#how is the ‘accessible low-entry level craft -> small business on tiktok’ pipeline affecting artists?

[lyanro]

…How do we feel about the environmental implications of certain very tiktok-friendly Small Business Crafts such as resin work and polymer clay jewelry. I know that I feel and think things about them but I don’t really know what those things are

#like are they yet another expression of first world consumerist luxury? #is it irresponsible to create with what is essentially a lot of plastic? #is it stupid to shame people for this when their impacts are negligible compared to manufacturers and industry? #or is it something to be more concerned about? #how is the ‘accessible low-entry level craft -> small business on tiktok’ pipeline affecting artists? #in what ways do these crafts intersect w privilege or lack thereof? #what makes them different from things like beading/embroidery/pottery/painting/metalwork/sewing/other arts and crafts? #are they different at all? #idk I just feel like on the one hand yay creativity on the other hand i feel like it’s trendifying/yassifying/commodifying certain aspects #of creativity #like most amateur like ‘small business’ tiktok girlies are just making things that follow trends and often copies of whatever is popular atm #(​at least in my experience) #like do you know what I mean. like all the resin girlies with their molds they bought on aliexpress #and the polymer clay earring girlies where they make the clay look like marble/stone in a ‘satisfying’ grammable process #of chopping up teeny bits of clay and mixing it with acrylic paint and gold leaf and rolling it all out #and it’s ‘satisfying’ and just the ~perfect~ vehicle for ~trending audios~