Can You Be Creative AND Profitable? - The Handmade Debate 👍👎

[@katswinton3809]

I love batch scheduling my social media stuff. I also have a note pad by my sofa, one by my bed, one in the kitchen etc so I can write down anything creative I come up with which helps me park the idea when I’m supposed to be doing something else! 😂

[@KimBliss]

I like that idea. I too often rely on the notes app in my phone when I'm hit by a creative idea. The trouble with that is I never open up the app except to add new ideas, so they get forgotten about! I'll have to try the notebook by the sofa I think. Thank you! 👍

[@C.FrostArt]

I'm still trying to work out how to schedule my time. I seem to either pick at tasks and do little bits, or I hyper fixate on one and ignore the others. "Expect the unexpected" is what I've also been learning. There will be major obstacles that just come out of nowhere and can be massively demotivating. Butterwort plant is great for catching those annoying little flies! 😃 Great video again Kim thank you!

[@KimBliss]

Thanks for the plant tip! The fungus gnats have been insane this year and I had hoped they'd disappear now that's summer is over. I'll give it a look. 👍🌿

[@falcieridesigns]

Ah ha, this is the second time this week I've seen someone talk about the crabs in the bucket. It must be the week for it. I've never really mastered being good at running a business. I've managed to fill the gaps but I can't imagine ever being able to survive entirely on my craft. Getting the balance right between what I want to make and what people want to buy is hard, because if I'm not able to make what I enjoy making, I find it harder to do and then it starts to feel like just another job. I'm still working it out. I'm great at being the business person when it comes to sorting the finances etc, not so much when it comes to creating. :/

[@KimBliss]

Yeah I hear you and I do struggle with it too occasionally. Sometimes the other way though where I get too stuck in the weeds worrying about what customers want and I have to remind myself that's it ok to create for me sometimes too! 😊

[@skincarecookbook]

Hi Kim@ I love you and your videos. Thank you for your nonsense it always makes me smile 😊

[@KimBliss]

Thanks so much! 😁💚

[@slimplynth]

Ive recently put Business Stan in charge, its because my excel skills are satisfactory, Business Stan accounts for every cost from materials, packaging and manufacture then looks at the suggested Etsy and Stall prices and whether it seems worthwhile making for anything other than a gift.. i 3d print and laser engrave (a lot).. some things just aren't worth selling.. e.g.. the 30 hours ive put into post processing a Mandalorian helmet.. never selling it 😁 20 minutes to posca pen a mushroom based slate coaster.. its relaxing.. very small returns but as part of a gift set.. with a nicely engraved wooden box.. plus other items.. dunno.. I'd make way more money if i worked overtime at my actual job.. but part of me yearns for self sufficiency..

[@KimBliss]

This is relatable. I've put in eye watering hours into some items that just gathered dust. One item like that sold after sitting in my shop for over two years. I think the bigger ticket items can take longer to sell because the market is smaller, so they take longer to find their people. They're still worth making though if you find joy and creative fulfillment in them, just be aware that they can take longer to find a home and be sure to have smaller ticket 'people pleasers' to keep things ticking over in the meantime.

[@Pumorastickt]

My tip is: in times of massive stress in your private life, it is very normal to not get done so much businesswise, so don't beat yourself up because of it. IT IS NORMAL and you are not doing it wrong. Sometimes it just isn't possible to do it all. Loved all of your tips! I try to put away my cell phone while doing computer work to minimize distractions. I like to do IG stories over the day and sometimes that works great as an excuse to interrupt the real work I have to do that is not as fun to do. Batching is great and yes, there have to be basics that are popular to pull people in. I always thought you need the showstoppers, but it is the basic product that everyone buys. The showstoppers are great for exposure, though... and then they buy the basic one ^^

[@KimBliss]

You.arw absolutely right and I wish I could be ok with not getting as much done business-wise. I'm getting there, it's just a process. 😊 But yes, I agree with everything you've said here. Excellent tips. 👍💚

[@leannfrobom847]

I loved the driver of the car analogy. I also need to try block scheduling. Thank you!!!

[@KimBliss]

It's a good one isn't it? It really helps when I catch myself getting caught up with either too much business stuff, or too much creative stuff. It reminds me that both sides need their turn to drive. 😊

[@slimplynth]

I think the difference, sometimes, is that some people get paid a literal fortune for something that a very small number of people think is art.. whereas someone can make a really funny/genius boob fridge magnet and it will go mostly unoticed?

[@gillianmcmurray]

It's funny you mention needing to know what people want to buy. I was listening to someone the other day who mentioned that Etsy's main demographic is women aged 25-45. That would explain why my art stopped selling then - my ideal customer is aged between 55 and 75. So I guess knowing where our customers are helps too 😂 That way we're not wasting time pushing our marketing towards people who will never be interested. Cough, cough - D grade in Marketing class for me 😁

[@KimBliss]

Well it sounds to me like you're an A grade in Marketing class because you've identified your ideal customer and the fact that they're not on Etsy. Give yourself more credit Gillian, it sounds you're well on the right path to finding your folks again. 👏💚

[@gillianmcmurray]

@@KimBliss Awww, thanks Kim 😁

[@slimplynth]

I'm getting ready for an Xmas fayre stall.. full elf mode.. I'm like a shenzen elf.. keen eye for quality 😁

[@JohnLee-mk1tj]

