SED 12: I Wish I Could Make Stuff Like That

[kerravonsen]

Sometimes, when people look at my work, they say "I wish I could make stuff like that. You are so talented! I could never do that!" and I want to stamp my foot and say "Yes, yes you CAN!" Because it isn't that hard, really. I mean, yes, I am talented (being honest, here) and some crafts are harder than others, but "never" is too strong a word. I will concede that if you are colourblind, blind, have no use of your hands, or have the attention span of a deranged ferret, the obstacles to making craft are extremely high, but otherwise, no.

But maybe I'm making assumptions. So here is a survey.

Poll #16677 Make Stuff

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 6

View Respondents

Do you wish you could make stuff like that?

View Answers

Yes
3 (50.0%)

No
1 (16.7%)

I already do
2 (33.3%)

Why don't you make stuff like that?

View Answers

Physically unable
1 (25.0%)

No time (other things more important)
1 (25.0%)

Really no time
1 (25.0%)

No space
2 (50.0%)

No peace (surrounded by chaos; cats, dogs, children etc)
3 (75.0%)

Equipment is too expensive
1 (25.0%)

Materials are too expensive
1 (25.0%)

I don't know where to start
3 (75.0%)

It's too hard
0 (0.0%)

I tried, and it's too hard
0 (0.0%)

I never finish anything
3 (75.0%)

It takes too long
0 (0.0%)

It's boring
0 (0.0%)

I don't know how to design things
2 (50.0%)

Everything I make breaks
0 (0.0%)

Everything I make looks ugly
2 (50.0%)

Other (explain in comments)
1 (25.0%)

Would you like me to make posts about How To Make Stuff Like That?

View Answers

Yes
6 (100.0%)

No
0 (0.0%)

What crafts/techniques would you like me to post about?

View Answers

Luceting
0 (0.0%)

Cord-twisting
2 (33.3%)

Macrame
0 (0.0%)

Crochet
2 (33.3%)

Loom/Spool knitting
2 (33.3%)

Bead-stringing
3 (50.0%)

Chainmaille
2 (33.3%)

Wire-wrapping
2 (33.3%)

Jewellery making in general
3 (50.0%)

Making boxes
2 (33.3%)

Decorating paper bags & boxes
3 (50.0%)

Ink Stamping
3 (50.0%)

Melty Beads
1 (16.7%)

Decorating Mugs
2 (33.3%)

Pebble Trivets
3 (50.0%)

Choosing Colours
3 (50.0%)

Simple Design
3 (50.0%)

Other (explain in comments)
1 (16.7%)

Crossposted to http://kerravonsen.livejournal.com/1035232.html

Comments

[kalypso]

It depends on what you mean by "like that" - I did use to do a certain amount of craftwork before I had the cats, mostly involving sewing, but the cats consumed a large amount of my spare time and in particular assumed that if I was sitting down in front of the television (which was where I did most of the work) then I wanted to be sat on. It will be interesting to see whether I get back into it once Rosie dies.

[kerravonsen]

(Why is the fellow in your icon saying "Bring me knitting!" ?)

Yes, a lot of craft articles assume that one doesn't have any interference such as inquisitive cats. I've never had to deal with that, so I don't have any advice, unfortunately.

It will be interesting to see whether I get back into it once Rosie dies.

You wouldn't want to get another cat?

[kalypso]

(Because he expects to die shortly.)

I expect there will be other cats eventually, but I would like to have a period when I can travel without worrying about their care - at the moment it's very difficult to go away for more than a couple of days because of Rosie's need for medication.

[kerravonsen]

(Because he expects to die shortly.)
I'd forgotten that bit.

[fred_mouse]

I picked 'other' because I like reading all your craft related posts. They aren't the same crafts as the ones that I focus on (I was talking about breadth of hobbies with someone, and listed that I sew and knit and crochet and cross-stitch and quilt.. oh and play music on a range of instruments.) and at the moment I don't have time to finish the things I already have started, but there have been things you have posted that have been inspirations for things - including slowly collecting beads, as I trip over pretty ones on sale, so that *one day* I'll have time to make beaded items (and repair the ones that are stashed in the fix it pile).

[kerravonsen]

I'm glad to have inspired!

[deird1]

My obstacles to making craft are:
- my baby son
- my inability to locate my craft supplies from under my PILE of craft supplies
- not knowing which crafts I'll be good at and enjoy, and which ones will perputually result in a tangled mess of chaos no matter how hard I try, BEFORE I start them
- not having enough money to buy all the supplies, not knowing which supplies I actually need and which ones are just fun extras
- being an uncoordinated doofus

(Can't do knitting, LOVE crochet, never have time to cross-stitch, and my sewing projects always turn out as droopy messes of unhappy incompetence, which is disheartening.)

[kerravonsen]

my inability to locate my craft supplies from under my PILE of craft supplies
Ha!
"Yes, I know I bought some foam sheets, but WHERE ARE THEY?"

not knowing which crafts I'll be good at and enjoy, and which ones will perputually result in a tangled mess of chaos no matter how hard I try, BEFORE I start them

Yeah, that's not easy. Craft workshops can help there, but only if one can FIND them.

not knowing which supplies I actually need and which ones are just fun extras

And articles about said crafts can be quite misleading in that area!

and my sewing projects always turn out as droopy messes of unhappy incompetence, which is disheartening

I came to the conclusion that, while I like the end results of sewing, I hate the process itself, so I gave it up and gave away my stash of fabric. Now I have an even bigger stash of yarn, but I enjoy crochet so much that I'm sure I will use it up, unlike the fabric, which sat there untouched for YEARS.

[dawnmist]

I guess I should clarify some of my answers :-).

I really enjoy reading - and seeing the end results - of the crafts you do. And chatting about them over lunch. I love the planning, and choices, and colours...

I used to do some craft (mainly embroidery of various forms), but I can't physically manage it anymore. Too many problems with tendon issues in shoulders/neck to manage the fine movements/postures involved...if I do more than 15-20 minutes, I can't work for a few weeks until the shoulder tendon inflammation settles. My hands are also starting to give random pain escalation when doing repetitive/fine work (cramp/echoing pain in bones/nerve tingling & pain issues). Between those, I physically can't manage most crafts. Add fatigue as well (that was the other), and lack of space for both doing craft and storing supplies (really, really out of space!), craft is something that I've decided to admire and appreciate, but not do myself.

[kerravonsen]

Yeah, the physical issues are really frustrating. But I'm glad you're willing to admire. 8-)