CarolynArtist's words that are fueling my fire. She recently wrote about the meaning behind creating art, and I had to print it out and tape her words to the wall above my workbench. She wrote:
As I turn on my soldering iron and cue up the audiobook-of-the-day, I'm thinking about what Carolyn said. Her words very succinctly sum up what truly is the heart of why I do what I do, and remind me why I need to get to work making jewelry to share at this year's art events.
For everything there is a season...
So when I'm designing new pieces, it is the season to lose myself in taking random beads, metal, or maybe just a fantastic quote and finding ways to connect them to create an appealing design. And when it's time to make more of those finished designs, it is the season to lose myself in the pleasure of using the tools and techniques--watching the glass breaking perfectly where I've scored it and the solder flowing smoothly around the edges of the glass. After all--it has taken A LOT of practice to do these things well, and there were times when they were not relaxing to do at all. Production time is also the season to enjoy perfecting each piece--no longer looking at them with "honeymoon eyes" I can take the time to revisit the designs and see what can be improved.
No matter what season it is, when I'm making jewelry I'm always hoping that each carefully designed piece will find a home with someone who will think it is as beautiful as I do and enjoy wearing it.
Making art IS about making connections--the connections between artist and new materials, artist and tools & techniques, and artist and buyer. These connections are what keep this artist's heart in her work, and so does the camaraderie of other talented and wise artists. Thanks for the powerful words, Carolyn. You're one smart cookie!
