If at first you don’t succeed…
August 15, 2008 10:56 am CraftsDo you remember your first craft project? Mine was at a summer camp and it was a braided lanyard. I hated it! I just couldn’t get my fingers to work together to create a braid. At the ripe old age of 9 I decided I was not a creative person. In hindsight, BIG mistake. I came up with an excuse every time a creative opportunity was given to me. Failing to make that lanyard left me feeling like a failure.
My next attempt at art and craft came when I was about 18 and a friend’s mother taught me needlepoint. We’d all sit around the TV and she would be stitching away. It didn’t look too hard and I wanted to make some Christmas presents. I loved it! From there I went on to cross-stitch, embroidery, and painting. Today, I think I’ve tried every art and craft I know of, not to say there isn’t something out there ready to be discovered or looked at in a new way!
My point is that just because you might not like one art or craft doesn’t mean you will not fall in love with the next craft you try. The point is that you should keep trying! There is really nothing as satisfying as making something with your hands. Few of us are a total success the first time we try anything new. A way to see your progress is to keep one of your first projects in a medium or technique. In a couple weeks or months, compare that first piece with your current work. You’ll see progress and that’s what craft is all about!
Carol :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 8:07 am
My first craft attempt was in second or third grade when the nuns at my school taught us how to sew sequins on felt to make Mother’s Day pins. My creation was a crocodile and I’ve been crafting ever since!
Charlotte Kimball :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
There are so many ideas of crafting and the opportunities to try them is endless. When someone at least tries to create, they have made an effort even if they don’t like that particular craft! Everyone & anyone, at any age, can craft. It is such great medicine. I love to craft, and it has given me a home business, too. My first craft was the Reader’s Digest, fold-down pages, turkey. They were a lot of fun!
Maria Nerius :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
I agree with you, Charlotte, my biggest message to others is that we are all creative and talented… sometimes you just have to find the right creative outlet. I love some of those older traditional crafts especially the recycled materials crafts, how clever projects are!
Debbi Morrison :
Date: August 21, 2008 @ 8:41 am
I was very lucky. My dad was the craftiest person I ever met. My first craft was helping him make toilet paper roll angels for Christmas decorations. We started small, just a tp roll, some wrapping paper, a styofoam ball and some yarn. Each year they got more and more sophisticated. I miss him every year most in the fall. But he instilled a love of making things. I do mostly yarn work, but love to make jewelry, sew, paint, emroider and even draw some (not too much and nothing sophisticated). I am thinking about teaching some basic craft courses at the local parks and rec building.
Maria Nerius :
Date: August 28, 2008 @ 10:13 am
I love crafts made from recycled materials like toilet paper rolls, soda bottle caps, and old magazines! Such imagination to turn trash into something whimsical and fun. Also wonderful for crafting with kids.