A short while ago I saw a little debate on Facebook. A textile artist was asking for advice. How should she  'sell her work more successfully'? How did others find Etsy (or Folksy) or were they using other platforms to sell their work.



The little debate also then touched upon the sort of work she made - 'stuff to sell' or 'art for it's own sake'.

And this got me thinking - and boy is this a big subject.

What is the difference between Art and Craft?  If you follow that previous link, there is a wonderful comment from Tracy Fiegl "Comparing art to craft is like comparing philosophy to engineering: they're two seperate ways of looking at the same thing. To me art is communication of an idea or an emotion, while craft is the physical manipulation of material. An object can easily be both, either or neither."

I very much like that definition.

Meanwhile, this debate (the difference between Art and Craft) has been raging for decades. I remember hearing a presentation by Grayson Perry talking using the analogy of setting sail on the ocean of Art from the estuaries of Craft. There is a sailing analogy here. The implication is that it is safe in the Craft environment. You can hone your skills,  and maybe even be pretty successful but the Ocean of Art is a big leap of faith - a leap into the wider environment. There may be more risks but there could also be more reward. And its s a less structured environment - un-chartered waters if you like. (By the way, I really wanted to share that with you, but I have hunted across YouTube and the internet and just can't find the clip I am referring to!)

Now, I am not sure if this analogy is helpful to everyone. For me, though, I find it a very useful way to think about what I am doing.

I go through phases where I am quite happy splashing about in the estuary of craft. I am doing a little series of lampshades at the moment. They are pretty, they are functional, they are fun to make and I hope they will also be commercially well received. But, do you know what - they are not 'art'.


For me, art demands an intellectual rigour that you don't need to apply when just doing 'craft'. This is where the estuary/ocean analogy is so helpful. You don't need great navigation skills to cross the estuary but you do to cross the ocean.

But, it doesn't matter if you are in the 'estuary of craft' or the 'ocean of art' - you still need to take a professional approach to your work if you intend to sell it. (If you are on the Gosport Ferry - a 4 minute trip across Portsmouth Harbour - you still want to know its a professional operation and that you are not going to be getting wet half way across because someone forgot to pump the bilges! )

So, rank amateurs - time to up your game.

Now, confession time - I am a bit of a rank amateur.

But I recognise this in myself. And it is because I have a full time day job.  I could do much more to sell my work, but boy, do I need more hours in the day or the ability to function on only 3 hours sleep.

But that is not an excuse - just a realisation of "Iam where I am".

I have mulled over the Etsy/Folksy problem. Should I go with them or perhaps another e-commerce platform?  Well, I could take a day or two out, improve my photography and set up my online shop.

But I have to be honest with myself. It's not just about the time taken to create the sales environment in the first place.  I am not sure I would be able to process orders very quickly.  In the fast 21st Century world, I need to recognise that people expect a fast turnaround. They place an order and they expect it to be despatched that day - professionally wrapped and presented for it's onward journey, perhaps with little touches like ribbons or 'thank you' cards etc. So, while it is very tempting, in all honesty I don't think an online e-commerce platform is right for me.


So, how am I going to sell my work?

I have decided - I need to focus on a few selected face to face events each year.

And it would be great to find another gallery to take my work.  I don't mind paying the commission for someone else to provide the post sales service.

So for 2017 I am doing two Open Studios ( Bucks Open Studios in Milton Keynes, and Hampshire Open Studios with my great friends Rob and Andy, in Gosport) and The Workshop Sale in London in December.

Hello dear reader.

Over on instagram there has been a bit of a meet the maker thing going on.

Well I am not going to start coming out in front of the camera, so don't panic, but one prompt is to share your studio.

So, I thought I would share mine with you.



And it is not very inspiring really is it? ( Unlike the rather charming space belonging to Mrs Bertimus - I've got plastic stag head envy!)

My studio is a conservatory off my bedroom. It is a simple rectangle in shape with a sloping plastic roof - nothing fancy masquerading as a orangery, just a simple conservatory.

The space is somewhat restricted by the fact that there are two double doors. One leads into my bedroom, and the other leads into the garden.

In December, January and February it is pretty in hospitable out there much of the time. But now we are into March it is much more welcoming.  (It is pretty inhospitable in high summer too! But I do have swags of IKEA calico over the ceiling to help keep the worst glare of the sun out and consequently keep the temperature down.)

In my last post I explained that I had set up an impromptu photo shoot with an old sheet. Consequently I had tidied up. So this is when it is tidy! I am a mucky pup! A messy worker. I don't intend to be, but it is just as I am.

The first picture was taken with me standing next to the old filing cabinet (which contains fabric, by the way) looking towards the other corner. That wall is looking a bit blank. If the house was mine (it's rented) I would probably have shelves along there, or may be a rack for thread, or maybe a design wall.  Just looking at it in the photo it looks a bit of a wasted opportunity.

The other picture is taken from the corner with the white cupboard with the boxes on top. That blue IKEA bag contains some lamps - they were reduced in the sale after Christmas and I pounced. I ought to store them in the garage really but I don't want them to get damp. The boxes contain either finished lampshades or lampshade frames waiting to be made.  Pictures are either stored under beds or under the work tables.

And here are my two studio assistants, blending very nicely with the carpet (an eBay purchase that helps keep my feet warm in winter).

With an old bed sheet!

Which I did iron - promise - but you can still see a few creases.

What a brilliant and slightly addictive idea this is.