Returning to myself

Dear Reader,

With the holiday season quickly approaching, I find myself feverishly making things every day. This is my busiest time of year, and it often feels like each week is just a blur. I have seven shows in November and December, and this is where I will make the bulk of my money for the entire year. I love my customers, and I’m grateful that I can provide people with the option to choose local and handmade over the big corporations. Even though I really love to do shows, and I don’t get overwhelmed, I have spent some nights lying awake thinking about how to be a part of all of the holiday chaos while maintaining my authenticity as an artist and a human. On a lighter note, booth display ideas have also kept me awake as well. Booth display ideas are always swirling around in my head, so this is no surprise.

So how do I manage to forge my own path with business practices that align with who I am as an individual? I continually remind myself to look at my art in terms of process and not product. What do I mean by that? We live in a capitalistic society that values product. In accordance with this, an artist’s worth is often defined by who acknowledges them and buys their work. In this way the value of an artist and their art is based on what society dictates, which can be incredibly disempowering. Not only that, but this obsession with the outcome overwhelms the creative energy and forces artists to think of their art in a socially conditioned way. A way that only focuses on being acknowledged by how much money is coming in as a result of that. This outcome is tangible and visible to the external eye, so it’s easily recognized.

On the other hand, process is internal and often not as valued by society because it can’t be measured. I have chosen to deeply embody process, because in doing so, I am able to hold my truth. And, as a result, I then will have the results I desire in creating work that is truly unique and personal. Process requires me to take responsibility for how I create, how I run my business and how I want to be in the world. Process is life and it is truth. It allows me to view life with an attitude of experimentation and play, and make art without being attached to the end results. It requires much more presence and allows me to see myself and my work as connected to everything I do. To make art from the perspective of process is to feel alive. To be in the full flow and creating without being tied to how people will react allows me to open up to deeper connections with others, because I believe my art will resonate more profoundly with those who truly see it.

The goal of life
is to make your heartbeat

match the beat of the universe,
to match your nature with Nature.

The goal of life is to be a vehicle
for something higher.

Art is the transforming experience. 

The goal of life is rapture
Art is the way we experience it.

The return 
is seeing the radiance 
everywhere.

The goal of the hero's journey
is yourself, finding yourself.   

      - Joseph Campbell

This is something that I still struggle with as I continue to deprogram myself and realize that I don’t have to prove my worth. Art is about taking in what I see in the world around me and being inspired, and then letting my creative energy express it. I do believe that as an artist I can make money for what I do, but money can be a byproduct, not the purpose. As I move through this holiday season amidst all of my shows, and I create so many things and connect with customers, I will continue to cultivate my process and find some calm in the chaos of a product-based culture.

I appreciate all of you who choose to be here and read my newsletter. Have a wonderful week. And, I hope to see you around the studio. Please, tell your friends.

xo,

Christa

Last week at a glance

• I made a bunch of recycled plastic earrings, which I love to do.

• I finished many crocheted hats. In different styles.

• I finished a sweater.

  

• I unfortunately had several nights of really bad sleep.

• I also had some nights of very restful sleep as well.

• I made myself a new pair of pants that I really like. I’m going to give myself permission to make some clothes just for me in the next couple of months. I don’t do this often, but I much prefer it to shopping.

• I finished the first season of Your Friends and Neighbors which I really liked.

• I’ve been learning many different songs on the piano. It’s great to take the time to sit and play when I need a break. Playing music has always been such an escape for me. I literally lose all track of time.

• I took a trip down memory lane and listened to The Velvet Underground and Nico. Since the songs with Nico on lead vocals were always my favorites, then I listened to Chelsea Girl. Did you know that you can borrow albums on Hoopla?

• I was able to fit in some really long yoga practices, which felt like a gift.

• I’ve been making some digital art that I’m probably going to transfer onto fabric to make t-shirts

  November shows

  • The Find-November 23

  • The Millworks-November 29

  • Gifts That Give Hope Gift Fair-November 30

  Links

  • Email: wildchildfibers@gmail.com

    Website: https://www.wildchildfibers.com

    Gallery: here

    Book a shopping appointment: here

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Thanks for reading. I appreciate you.