Soul for Sale?
Or why you shouldn't feel the need to monetise your hobbies if you don't want to.
Hi again folks. It’s been another minute. Apologies for the silence, I’ve been limiting my screentime again (quite successfully!) and I didn’t really feel like I had much to say. A conversation with a dear friend of mine got my cogs whirring this week, and I’ve decided what I want to write about. I don’t think this is a particularly hot take, but I feel like it might be worth reiterating for anyone who is new to the realm of hobbies or creative endeavours.
Speaking of creative endeavours, please take a moment to enjoy A Tiny Painting Of A Tiny Dog and the model upon which it is based…
Ok, now that I have paid the dog tax, it’s time to explain. Recently, I’ve seen a lot of articles focused on helping people to discover new hobbies. Marvellous! The world needs more people to find joy in creative activities. In an increasingly online world, taking time away from it all to focus on making something, and experiencing that joy of completing a project is nothing short of magical. I am something of a collector of hobbies, a jack-of-all-trades, master of none if you will. However, I still maintain that this is better than a master of one, as I have too many interests to focus on just one thing. I acquired a small three-tiered trolley for my craft supplies recently, in the vain attempt to curtail additional purchases of crafting kits (if it doesn’t fit in the trolley, then I need to complete some projects to make some space… the hobby is crafting, not collecting craft supplies…)
Another side note to people trying out new hobbies; have a look for some of the hobby kits on Vinted. A lot of crafters have occasional purges of their stock and often list things on there for a fraction of the cost of buying them new. It’s a fun way to try out a new hobby without breaking the bank and if it goes hideously wrong, at least you had a laugh and it didn’t cost a lot.
Trying out new hobbies is great fun, and something I try to do fairly often. But during the conversation with my friend, we both agreed that there reaches a point with hobbies where, if you show any degree of talent or promise, someone will put forward the well-intentioned suggestion that “You should start a business/Etsy shop/etc.”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s clearly well-intentioned, and for some people, it’s the start of a wonderful side venture, allowing them to earn a little extra cash for doing something they love. But here’s the thing: it’s not a path for everyone.
A family feeling…
My grandfather, in his slightly younger and more mobile years, was a keen woodworker. Had been for years. As I cast my eyes around my living room, I can see a number of beautiful pieces that he made for me. A biscuit barrel with a wooden custard cream as the handle on the lid. A bowl he turned out of a piece of spalted beech. A solitaire set, complete with marbles, a brainteaser that still perplexes me to this very day. He also went through a phase of sketching. I’m talking excellent sketching. Staring at me from a frame across the room is a sketch he did for me many Christmases a go of an eleven year old Harry Potter (portrayed by the fantastic Daniel Radcliffe). My sweet grandfather had no interest in the books or the films, but he knew that I did and took the time to draw me an incredible sketch to give to me on Christmas Day. I was delighted. Years later, this sketch remains one of my most treasured possessions.
You knew you were important to my grandfather when you were gifted a piece of art or a piece of woodwork. It’s his love language, pure and simple. His living room is full of his creations to this very day. Well-meaning visitors would look at the quality of his work and tell him “You could make a lot of money selling these!” And he would smile and shrug and go back to whatever topic of conversation was at hand. As a child, I didn’t really understand this. As an adult, I do.
I really cannot stress enough in writing this that I am not criticising anyone who chooses to sell their work. This piece is simply here as reassurance to everyone else that it is absolutely ok if you don’t want to do so, if you worry that putting a price tag on things would tarnish some of the magic, if you are happy selling your work in one medium, but that you have a particular artform that you won’t part with for cash.
I wouldn’t consider my paintings good enough to sell, but I get better with every piece I finish. Maybe there will come a day when someone says to me “You should take commissions”. But for me, as it was for my grandfather, my joy comes from creating a surprise gift for someone. Something unique and personalised, that tells that person that I care enough about them to sit down with intention to make them something that no one else in the world has.
Singing for your supper doesn’t fully feed the hunger…
In my younger days, I had a phase of performing in pubs as a singer with a friend of mine playing guitar. I stopped when I got a full time job and every so often, my mother will lament that she wishes I’d carried on. I love singing, and I have a fairly good voice. The problem? Sometimes, singing the same well-known easy-listening gets a bit boring. After a while, you start to wish Adele had never covered Bob Dylan… That’s not to say I don’t love singing still, but I love having the freedom to choose what to sing that little bit more. Because here’s the thing - whether I’m singing in a bar, or singing in the shower, I’m still a singer.
Just love what you do.
In a world that is so obsessed with the concept of hustling, where everything has to be a source of income or else it’s not worth doing, it’s absolutely fine to do things just because you enjoy them. If you want to make money from them, I wish you all the luck in the world with doing so - it’s wonderful to see creators receiving a fair compensation for their skills. It’s also wonderful to see people giving these things a go to see if they enjoy them. It’s great to see people learning to crochet because it’s a great low-stakes hobby to help them cope with their mental health. It’s amazing to see people picking up a canvas and some paints and commemorating something dear to them. It’s glorious to tell someone you like their dress and for them to grin and tell you that they made it themselves! So if you’re new to this, and you’re feeling like it’s not worth bothering with a new hobby because you’re never going to be as good as someone you’ve seen on Etsy who has a shop selling stuff they’ve made, go forth and create stuff anyway, just for the sheer love of doing so. And spoiler alert - they started out as a beginner just like you. They’ve just had a head start.
Well folks, that wraps up today’s wittering. I would love to know what your favourite hobbies are and your views on selling your crafts, as well as any tips you have for people who are new to the craft you love the most.
Have fun, stay safe, wash your hands. 💚