Reigning it in

[Former_Member]

Has anyone run into the issue of needing to "reign in" their creativity?

I'm struggling with doing just that-a friend pointed out a lot of the jewelry I make is kind of "wild" for most folks, and that I should try reigning in that impulse to create pieces to appeal to a wider audience. So I'm trying to exercise restraint-just to see what happens when I do. I'm curious to see which style gets the most interest!

[Former_Member]

And I struggle all the time to create exactly what I want and never question as to whether or not someone will like my things. Until now I concentrated on creating items that I thought people would like. For me personally, it seems a dead end. Because there are so much of the same thing.

I am currently trying to respond to the general economic reality of most Etsy shoppers: they can't afford expensive items, so I'm into lower priced items right now. I'll be back with knitted sweaters that are wild... but expensive for the holiday season.

The reason why we do not sell as much as we want is mostly due to the fact that Etsy is huuuuuuuge and we are drowned in a sea of offerings. Promotion outside Etsy is the key (and I suck at that big time).

[BirdHouse197]

to be honest, with my work I felt like at first I played it safe at first. I tried to create things I thought people would buy (flowers, feathers, fish ect) but now I feel like I'm throwing the ball further out (Skull, day catchers ect) weather they sell as good, only time will tell :)

[Davs]

I love J.D Salinger's quote “An artist's only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else's.” because my mom is always telling me to paint still life... of which I honestly just can't do, but she doesn't get abstract and thinks I should create what *in her mind* other people will appreciate. That quote reminds me of why I create in the first place, not for anyone else but for myself and if someone else happens to like it, it's all the better!:)

edited to add that when I say *for myself* I mean that I create because I need to, if that makes sense...

[Former_Member]

Great point about the vastness of etsy, handustry. I'm compiling a list of ways i can promote myself, without feeling like a cheezy commercial!

Sopngeo- I love that you're expanding yourself! The day we stop trying to better ourselves, is the day we start to die.

Love that quote, Davs!

[JazzieMenagerie]

The wilder the better for me. I can handle it. Go for it! Let those creative juices flow, let 'em flow, let 'em flow.

[Former_Member]

Little update: 2 of the weirdest items I created recently have sold quickly. I tend to think that there is a market for the unusual and I'll continue in that direction.

[Former_Member]

Jazzie, I'm totally with you!
handustry-congrats on the sales!

[Former_Member]

I couldn't create something to fit someone else's taste. But this is a big world and I have confidence someone out there will see and like what I make. Maybe they will have their own interpretation of it and that's fan. There are a lot of sellers on Etsy and the economy all over the world is slow....Still, people are selling....and if there weren't so many different sellers on Etsy, it wouldn't attract the vast numbers it does. I totally agree with Jazzie....create and enjoy!

[Former_Member]

As we edge closer to Christmas, a lot of people will be searching around for the best gifts for kids or the hottest gifts for 2011. Few weeks later New year will arrive.New Year is the time to unfold new horizons & realize new dreams and to rejoice in simple pleasures & gear up for a new challenges.

ToyArena is holding a Grand Holiday & Newyear Sale featuring a lot of new Toys and collectibles. We will also be holding a promotional contest with this grand sale through which the customers can win varoius prizes. Please visit our Facebook page for more details.

The prizes and rules for this contests are listed below.

Prizes:

Grand Prize (One Winner): $100 Gift Certificate
Prize #2 (Two Winners): $50 Gift Certificate
Prize #3 (Four Winners): $25 Gift Certificate
Prize #4 (Ten Winners): $10 Gift Certificate

for more details visit http://toyarena.com/grand-holiday-and-new-year-sale-2011.html

[Former_Member]

But if you nip your creativity in the butt there goes your art! Be who you are, create what you create and you will gain a following!!! Good luck!!!