When you first start a creative business, it is incredibly easy to hide behind a brand name.
When I launched Gaia’s Glasswear, it felt safe. The name represented my love for my dog, but more than anything, it acted as a shield. If people didn't like a piece, they were rejecting the business, not me.
For years, it felt uncomfortable to call myself an artist, let alone use my own name in my marketing. Today, I recognize that feeling for exactly what it was: imposter syndrome.
But a business evolves as the maker evolves. Over the years, my brand has undergone a massive transformation, moving from simply being Gaia's Glasswear to proudly featuring "Handcrafted Glass by Krystal Jones."
Here is why owning my identity as an artistic professional changed everything.
Stepping Out from Behind the Brand
Imposter syndrome tells you that you’re just a "maker" or a hobbyist who got lucky. It convinces you that your hands make the work, but your soul isn't part of the equation.
It took time, experience, and a lot of hours at the torch to realize that an art business revolves entirely around the artist.
[ Gaia's Glasswear ] ──(The Evolution)──> [ Handcrafted Glass by Krystal Jones ]
(A safe business shield) (Owning the artistic identity)
Collectors aren't just buying a piece of glass; they are buying a slice of my perspective, my technical expertise, and my time. Upgrading my brand identity to include my name wasn't a vanity move—it was a declaration of professional intent. I am not just running a shop; I am building a lifelong artistic practice.
From a Vistaprint Template to the Purple Flame
You can often trace an artist’s confidence through their visual branding.
When I first started out, my original logo was "borrowed" straight from a generic business card template on Vistaprint. It did the job at the time, but it didn't say anything about who I was or the specific fires I work with.
Several years ago, I knew it was time for a change. I needed a symbol that reflected my actual medium and my growth. That’s when the purple flame logo was born.
What the Flame Represents:
- The Medium: As a lampworking artist, the flame is my primary tool. It is where raw glass meets intense heat to become something beautiful.
- The Inner Fire: The purple flame symbolizes stepping into my own power, embracing the technical challenges of glass casting and kiln-forming, and owning my worth as an award-winning creator.
Switching to that custom logo was a turning point. It was the moment I stopped treating my art like a side hustle and started treating it like a legacy.
What It Means to Be an Artistic Professional
Today, when you see a piece from my studio—whether it's a realistic butterfly shadowbox, a pair of fused glass earrings, or a statement botanical sculpture—you are seeing the work of Krystal Jones.
Gaia's Glasswear remains the beautiful home for my creations, but grounding the brand in my own name connects me directly to the amazing community of art lovers here in Alberta and across the world. It reminds me that every time I turn on the torch, I am bringing my authentic self to the glass.
If you are a fellow creative fighting off imposter syndrome today, consider this your sign to step out from behind the curtain. Your work is incredible because you made it. Don't be afraid to let the world know your name.
