1.T-shirt from Freelance Ain't Free, 2.Gold Metal Lace Cuff from Inbar Shahak, 3.Beekeeper's Quilt pattern from Tiny Owl Knits 4.Necklace from Bare Metal Designs (I actually purchased a pair of earrings but it's for a gift so I didn't want show the actual piece)Lately I've been thinking about how I can support handmade artists whether they're selling a product or giving away a craft tutorial for free. First there's the obvious, I can buy handmade. Above are a few things I've purchased from artists in the past few months. But then there's the question of how to support artists who don't sell a product? This has been a question I've been thinking about a lot recently.
Sister Diane, author of Crafty Pod has been publishing a unique series called "How I supported some free". She shares how she's personally supporting artists who give away their patterns and knowledge for free. A few examples of how she supports free are, donating money to a site, buying ad space, or clicking on Flattr buttons. I highly recommend visiting her site to read more about why and how she supports free.
Besides supporting artists financially, we can support them with our comments, stumbles, FB likes, tweets, etc. So my question to you is how do you want to be supported? What do you appreciate the most? Is it a comment? Is it your project being re-tweeted? Maybe it's something none of us have ever even thought of before. Please share.
15 comments:
Hi!
I love when people repost my items for others to see. It's so nice to see reposts that weren't done by me. :-)
If anyone would be interested I have a facebook page
facebook.com/especially.you
AND
I'm working on my webpage at sabrinachellini.com
I have been reading Sister Diane's post with interest too.
I like to write a blog post about handmade items I have bought especially if the product was really good or the service extra special and I know people have gone on to buy products from the same artist.
Also, commenting on artists blogs and giving them support that way, when you are having a crappy day and someone leaves a lovely comment it can make a world of difference.
I really like the idea of supporting free! I definitely need to do more of that. Thanks for the reminder!
Sabrina,
Thanks for sharing, I'll check out your site.
Jojoebi,
You're so right, it's amazing how one little comment can have such a positive impact. Personally, I like comments the best.
I love all of thee above. It's always nice when someone give a shout-out no matter where/what it is.
This is a great discussion topic, Jessica!
I think we're at an interesting threshhold right now. For many, many bloggers, non-monetary forms of support like those mentioned here feel like full compensation. And then again, I think some longer-term bloggers are beginning to hope for more monetary forms. Obviously, this is a really complicated concept, but if there's one thing I'm clear on, it's that bloggers should have the right to want both kinds of compensation without enduring repercussions from the community.
We bloggers are basically doing the work magazine editors and writers used to do. (Or, still do, but in somewhat dwindling numbers.) People used to pay for magazines, and I strongly believe that if a blogger brings you inspiration, education, and/or community on a regular basis, then you do owe him or her a certain debt of gratitude.
For the record, I appreciate all forms of support, but honestly, donations, ebook purchases or class registrations actually allow me to keep doing what I do.
Sister DG,
Thanks for the great response. I agree with everything you said. I believe crafters should be compensated for their work both ways and if you can donate or purchase an item from them, that's the best thing to do.
I only put the free option out there because there are sites like mine that don't offer either of those options. I don't sell anything and I do not have a donate button. Also, we can't donate to everyone every month so it's another option to promote or encourage a crafter in some way.
You also touched on a topic that I've always found interesting. Here's your quote:
"Obviously, this is a really complicated concept, but if there's one thing I'm clear on, it's that bloggers should have the right to want both kinds of compensation without enduring repercussions from the community."
I've always wondered why it bothers others that someone would place a donate button on their site or an ad for that matter. I've found that the people that boldly display those "ad-free" buttons have ads running on their site. The only difference is their ads are for their Etsy stores and products. Here's a question, Why is it okay to sell a pattern on Etsy from ones blog but not give away a pattern for free and place a donate button on ones site?
I think I could go on and on here but I'll leave this open to some other opinions. I know everyone has thoughts on this, please share.
At this point, if someone likes what I design, blog about, or a tutorial, I really appreciate if they mention it to friends who are looking for something just like that, or bring it up in forums. If they actually use something of mine - mentioning it on their own blog/twitter, etc, is an amazing way to support my work. Of course, remembering it and purchasing something if appropriate is also the most direct method of support.
This is a great discussion and I LOVE that "Freelance isn't Free" t-shirt...might have to pick one up.
For me, I crave feedback. Seeing (through Google Analytics or whatever) people look at my website and blog and not knowing what they think drives me crazy. I understand that people can't always drop $6 on a sewing pattern or $95 on a handbag (two things that I sell), but I hope that they can always comment on a post or share via Facebook & Twitter what they think...even if it's not always positive. Both types of compensation are honestly equally valuable to me!
I am rather new to blogging and to Etsy. I have been so tickled whenever I see someone has come to my Etsy shop via someone's blog post about my shop. I try to do whatever I can to help promote and support fellow Etsy shop owners on my blog and my shop's facebook page. I may not always have the money to purchase all of the amazing art I have discovered on Etsy,so I try to share it to help increase their chances at a sale.We handmade artists must stick together. I truly always buy handmade before I turn to other options as gifts! And I have learned in my old age as a Nanaw to never say never to anything....tomorrow may shine a new light on that which you thought you would never want to do,like run ads on your blog. Why not? You may just make a huge difference in someones artistic path to success!
I am rather new to blogging and to Etsy. I have been so tickled whenever I see someone has come to my Etsy shop via someone's blog post about my shop. I try to do whatever I can to help promote and support fellow Etsy shop owners on my blog and my shop's facebook page. I may not always have the money to purchase all of the amazing art I have discovered on Etsy,so I try to share it to help increase their chances at a sale.We handmade artists must stick together. I truly always buy handmade before I turn to other options as gifts! And I have learned in my old age as a Nanaw to never say never to anything....tomorrow may shine a new light on that which you thought you would never want to do,like run ads on your blog. Why not? You may just make a huge difference in someones artistic path to success!
I've recently re-found etsy, and am doing my best to support sellers on there - I brought my niece's birthday present on there for instance (and she loved it!).
Where I know about them, I follow artists and businesspeople I like on Twitter and re-tweet what I think is interesting.
I blog about people and/or items I find interesting and link through to their blogs where appropriate.
I post a comment on people's blogs when I think I have something positive to say, to make people feel a little appreciated. I love it when I get comments so I hope people get the same little bit of joy when I post for them!
Just a nice comment every now and again keeps me going. :) I must admit to one indulgence to remind me that even with the lack of comments I am offering something to somebody by checking on Pinterest what of my projects/ideas have been pinned. ;)
I wish my fans on Facebook would write me more! I try to share posts of my crafts, about my Etsy shop and any good finds (like giveaways). I am on Etsy and Facebook by :: CraftinessbyB
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