In an episode of the Just Make Art podcast, the hosts posed a question that stayed with me: "What's your unit?"
In short, how do you measure the success of your work? Is it hours spent crafting, total volume produced, or problems solved along the way?
Going full-time with Craven Works this year forced me to reflect on why I’ve always made art—and why I keep making it. Looking back, my most meaningful pieces were never created to hit a production quota. They were made because an idea made me smile, or because it was a gift for someone I cared about.
In fact, the pieces I crafted for my wife, Marianne, have always felt like my greatest successes. That realization hit me: until now, my true unit of measurement has simply been ‘the gift.’
Having more time to focus on my collections this year has allowed me to develop my techniques, but the joy remains the same. Some of my favorite projects have been smaller, playful gifts for friends—like custom beer mats / coasters.
Back when I worked in a design team, Wednesday drinks were a weekly ritual, always kicked off with a chorus of "It’s Wednesday, my dudes!" On a visit to the Crab Museum in Margate, I stumbled across a postcard featuring a crab delivering that exact message. I brought it back to the team, and it instantly became an inside joke.
Even though I've gone full-time on my art, we still catch up for Wednesday drinks. I decided to bring that memory to life by designing and printing custom beer mats featuring the team's crab meme. Seeing the reactions—and using those coasters —reminded me why functional art is so special. It takes a fleeting moment and turns it into something tangible that makes you smile every day.
Got an inside joke, a shared memory, or a unique idea for a beer mat / coaster set? Whether it’s a personal gift for a friend or something special for your own coffee table, I’d love to help bring it to life. Head over to the contact page at Craven Works to start the conversation!