Comments on: Are You an Artist?

By: Leslie Schmidt

Leslie Schmidt — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 01:29:20 +0000

Very interesting thoughts everyone shared. I remember one day in a craft store someone saying, “Oh, you’re a beader.” I said, “No, I am actually a stringer as I string things together rather than sew beads together.” At that time, I didn’t understand either word very well as I had just started making jewelry. After thinking it all through and reading lots of Q & A’s like this article, I learned to say, “I make and design jewelry, and now I teach jewelry making.” So, YES, I AM an artist. I have been since childhood. I remember a friend making the most amazing quilts and denying that she was an artist (she had low self-esteem) and we all tried to encourage her and let her know she was denying her artistic talents. My grandmother taught all of us grandkids (boys and girls alike) that we can do anything we put our minds to do ~ we might not do it all well, but we can do it. That has helped me and my cousins to become successful artists in many areas. Now if I could just limit all my creative ventures to just a few rather than so many (cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, painting, jewelry making, gardening, etc.), my art room might not be so full of everything.

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 22:15:42 +0000

I always felt that I was not artistically inclined, because I could not draw.
I found my art on jewelry making! When my business partner go to shows, we do much better at art shows than craft shows, especially in the small area where we live. People usually understand that, but still don’t buy anything because they think my prices are too high. Then other people think they are not high enough because of all the details.

By: Cat

Cat — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 04:40:31 +0000

Easy..peasy! Artist? How about Artisan…. always has a nice ring to it and people don’t confuse you with a painter…haha. I love the ones that get “artisan” mixed up with “artesian” (as in “water”..lol). But, I find “artisan” simple. That’s how I see myself and it is a quick way to tell someone what you do…”I’m a jewelry artisan”. If they don’t get it, they should shop for jewelry from Taiwan at KMart. 😉

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 19:08:09 +0000

An excellent group of statements on the question, “Are you an artist?”
I am probably much older than most of you so I’ve been through most of the trials and tribulations many of you are dealing with today.

There were times when I worried about having my work accepted and appreciated. I know the gut wrenching feeling you get when some one makes cruel and cutting remarks about your work. It has taken me years to learn how to deal with it.

Finally I am at the age where others opinions of my work aren’t that important to me. I know my jewelry design are unusual and at times fanciful. They don’t appeal to everyone but they sell because they are unique and a reflection of my own creativity.

Just remember that critics are not infallible. They view everything from their own perspective but their view isn’t the only one. Many are arrogant and too full of their own importance and don’t really care if their remarks are hurtful. It is just as easy to give an honest opinion that is encouraging as to give one that is cutting.

So if any one asks ,”Are you an artist?” Tell them “Yes. I make jewelry. I am a jewelry artist. “

By: Jody Lanham

Jody Lanham — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 13:34:03 +0000

I love this thread, and Tracey of Whimsy Jewelry Designs was speaking from my heart! I am an artist too and sometimes the words resist emerging from my lips and my thoughts, but I do things in a way that is creative and artistic and have been called an artist by many. I love what she said about showing your inner self and that not many people are willing to do that. It takes a lot of courage to be an artist because not only are you turning yourself inside out for all to see but you are exposing yourself to judgement and criticism (as well as praise!) And I have been observing when I do shows how many people flock to the booths that have row after row of the same style just in different colors. It is safe, for the seller and for the buyer. No secrets revealed, nothing exposed. Simple easy and safe. But I would not be satisfied with creating or selling that or buying that. I love different unique and original, which is what I do. I cannot always define where an idea comes from I just know that it is rooted inside me somewhere and reaches out and grabs pieces and parts from the rest of the world and puts them all together into something that will appeal to just the right person. When that happens the reward has been received and all the time effort hard work money and sometimes frustration has been worth it!

Sincerely,
Jody
Designs by Jody

By: Michele Counihan

Michele Counihan — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 16:09:36 +0000

Yes I am an artist! About a year ago I read a very disappointing reader’s letter to a high-end design magazine. The writer claimed that those of us “who did not graduate from a design school” have no right to call ourselves artists. In other words, a BFA confers the description rather than God-given talent developed independent of formal schooling. Obviously she’s a very rigid person!

By: Tracy Bryan Roberts

Tracy Bryan Roberts — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:14:02 +0000

These were JUST the stories I needed to read this morning. Am I an Artist? Wow, well Yeah!

I only over the past 5 or 6 months became comfortable calling myself a “jewelry designer”, I always referred to myself as a “beader”. Although I started out that way 10 years ago I’ve come far, learned, watched, experimented…and like I am sure most of us do; found inspiration for pieces while grocery shopping, on the phone with a friend, driving down the highway…well…all my waking hours for the most part!

#janice – I can sooo relate to what you are saying. I took one basic class years ago, a fairly prestigious class in pendant wire wrapping at the Roycliff Center in East Aurora, NY (got a certificate and everything whoo hoo!) about 7 months ago and I get books to learn techniques, especially in wire work, than try to turn those designs into my own. I have no great letters or experience or experience writing out a jewelry project etc… HOWEVER in reaching out and talking to many of those people who have years and years of experience, I’ve learned to accept that I am a Jewelry Artist. The first steps I took in contacting these people were frightening, I didn’t want to bother them only tell them how much they inspired me to keep pushing on etc….

Every single one has written back a thank you, a lot of the time I make THEIR day which makes MY day and they have all helped me, encouraged me and even helped me to realize, yea, I do have a “style” that’s my own, I’m worthy of the title Artist, Etsy Shop owner and Jewelry Designer.

For full disclosure, this feeling can wax and wane. I’m very very very curious as to why, and it seems with all Creative minded Artistic people, but primarily jewelry designers and painters really tear themselves up and put themselves down. Maybe, as stated earlier, it’s time to remember the Child in us – play a little more, notice a lot more and not take it all so seriously.

I am going to sit on my back patio with the gradually warming temp here in Buffalo, NY, have a cup of coffee and think about my next 1,067 projects to go.

My best to you all, my fellow Artists~~~ 🙂
Tracy