We've probably all done it: discovered a new technique, bought tons of supplies, anxiously worked away at the new skill, got bored with it, and never touched those supplies again.
Today I am sharing with you five crafty love flames of mine that quickly burnt out.
Knitting
I started knitting senior year of high school. I had always wanted to - I loved the idea of making my own hat and scarf. I had my (younger) sister teach me how to do it (I sucked). I decided to knit a scarf for my boyfriend at the time, and not only was I super-slow at it, but my scarf was lumpy and uneven. I promptly paid my sister to finish the scarf for me so my boyfriend would have a Christmas gift.
Fast forward 3 years later, I decided to give it another go. Using the bright orange yarn that I just HAD to have, I knitted a slightly better, albeit, still lumpy, scarf. For some reason my future sister-in-law had to have it, so I gave it to her, never touching knitting needles again. I still have lots of yarn - I swear I'll try again some day.
Needle Felting
I actually still love needle felting, I've just stabbed myself too many times. I can't explain why it keeps happening, but I guess I'm just careless. For a year or two I was needle felting all the time, from beads to housewares and even cards. It's just one of those things that are fun, but it's just not a true passion. I have a bin full of wool that is just waiting to be used - perhaps its time for a de-stash?
Flocking
I went through a phase when I was flocking a lot of my stationery designs. I tried stamping stamps in glue and then sprinkling with flock, but I couldn't get it coated sufficiently. The best technique for me was to paint the glue on with a paint brush, and then sprinkle the flock on. It looked great, but it was tedious, and people will only spend so much on stationery (so then, I would not be paying myself for my time).
Gocco
I actually bought a Gocco. I wanted one so bad, saved up the money, and bought it. I had some training in screen printing in high school graphic design class, so I felt pretty comfortable with the whole concept, not to mention that Gocco is much easier than standard screen printing. As far as I could tell Riso stopped sending supplies to the U.S. and so supplies and shipping got super expensive. It just wasn't worth it to me in the end, so I sold it. I think if I ever want to really screen print again, I will buy the traditional supplies.
Jewelry making
Over the years, since I was old enough to play with beads and not try to eat them, I have been dabbling in jewelry making. There were those giant bead trays that every 7 year old gets for their birthday; DIY polymer bead kits that stunk; embroidery floss friendship bracelets, and eventually turquoise and wooden beads for making fairly unattractive necklaces (I loved them at the time).
Recently I dabbled in felt lace and needle felted jewelry. It was a lot of fun, but handmade jewelry is a tough market to break into, and my true love was still paper.
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So how about you?
What are some crafts that you used to be really into, but now keep in a bin, buried at the bottom of your closet?
I know the feeling !
ReplyDeleteYou know what... I get bored of things really quickly. I started blogging and I didn't think I could proceed, but I actually am :) and I love to draw with fine black pens. That's another thing I'm not getting tired off ^^ I can go on and on making black and white drawings. Oh and I love sewing ^^
xxx, Mri
http://daydreamdoodle.blogspot.com
I've just always been a bit of a dabbler when it comes to crafting, and I never know whether to be annoyed at that and stick at one thing until I master it, or to just embrace it and craft with whatever I'm drawn to in the moment. I'm more one to just say for YEARS "I'm going to learn to crochet!!" ...I've still never touched a crochet hook!
ReplyDeleteSerial crafter here! Quilting, pottery, crochet, knitting, papier mache... then I found it! The craft that I couldn't quit: soapmaking. It's now my business. No more time for craft hobbies! :)
ReplyDeleteLovin' the changes to your header! Cute, cute!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! Over the years I dabbled in clay, jewelry and soap making, and don't have much to show for any of them!
ReplyDeleteWhat a hoot! I have a ROOM dedicated to craft. Let me see, knitting, sewing, calligraphy, quilting, embroidery, photography, paper craft, card making and jewelry. What do I do now? Silver jewelry, sewing and the occasional knitted project. I figure I've learned something from every one of these crafts which helps me with what I do now so all is not lost.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's me too. Too many things tried too often. Right now I'm on an austerity program - I'm only allowed to buy basic supplies like glue. Otherwise, I have to upcycle/recycle/repurpose what I already have to create something new. So far it's working!
ReplyDeleteMri - drawing is one of those activities I'll never get bored of, either. Sewing was one that I was going to add to this, "Falling out of love" list, but I'm giving it another chance now that I have my own little machine. And congrats on keeping up with blogging!
ReplyDelete@Nikkijoy - YES! I've always wanted to try to crochet, and never have! My sister-in-law just started recently, and she's so good! I really have to try it some time.
ReplyDelete@sironasprings - I have so much respect for soap makers! Congrats on being invited to speak at the Soap Makers conference :)
ReplyDelete@Lace - Thank you!!! :)
ReplyDelete@Jennifer - I definitely know how you feel!
ReplyDelete@Felicia, that is a great idea! I really do need to do something like that - I'm sure I have so many supplies that I forgot I even had, tucked away in the back of my closet. I think that is when real creativity comes out :)
oh word! I am so not a scrapbooking/card making person. I try and try again, but no. Why do I keep trying? I'm suck in by the cuteness and the feeling that I SHOULD do it.
ReplyDeleteWhatever. I gave away a bunch of stuff and the leftovers have since been cut up and used for gift and package decor. So much more fun and still a legit way to use up the supplies! =)
And yeah, knitting was so not for me. I still have a scarf I started 8+ years ago with my grandmother. It's in the the little paper bag from the yarn shop where I bought all my supplies. Why do I keep it? It's sentimental at this point; a reminder of a time my grandma still had her short term memory.