I have awesome news! I have been keep this under wraps - but today I can share the awesome experience I am having being a part of the very first Sweet Stamp Shop internship!
(Isn't this banner awesome!?
Emily Branch made it and I just had to snag!)
Interestingly enough, my involvement in
the Sweet Stamp Shop internship began with a tax question.
As many Sweet fans know, Mr. Sweet is a
CPA. Well, I responded to a facebook question that Nicole posted
about crafty businesses and the upcoming tax season. I had indicated
in my question that I was thinking about starting my own crafty
manufacturing business. Immediately Nicole PM'd me and said. “Britt,
I have an opportunity that you can't pass up...”
The rest is – not yet history, but is
definitely becoming an bright spot on my journey.
I've thought, for years, about trying
to submit some of my drawings to stamp companies in hopes of finding
a gateway into the design side of scrapbooking. I have a solid
background in art – I've taken instruction in different art forms
throughout my high school and college years and I was a music and
theatre major in college. Though performance-heavy, all art
intersects and I had to show skills in a mix of media types in
school. I've been a life-long crafter and I was always thinking
about stamps I WISHED I had or really thought the crafting community
would love. I was confident in my drawing abilities and thought I
had a pretty unique style.
Then, I tried contacting a few
different companies, sharing my ideas and asking for a chance to talk
to someone about an opportunity – but the responses were either
negative or non-existent. It was a puzzle. I had the ideas - the
dream. I had the passion and willingness to work for what I wanted,
but no one was listening. Even though I still believed in my ability
– I was loosing faith that I had to tools to make anything happen.
Enter Nicole and her internship. So
many missing pieces of my puzzle have come together as a result.
I've learned that I was right – I
didn't have the tools to make those things happen. BUT, I could get
those tools and I didn't have to spend another four years in school
to build something worth showing to manufacturers. I needed to learn
Adobe Illustrator – and I COULD learn it. I needed a portfolio –
and I COULD build one using the exact work I was doing in this
program. I needed to have some focus – and it is difficult to
separate yourself from your art enough to gain that kind of
perspective alone. I needed community – they helped me see things
I never would have otherwise. And, I needed to have someone expecting me to
“show up” and contribute to my own future – being responsible
to someone is a huge help and great motivation for me.
To those of you who are reading these
letters because you are trying to decide if you want to apply. I
urge you to apply – it will be worth your time.
Lastly, I think it is important that
you know the good things but ALSO some of the things that might be
challenging.
Doing art as a job can be brutal.
I'm not saying that
anyone in the SSS program would EVER treat you in a mean spirit.
BUT, to get the most out of this opportunity, you have to grow a
little thicker skin. Nicole, Alyssa, and all the other interns will
always encourage you, but they will also look at your work
critically. And, though it might make some days feel harder, learning
to handle constructive criticism AND more importantly, learning to
look at your OWN work critically WILL help you if you REALLY want to
take your art to the world. I had a little advantage coming into
this program because of my artful education, but just as I my armor
was tested, I have seen some of my fellow interns really build up
their armor and we are all better for it.
The Sweet Stamp Shop Internship gave me
more design focus and invaluable information about manufacturing, but
it also reminded me what it takes to make art into a job and has
equipped me with many of the tools I need to take my ideas and make
them work for ME.
Thanks Nicole, I'm so glad I got to be
a part of this on the ground floor. You rock.
Britt Bass,
Sweet Stamp Shop Intern
