motivating feedback
Making stuff can be hard-going at times, it can be difficult to judge just how good your stuff is in any subjective way, and if it’s not any good, well, what’s the point! Of course family and friends can tell you that what you’ve been making is “super”, “smashing”, or even, “great” yet you’ll always have a nagging doubt that these people simply don’t want to hurt your feelings with a totally honest and critical assessment of your work.
Jolene and I are rather good at giving critical feedback and yet when you see something day-in-day-out even the extraordinary becomes ordinary or unremarkable, perhaps the old adage about familiarity breeding contempt would fit, the very reason why judging your own work can be so difficult.
With our first craft fayre approaching rapidly (one week to go) there is a danger of us suffering a crisis of confidence despite most of our stock being ready and packed. Aside from our trademark wood carvings, papier mache pieces, felt ornaments, and needlework items we’ve put together a range of mounted prints and photo cards and a few other bits and bobs.
We were rather delighted then that an enthusistic shopper recently purchased two of Jolene’s felt birds and left some rather encouraging feedback:
It is such a treasure to own a pair of your MadeStuff birds. I love every bit of them. Your little birds stoled my heart. As soon as I saw them, I just knew that I had to have them. They are perched on their own shelf in my family room and cheerfully greet all who enter. Their colors work well with my decor. They chirp happily and love to show off their plumage. They will bring joy to those who visit them and sing in my heart forever. Thank you for your kindness and expedite shipping. I will always be eternally greatful.
Rather positive I’m sure you’ll agree, and certainly welcome in the run-up to the craft fayre!
Fortunately it’s not just Jolene that’s been getting positive feedback as I discovered when I received feedback for one of my carvings earlier in the month:
very creative piece with abstract yet palpable feeling
Very brief, which is no bad thing, yet I think it suggests a connection with the piece which is all I can really ask. Out of curiosity I went and checked the feedback the shopper had left for other sellers on Etsy, to say that some it was ‘neutral’ would be over-stating it, the criticism of the finish of a piece of woodwork is no small thing. I would be devestated if I received feedback saying one of my carvings hadn’t been sanded properly… although at least I would know what I had to do to improve my work!
The feedback that we get as crafters is hugely important and whilst we might not necessarily like what we here, there is no doubt that without critical assessment of our work improvement is made all the more difficult. Finding such critical feedback is no easy task though and whilst the examples cited above don’t help us develop our craft they do provide a much needed boost in the run up to our inaugural craft event!
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, critical and honest feedback on anything you see on this site is welcome … nay! It’s needed!
18 July, 2009 8:16 am 