Gosh Kim I could go for hours on this. The creativity and business is always a push pull for me. I answer emails over morning coffee and then after breakfast start into the creative stuff in the mornings and into the afternoon. Deadlines dictate the order of jobs mostly. I'm usually working on 3 or 4 things at any one time so YES time blocking is a huge for me. I'll do any admin stuff before I sign off for dinner. Then I usually go back after and try to tie up any loose ends. So, I work within a lot of blurry lines. Impressive catch Kim Minugy!!!!😄👍

[@KimBliss]

It's funny how long all admin can take sometimes. I haven't touched September's bookkeeping yet and I have to contact HMRC for a form, there's supplies that need ordering and so the list goes on. I need to time block a day dedicated solely yo all those annoying admin tasks! 😄

[@betsi_jae]

I've really been enjoying your videos and the wonderful way you chat and address these topics around small business life. I completely agree that its important to meet your customer where they're at. You can make whatever you want to make but just know that it might not sell, or that you might need to find a different demographic for your product. Sometimes its also about slow-burn. You might need to take your time to develop a product or product line, and you might have to take a loss on certain products. Overall, running a business is about risk - lots of risk - but eventually you'll arrive at your perfect product and it can help propel your business. ☺ Looking forward to your upcoming discussions.

[@KimBliss]

Thabk you so much! I've been taking a different approach to my videos recently and I love it. But I was worried that others wouldn't so seeing your comment was lovely. Thank you for taking the time out to leave it. 😊💚

[@cclcraftsman]

I love the analogy of the business you and creative you driving the car. My “business me” is a nice guy and my “creative me” gets really excited about all the plethora of ideas that I don’t have time for. “Business me” usually ends up giving way to “creative me” and I go from researching the people pleaser items to looking at cool stuff that’s probably gonna take a long time and May or may not sell very well. Then I end up with like 5 half completed projects and I’m scrambling to make my best sellers when I have my hard deadlines like for a craft fair or Christmas orders or something.

[@KimBliss]

It was an eye opener for me aswell. My business and creative people are usually always arguing and fighting over the wheel. Currently the creative person is behind the wheel and the business person is looking out of the passenger's window, sulking. All is calm. For now. 😄

[@JLJCoastersPlus]

Great one as usual

[@KimBliss]

Cheers. 😁

[@inezkuijtnaiveart7873]

Yes agree on the difference between creative person and business person. I must learn that still. I am constantly worrying about sendingcosts, tax and then above that custom clearance costs. And there I get stuck😂. But it isn’t my fault bit I feel overly responsible for that. Plus as you mentioned time!! In the middle of a moving and not recovered from Covid still. So my shop is not working now. And only 6 Christmas ornaments. I always struggle with time. So looking forward to your video. This one was great and funny🪰😂Thank you❤

[@KimBliss]

Oh Inez, make sure you go easy on yourself! Moving homes requires a lot of energy, and covid is so draining too. Hope you get some calm soon. 💚

[@rcampbell4366]

Really useful points on this video.

[@KimBliss]

Thank you. 😊

[@jasminecozyjournalers]

Thank you! I'm going with the driver and passenger metaphor....Maybe eye glasses always when working on the business things and apron always when crafting to get in the mood 😂

[@KimBliss]

Ha I love that idea! 🤓👨‍🍳 (no apron emoji!)

[@SuzanneRowell]

Miss Miagi!

[@KimBliss]

I'm so glad I caught it on camera! 😄

[@ash.pace24]

Unrelated but your hair is so pretty!! ❤

[@KimBliss]

Aw thanks! It was mostly behaving in this video, but usually there's a grey hair, or a sticking out bit or something just living it's best life while I'm blissfully unaware. 😄

[@bethhutchinson105]

Kim 1, Fly 0 lol good advice as usual Kim. Thank you. I am terrible honestly at separating the business side and creative side. I am working on that, but it's a huge struggle.

[@KimBliss]

It really can be and I don't get the balance right all the time either. I feel like my business person has been at the wheel too long and I'm desperate to let the creative side go nuts again. 😄

[@antheaxe7340]

i agree alot with ehat you said ans use to be that want starvin artist fan but not any more been of tha vagon for some yeas now

[@KimBliss]

Good on you. And there's room for artists to make a living from their work. Anything that helps more art and creative work get out there. We need more of it in the world. 💚

[@JulieEbersole]

“Mr. Miagi!” YASSSSS!!!🤣

[@KimBliss]

I was so proud of myself. 😆

[@antheaxe7340]

iam the other way oaround get more creativ if i only have x amount of material and need to strech it some how to get all of what need to make it. I like to look at solutions and give me more focus i only have this an nothing else to decision anxiety that i would have if i hade 15 diffent material to choose from

[@slimplynth]

Do you have another project bag that says, " its ok to rest "?

[@KimBliss]

Shush! I do, and we're not talking about it. 😄

[@slimplynth]

@KimBliss it's going to a really good home, someone I know who is frustrated with medicinal rest 💙👌🏼

[@KimBliss]

Yay! Do they like embroidery? I could pop some extra stick & stitch patches in there if so?

[@TinhaRolfsdotter]

Mr Miyagi 😂😂😂😂😂😂❤

[@KimBliss]

It got SMOOSHED! 😁🪦

[@TinhaRolfsdotter]

@@KimBliss it sure did. 😊

[@antheaxe7340]

i like this nonsens it is the best nonsens