These little 'Santa Men' have caused a bit of a stir! I have had some fantastic reaction from friends, family, customers, blogland-ers. What a huge compliment and thankyou.
But... it feels a little fraudulant...
These Santa Men arrive on a yard of fabric all pre-printed in their gorgeousness.
I know, it is what you do with the fabric that creates the charm and interest of anything handmade. But i feel a little 'lesser' because i didn't design him. And when you live and work in a world, such as ETSY - i am surrounded by profound talents. It is very humbling.
Yes, they have been 'Fished', in that i have quilted them, interfaced, stuffed, buttoned and bell'ed the chunky little Christmas Dudes (they are weighted too with a secret method, to keep him stood upright)
But i am someone who takes immense pride in my own original designs, and that is why these feel 'lesser'
The same can be said for these darling Babushka decorations.
I adore these and everyone in my family is getting one! But the true hard work isn't mine. They are fiddly little ladies to cut, stuff, sew etc... but the charm is really in the beautiful fabric.
I am not asking for forgiveness from the Craft Gods or anything - it is just a sense of Pride i think i am talking about. These decorations are great fun to make and i love the end product but they are nowhere as satisfying as designing something from scratch.
2010 seemed to be full of genuine stories where Artists and Designers were being ripped off - their work stolen and replicated all over, from small internet traders to large corporate giants. And i can understand that some people would say this is flattering but it must also feel very frustrating.
And so i have concluded that my word for 2010 is INTEGRITY.
Can you look at your life, your work, your actions and intentions and warmly know that you are acting with integrity?
When i feel like stopping this handmade madness... when i see the Mass produced items people are buying for Christmas.... when i feel slightly 'lesser' for using a pre-printed fabric.... i just ask myself the question:
"Are you acting with integrity? Are you honest and true?"
Yes, I feel I have integrity.
I love being part of the handmade movement.
I love doing what i do and staying true to my own ideas and ideals.
I am not giving out a lesson here.
Far be it from me to judge anyone other than myself.
But blogging is great place for me to sort through things in my head that have been confusing me of late.
And this Lavender stuffed Pillow comes with a smaller lavender Matroyshka - to make a little set.
