Presenting Yourself Professionally: A Pro Portfolio

Call me biased as a millennial, but I’m a firm believer in having an online presence, no matter what business you’re in. As an artist and handmade company, the benefits are perhaps even more important because you may be small, but the internet can make you mighty when used strategically. Does that mean you need to be everywhere online? No, but at the very least I’d recommend sharing a portfolio. You don’t sell your work online you say? So this advice isn’t applicable for you, right? No, it’s still valid and I’ll explain why. The overall goal is professionalism, and a proper portfolio will do wonders for your credibility, exposure and opportunities.

Side Hustle vs. Full Time

There are some people who can put in their 40 hours a week at ok jobs and then go home to the activities they really enjoy. I imagine most of these individuals don't love what they do, but they recognize that this work funds their chance to devote time and energy elsewhere when they're off the clock. I'll admit, I tried to fit this model thinking it was what I was "supposed" to do, but I wasn't happy. Now with one year of doing my own thing on the books (yay, I made it!), I'd like to share a few thoughts about pursuing your passions full time. First and foremost, it's not easy, but if you plan, it can be totally worth it. Like many makers and handmade entrepreneurs, I started with a side hustle. I was working full time for someone else and making time in the evening and on weekends to do what energized me more. This allowed me to test out my ideas and get to know my future customers. I wasn't able to dedicate nearly as much time to this passion project as I wanted, but I was saving up money to be able to take the plunge into full time. So how do you know when the time is right to go all in with your dream? The answer is different for all of us, but there are some key considerations that will help you gauge your readiness to become your own boss.

The Art of Organizing

You may have noticed one very common resolution not on my list this year - Getting Organized. In part, that’s because cleaning is already a habit for me; in fact I’m a little OCD, and bringing order to my life is one way I reduce stress. I love feeling like I’m starting with a clean slate, and tidying helps me get in that grove. Of course, I’ve tired many different systems of organization and tricks for keeping tidy, but as many of you I’m sure have also experienced, things don’t tend to stay organized. Interestingly enough, that’s the challenge tackled in Marie Kondo’s book – The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. It's a light, enjoyable read with solid recommendations for how to get your life organized. I'd like to share my key takeaways and tips to help get organized so you can have more time for your art business and the things you love.

To Sell or Not to Sell Your Art?

We all need a creative outlet, and many of us find that in the Arts - Drawing, Painting, Beading, Crafting. Does that mean you have to sell your work? No, not necessarily. Plenty of happy, talented creatives make Art for themselves and only share it with just their closest circle, brightening their little corner of the world. And yet, the more common question I find people asking is whether or not they could sell their work and eventually make a career out of it. While it took me a while to make this decision myself, I'm a big proponent of finding out what you love to do and determining how you can do that every day. With that said, there are a handful of considerations that can help you decide if Art as a profession is the right route.

The Secret to Success as an Artist

If you're reading this, it's likely that you have or want to start a creative business and make a living off your Art. Let me first say Congratulations! I've always loved Photography, but it took me a while to fully dedicate myself to this passion, and now I get to do meaningful work every day!

The most important thing I believe we all need to know as Artists, the secret to finding success as a self-employed handmade business owner is ... There is no one-size-fits-all solution.