The Quest for Individuality

With another decade gone and the 20teens in full stride, I have noticed a gradual trend in our culture. Although America still thrives off of consumerism and industry, it seems a new wave of a thrifty, do-it-yourself, craft session of the century has ensued and is growing madly.

I'm not complaining. In fact, I think it's brilliant. The problem is, how do you find your own niche in this new wave.

My sister and I just discussed this last night. We talked about how we know probably a dozen jewelery-makers within our circle of friends. We decided that within this group of jewelery-makers, there is only one who is solely unique and therefore most successful in our eyes (this being Suzanne Cunningham of course). What makes her so different? Well just check out her stuff for yourself:

www.foryoubyq.etsy.com

But it doesn't stop at jewelery-making. All of a sudden, cupcakeries are popping up all over the place! Talented bakers are starting their own little businesses...that seem to thrive!  People are making purses, taking funky pictures and selling them, making scarves and clothes of every kind. It's like all of a sudden America has discovered its hidden talents and all of these talents have come to the fore in order to form an overwhelming plethora of craftiness.

However, it's not just making stuff that's popular. It's re-using the so-called junk in thrift stores to create our own masterpieces. Re-painting, mod podging, engraving, re-finishing, re-upholstering...you name it.

I know these things have been happening for a long time now, I guess it's just that I have been so bombarded over the past few months with all of these type of things all around me that I have realized that it is no longer just an interest or a hobby, it's a phenomenon.

So the question is, how do we stay unique? How do we find our own thing? When everyone is vying for a place in the crafty market, or even just a step in that direction, how do I, how do you keep your individuality?

My thought: do what you love. After talking about this last night with my sister, we both decided that what makes us unique is just doing what we love and not caring about what's most popular or what's the next new fad.

So whether you want to embroider cushions, dye curtains, flare up your jeans, make a coffee table, paint a chair, make a necklace, or build a wicked awesome cake, do it your way. Give it edge, make it bright, tone it down, funk it up...just make it your own.