Happy Handmade

I buy and sell handmade goods - with a passion!  Etsy, Zibbet, Ebay to name a few.  Our fine art prints are available on FAA, Zazzle and Society 6.  We've sold in local markets since 1974, so I feel qualified to share my opinion on the current state of the "handmade" marketplace.  It's not a very happy place these days, and I hope that is due to change!

Recent turmoil on Etsy has spilled over to other venues, most recently showing it's ugly head at Zibbet. Folks are angry, hurt and upset.  Name calling, finger pointing and pure hatred fill the social media sites that once promoted our wares.  While I'm distressed and sad that my friends and colleagues are hurting, I view this event as a good thing - a long overdue cleansing of the field.  Consider the stock market and the inflated prices that created a bubble.  That bubble burst because the underlying value of the stocks could not support the inflated pricing.  I believe the handmade market has just experienced a bubble bursting, and am hopeful for a real recovery.

As both a buyer and seller, I've experienced this recent flurry of anger.  I've encountered many vendors with hateful attitudes and unreasonable shop policies.  I've dealt with overly demanding buyers.  It puzzled me for some time until I realized that most of these sellers were more interested in profit than in their craft.  They bought into the advertising and promotion telling them they could "quit their day job" and make a living selling arts and crafts.  Many of these new shop owners  had never sold their wares before.  They hopped on the Ebay and Etsy wagons and were dragged to some success by a tidal wave of "handmade" passion.  Etsy became a designer label, and substandard goods sold with ease.  Buyers were confused and unable to count on high quality workmanship. Sellers were cautioned to raise their prices and promote their "brand".  But like every trend, the "handmade" movement has passed it's heyday.  That does not mean that high quality, well-priced goods are out of style.  Far from it!  What I see is the end of the love affair with the label, with ANYTHING sold on Etsy being considered a prize.  What I envision is the survival of the fittest - the artists and crafters who value their work beyond it's monetary value.  Those are the people that created the frenzy and will continue to create their wares whether they sell them or not.  Those sellers with a primary interest in earning a living wage will cry out in anger and eventually find other sources of income.  Those of us with a passion for creating will continue making and sharing our wares.

Now, I'm not saying that art and financial success are mutually incompatible.  I've known several lucky artists who have done very well.  But I've also seen many who thrive with a popular product then crash and burn when the trend subsides.  Think about it…how can 1 person alone create enough quality product each week to financially sustain a household?  The very definition of true handmade goods makes profitability almost impossible.  History tells us that most artists are not valued until their death!  Where do you think the term "starving artist" was born?  Chasing a profit is like a dog chasing it's own tail!  It doesn't make one very happy!

Folks like me make things because we must!  Creating is a way of life, a true passion that has nothing to do with profit.  Now, profit is wonderful and there is nothing more thrilling than receiving that email saying "a sales has been made on your account"!  But it's the validation, the knowledge that someone, somewhere liked your work enough to want it!  That is even more thrilling than the monetary gain.  That's what keeps us selling!  If you are lucky enough to love your work AND make a profit, you are truly blessed!

Learning things like SEO and product photography, not to mention keywords and descriptions are challenging.  They are a necessary "evil" in marketing our work.  Some have made money simply because they excel at the marketing end of the business.  But, most of the happy artists I know struggle with the marketing.  Again, it is not the REASON they create, it is simply a necessity.

In conclusion, I wish all my fellow artisans continued success.  But most of all, I wish them happiness!  That, to me, is the difference in a vendor and a true handmade artist.  Here's to Happy Handmade Artists and Crafters!

More fine Texas art from Zibbet.com

I love the feel of this shop...makes me want to sit on my Texas patio and have a marguerita!
GardenPathDecor

This collection of original handcrafted stained glass mosaics is unique and well made.  Of course, my favorite is the LoneStar Mosaic Cross.  Stop by this shop and check it out.  Then you can find all the other fine Texas team members by searching zibbet with "zbtx". 

Do you Zibbet?

Do you Zibbet??  I do, and I LOVE it.

Zibbet is the hottest new outlet for handmade arts and crafts on the net.  It is user friendly, as well as real people friendly.  It has a warm and welcoming feel....like walking into a charming little shop on the lane when you've just left the Big Box Store on the freeway.   Yes, it's new and will definitely suffer some growing pains.  But for alot of us, it's our new Happy Place.

