5 (more) ways people react when you start crafting!

How other people react when you take up crafty hobbies or start your own creative business can be fascinating - from the well-intentioned questions, to the outright frustrating expectations, your friends and family need time to adapt to your new life choices!

My last blog post about 5 ways people react when you start making jewellery got a lot of reactions, with makers and creatives from across different media sharing their own tales of comedy or woe.  Some of those situations I've known, some I've never thought about, so I've come back to the topic for a special commenter edition, with 5 (more) ways people react when you make handmade.

1. "Look! You could make this/Could you make me one of these?"

It's painful to see your name tagged in a social media post, with someone asking you outright "This is lovely! Could you make me one?".  No. Because I have my own ideas, my own styles, and I'm not going to steal the work of another person. Buy it from them!

2. "You’ll never earn any money doing THAT!"

Seeing this reply in a Facebook group, I was saddened that someone had to face the people they'd expected support from being so brutal instead. A little reality check perhaps never hurt, but to see your hopes dismissed so harshly? All the more reason to prove them wrong and work to thrive. 

3. "But you're doing it because you love it?"

The flipside to #3 on the previous list (assuming creativity must become a business), is shock from people that when you're creating art, jewellery, poetry or whatever to earn a living, that the money even matters. Surely, making lovely things is reward enough?! 

 4. "Mate's Rates?" or even worse... freebies

After working out often slim profit margins, it's a creative's choice to offer a discount, but some folk will expect you to be thankful for any sale and make the casual request of mate's rates. Even harder to manage are friends or family expecting work for free with "I'll credit you!". That kind of 'support' doesn't pay my bills. Hurrah though for the people who refuse mate's rates and insist on paying full whack, they're total keepers.

5. Enthusiastically telling people what you do, and getting it so very wrong.

If you hear it in real time, or find out in the confused aftermath, there's something endearing yet eye-rolling about the enthusiasm of "Oh yeah, she weaves wool!" (no-oooo, spinning wool makes the yarn, which can then be knitted or woven) or "Jay said you can fix this ring because you make jewellery?" (I can't set actual diamonds!)

Once again, all of this is a little tongue in cheek, because usually it's friends and family who are the rocks behind creative people and what we do, supporting our ideas, and cheerleading if we decide to move into business. (Love you all x)

There is the reality of it though, that not everyone will understand the whys and wherefores of what you want to create, so hopefully rather than make you feel down, this list equips you with responses and ways to manage possible reactions. Perhaps casually sharing it with potential offenders could make them think twice before they shoot their mouth off!

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Thanks to all of the commentors on my post about the original list, and across various social media, but special mentions to some of you who specifically inspired me to make version 2 of this list:

• Becca
• Lorraine Gwinnutt of https://www.facebook.com/5elementsjewellery
• Gilleoin McClintock of www.woolrush.weebly.com 
• Sharon Inns of https://www.facebook.com/spritesetal

Check out the previous blog for the first 5 ways people react, and if you want to share your own experiences in the comments below, please do!

5 ways people react when you start making jewellery