Selling Arts/Crafts/Handmades: Can I Make a Living?

I ran across a post on one of the art and crafts forums this morning that (for at least the hundredth time) posed the question, "Can I make a living selling my jewelry (knitting, crochet, paintings...) online?" At some point every artist or crafter I know will has wondered whether they might be able to quit the workaday world of harrowing commutes, bad bosses, and boring jobs to become their own boss doing what they love to do. As you might expect, the answers from the other posters were all over the ballpark. Some said, "yes." Some said, "no." The vast majority, said, "maybe..." And, while I think that's the correct answer, it's not the answer most of us want to hear.To illustrate my point, ask yourself whether you would have intentionally navigated to this post if I had titled it, "You MIGHT Profit Selling Arts & Crafts Online." No, of course you wouldn't. Neither would I. Even so, I contend that it is the most truthful answer of the three.

You see, a fundamental problem arises with the question, itself, because it's a subjective question that seeks an objective (yes or no) answer. Read the question, again, & emphasize the words in italics..."Can I make a living selling my creations? See the problem? First of all, no honest person can say for a fact that YOU can do this or that without knowing whether you're willing, able, or even know how to go about it. If anyone tries to tell you that, ignore them. They are either a liar or a fool. Secondly, the question begs another question...what is this person's definition of "a living?"

I'd love to be among those cockeyed optimists who say, "Yes you can!" Based on personal experience, I can't do that. I sell my work (fiber arts as well as paintings) through a website, Etsy, and group art shows. Through the spring & summer months, I spend 8 hours each Saturday manning a booth at my local art & farmer's markets. All this effort nets me a very nice supplemental income, but not enough that would allow me to quit my "day job." Why? In the first place it's Because that income can't be relied upon. Some months are good, some are not so good. In the second place, when I actually sit down to calculate my hourly wage, it's below what I'd make taking a job at McDonalds. Seriously! There's an enormous amount of time involved in creating the product, maintaining websites/blogs, making sales listings for Etsy or eBay, marketing myself in webrings and chat forums in an effort to drive traffic to my website or market booth, etc. Last, but not least, self-employment means having the worst boss & the worst fringe benefits in the whole world...no insurance benefits, no sick leave, no vacations, no 401K...

So why do I do it at all? Part of it has to do with the artist's need to have their talent recognized and accepted by peers as well as the larger community. Compliments are lovely, but can't be trusted. The best & most genuine compliment is when someone pulls out their wallet to pay hard cash to own something we've created. The second part of it does have to do with the extra income I can derive from my art which, in all truth, merely serves to keep me painting or knitting without dipping into the household budget. Most of the money I make goes right back into buying more paints, canvas, yarn, needles, etc., which we all know can amount to a pretty sizable expense.

Far be it from me to say that you can't make a living from your arts & crafts. You may well be be the exceptional talent, who'll be quickly "discovered," and rocket to fame & fortune overnight. Or, not. You could be just another "starving artist" like too many others out there. You'll never know what fate has in store for you unless you give it a try. But, do accept a little friendly advice from one who's "been there and done that" - keep your day job as a safety net, at least for awhile. There's nothing that will kill your creativity quicker than financial worry and living hand-to-mouth.