We've got a Zibbet Texas Team for Texans (and Texans at heart) and I'd like to feature team stores in my next few posts.  I think you will enjoy!  I'm starting with a fun and friendly honorary Texan, Wanitta Ranson of itsmythingdesigns.  She's witty and outgoing and even though she hails from Canada, she fits right in with our Texas group.  Please stop by her shop - you'll be glad you did!  Here is one of her many items (this gal never rests!)
itsmythingdesigns

Hickory Hearts Pendants are Here!

Thanks for your loyalty. You are the first to know about our special limited supply of Hickory Heart Pendants. They will retail for $29, but in appreciation for your support, you have the opportunity to reserve one for just $25 before they go on sale to the public. The photo shows 3 styles available, not the specific "NUT" you will receive. We will be happy to email you a few samples to choose from as long as the supply lasts. Click on Texas Eagle Gallery above to purchase.
Thanks again!!

Hickory, Hearts, and History

Saturday I found myself walking down the long gravel driveway that I've walked for 13 years. This time something grabbed my attention and swept me away! I spied a little heart in the dirt and quickly realized it as a hickory shell. Wow! I'd stepped on them for years, but never really saw them. Now it was as clear as day & I felt as though I'd just removed my blinders.

Of course I had to search for more, and soon had dozens scooped from the ground. Next step was - of course - the internet to learn about my treasure. I discovered that while many varieties of hickory have heart shaped nuts, this particular type had a much more distinctive shell (and hardly any nutmeat). I also remembered that the ground we now think of as home was once a settlement called Hickory Hill. In the 1840's, Hickory Hill had a school house, 2 or 3 churches, a store, gravel yard, and tannery. My mind raced with images of pioneer children gathering these precious nuts. I did indeed feel like I'd found real treasure.

We are sharing photos, greeting cards, pendants and tshirts to honor our wonderful Hickory Hill legacy. Check them out at www.texaseagle.etsy.com

Spring has Sprung!

Well, Spring is here, and as usual, daylight savings time has thrown me for a loop! Catching up a bit & getting into the creative mood again. We are currently working on several new projects. Satin bookmarks--personalized and perfect for wedding favors, birth announcements, anniversaries, or any special occasion. They are inexpensive yet beautiful & useful. We're also working on glass tile coasters featuring some of our favorite photos. Please stop in for a visit often and see if any of these new items will work for you.

And last, but certainly not least, here is the grand finale of our Irish Recipe feature.
Irish Soda Bread
5 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tbls baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
Optional add ins:
2 1/2 cups raisins
3 Tbls caraway seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9x5" pans
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda & salt in large bowl. Cut in butter using 2 knives or pastry blender until the mixture is the texture of cornmeal.

If making Caraway Raisin option, add them to dry mixture now.

Add buttermilk and egg and stir until just blended.

Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 50 to 55 minutes until golden brown. Coll on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely. Slice & Serve. Delicious!!!!

Saint Patricks Day

March is just around the corner, and with it comes everything GREEN. The crocus stems are already peaking from the soil, along with a few bright green weeds. The promise of more sunshine and warm afternoons brings a sigh of relief. This is one of the best times of the year!

While St. Patrick's Day festivities will center round green beer and crazy parades, there is also a place to remember the history of this remarkable man and the blessings he left us. So, we've been busy making (and selling) lots of beautiful cards. What a blessing! Thanks to all who've purchased, may spring bring you much joy!

ETC First Monday Sale!

Got Bargain Fever? Forget Canton's famous First Monday Sale......Here's a great way to enjoy First Monday and stay warm and dry!
Join us at etsy.com for the Etsy Texas Crafters big all day sale. We have such a variety of talent, and some great one day prices. You can find us at www.etsy.com, then search all items for "teametsytx".

Our shops are participating with Free Shipping on all items, lots of huge markdowns, and dozens of just listed items on sale.

www.texaseagle.etsy.com
www.weeirish.etsy com

Hibernating

Tired of Cold, Tired of Rain....sick of indoor smells! Longing for the invigorating chill of a March morning's call to welcome me outdoors. A lawn to mow, flowers to plant as the sun warms away the layered jackets. Oh bliss!

...but here I am, alone in the storm darkened morning...trying to find the motivation to unwrap my quilt and be productive.

The floors are filthy, the laundry awaits. So I must go.....to my crafts!