![[Valid RSS]](/valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")
This is a post from the now-retired Make & Meaning blog.
Image by Olivander, via Flickr
I think it’s true that many creative people would love to find a way to make their living being creative. So we might put up websites and online stores, and try to get into shows. We might even hope that sooner or later, a big company (or publisher, or patron) will notice us and give us a big check for our talents.
What’s interesting about that model is that there are relatively few companies, publishers, and patrons with big checks, and lots and lots of us with the dream. If you do the math, it works out to very few people having access to these opportunities.
But there’s no reason to feel limited or bitter about this. Because, as it turns out, we could be creating our own (admittedly smaller, but still valuable) opportunities to get paid for our art.
An interesting case study
Let me introduce you to a friend of mine, Kristin Roach. She has several craft-related small businesses going, and one of them is a printed zine, called Craft Leftovers Monthly. She’s built up a nice subscriber base, and she earns a little profit on the project.
Lately, she’s been inviting a guest contributor or two share a project in this zine. And, she pays them.
It’s not a huge amount ($25-$50, depending on the content), but it is a tangible way of helping to keep our community sustainable. As Kristin says, “I love the craft community so much, I want to see it keep going. But nobody can afford to keep giving things away for free forever.”
I love what Kristin’s doing – especially when mainstream publishers still rely on getting free content out of artists and crafters. Kristin is, in a small and meaningful way, supporting other crafters’ dreams of being paid for their talents.
Image by susanvg, via Flickr
Some personal experience
I did an experiment in this idea over the holidays, by publishing this ebook. It contained projects by a small group of crafters, and each of them earned a percentage of the profit from every copy sold.
Ultimately, everyone got paid something. It wasn’t an earth-shattering amount of money, but it was more, in some cases, than corporate interests have paid us in the past for similar work.
In fact, Kristin and I co-produced another ebook, and we’re splitting the revenues after expenses on those sales.
Admittedly, this kind of collaboration introduces a new level of administration into creative work. I’ve had to learn how to generate simple contracts, so everyone had the same understanding of the project. I’ve had to figure out a system to track the money and get it distributed to everyone. And I’ve had to keep records, because if I end up paying out enough money to anyone, there are tax documents to file.
This whole learning curve, while admittedly nowhere near as much fun as crocheting, has been hugely empowering.
Image by Oberazzi, via Flickr
What about you?
I think there’s real possibility in this concept. If you have a craft business, and can afford it, are there small opportunities for you to spread the wealth around? Could you pay a talented crafter a little something for creating an original, downloadable tutorial for your blog? Could you pay someone a few bucks to be a guest expert in your online class? Could you hire a friend who has a great design eye to consult on the new handbag pattern you’re developing?
Some may argue that by exchanging such small amounts of money for this work, we’re de-valuing it. I would answer that some corporate interests could be accused of doing that to us anyway.
I don’t see these small, person-to-person payments as de-valuing. I see them as a first step toward an interesting new economic model, where we all have more options for getting paid.
What do you think?
By paying people you also give them them a credibility boost- working for free is great, but having paid projects under your belt ads another layer to the “expert” status, and people might not spend as much time creating for free as the do for something paid (and if it is a %, there is more motivation for everyone to spread the word)
Very true – great point about giving others a credibility boost!
Another great post and a fantastic idea! This really got me thinking – I have never seen this type of collaboration among the (small) portuguese craft community, but it definitely seems like a good way to boost our blogs and crafty businesses. And 25-50 dollars is totally affordable… Great post, Diane!
Love how relevant this post is to my life right now. Although not at a place where I can employ others to help me to create I am at a point where I'm calling on another artist with more marketing experience than I have to help me in that area. I was having a bit of a hard time with the thought of paying for consulting help with something I feel I should be able to figure out for myself. This post is helping me see it as an opportunity to support another artist in a small way. Thank you!
Yay, Jen! I think it's so helpful to hire someone with more experience to help you. I mean, sure, we could absolutely figure it all out for ourselves. But I'm learning that it's also great to save that investment of time, move the business forward, and help another entrepreneur all at the same time. So, good for you!
Thanks, Rita – please feel free to report back and let me know how things worked out if you give this a try!
I think this is a great idea, one hurdle that I have to get over is the 'oh I can do that myself' notion that I think many crafters have instead of paying someone with more knowledge and experience in the field. I am getting a bit better but it is something I have to work at.
I love this idea! I'm going to get my wheels turning!
I think this is a hurdle a lot of us have, Jojoebi – especially when money feels tight in a business. Still, a small investment that can save you hours of time has lots of value.
I like this idea. I am going to have to think about how to put it to use.
And it's not altogether altruistic – by helping them, we gain access to their network too.
win-win
Very true, Sherry – this is a meaningful way to establish relationships in the craft community.
Thank you for reprinting these.
I must admit…I am cheap, but I would contribute to others if they did the same for me. I have no problem sharing the wealth, as long as everyone did it in an equal manner.
I have to say…I love your posts. You are honest and give a lot to the crafting community to think about!!
Thank you so much, Megs! I agree – hopefully, this is the kind of micro-economy that would see lots of reciprocal participation. That's what deepens the relationships, after all.
The best class I've ever taken is Economics. It helped me organize my perceptions and thoughts about the world. Although there have been people that argue against these theories, very few of those people actually make any change by arguing against “the way the world works”. I applaud your positive approach and encourage your questions and attempts at change.
I keep thinking about this post, and it's a great idea. I am suffering total craft supply overload right now, I'm really trying to reduce the general amount of stuff in my life. As yarn and embroidery are my passions (right now), I love the idea of supporting independent spinners and dyers, but it would be counter productive for me at this point. I decided that the best thing for me to do right now is to buy patterns/designs from independent designers. This way I support my community and I use up my supplies.
This is an awesome practice! Indie designers work so hard, and really deserve support!
Oh I very much like this!
I am always torn about this. In an ideal world, I would sell my crafts to make a living, and disperse help and advice for free or on a barter system. Though the more marketing services move into my business, the more I realize I need to be paid for those as well… But then it is mostly people just starting out, and money isn't easy come by.
I am currently working on a new eBook, geared towards handmade entrepreneurs in Germany, and will probably do that based on donations. We'll see how that works out. :)
Hugs from Hamburg,
Gila (11m2)
True, Gila, it is a bit of a tricky balance. I believe in helping people whenever I can, too. But there does come a point where you have to draw a line and request some payment – if we all give everything away, none of us will be sustainable. Up to each of us to decide where that line is, I suppose. Your ebook sounds interesting!