I’ve been at the handmade business for over 40 years and I can honestly say it’s an ever changing business. I haven’t taken a lot of vacations or ‘mental health’ breaks because I absolutely love what I do! It’s definitely a lot of work and I don’t make a ton of money but I do what I want and believe in what I do. I make a lot of different things and am constantly changing.

I tend to pay more attention to & buy from small shops that are about the products. How the artist makes them, why they love that type of product, etc. When half the posts are “buy my stuff because I need $$,” it doesn’t hit right. I want to buy things because I love the art or handmade style or aesthetic. Supporting the artist is secondary. It’s why I choose to shop small, but I’m buying because I want the product. Not because I want to financially support an adult outside of my household.

You’re 100% correct. In the end if you’re running a business you need to present yourself as a business. Customers shouldn’t know all your drama, much of anything about your family, or how your sales are going. Customers should know that you’re a professional and you’re gonna take care of them no matter what.

Ive noticed handmade biz create things they like but not really what their customers wanna buy. Some markets are just saturated. I've been guilty of that. My handmade dog biz was started cuz I was looking for solutions for my own dogs. My husky was destroying everything during the pandemic so I started weaving toys. My beagle had a lumpy neck so I learned just sew them. If people like what I make, cool. If they like someone else's style, that's fine too. We all have our people.