There were three guests on the show (plus host Noell and producer Izzy), each of whom turned their love of scrapbooking into a full-time career. The main discussion was about whether turning a hobby into work makes you love your work or whether it takes the joy from your hobby. I won't summarize the opinions; you can hear it for yourself here if you're interested. In general, I am in the camp that believes it's a good idea to turn your hobby into work (obviously, or I wouldn't have the jobs I do). But I also know my own limits. I can do design work, but it has to be in my style with products I love. I've worked for stores that stocked product I didn't like, and it is really tough to create under those circumstances. I'm not great at scrapping with major time pressure. Sketch-based design teams are much better for me than product-based ones. Writing about product that isn't my style is far easier than crafting with it. I've learned some of this the hard way.
On the other hand, I've never been stretched further creatively than in those jobs. I went back and looked at the many layouts I made for the various design teams and other positions I've had. While I don't love everything I made, I do like most of them. There are some that I'm really proud of and that I probably never would have made if not for the assignment. Here are a handful of them that I haven't shared recently, if at all:
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Is turning your hobby into a career a good idea, or is that a sure-fire way to lose your love for that hobby?
Great layouts!
ReplyDeleteLove that family tree!
And the circles, I'm a sucker for circles, in the 3rd one!
In a perfect world...yes I would love to turn my hobby into my job.
There's that saying: "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ― Confucius
And as far as I'm concerned, doing something creative everyday would be the only thing I would "love" to do!
But I realize, just as you pointed out, that having to create on a schedule, can take the fun out of it. I'm not always inspired to create and I think if I had to create in order to get paid, it would be more of "getting it done" instead of making something I love! And the creative industry is so fickle... I would be so stressed out about when I' be getting my next paycheck that I don't think I could thoroughly enjoy it!
I think the best for me would be to earn money on the side for creating... and if I won the lottery, that would definitely give me much more time to do that!
Ahhh, great layouts! :)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about working outside my comfort zone and style. I like to try new things, but always in baby steps. :) I would absolutely love to work in the industry!! But my dream job would be with a manufacturer, either helping to come up with new products or collections, testing and marketing them, demonstrating them at CHA, making up displays and advertising, helping with social media ... that sort of thing.
Not long ago, Doodlebug had a retreat for their design team, brought them all out to their headquarters in Utah for a weekend. I would've loved to have gone on that trip! Everything down to an area set up for snacks was decorated adorably - totally "Doodlebugged." LOL They got to see the warehouse and where all the magic happens, that's where I'd want to be involved, from the beginning.
I would also be very happy if a man in a suit came by with a certified letter saying that a long-lost relative had died, leaving me a substantial fortune, along with a thriving scrapbook store. A girl can dream .... ;)
I would love to have this hobby as a job!!! Granted I have been on a lot of DT's ... but none of them have been a career/job ... I was still able to keep my "work" as a hobby!!! I am LOVING these pages!! I LOVE that tree on the first one!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't want to lose thenhobby so I just tinker in it. A lot. Lol ;) those are some familiar faces in that first layout! ;)
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