Food for thought from Orna Willis--
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2015/07/are-men-taking-over-needlepoint.html
I'm not going to tell you what she says. Go read it and then comment here or on her blog.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 23, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
11 comments:
I think it's great! I personally love what they do.
Me, too!
I'm glad Orna brought this up.....I don't think anyone should be ashamed to make a fair profit in exchange for goods and/or services provided. The fact that we love our industry doesn't mean that it should not be profitable.
Amen!
Yes, and then all our stitching buddies out there complain about the prices. You can't win!
It's the same as so few women in executive positions. IMO it has to do with the lower self worth that many women seem to have. We could certainly take a hint from our more business oriented brothers!
Amen!
Orna's observations go to the very heart of a big problem in many textile crafts (embroidery, needlepoint, etc) - especially in Australia at least. It is not just that women often have lower levels of self confidence, especially when it comes to "selling" themselves and their products. It is also that we have a tendency to undervalue what we do. I know that as I transition from "hobbyist" to "creative business owner" the most difficult problem I have is finding the confidence to charge a reasonable price for my products. I am scared that people will think I am overcharging and yet I know that the time and effort that I put into design and pattern writing should be fairly compensated. I know it is a very broad gender generalisation, but I think men are often better at that than we are :) Research in the wider workplace would certainly suggest that this is the case. I am going to constantly remind myself of Orna's comments in the next few weeks!
You are so right, Ann-Marie. I think women themselves are part of the problem as well. How many times have I heard them complain something is too expensive? I rarely hear that from men. There is a gender difference at work, maybe just a learned one, but it is there. Good luck with your creative business! You know here in Chilly Hollow we are cheering you on and believe you are worth every dollar!
Thankyou so much Jane. The cheering on helps enormously!
Good! We regular stitchers want you to succeed. That is good for everyone!
Post a Comment