Etsy Insights: Staying creative at home | Etsy Success

PublicHouseCo · 2020-03-30T21:43:51.544000Z

Hey there! I’m Samantha Sullentrup, the creative behind PublicHouseCo. I specialize in custom architecture illustrations. I’m proud to have customers all over the world and relish in the undeniably beautiful spaces they ask me to paint. Like many of you, COVID-19 has completely upended the way I work. I’m having to figure out how to make time to answer emails, work on projects, and continue reaching clients all while still being engaged with my three daughters who are now home full time. Oh yes - and teaching them. Can’t forget that! While I have absolutely not solved this dilemma, I’m choosing to see this challenge as not just as a burden, but also as a gift. A little slice of time that is standing still and with the people I love more than life itself. Seeing as the Etsy community is made up of 83% women - many of whom run businesses out of their home, I’m sure I’m not the only creative/maker who’s figuring out what business and life looks like in these unprecedented times. So, I’ve compiled a list of things that are helping me work through the struggles and wanted to share: Talk to your partner/friend. Seven days went by without a single order. Without a single email inquiring about my work. I was feeling the huge burden of no sales, wondering how I could make up for it, and just plain ole freaking out. I couldn’t wrap my head around how this could get better, but I was determined to fix it myself. When I finally said something to my husband, he calmed my anxiety and started brainstorming with me a few ideas to create interest and revenue. Talking your worries out allows for others to carry your burdens with you - making your load so much lighter. Call your mom, FaceTime your BFF or use this community to talk through things. Don’t feel like you need to reinvent your brand, but do find new ways to be creative. This is going to be a weird few weeks/months and sales may slow. I encourage you to think outside the box about how to accommodate shoppers new needs, but don’t lose yourself in the process. Stick to your values and do what you love. If you love painting - go outside and paint your backyard. Or give yourself a 30-day challenge in your area of expression. A few weeks ago, we started a family sketch book. It was just a little way to get the whole family engaged in creativity, but it’s now become our go-to boredom solution. Re-imagine the time. I always worked in my studio on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a solid 4-5 hours while my kids were at school/daycare. The time was quiet, focused, and full of great podcasts. Guess what? That ain’t happening now. My “work” time has been at the dining room table with a laptop and generally lasts less than an hour. If I need to have studio time, I figure out a way to get my family involved. I put the girls to work folding my shipping boxes for .05 cents each or lay out a big paper with their watercolors and let them have at it. It keeps them busy and it's a productive time for me. Finally, even though it might not be your normal preference, consider working in the evenings. Right now it’s the only quiet/focused/great podcast time of the day. Have a clear agenda of what you need to get done when you have these little pockets of time and check things off. You might feel like nothing is getting done - but those checks will prove you wrong! Take advantage of the time. A gift to see your kids a little more, play uno a thousand times, HouseParty with your family, and actually read the books on your shelves. Use the time to connect with the people in your home, be a little less “controlled,” and sink in to your greater purpose. I’d love to hear how you’re leaning in to the new changes, using your time at home, and staying creative along the way??

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Etsy Insights: Staying creative at home | Etsy Success | Etsy Community