Stuck on 'repeat'

[fal00la]

I don't know how often this occurs with other crafters, but... Do you find yourself going through phases where you're making the same thing over, and over, and over, and over?

Earlier this year, I went through this phase that lasted about 3 months where everyone I knew wanted these little  Amigurumi Bunnies I was making. At first, it was exciting, from the high of the demand. Once the high wore off, I felt the deep pangs of frustration. It was like being locked in a candy store with your favorite candies, and being told you wouldn't be let out until you finished every piece.

Finally had to put a stop to that, so I moved on. Now that the autumn air is swirling around us, everyone wants beanies. Thankfully, I'm trying to switch off. Crochet a beanie. Knit a beanie. Crochet a beanie, etc. So far, I'm not wanting to throw myself into on-coming traffic, but those flippin' bunnies are starting to be requested again.

How do you deal with this? How do you tell someone you would rather sew your eyes shut with a rusty nail than make something you've already made a million times?   I feel awful putting it that way, but is wrong to feel like that? Does everyone else jump at the chance to make something they've made dozen times before?

[Larissa]

Honestly, it depends on what it is and what else is going on.

I have a similar but different situation, in 2 different ways...

My "craft" is making soap and other bath products, so I do end up making a lot of the same thing over & over.  On the other hand, we're constantly coming up with new products & recipes too, and that's always fun.

So my example would be, say with our shampoo, which is really popular but somewhat time-intensive and because those bars are bigger than normal, we don't get as many out of one mold.  So to make those over & over can elicit a sigh from me and make me tired, even though I love that they're popular and I do want to keep making and selling them.

On the other hand, our Purity soap, a basic Castile, is really boring to make, with only 3 ingredients, but it's also fast & easy.  So when they're going and we need to constantly make more (it's also popular), it doesn't make me feel as tired thinking about it.

And then I'm also a face painter...

Now, I get birthday parties where every single kid wants to be a pink butterfly with no deviation and I hate that.  It makes me bored and tired.

On the other hand, when I'm at a huge event with limited time and I need to really move fast, I'm ecstatic when every single girl wants to be a pink butterfly; I can knock those out in 90 seconds.  At those events, I can dread the "can I be a hamster?" requests.

[fal00la]

That makes complete sense. 

...and I was LMAO @  "Can I be a hamster?". I don't know what it was, but it cracked me up. I'm even having a hard time typing I'm laughing so hard. I don't think I've ever seen anyone painted up as a hamster. That's awesome. Next time there is face painting around, that's what I'm asking for. LOL

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

Several years ago, when the long earred country bunnies with the gathered dresses were really popular, I made probably at least 300 of them, some custom orders, and some outright sales. I was to the point that I was cutting several lpattern pieces out at once, same with the dresses they wore. I never tired of it because I knew that, as well as making some money, I was doing something productive for myself. It was something I had to do for survival, so for me, it wasn't hard at all.   

[Larissa]

That makes complete sense. 

...and I was LMAO @  "Can I be a hamster?". I don't know what it was, but it cracked me up. I'm even having a hard time typing I'm laughing so hard. I don't think I've ever seen anyone painted up as a hamster. That's awesome. Next time there is face painting around, that's what I'm asking for. LOL

LOL, it looks something like this:

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

You did a great job on the funny little hamster face, Larissa! 

[Larissa]

Thanks!

[fal00la]

  That hamster is TOO cute!!

I was doing something productive for myself. It was something I had to do for survival, so for me, it wasn't hard at all.   

I think part of my problem, was that I was still in "this is just my hobby" mode. Since then, I've discovered that deep inside I SO want what I do to be more than just a hobby.
I don't want to discredit or be disrespectful to people who put so much time, energy, blood, sweat and tears into their art in order to make a living. I realize that sometimes, yeah, it saves energy to be able to mass produce an item. If it ain't broke don't fix it, right?
 
I'm still "young" and trying to prove myself in a world where there are people who have been creating art of various mediums for a LOT longer than I have. I need to somehow tell myself that I have enough creative juice in me to be able to create the things I see in my head.  I guess I'm worried that if I make something repetitively, that people will think, "Well, That's all she can do". As much as I try not to care what other people think of my creations, I really do care. It's the first thing in my entire life that I have small sense of personal pride. That pride is still really fragile, and it scares that it will just disappear.

Lol I didn't plan for this thread to become my therapy session. I just feel comfortable sharing this with a community that is as passionate as I am.

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

We all share because it is such an accepting community here. So don't think of it as your therapy session, lol.

And in no way do you discredit or be disrespectful to anyone who does the handmade thing, in my opinion. Much of my wood jewelry is repetitive, but I do it because it turns out different with each wood I use, or because it is relaxing to me, I love the accolades I receive on the finished product, or or or, lol, I could come up with a bunch of reasons why I do it. I guess I just love what I do, and hope that it one day takes off, and is able to make me a decent living. That would be my ultimate goal, I guess.

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

Understand completely!  I have a couple of patterns that I do and sell really well but I cringe anytime I have to make them!  Bottom line is that I put in my music and make what I have to...and then treat myself by making something I like for myself after.  In fact, I really need to get cracking and recreate a few things for a show.

[FadedLeaves]

I understand completely. I make these cute little wire bookmarks. I dont mind making them in small batches but i got an order for 25 the other day.

by the end of that, i was so sick of them that i was like 'i so hope i never get another order for these!" lol

i have since changed my mind, but making something repetitively can get boring and block your creativity.

thats when i stop, make something i want to make, then go back to the rest.

so far its worked for me. 

[Dragonclaw]

I wish I had enough demand for my things where it would become boring or frustrating to make the same thing over and over.... I can't wait till that happens.