so, I’m an amateur artist. I mainly like drawing, but also dabble in other things, including crochet. one of my dnd friends notices the amigurumi I made that I brought to one of our sessions and offers to pay me to make small animals for his family members. he wants 8 of them. blinded by my excitement and naivety, I agree, and he pays me 200 dollars. one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.
fast forward to me attempting to needle felt them instead after failing to crochet them, then having a meltdown when I accidentally broke two of the felting needles inside one of the animals and couldn’t get them out. now I’m trying to crochet them again, and the yarn just isn’t having it. I wound up cutting my finger on the yarn after trying to pull out a snag that made me have to restart it entirely, wasting the material. I hate this. not only am I obligated to complete all 8 of them, but I overestimated my skill level and don’t know what to do. my client told me to take a break when I offered a refund. I can’t fucking take this shit anymore.
That sucks! I know this is a vent com but i cant help myself. You’re not obligated to make them, the refund can be non-negotiable. Chalk it up to learning experience 🙂
I agree with the other commenter, you don’t have to go through with the com. But also it sounds like you are stressing about this and thinking that these struggles are a big deal - it’s learning, that’s all.
I’ve commissioned just one person thus far (who made my fursona badge), who was also someone new and just getting started, and they too were really nervous that I was going to not like the outcome, they didn’t have the paper I wanted for the back, etc and I was like ‘it’s fine’ and I liked the finished piece so much that I started using it online in addition to in-person. Basically, don’t stress (if you don’t refund) and just communicate. They asked you to make things for them because they like what you have made already. If nothing else, that should be something to be proud of.
thank you. reading this after a nap makes me feel a little less worried.
Sounds to me like the client is pretty chill and seems more interested in getting a creative work from you over the time or money involved. Sounds like they believe in you and it doesn’t sound like they are pressuring. I would say go at your own pace learning new things, do the best you can and try to enjoy it. You got this!
Fellow artist here. As said above you do not have to fill the order. That’s what’s cool about being your own boss. You decide. If it’s not working out simply apologise and return the money. Commissions can be a big burden.
Please keep in mind…It’s hard to be artistic and still know that even though you may not like the outcome because it isn’t perfect to you that others see your work differently. I often am shocked when what I thought was some of my worst artworks sell fastest. Art is so personal. It speaks to everyone differently.
Go easy on yourself. You are pouring your soul into an object in hopes that someone will accept a little piece of you. It’s personal. It’s difficult. But you can make the decisions and learn from your challenges.
You got this.
