Goals are key to creative endeavors. It helps me to remember why I’m doing anything. If I’m creating to make money, the steps in my process differ from art that’s done just for the joy of creating. In fact, that’s what I want to talk to you about today. How these two focuses can change the outcome of a project.
Let’s start with art or crafts made to make money. Everything about the project will be focused on that outcome. For example, if I decided I wanted to make some things to take to a local craft fair, I would have to be prepared to create enough items to make my space attractive and plentiful to the shoppers. I would need to be prepared to have multiple copies of the same products because the buyers may want to purchase many of the same items. I would also probably limit the selection to fewer items so that the entire project is attainable. A project like this would take several months of repetitious activity to prepare for. I have a friend who enjoys creating in this way. She likes the idea that by the time she’s made enough of a single item, she’s had plenty of practice to get good at it and she will benefit financially from all the practice. It also gives her the opportunities of working with others, like her children and friends, who have the same goals.
Although my husband does not do craft shows, he is quite content making pens on his mini-lathe. He’s an engineer so for him its about productivity and profitability. The amount of marketing and sales he decides to do with his product determines how much time he need to spend in his craft. He’s been doing it long enough that he is very good at it and his time is efficient and profitable.
There are artists and craftsman who create for money but not on the scale of craft or art shows. These artisans and craftsmen make a living out of their products. They are about profitability and productivity, but also mastering the craft. The quality of the materials and final products are of a higher value in the marketplace and the competition is stiffer. They create because they love to do it, but it’s also their livelihood. Their family depends on their business success.
The third group of artists and craftsmen is those that create for the sake of the process. This is the group that I want to talk to now. I think everyone who doesn’t fit into the top two categories can fall in this category. The value of their creative endeavors is the reward in and of itself. There is great freedom in this type of creativity. There is no obligations, competition, or external demands to the person. The goals are focused primarily on enjoyment and improvement. A bonus may be the gifting of the item to others or your own simple pleasure of owning what you’ve created.
There is an investment is all creative endeavors – that of materials, equipment and time. There are goals that need to be set and met. For instance, for the last two years I taught sewing students the mechanics of quilting. There were basic skills and equipment to learn to use. They had to learn how to make fabric selections that would work well towards their end project. They became skilled in using sewing machines, rotary cutters and precision sewing. After two years of instruction, those students are capable of quilting larger projects with more elaborate piecing. They have invested in materials, reliable equipment and time. They have given themselves permission to learn, to fail and to keep moving forward. They have found enjoyment in their projects, and joy in sharing them with others. They have met their goals.
In a society that is so work oriented, many people working 60-80 hour workweeks, hobbies get a bad rap. They are undervalued, considered by many to be a waste of time. However, time spent learning, creating, and unwinding from the stress of such demanding work schedule is not time wasted. The bible teaches that man needs a break every week - a time to spend with family, a time to rest. Rest does not just mean sleeping. It is a time when a person is away – mentally as well as physically – from their normal responsibilities. Creative hobbies are a great way to get the mental and emotional rest every human being needs.
So you see, creative endeavors that have goals of pleasure and improvement have value. They challenge our minds to grow with new and interesting skills. They give us hours of pleasure in the making and hours of pleasure and comfort in the using. They are a connecting point with others when we choose to share them as gifts or when we work with others in the creative process. Yes, money can be made with creative hobbies, but without the stress and demands of normal work schedule. It is my hope that this post has encouraged you to at least consider taking up a creative endeavor as a hobby for wellness and pleasure for years to come!