My immediate family consider what I do to be "art", which is a heady endorsement. I consider what I do to be an entertaining and practical hobby, and I am certainly happy to sell what I make to pay for my fabric habit. I gave up expecting people not involved in the process to have any real understanding of the time a quilt takes (conception to label) and decided that as long as I enjoy the process, and can cover my expenses, I will not worry about getting a true living wage.
I have to say that being on this Board, and interacting with fellow quilters, goes a long way toward satisfying the appreciation itch - y'all know how to make a quilter feel valued!
Alison