When I started selling toys lots of people told me that I would get faster at making them, that I'd be able to be super efficient and that my business would blossom with staple lines of toys that were all unique and somehow quickly made.
I'd like to set the record straight for anyone else out there thinking that they'll be able to push out handmade items as if they were a large scale Chinese factory... it isn't true! I used to make up batches of about 20 toys at once, have them like a production line, make all the faces, the bodies, the arms, etc. I did get things done, but it was tediously boring and sometimes I could feel the tension in my back just from sitting at the sewing machine. And the cute to ugly toy ratio was not good. I'd end up with about half of toys looking well... a bit ugly... the fabrics seemed like a good idea at the time, but turns out in the end, they were not.
I think I'm learning a bit. I make about 4 toys at once now, that's 4 faces, and 4 bodies-- usually because I get so excited putting the fabrics together, that I can only limit it to 4 bodies... sometimes I get so excited that 6 manage to happen... but once I have the bodies & faces, I just make the whole toy up as an individual project, and it's so much more rewarding. The cute to ugly ratio is doing a lot better, generally because when you're paying that much attention to a toy, you know if it's going to be ugly and you stop making it... which is important because I use some pretty expensive fabrics and I can't afford to waste things.
So anyway, why am I sharing all this with you? Well because I think it's really good for my creative process, and it allows my mind to wonder around and come up with new ideas, to improve what I am doing, and it definitely affects my creative space! It has been full of ideas this week. I'm finally making up the little penguin toy that has been going through my brain since watching David Attenborough's Planet Earth weeks and weeks ago.
Hopefully she will be finished soon!
More Creative Spaces as always at Kootoyoo!
B.
18 comments:
I'm terrible at production line sewing too. I always revert back to making one thing at a time so at least I feel as if I've accomplished something.
Can't wait to see the new penguin softie!
I couldn't agree more..Although my experience with this comes with crochet...I know the slower the process and the more you enjoy it the less likely you are to put out something you are not happy with and of course the less likelyhood of waste...Great post and LOVE the sketches...
I cannot do the production line sewing at all, I have tried but I ended up hating what I actually love! I sew children's clothes and really thrive on starting and finishing one garment at a time...I think my work is better that way and I enjoy it too!
I'm glad you wrote about this! I used to find that I tried to do the asssembly line thing too, and it just doesn't work for me with my pouches, for the reasons you stated. I'm more than happy to cut my fabrics out, but I'd rather leave the quilting, zippering and seaming to do all at once. Things do turn out nicer that way.
Can't wait to see the penguin!
I think she looks like she's definitely going to be in the super cute collection. Look foward to seeing her finished.
So true ~ sometimes, with too many things on the go, nothing gets the attention it deserves.
Love your penguin. Very Mumble*. Can't wait to see the softie.
* Happy Feet.
Inspiration sometimes comes from the strangest places. I love the cut out bits of toys.
I'm with you...no joy from production line sewing for me. I like your "happy medium" 4 at a time sounds like a grand plan.
The penguin looks very sweet - my favourites whenever we go to the zoo. I agree on the production line crafting - I can cut and prep, but once I start construcing I need to finish one at a time.
The penguin is very cute - another one for the cute ratio! It's so good to read your comments on how these production lines really work. I find it so dispiriting to do that I'm always limiting myself to one-offs. Every time someone says, why don't you sell your creations? All I see before me is a dreaded production line! Handmade is supposed to be about the unique item anyway - good luck with your happy medium! :) K
Taking Shape nicely! Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Great post.
Insightful post. I can barely do 4 of anything, let alone four at a time of something you're making heaps of. But that's part of making a living from your gorgeous creations!
I agree on the boring part too! I used to make the same mini-feeling a few times but now I make 'em one by one and it's much better for my creative mind to stay focussed. Thanks for sharing your creative process - I love the look of the penguin already! :)
This is so interesting. I love getting insights from softie-makers, it is such a very particular profession! Love the sketches too!
I'm with you on the production line thing. I've tried it too, and it burnt me out. So bloody boring. I need to see faster progress, too, or I find it disheartening.
I think the penguin is a cute idea... can't wait to see it finished! :o)
Thanks for sharing - I love these posts where people are brutally honest about crafting stuff. I couldn't agree more about production lines - it kind of defeats the purpose and just isn't fun! Love your sketches too.
When I contemplate setting up shop, I always think about this, how the things I make can take so much time and there's no way to really change that. But I'm not out to make millions, so I guess it's ok if I go slow. That just makes the end product that much more special, right? Like your sketches. It looks like they promise to be very sweet once completed!
I love your work and your thinking. I have been doing alot of contemplating along similar lines myself lately. I also have to find more balance and concentrate on quality rather than quantity. There are limits to 'handmade' whether its art or craft- I had to accept that and work with it and just 'trust' that it will somehow be enough!
Have a lovely day,
Annamaria
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