I admit it. I'm a serial crafter and I need a 12-step program. It's sad when you know the layout and inventory of your local craft stores better then the employees. You know you have a problem when you have enough stuff in your stash to STOCK a craft store...or two. You need an intervention.
I've been "making" stuff as long as I can remember. I'd fashion little houses out of leaves and sticks, make dolls out of clothespins and paper. I learned to crochet from a neighbor lady at 6 and learned handsewing at age 4. We had another neighbor who was an artist who encouraged me (painting on velvet...macrame-it WAS the 70's!!) I've always been "artsy". (Is that code for flaky???)
I'm often asked what kind of crafts do I do now. It would be easier to tell you what I DON'T do. I think I've tried almost everything at one time or another. I definitely have C-ADD---crafter attention deficet disorder. I'm always-OOOOOO shiny new craft stuff at the store!!
I don't knit. I love yarn. I have knitting needles. I made a scarf- well, I STARTED a scarf. For some reason I am just spazzy about it. I do, however, crochet. anyone remember those Granny square vests popular in the early 70's?? I made several of them.
I don't scrapbook--but I've got a TON of paper and stuff. I rubberstamp and used to do altered art/books, collage and assemblage. I still LOVE old emphemera and vintage paper. I just need to stop collecting (um...hoarding) it and use the stuff. I recently went through my stash and passed a TON of stuff to a dear friend. I also set my daughter up with rubber stamps and all the things she needed. And I still have a ridiculous amount of rubberstamps, paper and things.
Let's see-had a jewelry making phase and was into polymer clay for a while. Oh yeah, candlemaking, floral arranging, basket-making.
And then there was art-doll making, candle-wicking, cross-stitch, needlepoint, crewel, plastic canvas.
I made soap from scratch for a while, tole painting, acrylic painting, oil painting, watercolors, charcoaols
& pastels. It hasn't helped that I am an art major and was exposed to all kinds of techniques.
Currently I'm into primitive rug hooking, punch needle rug hooking, primitive cross-stitch, quilting, locker-hooking (LOVE), vintage needlework (remember those days of the week dishtowels and such?),
repurposing thrift store finds, paper mache, and sewing of all kinds. I just read this and I need a nap!!
And to top it off I've been collecting old craft patterns and books for some new inspiration. Ever heard of Chicken Scratch embroidery? It's a vintage style and evidently it was briefly popular againin the early 80's. Watch for a later post detailing this.
I guess I've taken to heart the old proverb (my ggreat-grandmother used to say this) "Idle hands are the devil's playground". I like to keep busy in the evenings. It keeps me from EATING-which is a good thing!!!
Any other serial crafters out there??? Stand up and be counted!!!
Tamera
