What are my Goals as a fiber artist / designer?
May 21st, 2007I give alot of thought to this topic from time to time, sometimes when re-evaluating my business plan, sometimes when having a conversation with another artist or designer of the same or a different craft, and sometimes when just chatting with friends.
My fiber art and design go down several paths, of form, function and fashion. I like what I design to be functional, not frivolous. I detest frivolous because it smacks of ego and waste. I prefer what I design to be of good form, attractive at least, beautiful at best. Some of it I design for fashion, head turning “where did you get that” sort of fashion, so that my clients can feel good about having original wearable art that no one else will ever have. It all goes back to my intense sense of individualism.
What do I design? Sometimes I’ve gone through this so i can evaluate what I’m doing and where I am going. At times you need to do this so you can improve upon your goals, I think anyways.
I design baby clothes which can also be used for reborn doll clothes. I use doll such as Berenguer and Goldenvale that are the lifelike size of newborns and toddlers, for accuracy of fit and for the dual purpose noted above. I make crocheted booties, hats, sweaters, blankets, and am trying my hand at dresses / gowns for the infant crowd. I also create cross stitched baby bibs, however these can be personalized with the child’s name, or a message from a doting aunt, uncle or grandparent. Here again, adorable, one of a kind and unique with personalization.
My goal here is to make one of a kind clothes / accessories for the babies, toddlers and reborn dolls, and to make them affordable. Not “designer” priced, but designer quality. Obviously higher priced but then again higher quality than the mass produced department store stuff. Yet affordable to parents of all incomes, parents on a budget, grandparents on a budget, doll makers who need to keep costs inline yet who want something no one else has. You can see some of what I design in this area here.
I also design doll clothes for the 18 inch doll collector ~ both adult and young lady alike ~ affordable little outfits, all unique, and I include the shoes because I know it’s a PITA to buy the outfit only and then have to hunt down the shoes and spend extra money on the shoes. You c an see some of those outfits here.
I suppose my ultimate goal with the baby and doll clothes and accessories is to make designer quality available and affordable to everyone, whilst making my profit and therefore keeping my roof over my head.
Upon reflection I suppose that is what my goal is with the women’s fashion accessories that I crochet ~ hats and scarves that fit like a dream, are made from very good quality yarns that wash up well and will last the wearer or the gift recipient a very long time. The same with my new line of purses, totes and evening bags, although the evening bags that have intricate beadwork will of course be priced higher because of the extensive work involved. But not SO high that the average bride, prom girl or lady going to a formal occasion will not be able to purchase an intricately beaded, classic and beautiful evening bag at a price that won’t break the budget. You can see this very very new section of my website here. Not everything is up, because it all takes such time to design and then to actually create. However it is getting there s*l*o*w*l*y.
As I get more things actually done and up there, I plan on breaking this section of my website into more appropriate categories to more accurately show what is being offered and to make the shopping experience an easy one.
I’m also putting my nature photography talent into a designer direction as well. My goal is to take my macro floral and plant photography, as well as my bird photography, and convert them into counted cross stitch patterns, some for free and some into books of patterns for sale. Eventually I will also include my own artwork as well, and will sell and occasionally give away free only my own original patterns on my counted cross stitch site instead of what I sell now which is closeout patterns from other manufacturers.
I think my goals for fiber and textile designer are in line with my creative abilities and in line with what the public wants and up until now either has not been able to find or could not afford. My goals are also in line with my very strong feelings that everyone from all walks of life should be able to afford good designer quality without the excessive “designer” prices and without exclusively resorting to mass produced items.
