Pin badges for artists- and why I don't work for free

Three Badges by Jo Brown, Illustrator, who DOESN'T Work for FREE.

I created these pin badges initially for my own amusement, but they are proving very popular, particularly artists and makers of all kinds, and the self-employed.
Somehow writing it on a badge reinforces the message, and if someone comments on it, it starts a conversation.

Creatives are often asked to do something 'for free' by a relative, a friend or in business -
though they don't frame it that way - more likely something like:

'It'll be great exposure! '
'You will be seen by all our followers',
'it's a great opportunity',
'-it's for a good cause... '
'it'll only take you five minutes' (!) 
​'We have no budget...'
'but you do it because you love it...'
Or, they can minimise the effort by beginning  'Just...' as if the thing asked for takes no effort at all.

Why I Don't Work For Free (and neither should you)

1. Art is work.
It takes time and skill, and effort.
Years of training, development and practice. It could be a 'quick sketch' but years of drawing and choice making have got you to the point where you can do that sketch.
​
2. Just because you love something, it doesn't mean it doesn't have value.
You wouldn't ask a plumber to work for free because they love plumbing, would you?

(there is a third reason, see end of post)

So with all these things in mind,  I created my badge I Don't Work For Free.

I had photos of it in my images that I used to apply to markets last year, and it led to a really fun collaboration.

The Illustrators' Fair organisers commissioned me to provide badges for stallholders in Summer 2023.
It was great seeing everyone wearing them, and sharing the message on social media. 
In December the range of self employed artist badges expanded to Art Is Work, I Am Working and my favourite I Draw, You Pay.

 I have other ranges of badges, not just for the self employed, but lots of them have messages. The messages are different depending on the viewer, I think, you can put your own spin on it. 
I am particularly fond of Not Even Listening.
Buy my badges here.


3.If you needed it, yet another reason you shouldn't work for free.
Nobody values something they didn't have to pay for.
If you work for free, the person will not value your work.
​They won't want to pay for it next time either.

I don't just get cross about this, read about my other word prints too.