Although I am solidly committed to taking orders from people for work I used to make, or for work I've never made (an idea they have), I have found it can throw me off course. One recent example (not an order): the experiment with travel mugs. The reason: you can't make just one. It became more time-consuming and more of a focus than I anticipated. Then, with shows coming up, the goal of working on new ideas went on the back burner as the time before we had to leave got shorter.
Preparing for the show, I found myself focusing on "what sells." Funny, when I do that, almost nothing I worked so hard to get ready sells. Huh.
So now I'm correcting course, except that I have a gallery order and two small orders to fill first. Just can't forget the ultimate goal... not, "what sells," but "what would be a joy to use."
I don't have new work to share yet, but I've been cleaning the studio/office and going through old files and photos. It's enlightening, meaning I forget about work or ideas I'd tried in the past. Here's a couple.