What does it mean to be “a successful artist/ crafter”?

Winter time always proves to slow down sales, galleries return unsold items and want to exchange for something new, markets are very quiet, and if your the better half slips in the question whether it might be beneficial for the finances to stop making until the boxes with ready-to-sell items show reduced contents.... your heart sinks and you ask yourself why is there only little interest in your creations, why you are not “successful”?

But.... can you ever stop creating and making and working on “the” piece to bring in some recognition and/or at least a little bit of turnover?

What is the driving force that inspires us to create?
Why do we do it?
And what really is “success”?

I would like to share a thought provoking contribution I found on the following blog:
http://luannudell.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/ten-myths-about-artists-13-one-big-break-is-all-you-need/

And all it takes to spark new energy is a commission!

Three rings with the same pattern except for one detail to come in for the individual wearer. Can you recognise what it is?

A. Applying "Art Clay" silver clay with the syringe
B. Finished rings before sanding
C. All ready to for the firing
D. Polished and packaged


author: Ingrid of Silverworks