Craftspeople read through these twelve types and see if you can recognise yourself.
Of course you won’t be able to, but I bet your friends will see you loud and clear in one of these types below
The Phoenix
Keeps reinventing it’s business, to the confusion of their customers and finally to their own confusion. The next big idea is always the One. They end up drowning in a gaggle of websites and aliases.
The Eeyore
Anticipates everlasting disaster, their gloom drives customers away. They dislike their customers anyway because they blame them for not buying . The Eeyore sees its medical conditions as a great conversation opener.
The Cuckoo
Has derivative products, always producing what every one else is doing: the cupcakes, bunting, seashells, beach hut, shabby chic, vintage vibe. They are never ahead of the pack but nor are they ever far behind. They excel at marketing and have lovely looking displays and websites. Very often they used to work in PR. Never known to under price their pieces.
The Ostrich
Has their head in the sand about progress and figures, hears only what they want too. Says things like “I have faith that this will work ” Can get into terrible debt and is is often financing their crafts business out of a redundancy payment.
The Wren
Shy, retiring, hesitant, apologetic, timorous. Explains everything wrong with their pieces, “that should really be longer, I didn’t get the colour quite right there.” Is pathetically grateful to her customers and will do what ever they ask. Favourite word is “sorry”. Sometimes unbelievably successful, but you would never guess.
The Peacock
Mainly spotted at craft fairs and teaching workshops showing off. Has a loud penetrating voice, flamboyant plumage, is larger than life and frequently male. Attractive to some and repugnant to others, has their own coterie, and a tendency to bully.
The Mother Hen
Her stall looks like a jumble sale, her website bursting at the seams with conflicting messages and her artist profile will tell you about her family. Her work is apparently photographed at twilight and is never centre frame. She is a skilled crafts woman invariably making something ugly and unfashionable. She is liked by all and always has toffees in her bag.
The Dodo
Doesn’t take credit cards, doesn’t have a website, doesn’t have email and doesn’t drive and is glad to tell you so as if it’s an achievement and makes them mysteriously superior to the poor mortals who can do all those things.
The Beaver
Never stops, works away; never flies, never drowns. Lives on an even keel, sensible, reliable, content. Sells steadily and has a weekly routine.
The Rottweiler
Believes in standing up for herself ( they are generally female) can be found hunting down the organiser at craft fairs and laying down the law in online forums. Has a slightly patronising way with customers. mostly all bark, they are mortified if told they are aggressive.
The Queen Ant
An Empire builder who talks the talk and walks the walk of a big conglomerate. They are totally money orientated. They have business names that end in designs.com They shamelessly self promote and network. Their conversation is all about themselves. Their actual product is underwhelming . Queen Ants metamorphise into business gurus but they boss their clients rather than nurturing them.
The Thoroughbred
Comes from money, is the arty one in her set, primarily sells to friends who she advises on all matters arty, most likely to be found at the Selvedge Fair. Can be a bit icy to customers she wasn’t brought up with.
Which am I?
I am the product of a brief but passionate liaison between a Phoenix and a Rottweiler
Which is most you?
Do the poll and lets see what the predominant type is. If you think that like me you are a hybrid then tick the two most like you, but please don’t tick more than two. Then hit vote. If you had fun then leave me a comment or write me another crafts person type
Handmade Lives 