Total Art Soul - for artists

We often get asked, as I'm sure you do, what inspired you to start working for yourself. There's the obvious answers, such as being completely unemployable because you're mad as two balloons, the fact that you can get up and go to bed when you like, plus of course for us creative types, getting to make things all the time.

We do have a broader plan however than just being able to keep ourselves in beads, pencils and wine...



Our masks are our main business, so we have our Etsy shop plus a UK website now. Things are picking up nicely, people are starting to approach us rather than the other way around and it suits our life at the minute- we've moved several times in the last three years or so and selling fairly small things online makes it easy to take the business with us should we move again. Plus, its fun :)



We also do artwork and photography, which we sell online and have a contract with a company to licence pieces for which we get commission on sales. This is phase two- it takes longer to find places to sell artwork, we're now working on galleries in the area to sell some of the work we have in stock- including the originals from the licenced images :)



This in turn has given us a heap of reference photos and drawing practice for phase three- some rather more specialised work. Most of this is being kept firmly under wraps so we can only show you the images above which are already on sale. Otherwise, we'd have to set this blog post to self destruct after you've read it...

This work is more valuable but takes longer to do as it consists of carefully assembling things that aren't there :) Eventually there will be enough of a portfolio to get an agent and, in theory, some sensible money.

Which brings us to phase four- a workshop for Mr Grin and all the tools he needs to make things. Preferably, somewhere sufficiently remote to not annoy the neightbours with the ensuing banging and clanging noises.

We figure we're about halfway there in terms of the work that needs doing- the rest of it is then up to the universe at large, with some kicking from us by way of promotion, of course.

I guess the point of this post is to explain our method of organising the chaos that is creativity- always keeping one eye on the road ahead.

Wishing you luck on your own journey,
Karen and Rich

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I have always been a slow worker, methodical and careful with whatever task I take on. Therefore my latest project has been some time coming, but I'm finally at the stage where I can start talking about it.

As I've been a member of a local amateur dramatic society for the past 20 years, and actively involved in the running of said society, I have often thought about holding an art exhibition at the theatre. However, I have never held one previously because I'm not sure the venue is right for an art exhibition as such. In September I began seriously re-thinking my idea. I needed a theme. I also needed a date to work towards, otherwise I would just keep on thinking the idea rather than getting on with it.

Whilst I was creating a treasury on Etsy, I suddenly thought "I wonder how many people in Hull, East Yorkshire are actually crafters on here". So I did a search for all the "Local Shops" and added each one to my list of favourite shops, also sending them a message to say I'd done so and how we should support each other. I got replies from most of them eventually, and bit by bit my idea has developed into a definite plan - although I have to admit it has been spurred on by another local event which I believe we will mutually benefit from. The church in Bilton, St. Peter's, is hosting a Christmas Tree Festival on the weekend of 4th & 5th December, and on Sunday 12th December. Bilton Amateur Dramatic Society have been invited to decorate a tree based on the theme of our organisation. I will be largely responsible for this, so I thought it was a good idea to hold a Christmas Craft Fair at our theatre on the same weekend - 4th & 5th December. We happen to have 6 tables under the stage area that are 6ft by 2ft trestle tables, which we will be hiring out to "Local" Etsy sellers. So far I have got at least 4 other artisans joining me and I am currently creating booking forms, conditions and posters etc.  I will update you as and when I get replies from everyone I have contacted, but for now I just thought I'd share my latest project as it will ensure I forge ahead with it! Also, I'm learning how the ideas pop up the more I plan it - I am hoping one or two exhibitors will do a demonstration of their work on the day, too.

Full details to follow

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Not someone who creates with you, but someone who supports you in your craft?

It definitely helps to have a partner that supports your madness... I mean craftiness!!

I do.

I'm a very lucky woman, in that my Husband (bless his boots) has supported whatever mad-cap venture I've tried.

Tried to warn me off of some of them - "Honey, do you really think it is wise to go in to business with your mother?" - which, needless to say, failed miserably and horribly...

When we had children, we both agreed that it was incredibly important that one of us be a full-time parent.

It always falls to the Mum (something to do with instincts, breasts and such), but being Mum was also a role that I relished (says the woman who didn't want to ever be a mother to snotty, spewy infants that grow up to be snotty, rude teenagers),

When I rediscovered my love of handmade, Husband was (ironically) working away from home.  But he saw how much I loved what I was doing.  That creating jewellery was an outlet from me.  A way of channeling energies that could sometimes be very negative.  A way of calming my very busy mind.

Now, he is the one that helps me set up for my 2 annual markets.  Carts the boxes, tables and tent, because my back injury prevents me from doing it.

He has built me a soldering and drilling station that sits proudly on our front verandah.

He does that happy-dance when I make a sale.

He gives his honest opinion on designs.

He says to the kids "Give Mum a minute until she finishes."

He's my Supportive Craft Partner.  And I'm awful glad I've got him.

Who is your Supportive Craft Partner?

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