One of the hiccups of trying to earn a living as a creative? Your work is never static. Vagabond Romantics is the second "brand" I've launched, I have three business pages on Facebook (for VR, for my studio, and for my teaching and more independent work) and at least three different business cards. It's been little over a year since I launched Vagabond Romantics, and already I'm wondering about rebranding.
Initially, my work was going to be all about dramatic accessories: statement neckpieces, cocktail hats, and lavish cuffs. I envisioned highly embellished, heirloom quality wearable textile collage art. And indeed I have made a few of these pieces (some of which have even made it to the Etsy shop). But before I even had a name for the brand, I came across a load of gorgeous silk Italian designer clothing at crazily reduced prices, and I realised their simple style could also be highly embellished for truly luxury pieces. I had the vision, I finally decided on a name, and the tagline "Dress for the Life You Dream".
Except as I developed my work, I discovered "altered art". And my fingers itched to create some work for display. And this led me on to more practical pieces too, like small storage and bottle vases. The tagline didn't fit quite as well as I'd initially envisioned, but I was still making plenty of jewellery that kept it relevant.
But sometime last year, around the time summer began to turn to autumn, something shifted for me as well. I created a few pieces that seemed more sculptural, conceptual, cerebral....I found myself skipping cautiously along the blurred line that divides fine art from craft. And that which had always intimidated me suddenly seemed irresistible.
I still have plenty of wearable and craft pieces to sell, but 2016 will be devoted to creating more ambitious works. I have a vision in mind, who knows how long it will last?! I'm sure I won't be able to resist plenty of craft and experimentation too, but I think the time has come to move my work to the next level.
So I'm now thinking how to compartmentalise, market and promote my work - do I have to rebrand? I thought hard about the imagery, the name, the tagline for VR. I'd like to keep using it, and I undoubtedly will, for the smaller scale stuff. But perhaps the fine art needs my name, rather than a brand attached to it. But I will be writing about it here because at the end of the day, it's all me.
But if anyone can come up with a new tagline more relevant than "Dress for the Life You Dream", do send your answers on a postcard please!!
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| "Straight Outta Downton" Wearable textile collage art, 2014-15 |
Initially, my work was going to be all about dramatic accessories: statement neckpieces, cocktail hats, and lavish cuffs. I envisioned highly embellished, heirloom quality wearable textile collage art. And indeed I have made a few of these pieces (some of which have even made it to the Etsy shop). But before I even had a name for the brand, I came across a load of gorgeous silk Italian designer clothing at crazily reduced prices, and I realised their simple style could also be highly embellished for truly luxury pieces. I had the vision, I finally decided on a name, and the tagline "Dress for the Life You Dream".
Except as I developed my work, I discovered "altered art". And my fingers itched to create some work for display. And this led me on to more practical pieces too, like small storage and bottle vases. The tagline didn't fit quite as well as I'd initially envisioned, but I was still making plenty of jewellery that kept it relevant.
 |
| "An Apothecarial Guide to the Welsh Landscape" Found object assemblage, 2015 |
I still have plenty of wearable and craft pieces to sell, but 2016 will be devoted to creating more ambitious works. I have a vision in mind, who knows how long it will last?! I'm sure I won't be able to resist plenty of craft and experimentation too, but I think the time has come to move my work to the next level.
So I'm now thinking how to compartmentalise, market and promote my work - do I have to rebrand? I thought hard about the imagery, the name, the tagline for VR. I'd like to keep using it, and I undoubtedly will, for the smaller scale stuff. But perhaps the fine art needs my name, rather than a brand attached to it. But I will be writing about it here because at the end of the day, it's all me.
 |
| Gothic Reliquary Brooch Found object assemblage, 2015 |
But if anyone can come up with a new tagline more relevant than "Dress for the Life You Dream", do send your answers on a postcard please!!
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