I think anyone who has ever put themselves out there in any form has swung between these two states….

I am bossing this and I’m gonna fake it till I make it 

And

Oh my god I’m faking this and someone’s going to figure out soon that I’m an imposter and out me!

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Having your own full time business/side hustle/selling because you no longer have any space to stash it in your house is daunting. We often have our day jobs that serve to pay the bills. Sometimes along with that comes a little thought and a hope’n’wish that “one day I too could make a living from it and become a real artist or at least make just enough to work a little less”.

We put ourselves, or get put in the category by others of not being real artists or just a crafter because it’s not full time.

But why are we not real artists? Because We have another job to pay the bills ? Is that not being real or is it just being savvy? When and what do we have to do to get that elite little badge that’s says “ Congratulations you passed from crafter to artist”

Do I have to go through I right of passage and live off jam butties whilst selling my wares full time to be considered? Is an artist not someone who brings joy to somebody else through something that have created?

I sure you’ve had this conversation….

 “ oh how’s your LITTLE business going? Still got the DAY job I see. A little pricey for HOME MADE don’t you think you’re not (insert house hold name here) after all?

Family and friends are the ones we want behind us the most but can often send that barbed arrow to the heart without meaning too. Carelessly selected words can pierce our little hearts with ice and doubts and send those little straw houses of confidence scattering in a breeze. Does it look home made? Do I charge too much? Am I good enough ? If my family/friends don’t want it why would a complete stranger??

? ???ALERT ALERT ALERT ? ??

Well they do! Because that stranger doesn’t care that you have a day job, they care about what you created. Do they think you charge to much? No because they love it and they bought it because it brought joy to their hearts and they probably think they got a steal of a deal! Does it look hand crafted one of a kind ? Yes and that’s why they love it more than the mass produced item they COULD have bought but didn’t, it makes them feel special .

So believe in yourself, Vincent Van Gogh died penniless and unheard of. You’re out there bossing it and having an emotional connection with another person through your work and they want to pay for it…..now…….while your alive a kicking. 

So I’m here to say I, you , we are not faking it! You are not just a home crafter, you are an artist in every way that matters. I give us all our little “I’m an artist badge” so wear it proudly and if not…. 

God damn it hold your head high and fake it till you make it!! 
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