Comments on: Merry go round

By: Sara's Texture Crafts

Sara's Texture Crafts — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:39:49 +0000

I like your ‘battle horse’ idea… maybe this is a good way of looking at the things we sell well?? These need time to be advertised and pushed (although gently).

It’s much more difficult as you say to find out what our purple cow could be?

I think your purple cow might be your knowledge and inspiration? Your work shines with knowledge and you are always so eager to learn more… that inspries me and I think ultmately helps you to sell… people are drawn to this.

By: Christie (SweetbriarStudio)

Christie (SweetbriarStudio) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:55:58 +0000

Marian, the reason I have enjoyed what you do so much is because it always seems so spontaneous and free, not inhibited. Thanks for this post and many others that have helped me in my own challenge to be true to myself in what I create (not for sales or approval, but a means of expressing my self, my soul). I’m at a crossroads of sorts as to whether to stop doing what sells for what I really want to spend my time doing. Your willingness to share something of yourself is helping me to get my own thoughts pounded out. Thank You!

By: ruth

ruth — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:29:41 +0000

Follow your heart! (not your sales!) you need to do what your heart tells you…to keep you interested and exploring…otherwise you’ll burn out and get bored and we can’t have that.

I love the vibrancy of your work …..it doesn’t matter what colors your using – bright loud color or pastels or soft greys…..It is all so alive. That’s what always hits me with your work, – it’s alive, dynamic and vital! Never anything less than vivacious! I love it.

By: wendren

wendren — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:13:52 +0000

umm…. you have hit the nail on the head and your dilemma really resonates with me.

See, I have been creating the Big and Small Town Bags since I started Wren. They were Wren in fact. They sell well but they were a product out of necessity (I needed something to sell). I loved selecting the fabric, making stories with it and when the bag was complete, I could not be more excited. Now, it can be days before I take them out of the bag to admire and even then, it’s just a case of “oh, thats nice” and I put it on the hat stand. The excitement it not there anymore and I wonder if I should continue making them anymore or move on. They sell so to stop making them feels like a foolish business decision. However I have decided to take the plunge and after Christmas my stock will go on a big sale and that will be the end of these bags (sshhh…I havent told anybody yet). I think this will be a good move becuase I am keeping it fun for myself and interesting for my customer. I have been making them for a year and half and it feels like the right time. Its good to grow even if it is scary and requires taking a chance. I will let you know how it goes. Funnily, I am quite excited about it. It opens up space and time for new designs.

By: fancypicnic

fancypicnic — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:32:09 +0000

Wow. This Merry has got us all thinking!! I have seen over the past 18 months your work move along, gather pace and come together. I totally know the feeling of boredom when making too much of one thing. Maybe that’s because we are always looking, searching for what should come next so that our minds don’t go stale. Your pods have done so well! I think I agree with Fabienne – I bet these pods will lead you on down the line, evolving and changing, but remaining very much ‘florcita’ – no-one else, my dearie, but you xx

By: Meherio68

Meherio68 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:49:20 +0000

I’m wondering whether looking for one’s purple cow is not already enough to make you one…

By: lily pang

lily pang — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:32:27 +0000

To me your purple cow is the flower of lines and your innocent design style and the colors. All together that are yours and nobody has it.

By: Ladka

Ladka — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:49:41 +0000

I can understand you very well that although you like your Seed Pod bags and gladly made some variations to it you then wanted to move on, you got bored.
I myself made several variations to my red hazelnut leaves and walnut leaves silk scarves – bu only as long as I liked experimenting with them. And if someone wanted me to make ten more I probably could not.
But on the other hand, if this is your living there must be an equilibrium between creativity and sell-ability which is sometimes difficult to reach.

By: easterya

easterya — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:16:19 +0000

Don’t make to sell! It is soul destroying… And your soul is so bright and vibrant, it would be a CRIME!!! Bright colours are an obvious part of your cow, you can be outrageously bright and beautifully colourful (thinking of your tiles), as well as soft and muted (your beautiful grey pod bag), and maybe you can bring back a particular style or pattern from Patagonia that will become your purple cow… I disagree (though I understand – I am the same!) on your pods becoming boring for you to make: you have found a style and shape that people like, and you can build on it and experiment with it, because you’ve done the hard bit, you got something there!! Now you maybe need to look at it in a different way?
Great post, as always!!
BTW I read the post when you arrived in Argentina, it chocked me, beautiful and heartfelt, struck such a cord with me I cried…

By: Alison

Alison — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:11:33 +0000

It’s a really interesting debate – lots of food for thought here! I think as crafters we always need to be exploring even if it means losing out financially