Craft Takes Courage: What it takes for makers to back their art and their wild ideas
- Words by Peppermint
One of the scarier parts of running a creative business is that eventually, your ideas have to leave the safety of your own head to strike out into the wide world in tactile form.
The ceramic vase comes out of the kiln. The final stitch is lovingly sewn. The original illustration gets framed, packed into a tub, hauled into a market hall at 5am and placed under lighting that somehow highlights every tiny imperfection your nerves are sure they see. And then, complete strangers start wandering by, clutching steaming cuppas, ogling your wares and sharing their breezy opinions!
And yet, makers keep making. That’s pretty brave, if you ask us.
On Saturday, 27 June, The Great Artist Market (TGAM) returns to Felons Barrel Hall in Meanjin/Brisbane. Proudly positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, Felons Barrel Hall is a space that celebrates creativity of all forms – whether it be through the art of barrel-ageing beer, welcoming live music talent to the stage, or delivering recurring community highlights such as The Great Artist Market.
For the winter edition of The Great Artist Market, Felons Barrel Hall will host more than 70 of these courageous, magnificent local artists, designers and makers for a day dedicated to creativity, community and handmade.
Running from 8am to 3pm, the free, family-friendly event has become a beloved fixture on the local creative calendar. It’s THE place for discovering unique art, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, workshops, food and plenty of opportunities to meet the inspiring humans behind the brands.
We wanted to tip our hats to all that’s brave and beautiful in makers and making, and talk about the less photogenic side of creative work: the courage it takes to back yourself. Because for every beautifully styled market stall, there’s usually a person who has poured blood, sweat, tears and sleepless nights into their craft, talking themselves out of quitting multiple times. They handle baffling customer feedback, survive risky decisions and slow market days, question their talent… And still coming back next time.
We spoke to artist Sarah Capon, ceramicist Simon Suckling from Blue House Porcelain and Keiko from fine jewellery brand Keiko Suziki to share the moments that tested their confidence and reminded them why making things still matters.
Sarah Capon / Illustrator, Artist and Animator
Award-winning artist Sarah Capon pours much heart, whimsy and personality into her intricately layered paper illustrations – you’ll want these dreamy landscapes, whimsical people and cute animals on your wall!
What was the moment you realised, “Okay, I’m actually doing this. I’m trying to make a living from my creativity.” And how did you feel at that moment?
Funnily enough the moment was more like “wait a second, I’m making a living from my art?” For me it wasn’t really one decision, it slowly built up over time and then I realised that I was making as much as a normal full-time job from my art. And yeah it feels wonderful! Essentially like a dream that I could never have imagined for myself. It’s not an easy path to making enough money to live on from your art, it takes years of trying new things, practicing, and finding your audience, but it’s so rewarding when people start finding and enjoying your work!
What part of running a creative business requires the most courage?
For me (and a lot of artists I know) it’s always been pricing work and services. Working out your value and your work’s value takes a lot of confidence!
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever made?
Oh I think it would have to be illustrating my first picture book, Grow Big, Little Seed. It wasn’t so much the challenge of having to make 32 pages of art, but more the subject matter of the book. The book is about rainbow babies, but also the loss that comes before them, and while I have no personal experience to draw from, I felt it was such an important story to help share. Making sure I designed the illustrations to be age-appropriate, safe, and still share the hard parts of that story was such a heavy challenge on my mind for those months.
Have you ever had a ‘failure’ that actually changed your work or business for the better?
I don’t think it’s fair to call it a failure, because it wasn’t really, but more a learning opportunity. My first ever market years ago was a bit of a flop in my mind, but ONLY because I put so much pressure on myself and had some unrealistic expectations. From that market I learned to diversify my products and price ranges. Most importantly, I found I hadn’t been very successful in communicating what my products were and how my art was made to people who hadn’t seen it online. I learned I had to experiment with how to display my work so it made sense to new customers.
Do you think you’ve become a braver person because of your creative practice?
Yeah, 100%! Every time you share a new artwork, you’re sharing something you really care about, and I think that takes a little bit of bravery. That audience could be hundreds or thousands of people online or even people in person, and there’s a chance they won’t connect with it like you’d hoped they would (and tell you they don’t!). There’s also a chance they will connect with it though, and that’s the best feeling. I think bravery is taking that chance and sharing your work anyway.
Every time you share a new artwork, you’re sharing something you really care about, and I think that takes a little bit of bravery.
If you could go back and talk to yourself on the eve of your very first market, what would you say?
