Well.
Let's talk about nothing.
As an artist who believes strongly in consuming less, not more, it has been difficult for me to rely solely on jewelry sales to make a living. I've always struggled with selling things to begin with, but as an artist whose work is driven by a strong love for environmental health, sometimes I really struggle with the "selling things" part of my job.
But the truth of the matter is that clean-ups, public art exhibitions, education, and speaking events - the things that aren't things - all end up costing me money. Even if I'm paid, the costs of the event nearly always exceed what I receive. Some people would say that maybe I'm just not working very smart. And maybe that's true. I honestly don't know. I keep trying to figure it out and I keep...not being able to figure it out.
But even though clean-ups and public art exhibitions end up costing me money, I also believe that they're the most important and impactful thing I do. This last year has been a mishmash of experiments to figure out how to live my values and continue supporting myself. It's been hard. As I mentioned, a lot of what I've tried hasn't worked. Jewelry continues to be what supports me. And if you find yourself thinking that you want to support what I do, but you just don't need any more jewelry, believe me - I get it. I really do.
I'm hoping that digital downloads and/or my "buy nothing" option can be our happy medium. The sale of these items (or not items) will allow me to continue doing education and clean-up work, continue making art out of trash, and hopefully continue showing up for you and our planet in meaningful ways. And allow you to feel better about not buying anything you don't feel you need.
(image is of paper flowers and magazine images of birds and butterflies, alongside a no trespassing sign, and next to a cage made out of plastic bottle caps and reclaimed wire)
I hope you know that I always just want to be honest with you about my work and my feelings surrounding it, and that I appreciate you even if all you have the capacity to do is show up. Your very presence here is important in this work, and I appreciate you endlessly.
love, Jessica
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