What Handmade Artists Can Teach Us About Creative Survival in the AI Era
Creative Survival in the AI Era blog post
A few thoughts from someone who’s be working in a “ lost art” for years.
I’ve been spinning yarn by hand for almost ten years. And if that sounds like something out of a Renaissance fair to you—well, you’re not entirely wrong.
I work in a medium that most people assumed died with the Industrial Revolution. And yet, I’ve built a business, a brand, and a beautiful community doing something slow, tactile, and deeply human.
So when I hear people panicking over AI and screaming that creativity is dead, I take a deep breath and don’t panic. Because I’ve been here before.
The spinning wheel was once a cutting-edge innovation. Before that? People literally rolled fiber against their legs to make thread. And the first textile mills? They put countless hand-spinners out of work—but they also made fabric accessible to millions more people. Each new advancement looked like the end of the world to someone.
But I didn’t choose this “dead art” because I was trying to be nostalgic or rebellious. I chose it because it’s beautiful, grounding, and connects me to something older than all of us.
And yet—I also use AI when I need to.
Not to spin yarn, obviously. But to help me with the parts of business that aren’t the art: content creation, organization, editing my thoughts, helping with dyslexia, scheduling launches, brainstorming offers. These aren’t things I want to pour my soul into—but they do help me get my soul’s work out into the world.
That’s the distinction I want more creatives to make.
AI isn’t here to replace your creativity. But it will expose whether you’ve got a strong voice or not.
And there’s a right way—and a lazy way—to use it.
We shouldn’t be using these tools to mimic someone else’s brand, art style, or tone of voice. You can’t copy-paste originality. And while AI might feel like a shortcut, it’s not a replacement for doing the inner work of being an artist.
What it can be is a catalyst. A support system. A way to take the ideas living in your brain and get them out into the world faster, smoother, and more clearly.
That’s not a threat. That’s a gift.
So no, I’m not afraid of AI. I’ve lived through enough creative evolutions to know that real art always survives.
The question isn’t whether you should use new tools. The question is: Are you clear enough in your creative voice to use them with power, purpose, and a point of view?
Because if you are—there’s nothing to fear. There’s only expansion
AI and creativity - video about creative survival in an AI Era
How Artists + Creatives Can Use AI to Free Up Time & Reclaim Energy
1. Copywriting Support
Write faster, not faker. Use AI to draft product descriptions, , email newsletters, and website content—then tweak in your own voice. Saves hours. Your thoughts, your outline your final proof. Writing a batch of product descriptions and getting them to all have the same format used to wear me out. Simple help like that really helps.
2. Brainstorming & Idea Generation
Stuck in creative fog? AI can help you brainstorm collection names, color palette themes, social post hooks, or new offer ideas in minutes.
3. Planning & Productivity
Use it to build launch plans, content calendars, or to-do lists tailored to your flow. You don’t need a project manager—you need a co-pilot. ( one of my favorite ways it helps me focus)
4. Social Media Captions & Hashtags
Generate a week’s worth of Instagram or Pinterest caption ideas then fill in with your own voice . It will give you a head start.
5. Editing & Clarity
If you’re neurodivergent, dyslexic, or just tired—AI can polish and structure your writing without killing your voice. Think of it as your second brain. This has saved me from getting so many emails from people pointing out my grammar and spelling errors.
6. Custom Prompts for Visuals
Create visual moodboards, Pinterest pins, or product mockups with AI-generated images based on your aesthetic. You still steer the vibe.
7. Customer Support Templates
Save time on writing emails, FAQs, and DM responses. Build a few AI-powered scripts that you can personalize and send in seconds.
8. Pricing, Offers & Descriptions
Not sure how to price your art or describe a new offer? AI can help you outline the benefits, write sales copy, and suggest value-based pricing strategies.
I’m passionate about helping people get excited about their own hand made businesses.
Check out my book to learn more.