My first market was a huge 3-day market (yeah, I just jumped right into it blindly ha) several years ago now and I was completely TERRIFIED. I think I’d tell myself to not put so much pressure on myself and the event, and that I’ll learn so much from that experience that I can take to the next market. With each market I do, I learn something new that helps customers connect with my work, even now after many many markets, I’m still learning.
Keiko Suzuki / Jeweller
Looking to adorn your earlobes? Keiko Suzuki has a soft spot for wobbly lines and interesting angles, all channeled into her delicate, sculptural fine jewellery.
What was the moment you realised, “Okay, I’m actually doing this. I’m trying to make a living from my creativity.” And how did you feel at that moment?
I realised I was really doing this when people started telling me, ‘I love your jewellery’. It was such a special feeling to know that people were connecting with my work. When I started receiving offers from retailers to stock my jewellery, it made me realise, ‘Oh, this is actually happening. I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do.’
What part of running a creative business requires the most courage?
The most courage comes from creating jewellery that I genuinely love and putting it out into the world. You never know if your taste will match what other people are looking for. If it doesn’t, then what I create might only remain a hobby. It takes courage to trust your own style and keep sharing it with others.
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever made?
I think the bravest thing I’ve ever made is actually what I’m working on right now – a collaboration with a glass artist. It’s exciting, and it has pushed me outside my comfort zone. I often wonder whether she’ll like my ideas and whether my designs will work well with hers. Collaborating is very different from creating by myself, and it’s challenging me in new ways. I’m really enjoying the experience and learning a lot from it.
It takes courage to trust your own style and keep sharing it with others.
Have you ever had a ‘failure’ that actually changed your work or business for the better?
Definitely my first market didn’t go as well as I had hoped. I didn’t have a wide variety of designs, there weren’t many choices for customers, and my display was very simple. However, it turned out to be a valuable learning experience. Since then, I’ve expanded my range of designs and materials, and I’ve learned so much about presenting my work.
Do you think you’ve become a braver person because of your creative practice?
I don’t know if I would describe myself as a braver person. Every market and new design feels a bit like an experiment – you never know what people will connect with, and that’s what keeps it exciting.
If you could go back and talk to yourself on the eve of your very first market, what would you say?
I’d probably say, ‘Don’t forget to bring flowers!’ These days, I always display my jewellery with fresh flowers. I love thinking about the display and choosing the flowers beforehand – it’s one of my favourite parts of preparing for a market. They add colour and beauty, making the whole display feel a little more gorgeous.
Simon Suckling / Blue House Porcelain
Enchanting birds on pretty platters, earthy flora adorning cups, colours both delicate and luminous… It’s all about beautiful keepsakes forged in fire at Blue House Porcelain.
What was the moment you realized, “Okay, I’m actually doing this. I’m trying to make a living from my creativity.” And how did you feel at that moment?
I have been a ceramic artist for many years now, and during that time I have fallen in and out of love with my practice. Seven years ago, I made the decision to leave full-time work and focus on my studio practice. This time, I felt I had both the opportunity and the skillset to make the work I truly wanted to make. I feel very fortunate to have a great part-time job at Redcliffe Art Gallery, and this balance between studio practice and paid work has been a game changer.
What part of running a creative business requires the most courage?
Applying for new opportunities that expose you to rejection. Putting yourself out there by applying for competitions, exhibitions and sales opportunities can be very scary, but it’s also one of the only ways to move your practice forward.
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever made?
Over the years, I have had countless ‘flying by the seat of your pants’ moments. However, this is one of the few industries where it’s safe to put up your hand and say, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing’. It’s actually a position of strength, because that’s when you can reach out for help or study up quickly. Being an artist means embracing a path of lifelong learning.
Being an artist means embracing a path of lifelong learning.
Have you ever had a ‘failure’ that actually changed your work or business for the better?
I had a moment when every handle on a batch of teacups cracked. It forced me to make a latte cup with no handle. Those cups are now some of my biggest sellers.
Do you think you’ve become a braver person because of your creative practice?
I feel that being an artist has given me the confidence to give most things a go. I’m not afraid to fail – I do it all the time.
If you could go back and talk to yourself on the eve of your very first market, what would you say?
I would say that markets are a great way to test your work in front of an audience and see which pieces people are drawn to and pick up. Try to be less concerned about hitting sales targets and instead focus on connecting with your customers.
PEPPERMINT IS PROUD TO BE THE MEDIA PARTNER FOR OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT THE GREAT ARTIST MARKET. THE NEXT MARKET WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, 27 JUNE AT FELONS BARREL HALL IN BRISBANE CITY.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Brighten up your inbox with our not-too-frequent emails featuring Peppermint-related news, events, competitions and more!
explore
More articles
