I hope this doesn't come across as hostile, it's meant as a genuine and sincere question as someone who does a lot of artistic activities.

Like, if you know me (and you may not, I'm posting this on public so I know it'll likely spread) I've been practicing crochet for checks Ravelry oh. 11 years. As my ravelry profile says, I took up crochet as a coping mechanism. And I'm (legally) disabled.

I've learned a lot, and I can do much more difficult projects now, though I would not call myself a "master" or "Expert" at this point. I did a few commissions for my stepmom but currently I wouldn't like to take any, I find them stressful. (plus with the disability, even if I THOUGHT I could handle a bunch of commissions I would have my SSI taken away if I made "Too much" which... charging what I'm worth (at least if I took my stepmom's insistence on pay as a minimum) could be like... 8-12 commissions depending on size.

I also embroider and cross stitch a bit. Knitting and me don't mix but I'd like to learn it someday. I'd also like to take up weaving, as I had a bit of a passion for fiber arts history in college (there are NOT as many sources in the archaeological record as I would have liked. No one gives a shit seemingly 😔 )

Like, at what point is it okay to add "Fiber Artist" to my bio?

Like, is the fact I do NOT take commissions (though I do make gifts) a problem? I have no store to sell my wares, it's more likely that I will just inflict a gift onto a friend.

I also don't necessarily "produce" that much. Like, once it cools down (we're getting to that season) yes I will crochet a lot more, but in the summer? it's usually too hot to even look at yarn, so I embroider or something. And none of my embroidery or cross stitch is my own design unless you call "the directions for this part confuse me, I'm winging it" enough to make it my "own design"

So I'm not "productive" either.

And before any of you bring up writing: uh... yes I have been published, but I do Not call myself an "author". I only call myself a "Writer" because the term is more comfortable. That is a verb I reliably do (depending on the season more reliably than writing)

To be clear: you don't have to tell me "Yes you are an artist, dammit" or "No you aren't an artist" though you can if you want, I mostly want to hear about how people who define themselves as artists grappled with the question.

I know this is something I probably have to decide for myself, but I'd love to hear from other people on what made them decide one way or another