It's all quite an ongoing learning experience, isn't it?

Trying to second-guess people can make you beat your head against a wall!  Today, they don't know what you're talking about; tomorrow, they're asking complicated questions. PM is In today, Out tomorrow. Then it switches to the reverse.

Just keep trying, keep experimenting.

But the thing that makes me really grind my teeth is a prospective customer who wants your work for practically free, and when he/she can't, they say, "Well, I can make that myself". If they could, they would already. And if they could, they would know how much effort goes into each piece.

I suppose chasing them down the street with a bat wouldn't look so good.....

Sue

Its not the media that is important when it comes to art, it is the context of the idea of the piece you've created. I work with news paper and cardboard because I feel strongly about recycling and using sustainable materials. I never have and never will allow anyone to put me in a possition where I feel I have to justify my choice of medium. I am proud to have chosen an ethical way to create art and maybe that is why my work is exhibited and represented by some well respected galleries.

I never try and anticipate what a buyer wants, I create what I do for me, what feels right, an extension of life experiences interpruted from personal observations.

Whether your work is art or craft is neither here nor there really, if you enjoy what you do, do it for you. Money can muddy the creative waters if you get caught up in soley doing it for financial gain, but if you want to sell your work be confident and happy in your work first before approaching galleries or craft shops. You can't expect others to have faith in what you do if you don't yourself.

Hi guys! I was googling "how to make PM for a living" and came across this thread! Thank-you so much! I'm not way experienced in paper mache, but I don't feel I have to be as long as I follow my heart I can figure it out or come across places like this that teach me!
My creativity is neverending and I love the "challenge" of figuring out how to make something work and how to make that vision in my head a tangible reality. I love to find tips and tricks but ultimately I love just experimenting and figuring it out on my own no matter what vision pops into my head.

Ok, to get to the point of me posting on this particular thread in the first place.... I felt very strongly about those of you that have pointed out that it's most important that the work come from your heart and just flat out because you love to do it! Now THAT is a true artist! No matter what the public thinks! A true artist does it because it's in his/her heart and not because the public might like it or not. I mean look at all the famous "dead" artists now that people originally thought were crackpots and now people are competing to own their works!

Paper mache' or however you wanna spell it, is one of the most creative art mediums that we have available to us. I mean look at what you can make out of a simple little cardboard box and a bit of paper or wire or whatever else you wanna throw into the mix. There are NO limits! The only limit is your imagination! How freaking cool is that!!???

And the other thing I wanted to comment on was all of our "unfinished projects". Just because we are uninspired to finish them doesn't mean someone else won't be! Why not post your unfinished, or "temporarily inspired" projects for sale too? That is if you REALLY feel you are done with them. I can so relate to you guys when you say you started a project one way, and then whacked of parts of it to make something else lol! Start a project all motivated then it sits on a shelf or in a box for years. Just because we aren't inspired to finish it doesn't mean someone else wouldn't be. There are probably tons of peeps out there that are looking for some kind of inspiration and your unfinished projects could be just what they were looking for! HEY!! Stranger things have happened no? Just a thought.

Hi. I have been doing this craft for almost about 10 years now, It started after I enjoyed making paper mache for a school project. I have over 100 items in my collection and I do not intend to sell them. My hobby is purely a hobby, I do not inend to make it as a business.

One thing about shipping by USPS --- if you use their boxes, it costs a lot more than if you use a regular box and send it the cheapest way.   

Sue

HI Connie, thanks for your interesting post.  Do you think it detracts from, or adds to the value (monetry and beauty wise) of the sculpture in their eyes when they know it's papier mache?  I have a feeling it would affect the thoughts of the viewer negatively, no matter how beautiful the work.  Do they still purchase it? (if it's for sale) Other contributers in this topic have had the value  of the work questioned, due to the "cheapness" of the media alone, nevermind the work and artistic input.  Thanks again.
Lesley

Last edited by burrumgirl (2008-11-25 01:55:39)

Thats amazing Connie, just by adding weight it seems to improve the "reputation" of pm.  Thanks for that information it may help a lot of others, and keep up the good work and the sales.
Lesley.

If you have a good product (like Farrar does), if you don't put a good price on it, you're wasting your time.

If you don't value it, most other people won't, either.

Sue

I am doing papier mache for a long time now. Never have I thought of selling them! I just so love them that I can't bear to give them away!

lizzie01 wrote:

... Never have I thought of selling them! I just so love them that I can't bear to give them away!

There comes a point though where your house ceases to be a home and ends up as a storage facility for all the 'stuff' you've made!  That's essentially what's prompted the mrs and I to set up shop, as it were ... it gets rid of the completed pieces to hopefully good homes and clears space for newer (and hopefully better) pieces in the house.

Interesting what Connie says about the weight, must've missed it first reading, and it's something I've done in the base of some pieces to provide additional stability or simply to prevent them being too top heavy ... not great for postage (via online sales), but for craft fairs it's probably worth bearing in mind.

As to pricing, I'm working on the principal of £7 (c.$10) / hour plus 10% for materials and postage costs and whilst it can make the prices seem quite high (see the shop http://madestuffshop.etsy.com ) it accurately reflects the time and effort put in, if nothing else.

Having said all that though, I'm new to selling my stuff and whether or not any of it will actually sell is an entirely different matter!

I just visited Alasdair's site on etsy and he does a great job.  Shipping is free, and the work is interesting and beautiful.  Well done and the free postage is a great marketing idea. Love the carved wood pieces too.
Lesley.

Yes, I would agree, this is a highly debatable and emotional subject, and one that is very personal for me. I will attempt to summarize my opinion on the subject, although I could probably write a book about it as so many factors come in to play.

I produce both art and craft. I am a professional artist, exhibiting in public and commercial galleries in my area. However, I also produce craft items, jewelry, accessories, and home wares that I sell at fairs and festivals.

I take great pride and care in the work that I do, both as an artist and a crafter, carefully selecting materials and putting in a lot of time and effort in to what I produce.

However, the main difference between the two, I believe, is PURPOSE.

The gallery exhibitions that I do are very intellectual, often emotionally charged pieces. I attempt to convey very deep ideas and express and open dialogue for very important subjects, politically, artistically, socially and psychologically. With my art, I aim to make you think. My sculptures are not merely a pair of earrings or a tablecloth.

However, it is just as important to me, to make my wares, my earrings and tablecloths. I like the idea that I can share my aesthetic creativity with everyday people in everyday life. Not all people take an interest in intellectual ideas. My earrings and tablecloths are not meant to be intellectual or emotional. They are meant to be pretty admired objects.

I think the charge comes to this issue because often professional artists have their purpose overlooked, misunderstood, or misinterpreted and the IDEA behind their art is often not given value or recognition. The word "art" has been turned into a very mutable word by the general public and often art and craft is lumped into the same basket, when in fact they are different things. I think the blur comes from the fact that often the same techniques and materials are used in both art and craft and to the passerby, the purpose is overlooked.

One more factor is that there are many people, operating either as artists or crafters who do not bring a high level of knowledge, care, or quality to the work that they do. This reflects poorly on all of us, both artists and crafters. These people can be likened to "quack" doctors who attempt to operate without degrees in the field of medicine.

Producing craftwork is not any less valid than producing artwork, however the purpose is very different, and many people are not aware of the difference.

For the sake of your profession, either as an artist or crafter, and for the sake of the entire "arts community" take pride in the work you do. Aim to use the highest quality, most appropriate material for the work you are creating and take the time to understand the composition and learn how to manipulate and work with those materials to the best of your ability. Give importance and value not only to the work you do, but recognize the care a value that other people bring to their work as well.