I responded to a post on an on-line forum recently. A craftsperson artist was wondering how many product lines were too many. She asked whether she should focus on on a few product lines or try to attract buyers with a huge selection (the "something for everyone" approach." Images of her work weren't available, so I couldn't tell where she was in her artistic journey. So I hesitated to answer for awhile.
Polymer clay is like bead-stringing. Anyone with access to the materials can do it, with even a little knack for design and color, and enough technical skill to get started. But like any other medium, it still takes time, practice and a lot of heartful thinking to develop a truly personal style.
Here's what I said to the original poster:
I've reread your original post & want to suggest strongly that developing a distinctive style is more important than how many kinds of products you develop. Within reason, of course! :)
Polymer clay artists are especially prone to this overproduction mode. They fall in love with clay play and constantly experiment with new techniques, new tools, new designs, new, new, new. It becomes very, very hard to sort out one polymer clay artist's work from another. You are on the right track with focusing on a design and developing that fully. It will help differentiate your work from others.
You also mention another downside pc is subject to, and that's your audience not fully understanding what's involved with your techniques. ALL craft media have their mysteries to the buying public, but especially polymer clay because it's such a versatile & adaptable medium. Wanting to smack 'em upside the head, your sense of humor notwithstanding, is not the right road to even think about going down. :^)
As artists & craftspeople, we are understandably excited about our processes. I am! But our job on earth is not to educate people about how we make our stuff. It may add value and interest, but that's not the reason they buy. They buy our stuff because they fall in love with who we are or what we make, not just how we make it.
Foremost, they have to fall in love with the object you're selling. They only need to understand the technique to the extent that it defines your style and what's unique about it.
So rather than chase that hopping bunny of "what will they buy??" down the rabbit hole, and "why doesn't anyone listen to my spiel on techniques??", focus on what it is about your work you truly love, and what it is about YOUR work that's truly different. Get brutal about it. Because that's what will sell your work.
You can sell a polymer clay clock for $80 if it's truly beautiful and well-made--Irene Dean's clocks sell for half that again, and more, I believe. But she's also built an audience over the years for her distinctive style and aesthetic. It takes time, dedication, constant tweaking of your skills and processes, and a belief that what you do matters, so you must do it well.
hope this helps,
Luann
