Mucking around with air dry clay, I made up a bunch of these. Originally, I thought they would be a cute bead for a necklace. Or maybe as a tiny little hanging ornament. I really had no plans. I just made them.
They have been sitting in the back of my textile studio for about 18 months now.
I still don't know what to use them for.
Since starting my own little design label a number of years ago now, I have learnt that not everything I make should be sold.
Sometimes I make things for the sheer love of trying new things.
Invariably these little creations get stored away in my creative brain. Later, I may use the design or a concept from the design in something else. But not always.
I have learn over time that a huge product range is unmanageable. Also a good collection needs to be cohesive.
Each item needs to belong to the collection and not just be something random I made. The problem is, I love to make new things, try new designs and play with stuff.
The key is to appreciate the difference between making designs to sell and making things to satisfy a creative whim.
I still think my little village of houses is super cute. I loved playing around with clay. However, for now I have decided to focus my design label on working with wood, leather and dreamy reclaimed materials.
Until next time,
xx Isabella
Paint them with red and green and add snow, then they could be arranged into a village on a Christmas tree. Might be cool tucked back into a hovel. I like them anyway though.
Thanks for the idea @vegascomic. I like them too. I think I might play around with my little houses some more... there is definitely something in this!
So beautiful! I love your posts ;D
This is so sweet. A story in each house!
Are they too heavy to be zipper pullers on your handmade bags?
Also- air drying clay, what did you use to seal it, a varnish?
That is a cute idea! I used a spray acrylic paint to seal it but a varnish would work too. The air-dry clay is quite brittle, and will chip if dropped. I don't have any pottery tools or a kiln so it air-dry is a simple alternative to get hands on with clay.
I have really been struggling with this issue. Crafting for profit vs. creating for pleasure and artistic expression. I really want to create art, but that doesn't pay the property taxes...... Finding a product that can be produced efficiently and sold for a price which respects the value of your time is a frickin challenge, unless you are a jewelry maker. I love working with upcycled textiles and just have not hit on the right product and 'style' yet.
Thanks for being an ongoing inspiration though, love your posts.
I can totally appreciate your struggle. I prefer to work with textiles too, but my jewellery range provides a nice repeatable bread and butter range. I have tinkered around with hundreds of textile products too. Time is a big factor, so finding the simplest way to achieve the best result is hard. I like scarves, they are not as time intensive as bags and look great. Keep exploring @optimistic-crone.
Those probably could do well if you styled them a bit more Amsterdam style and sold them at shops there.