freer and lighter

Since my decision not to make anything as a purely commercial venture anymore I feel so much better. I felt my creativity was being utterly stifled by the need to time and cost everything and it wasn't just that I was producing stuff I didn't like - I completely calcified and couldn't produce anything. Like a rabbit in headlights I just felt fear and alarm and with no idea which way to go next.

I've started to re-examine my decisions and the way I'm working. For example, the labels I was using were bothering me and so I made a new choice to bin them and make hand-stitched, hand-written labels instead. More work but the result is me. The colour is chosen by me instead of off a swatch card, the fabric is cotton and linen rather than scratchy polyester, the paper is proper laid paper and not bargain-price card. Now that I plan to make fewer, better quality and less commercial items for sale, this all becomes possible. I can change them when I like, move, breathe, feel, dream...

I feel free again and it is a wonderful feeling.

22 comments:

BadPenny said...

bless you ... hard to make decisions sometimes... hope you enjoy your crafting more with less pressure

Heather said...

Glad to hear you're feeling freer and lighter :) I do love those labels!

Gigibird said...

I am so pleased.
I think it is the way forward for real art and craft.

Love the mouse label.
x

ginny farquhar said...

this is fabulous sue... your work is beautiful and i am sure now you have the freedom you can really create what makes your heart sing... i am so happy for you that you have found your answer...
sending lots of love
ginny x

Jen Walshaw said...

Enjoy. It is wonderful to finally make a decision and know it is the correct one

Lyn said...

Lovely, I am sure you will be much happier now the decision has been made.
Love
Lyn
xxx

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Glad to know you have found your answer and the labels are fab!

Frances said...

Sue, this is all looking very good! And since you are happy with the new direction, it will continue to look good!

As I read your words, old timer that I am, I just heard a background tune, I Feel Free, a vintage Cream tune.

Lovely. xo

sarah-jane down the lane said...

You sound happier!
Brilliant labels, good for you,

Sarah x

Gilly said...

I am so very pleased you are feeling creatively freer. I wouldn't want you to be a frozen rabbit! ;-)

Diane said...

Glad you feel beterr. Cannot believe you dreamed about the statue!!! How very very strange!! What do you think it means? You'll have to come through for a visit. xxx

Acornmoon said...

Good for you!

May the muse continue to be with you and your Mouse.

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Flu is over, decision is arrived at, corner is turned and your first step of new labels is a success, wonderful colors and textures.

xx
julie

Anonymous said...

Sorry. I tend to get excited when I hear/read that someone has decided to follow their bliss and so I type a lot...

Yay! Good for you! :)

I started an online biz 5 years ago just making whatever I wanted. Family rolled their eyes and thought I'd lost it. Then things started selling and customers wrote saying how much they loved what I was making. I stopped long enough to help Hubby build our house, but now I'm getting back to creating.

Do what you love. Follow your bliss. Toss out the pressure and let creativity rule. I'm happy for you!

Zuzu

Anonymous said...

YES and yes and yes!

Chrissie said...

Oh you are so right to follow this path ... I hope you enoy your new-found freedom to the full. The labels are great!

janet clare said...

they're lovely, very exclusive looking. Quality.

A time to dance said...

good for you and I will e joining you after this fair i an attempt to sell my stock...there is only so many ags that you can give people for presents...hope you and yours are well...H I pray evey morning to feel light at the moment...

Dan said...

I haven't known your blog long, but every good wish to you!

Karen Lewis Textiles said...

I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling freer and happier with your creating. Everything you have shown here echoes that and your labels are just exquisite. x

Sue said...

Thanks so much everyone for your positive and supportive comments, it has been great to read them all. I haven't been able to reply to you all as lots of you are 'no-reply' bloggers, but I wanted to say 'thank you' :-)

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Wonderful new labels Sue. Glad to hear you feel better for making the decision. Your work is beautiful and I treasure the little heart and pin cushion you made. Your creativity will go from strength to strength I'm sure.

Jeanne x