Biznizzy Bizniz Business

I have always had a passion for visual arts.  I draw, I write, and I make jewelry.  If that doesn't scream "PASSION FOR ART!"  I don't know what does.  But anyway, I digress.  Since noticably developing my skills in my crafts, I've heard a lot of commentary.  I mean, A LOT of commentary.  And for each bit of unnecessary dialogue, I have my very own mental response.

 For Drawing:
1.  Why don't you get a JOB doing this?
There's a several good reason for that.  For one, I'd have to find a job doing that.  Secondly, I'd have to be really, really good, which I'm not yet.  Third, if I got a job doing my hobby, suddenly it wouldn't be a hobby and therefore, less fun.
2.  Why don't you draw like you're Black?
Um...WHAT?!?  How do you 'draw like you're Black'?  How do Black people draw? If you mean those super stylized paintings with the faceless black people dancing around, that's not drawing like you're black.  That's the STYLE of that particular artist.  I already 'draw like I'm black' because I am considered black already.
3.  Why do you only draw an-ee-may?
I don't draw anime.  I don't.  In order to draw anime, you have to have a contract with an animation studio.  I don't have one of those.  While I used to try to mimick the anime STYLE, I moved away from that in favor of drawing characters with different faces.  It's all experimentation.
4.  Why don't you write a comic book?
Writing comic books is HARD.  First you have to write the story, then you have to figure out the storyboards and thumbnails.  Then you have to- you know what.  We'll leave it at 'It's a lot harder than it looks'.
5.  Why won't you take my commission for Sailor Moon in catgirl form getting gang-raped by Mario, Luigi, Sailor Mercury and a tentacle monster?
No.  Just...NO.

For Writing:
1.  Why don't you get it published??
Publishing is HARD.  It's all smiling and butt-kissing and royalties and contracts.  Besides, to get something published it has to be an original work, an attractive read for the publishing company, a potential moneymaker, and it has to be finished.  DUH.  If I've only finished two of the stories I've ever written, and they're CRAP, there's no way I'll get Published.  Although, looking at Stephanie Meyer's stuff...I'm starting to think I might be able to...
2.  Will you write me a story?
No.  Write your own.  I am not going to write something for someone and have every little thing getting poked and prodded at UNLESS...You pay me. 
3.  Why don't you write fanfiction for this *insert show/movie/book*?
Fanfiction is about writing about what you enjoy.  If I don't like your fandom, I probably don't enjoy it, have never heard of it, or don't like it enough to invest a lot of time in writing a whole fanwork for it. 
4.  Are you going to be an author?
Technically, I already am.  I AM authoring this blog aren't I?  Hur hur hur.

For Jewelry Making:
1.  Can you make me something like *insert designer item*?
Sometimes, yes.  Most times, no.  See, the thing with designers is that they have copyrights.  On top of their copyrights, they have access to resources, tools, skills and a workforce that I don't have access to.  Maybe the reason I refuse to make that item is because I CAN'T.
2.  Why don't you make things like what they have in *insert catalogue*?
I don't like copying other people's stuff.  Why would I copy their stuff?  Also, See the above answer.
3.  Why don't you make that in *insert color*?
Sometimes you can only get materials in one color.  Sometimes you can get it in two.  Most times, if it comes in more than one color, I don't get it in more than one color because I'm NOT GAINFULLY EMPLOYED.  I can't afford to just go buying materials in every color just because I feel like it.  Also, I don't like every color all the time.  My muse is fickle like that.
4.  Are you going to be a designer?
I don't think so.  Design jobs are notoriously hard to get, hard to keep, and revolve around building relationships within a certain field.  Since I don't know anyone in fashion, not really, I can't expect becoming a designer to be easy.
5.  Why can't I get something like that thing you made for so-and-so?
Usually no.  Why?  Because I use things that are somewhat uncommon.  Most of my really eyecatching materials are either the by-product of an art or sculpture student's projects, or pieces of really old, broken jewelry.  Most times, you can't find duplicates of those things.
6.  Why would you make that??  No one's going to wear it!
I don't get this one a lot, actually, but it has happened on occasion.  The person in question can never see a use for what I've made until I get fed up with not being able to sell it and take to wearing it myself.  Suddenly, they want one just like it.  This statement is something I really hate.  "Why would you make that?" ...The same reason I make anything..  It makes ME feel good.

Get Yourself Cuffed: The Aftermath

I think that I've been cuffed enough.  

Been buried a week in my craft stuff

Sitting around, I've gained some fluff

And now I'm in quite the huff.  

My patience is thin; don't call my bluff

Else I'll make sure YOU'RE cuffed enough

Moving on!  I'm not actually tired of making cuffs.  In fact, I just prepped some more aluminum bands, pleather, and fabric scraps for the next crop of the adorable little things.  BUT, I do need a break.  I'd just like to stop smelling E-6000 in my dreams.  Before I know it, I'll turn into an E-6000 glue mutant, hell-bent on covering the world with sparkles and rhinestones.  So, for the next couple of weeks, I'll stay away from the industrial strength adhesives as much as possible.

Before I commit to that, I have something to tell you.  I've got commissions and Requests!  Several of them!  There are a few for members of the Haute Couture Club of Chicago.  These gals want some custom pieces to go down the runway with their designs in this year's fashion show.  There are a couple for some members of my church (Already finished), and 1 logo design commission from one of my mom's followers here on Blogspot. 

After I finish my commissions- some of them include cuffs- I'll swear off the E-6000.  I swear it.  But, right now, I'm just excited.

Holiday Bootcamp Week 5

I am reporting on the successes of Operation: Holiday Bootcamp.  After a few weeks of fairly diligent work and adherence to the goals of this project, I have fallen off the wagon.  I repeat.  I have fallen off the wagon.  Last week, I couldn't focus on anything other than piecework and am positively swimming in wire-wrapped bead links, nicely composed pendants, and organized projects from the week before.  Most of the stuff only needs to have a clasp added before it's finished.  This is all really unsettling.
I'm sorry to say this, but it seems my jewelry Muse has taken a hiatus and is sitting pretty in a pile of unfinished components, smirking smugly at me as I try to conjure up the desire to create.  I'm completely failing to finish anything.  It all seems so lackluster to me.  My Muse has fallen to sloth!  Sloth is the enemy and must be vanquished to maintain a good Protestant work ethic! 
Alas, while the muse of Jewelry is laying around, turning herself into a bloated walrus as she wallows in the supplies she holds so dear, my drawing Muse has stopped being so lazy and decided to allow me to churn out some rather dynamic sketches as well as some potential logo ideas.  Here's something I worked on last weekend.

I feel like the background is missing some depth... I'm still new to doing backgrounds, so I'm not entirely sure how to go about fixing it.  Any suggestions?