When I originally planned to produce my new line of bags, I
thought the hardest part would have been printing the 600 pieces of fabric for
the bags by hand. Turned out, that was the easiest part.
I know how to print. I know who to ask if I have problems; I
work at a studio with experienced printers who can help me troubleshoot any
printing issues. What I wasn’t prepared for was the manufacturing process.
I’d taken a workshop about manufacturing in San Francisco,
and that was good for the basics. I met with my manufacturer, he assured me he
could make the bags. But what I didn’t realize – and what I didn’t even know to
ask – was that there were parts of the manufacturing process that would require
me to have special (read: costly,
custom) parts made. The manufacturer took it for granted I knew this; I
assumed that I could just hand over my fabric and leather to them and that was
all I needed to do. I’m pretty sure my manufacturers think I’m something of an
airheaded flake.
I am so new to this. It’s hard to be a rookie! It’s very
humbling, and very scary, to admit that there are just things I don’t know. I
find myself frustrated and freaked out almost every day. I’m figuring it out at every step, and that’s
just going to have to be good enough for now.
I'm so glad that you post about this kind of stuff (and wish more people would!) - I am starting to dip my toe into starting my creative biz (as I work on health stuff as my #1 priority), and I just realize more and more how little I know... which adds to the omg-what-am-i-doing-fear-of-failure.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your ups and your downs, not just the ups, it helps everyone learn!
Thanks, Ariane! Your comment means a lot to me. There are so many blogs out there that make this seem so easy and it's not. And saying it is means not acknowledging the hard work that artists and makers put into their craft. Keep at your work. The more you put yourself out there, the less scary it is wish you good health!
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