Artsfarm's Page

The title here is a take-off on a late-19th century song title, and kind of illustrates how I've been feeling about a dilemma concerning my shop name/identity up until a few minutes ago when I finally settled it (I think LOL) I'm just about ready to add a 2nd shop on Etsy. I was waiting to see what the 'new and improved' site changes involved before spending more money on re-listing everything that's moving over to the new shop. The 'artsfarm' shop will keep the jewelry that's already there plu… Continue

I've just started doing something that's very fulfilling, yet a bit intimdating in a good way. I had a bit of a revelation recently concerning job/income/what-am-I-doing-with-my-life. I've been mulling over the fact that I need to make a decent amount of money to live, but at the same time, would die inside if I had to work one more unfulfilling, soul-eating job. Much grinding of teeth, whining and ravelled nerves later, I realized I don't 'want' to make a living as an artist, I 'need' to. I'… Continue

I'm very excited about something I just found. There is a great thread going on at Etsy, a serious, in-depth discussion on what is 'acceptable' in the world of art/craft and how the established, more mainstream side views the 'indie revolution', and vice-versa. It started yesterday as basically a simple question but is evolving into a thought-provoking exchange (my favorite kind!) and I think it definitely worth following. But there's more. Within the thread someone posted a link to a blog writ… Continue

There's a thread asking a similar question going on over at Etsy right now, and I thought I'd toss it out here as well. By nature, artistic types tend to downplay their abilities and the value in them. I find too many people feel uncomfortable even using the word 'artist' to describe themselves, and this is something that, if one is to become 'successful' in any sense of the word, needs to be corrected. No amount of praise from peers, strangers or anyone else is going to do any good if we don't… Continue