little bits

I've had a lot of people email and ask if I will be taking down little birds handmade when I stop blogging at the end of the month. The answer is no. I don't know if I'll leave it up, y'know, forever, but I don't have immediate plans to make this blog or any of my previous blogs disappear. I feel like my posts are part of a greater, bigger linking conversation, and it doesn't feel right to go completely silent. So that's that.

People are also asking if I will still put things in my shop. The answer is, maybe. I've learned a lot about my own creativity and making things for sale this last year that I've been selling online. I've learned that no matter how much time that I carve out to dedicate to crafting things for sale, my body can only take so much of it. I've learned that I could try to sell things that require less detail and precision or that can be made in multiples, but that I quickly grow to resent it. Making little things is my one true life-long joy; I'm not willing to ever give it up. Making things expressly for sale, however, slowly erodes that joy. This is just my own experience and personal limitations; I greatly admire artists and crafters that can create prolifically. I just can't seem to make it work for me. As I said, I won't ever stop making things. I'm excited to create more installations like my sister and I are doing for Doe. I will, most likely, continue to add batches of things to the shop from time to time. The best way to know when I have things for sale is to sign up for my email list (email me at littlebirds {at} comcast {dot} net ). 

I so appreciate everyone's enthusiasm and interest. Really and truly, thank you. I wish it was possible for me to make each and everyone of you something, I do.

Comments

[mamaloo]

i can totally relate to that ebb of creative joy when you transition from art for the love of it to art for the sale of it. i went through that myself with a handmade jewelry "business." i am glad you will keep this site live and i am very glad for 3191.

[Briana]

I so appreciate this post. Your blog was one of the first I discovered in an unintentional, subconscious effort to find myself. I have been reading your and about 30 other blogs on a near-daily basis for the past year. While I am still at my 9-5 job, I have made a lot of progress in my own sewing creativity and have made quite a few fun and functional things for my family and friends. It has become a necessary outlet for me to feel balanced.

I always felt like the goal should be to start a blog like this, and make things to sell and that somehow I would find happiness in doing that. But underneath it, I know that I am more inclined to your way of doing things, and it was nice to read it in order to sort of validate how I felt, and realize I don't have to move in that direction.

I enjoy making one-of-a-kind items when inspired. I don't know that that will ever translate into making a profit. And I think I'm okay with that.

Thank you for this blog. It has become a piece of my daily serenity and calm.

[Kailla (in Portland)]

I just wanted to pop in and say how much I have loved seeing your pieces for your show at Doe. They are like little glimpses into a fairy forest. I half expect a real, craggy faced, white bearded gnome in a pointed red hat to peek out from around a toadstool. The red button toadstool is so charming. I love it. The other day at a friend's garden I saw several spotted toadstools like these growing under some shrubs in the dark mulch - only they were a beautiful bronzey brown color. They were beautiful - just like yours. I will miss your blog but I love knowing that such wonderful work is out there being made...

[Maritza]

As much as I will miss seeing your creations on here, I will miss your writing just as much. You have such a thoughtful and eloquent way of expressing yourself. Thank you for sharing that with us.

[Alison]

Hi Stephanie

I just read your 'I believe' manifesto, and at every line said 'Hey I believe that too'.

I am so glad to have discovered your blog but sad that I've only found it now, just as you are saying goodbye to it.

I look forward to quiet moments of dipping into your archives over a coffee.

Good luck with your new projects.

Alison x

[traci]

i am so on board with what you're saying as far as the selling of one's wares. i always get really excited about making little things here and there and i love love love giving them away to the people in my life, but for some reason as soon as it's about the selling i almost immediately lose all interest. i'm not sure if it's because all of the creativity seems to evaporate for me once the production line begins. i just don't like to feel that constrained by what i'm making. anyway, thank you for sharing so much of your own inspiration and making. i love your new foresty creatures and those little wee twigs are incredibly rich and tactile. just lovely to look at.

[Kathie]

I've always wondered about the burn-out factor in artists/craftspeople who make things to sell. (I know I wouldn't last a week) Your work is lovely; you're wise to bow out before you burn out entirely. Your talents and your market will be there should you ever want to return to it.

[{tit'anne}]

Comme je suis d'accord avec toi ... réaliser des petites choses pour soi ou ses proches est autrement plus plaisant que le faire pour la vente. Cela fait quelques temps que j'ai découvert ton blog, et tes décors en tissus sont tout simplement superbes, pleins de poésie et de naïveté, et si délicats ! Il me semble avoir compris que tu voulais prendre des distances avec ce blog, c'est dommage pour nous, mais l'essentiel est que tu continues à te faire plaisir !
Encore toutes mes félicitations pour ton travail, et excuse-moi pour le français :-(

[nicole]

I feel even luckier to have bought "baby chick in a party hat" while I had the chance. He lives, quite happily I think, in my daughter's room, where he makes both of us smile every day!

[Sarah]

Thank you for sharing your work with us (strangers). I completely understand the way you feel. While I admire those that make things and sell them, the enjoyment for me is in just making things. Enjoy the next chapter - you will be missed out here in 'blog land' :)

[Lisa Jones]

Thank you for sharing your amazing talent and truly inspiring and enchanting creations!

[ashb]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I will miss reading your blog greatly but I really understand that it can't last forever. I wish you well and know you will go on to create many wonderful things. You are a talented lady with a family full of love. Hopefully we can hear tid-bits of how you and your little birds are doing thru lisa.

I agree with how you feel about creating for a profit. I've learned in the past few years, if I push this creative force I have to much I do resent it. Its funny how you have to push yourself past your own limitations before you realize "hey, maybe this sucks a little and I should stop!". So, good for you for being strong enough to let yourself and everyone know, what you really want and need.

I will enjoy your last few days here!

Take care + a big hug,
Ash

[laura r.]

100% hear you.
loud & clear.
quiet & serene.
sublime.

[minnie]

I LOVE the sticks.

[minnie]

I LOVE the sticks.