People are mocking an 'influencer' with 400 followers who asked artist for $300 of free jewelry.

Artists are constantly undermined, underpaid, and expected to do free labor for "exposure" even after they've spent years proving themselves as professional. Despite the fact that creative skillsets require just as much (sometimes more) work and dedication as any other profession, American culture heavily relies on exploiting people's "passions" and gaslighting creatives into working for free because they "didn't pick a real job."

Sadly, the economics of influencer culture have fed into this expectation even more, as popular Instagram personalities become accustomed to receiving swag from big brands and turn that entitlement towards independent artists.

A jewelry maker named Bethany recently went viral after she shared a horrible exchange with an influencer who wanted hundreds of dollars of merchandise for free.

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