As I sit here at my computer with a great black and white film on
TCM playing in the background (I often run old films while I work, GREAT inspiration) I'm thinking of the past week and all of the current mumbo jumbo going on with Etsy that I've read. There has recently been quite a bit of controversy surrounding "shops" that have infiltrated Etsy and their suspicious status as truly "Handmade." It's a shame and so sad.
The main reason I believe that so many true creatives who honor the art of Handmade get so upset about these recent events, is because Handmade is HARD work. Each creative who embraces the lifestyle whether it be full-time or part-time, finds it to be highly rewarding and self fulfilling on a level that is unlike any other. Reason being?; because every piece of work that you create and send out to your recipient, is truly a part of your soul. That may sound super cheesy, but, to me it's the dang truth. From concept to final product it's a journey that is shown through your work. Every inanimate object that you create blossoms into an object with a story, YOUR story.
That, my friends, is a big deal.
I profess myself to be a Handmade Artisan. I don't take that role lightly. It has been something that I've nurtured since I was a little girl. It's a large part of my personality. I envision my creative abilities as a strong energy that surrounds who I am and who I claim I am. It takes strong moral and ethical fundamentals to keep that energy in motion, to keep that energy creating and to keep that energy protected.
There really is a lot of room to complain about all of the false creatives that we're met with on a daily basis. One's that may order from wholesale companies and pass the work off as their own, or simply claim to make something that is blatantly obvious to be mass produced. The one's who matter, notice. US. It's the concept of holding strong to what we do and not letting the small number of fakes affect our creative visions. If we hold true to that vision, you realize that what you have is a gift. It can't be taken or erased by the fakes. However, it CAN be strengthened by them. The more I read of fakes, the harder I work. The more ideas that flow from my energy and into concept.
So, let's thank the fakes for making a stronger and more unified group. Thanks guys, you suck...but hey, thanks for making us work harder to honor the true craft.
Here's to true creative integrity and the goofs who won't ever know the sweet smell of TRUE success.
I wish you all a creative and inspirational weekend!
xo
melissa
