Posted by ~marketa~ on 2004-11-09 14:32:43
Post Subject: how did you choose your biz name?
for those of you with crafty businesses, how did you go about choosing the name?
i keep daydreaming about setting up a bunch of craft activities to do on the side part-time. even if i wouldn't set up my own business, per se, i would want to associate some kind of name with designs i do.
i don't want my name to be part of it, and i don't want it to tie to only one thing, since i jump all around and do things as they strike my fancy. i'm pretty eclectic, so don't want to nail myself to a particular style, either. right now the name in my head is scattered hatchings. any thoughts?
i guess i'd just like to hear what inspired you to give identity to your craft...
Posted by ClaraLea on 2007-02-16 20:13:52
Post Subject: "instant gratification" crafts?
I find that I often don't indulge in my craftiness as much as I should because I have a short attention span and want results NOW! But if I had some new ideas to get me started, things that can be completed in a hour or so, I think it might help me get the ball rolling to tackle the bigger, longer projects. What do you work on when you want something fast, or just when you are in a motivational slump?
(My primary craft activities are in textiles and papercrafts, but don't feel obligated to limit suggestions to those categories. I like to dabble in just about everything!)
Posted by Katrin on 2006-02-11 17:34:46
Post Subject:
I don't really label my craft activities as "political", but I suppose others might; it just doesn't occur to me to use that word. My crafts definitely intentionally reflect my opinions and beliefs - including the very strong belief that it's better to share your values quietly by living as an example rather than preaching and bullying about them.
1. I use as many salvaged or recycled materials as I can. This evolved out of financial necessity at first, but the more I learn about the resources and energy it takes to produce (for instance) textiles, the more it simply makes sense to repurpose items that already exist, especially if they'd otherwise be discarded. I do still often get the urge to buy craft supplies ('cause let's face it, shopping is fun) - but if I must, I try to buy things secondhand before resorting to brand-new.
2. I make functional objects (mostly clothing, in my case) and make a point of being seen using them. I've been thinking a lot lately about the prevailing attitude that handmade items are less "legitimate" than store-bought, mass-produced ones (unless they're made by those nameless, faceless, hardworking rustic peasants in some faraway land, in which case they are fetishized). There's no in-between, no concept that "regular people" can make things that are both real useful everyday objects and real art. I want to dispel the notion that handicrafts must be either a substandard imitation or a magical totem.
