Why do I walk a degree-less path when I can get a degree?

When 10th exam then 12th and then a degree has been the only path that everyone is taking around us, it's so difficult to imagine any other possibility. When it's been told that this is the only path to success, happiness and security it feels impossible to know that there are other ways and maybe also other definitions of happiness and success.

One day, a person very openly and kindly questioned me about my decision of not walking the degree path.  After talking to me about my journey he gave me a suggestion to take M.A in English. Having himself taken M.A. in Kannada without much preparations or difficulty at a very late age. He believed that I had the capability of simply walking in the exam hall and passing with flying colours because of my knowledge and experience.
It was so honoring to know that someone look at me capable enough  to be able to pass a high level exam without much preparation.  He went on to tell me that me passing this exam and then also passing an IAS exam would not only be an achievement for me but for the whole alternative education community. It would prove to the world that this path was also of success.


It was so nice to know that he could share his opinion with me so openly and have a conversation about this. This conversation got me thinking and gave me clarity on where I stand.

Currently I don't believe that I have to prove to anybody that the path I have chosen is right and nor do I want to convince people to join this path because I have passed an exam or because I have become successful in a big way. 

I personally don't believe in the examination or degree system and that's why I don't see it as an avenue to measure my success for myself or for others.
I also don't agree with the definition of success or the measurement of intelligence as per the degree system, so by giving the exam I can't prove to anyone that I am successful. I believe I can be a role model in showing people that there is a way to live happily, successfully and earn money without being a part of the current system but by creating your own path. I believe I can be an avenue of contribution to the world through my skills and strengths.

I would also like to mention here that I have no problem whatsoever with any individual choosing the path of degree, however at this point of time in life that is not my path. I am also keeping an option open for me that anytime in future if for whatsoever reason I would like to obtain a degree I would do.  Also there are other alternative education children who have shown to the world that it is possible to do gain a degree if you are passionate for it. It all about walking your path because you want to, whether with or without degree.

An environment of equals

No barriers of age , everyone is equal and any age is capable to do things. These are believes I received from my upbringing and believe them to be true. However not always it what really happens in my life, sometimes I get stuck in the conditioning that I am bigger so I know better or can do something better.

This completely got shattered in Craft club.

Craft club is a group of enthusiastic crafters who wish to learn, make products and now we have moved to the stage of selling. We are a mixed age group with youngest is 8 and oldest me 20!

We learned wire art from our mentor – 2 children aged 12 picked up the wire art skill really well, they make beautiful jewelry and other wire stuff and have the technique in hand. They have eye for neatness, colour composition and beauty.

Initially I though I am good at Art and I should be teaching other in the club but this wire art simply turned the tables around, I was learning from them, getting scolding from them for not doing neatly and was asking them for suggestion. Our working environment became of equals – asking each other for comments and suggestions, appreciating each others work and enjoying working together.

Its beautiful to live in a community where I am can and am challenged to live my beliefs and values

Learnings from selling my art.

Selling my Art was a whole new experience. Read to know my experience of selling my art products for the first time.

I began with learning about how to make them to a sell able finish - How to create a product which looks beautiful and handmade yet finished. Soon I began to notice the small mistakes in my products and got the eye for the neatness.

The next step was thinking about pricing and packaging. How much should I sell the Art. At one side I wanted to keep it cheap so people would buy but on the other I wanted to value my hard-work and of course earn some money!
Most confusing in pricing was calculating the raw material cost, I mean how do I calculate the glue or the paint used in making a single product?

I felt so blessed to have people surrounding me who are ready to guide me, teach me and generously offer space in their stall table for me to display my items and 3 partners in crime.

The morning of the stall begin with learning how to set up a stall - looking at things from the perspective of selling.

Then came the selling - talking to customers, explaining my products, stating the price. The anxiety of whether my things would sell. Observing customer behavior was interesting.

Customers asked questions like is your mandala tray washable? What is the life of your product? Will the earring break or come out because it is handmade and so on. These questions did not even occur to me when I was making but when they asked I thought about and for some questions like is it washable I realized I need to do product testing before selling and the questions definitely gave me new perspectives. Also customers asked for a visiting card or Facebook page so now I know what's important before doing an exhibition again.


.
When I went around the exhibition and saw other Art stalls I got an idea of what is selling in the market, I realized how decoupage, handmade jewelry, dream catchers and painting is being done by so many people and its nothing great anymore, I understood the value of having a USP in my products which for me I feel is Up - cycling. I also got lot of inspiration seeing so many artistic works.

I felt good when people appreciated my art, said it was nice, creative and innovative. I was happy that people where liking my art and I got encouragement.

The biggest learning for me was to value my own Art. I realized giving a right price in terms of money gives my Art its deserved value.
When a customer bargained with me for the mandala tray - I originally priced it 200, but I brought it down to 150 as the exhibition was coming to an end and I really wanted to sell my tray. Due to travelling there was small chip on the edge of the tart. The customer seeing that said that she would buy it for 100 as it was damaged. At that moment I couldn't think and couldn't put my foot down and respect my hard work and my skill. I felt so adequate in my skills because I made a mistake and gave into the bargain and later regretted it and learnt from it.

How do I price my art so I respect myself and the customer is a question alive for me!