Buy Indie 2020 - Supporting Independent Artists and Crafters

2020 has taken its toll this year on many small business owners. Artists and independent crafters are no strangers to the financial hit that this Pandemic has brought to 2020. It is easy to be lulled into the fatalistic mindset that everything is doom and gloom, because of the media, because people have lost their loved ones and lives, people have lost their livelihood. We can acknowledge the bad but let's take a moment to also give a nod to the good things that have happened this year. 

For me, personally, I quit my job last year to pursue my dream of becoming a working artist. COVID has made me take a GIANT PAUSE and consider the really important things. It has allowed me to take a deep dive into the life of a working artist. I have been home more and I can really immerse myself in my art processes from morning until night. I have learned a lot this year. I have become patient and adaptable. I have developed more empathy. My art has improved. I am discovering where I want to go, as a Fine Artist. My family members have been able to work from home and the cost savings on gas and tolls have been extremely helpful. I have been able to spend more time with my daughter and her boyfriend, since we share a space.

I have been truly blessed by the support of my friends and family and I truly am humbled and appreciative from the bottom of my heart. I have developed a new depth of appreciation for those people that have supported my artistic endeavors. My clients (new and existing), my friends that take time to like and share my art posts, friends that have chose to purchase a piece of art, rather than buy something mass-produced from Target. If I haven't said it today, THANK YOU. My focus used to be on those family members that don't support me. But 2020 has made my focus shift. I can choose to focus on all the people that love and support me, or I can focus on those that don't. Since I have shifted my focus, I FEEL so much better. I am more appreciative of the little things and I continue to experience gratitude on a new level.

I started a new project called #the100chickensproject. I have heard from people all over the world how much it has made them smile. Time and time again, they have said "thank you, this is just what the world needs right now". Who knew the world needed more chicken paintings? It is those little things that make us smile, that inevitably help us get through the day. The world needs more ART and ARTISTS. 

Where am I going with this? Let me tell you. I have a vision for this blog. The original vision was to support independent artists and crafters. I want to expand on that. I want to showcase different artists and help promote them. I want to bridge the gap between the buyer and artist and help facilitate more art in this world. I want it to become a true Art Revolution. I also want to branch out into more educational posts about products and product reviews. I have learned a lot of (sometimes expensive) lessons and I want to share with you everything I have learned. 

So if you are asking yourself, "what can I really do that will make an impact?"  You can make the commitment to BUY INDIE as often as you can, but especially this year and this holiday season. 

I will do my part and promote every single Indie artist, crafter, writer, musician out there and you do your part by engaging with them. Liking their stuff, sharing the word and buying their arts and crafts! 

Plead, ask, implore your friends and family to BUY INDIE this holiday season. The best presents are handmade and born from individual creative genius! 

Handmade/Indie does not = cheap or poor quality. I have found quite the opposite in fact. Handmade items are usually made with the upmost care and love. I have found that indie crafters (a lot of them anyway) tend to repurpose, reuse and recycle more often than naught. They pay attention to materials; they choose organic or fair trade materials, a lot of the time. And they LOVE what they are doing. I can speak for myself here..I LOVE to make things. I put my full heart and soul into everything I make. I love starting with a concept around a person and really thinking about what they like and actually sourcing the material to make them something unique and wonderful. 

It is a win/win situation for the buyer and the receiver of the gift. I love to be able to see the person I am buying from...it isn't some anonymous factory in China, spitting out mass produced items by the 1000's. It is a real person. One that loves their craft, one that appreciates their customers. 

It is worth it to take the time to check out some Indie Artists and Crafters!