Krista McCurdy

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How I made over $700 as an artist in February and March

February and March got away from me; I've been having some physical health issues I've been struggling with for the past year that occasionally just wipes out days. (I'm on the mend though.) I made the decision that I am going to be closing Pigeonroof Studios, my yarn business, at the end of June, because I'm just so burnt out. I still have yarn left up to dye and I want to do a last big fiber blowout...but just dragging myself into the studio is excruciating. 

It's a scary step....but I have always been incapable of working a job I didn't like, so there is no other option. I know I can make enough money to live on between my art and my Pilates teaching, so long as I keep working at it. I haven't told my partner yet because he is so pragmatic and won't believe I can do it....which means I will do it. Having my health improving so that my brain fog is rapidly decreasing and my nervous system has calmed down is a big help as well! 

In February and March (I'm just gonna lump them together) I made $793.26. If I divide that in half that gives me $396.63/month, which is $15.41 more than January. Only $15...but I'll take it! It covers almost all of my health insurance. 

Artfully Walls was a drought for those two months (although I just checked and I'd sold a few things this month, yay!) so my income came from Etsy and Society6.

Etsy: $695.79
Society6 shop 1: $34.60
Society6 shop 2: $62.87

I think April will be even better from Etsy because I started selling my scrap packs, which have been flying out the door! They're packages of collage papers of my cyanotypes and printed papers, plus the "plates" from paper lithography, as well as some ephemera. You won't find papers like these anywhere else! 

If you are an artist, how have you been getting your income? Have you noticed any ups and downs? I'd love to hear from other artists about their income journeys. 

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