Over the past few weeks, I've been trying to decide whether I want to diversify my product base, and try and appeal to everyone, or whether or not I want to find a very specific niche. I've posted my thoughts on my blog:

http://puppetsinmelbourne.com.au/index.php/geek/2008/05/07/tough_decisions

Just wondered whether anyone else has had the same questions and what they ended up deciding.

Do what you enjoy or it well simply become a "job".   I would say that you should focus on Shadow Puppets. There is a market for that and not much that folks can "buy" when it comes to that puppetry style. Develop your product line for Shadow Puppets first then you can move on to others if inspired. 

Remember it can be very easy to be distracted and then you never really get anything done. I know this from experience. Even with Puppets and Stuff I get side tracked on small issues and forget to look at the big picture.

Thanks - I was saying just that to someone else recently, it's so easy to end up focusing on the details.

I guess it's also because I've only recently figured out what types of puppetry I'm most interested in. I have a number of diverse ideas that are currently inspiring me - from toy theatre, to shadow puppets, to marionettes.

And even though I love the concept of my puppet generator, I'm not 100% sure I'll continue with it.

What occurred to me the other day was that there's not many people selling shadow puppets; although there's an even smaller percentage of people doing searches on shadow puppets.

It's sort of chicken and egg: go where the market is, or go where the inspiration is? And can the two meet?

I'm hoping it will. I'm imagining a whole range of shadow puppet patterns for sale, and I've got some good ones to start off.

As for doing what I enjoy and not being it a "job"... Can't it be both?  :P 

Well yes it is a "job" but I didn't want you to lose the joy you found in the "job".  I think this can happen if you are not careful.

   Yes I know exactly what you mean. I found myself doing that a lot with a number of puppet projects. My enthusiasm wanes a little if I'm not particularly thrilled with the design or idea.

I have one though that I can't wait to get started on; but it's quite complex. I changed my idea for a marionette. It's not going to be a pattern anymore, simply a product that I can sell. It's a no-carving marionette, which suits me fine.

Although, I think I need someone to tell me I have no money. I went and bought myself a hand drill the other day... and then two days ago bought a new sewing machine. (Keep in mind: my parents own a sewing machine. It's my grandmother's, and is literally a 50s wartime kitsch machine... so it's about time we got a new one!)

I think the trip to Perth did me some good though: I managed to become re-inspired. Let's hope I can keep it up!