What keeps you creating?

NeffieNostalgia · Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Posts: 709 Location: USA - NY

I never expected to be able to make a living from this, I don't have the money to invest in order to make that happen, and seeing other creators struggle with the ins and outs of success here makes it somewhat daunting, anyhow. (Kudos to those of you who manage to do it, I think it takes guts.)

I always hoped that I could make enough to occasionally buy something for my avatar, and submit new things once in a while, and if I'm lucky make a few bucks at the end of the month. At one point in time, I was able to do exactly that.
Recently, a good friend did a giveaway with some of my items, and people aren't even taking the freebies. There was a time that I gave away items that were total garbage compared to my work now, not that it's brilliant now, but still better than before, and I always assumed that there are always people who would love anything free. Guess not. Lately, I am lucky if I get ANY sales, my (small) catalog is full of zeros.
It's discouraging, and it makes me feel like I am dead in the water before I've even begun.

So, what drives you to keep creating? Is it success in sales? What about when things are slow (or not moving at all)? Is it a love for IMVU, a love for creating, hope that things will get better?
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xLadytot · Joined: 20 Jun 2010 Posts: 1078 Location: Australia

I love devving, gives me something to do to pass the time by when my sons at school and I don't have work. I doubt I will ever make enough to be able to sell credits but I'm fine with that. Very Happy

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Ayrianne · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 4616 Location: USA - FL

I dev as a hobby, actually, so I'm rather like you. If I make a few bucks off it now and again, I'm pretty happy. I guess I kind of fell into it after taking about four years of graphic design, web design and all that in high school and this just kind of seemed like a fun way to use those skills. It's kind of funny, because some of the stuff I really like the most hasn't sold at all but I'm kind of OK with that, because I like it.

Not that I'm utterly amazing at deving or anything but, long story short, I dev because it's fun and I enjoy it. I enjoy wearing my own stuff and I enjoy seeing others wear it, so that's what keeps me going. If *I* at least enjoy making products and wearing them, at the end of the day, I'm pretty happy.
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oOmagpieOo · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 6826

I make mosaic installations and sculptures in RL so I can honestly say, I love making things that don't collect dust Cool

I do it because I love the challenge of making something that is a basically a series of flat planes and making it as realistic and detailed as possible.
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NeffieNostalgia · Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Posts: 709 Location: USA - NY

YourNeighbour · Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Posts: 1231 Location: Australia

Credits, fame and self challenge

Now I have more fans here than I do on DA

When someone spends credits to buy my items I see it as an appreciation for my digital artwork, plus you can make yours and other people's fantasy landscape come true in a snap, nothing beats that.

Still got to thank Hellstrong for making the sketchup exporter, without it I would not be where I am today

More credits = happy artist ! Cool

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trulyfree · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 146 Location: USA - IL

i have a busy real life, we farm and have kids. In my spare time i use to do lots of arts and crafts to relax, now i come here and make a few things i want to play with or a friend asks about.......and my house stays clean. it is perfection. If you make for yourself, then you have what you need, and others have the same taste sometimes. so its all cool.

CherryNoire · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 425 Location: USA - CA

I'm still kind of new to it, but I love making stuff both irl and here. I spent four years on imvu pouring tons of credits into it to have cute clothes and nice things. But I finally thought, why not spend that money being a creator instead? I make stuff I like, and if it sells, bonus. I'm not going to make stuff just because it's going to sell, because the enjoyment comes from making something I like - not in the money I might get. I won't knock people who do make stuff just for it to sell, people who see this as purely a business - more power to them, they will probably always be more successful than me. But I am only going to measure myself against myself, not anyone else. What is success to you? I'm still learning, so even a few sales is success at this point. Having someone say I'm doing really well at it feels like success too. And of course, just working on a project makes me happy, I enjoy creating very much.
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Jamo · Joined: 20 Apr 2007 Posts: 12781 Location: United Kingdom

Fun

Negativity in this forum can be overwhelming, you either have to sit back and giggle at it or not come here for it to still be fun these days.

i like to remind myself why i joined the website, and that usually lets me have lots of fun times Very Happy

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ruckiteer · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 271 Location: Sweden

Sikk · Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 11578 Location: USA - AZ

I still develop because:

Male catalog still sucks even after 13.5 million products
People ask/pay me to
Myself and others still enjoy my products
It's still fun when it's not tedious
I like to challenge myself
I sell credits and buy stuff
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Puck · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 12545 Location: USA

It keeps me busy and out of trouble.
I find kinda fun and a reason to play in Photoshop.
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Cassiopeia's credits
Request My Bling!

Slapshot · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Canada

Thank you for asking NeffieNostalgia.
I've been exploring it for a couple of months. I just love art
in all forms and I set my own goals. Just trying to improve
my skills along the way. I think you should do it for you, not
anyone else ^^
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ashantaey · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 891 Location: Netherlands

At the moment I am through with IMVU - too many disappointments need some time to settle on it
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Many Derivables and Original products

NeffieNostalgia · Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Posts: 709 Location: USA - NY

I don't intend to stop creating, just for the record. Just had me thinking, and I hoped to hear from other creators. Lots of good answers, it's interesting to get everyone's different perspectives.
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