Who's crafty and what do you do?

*emeleel* · #1 11-25-2002, 10:14 AM

I'm not talking artists here, I'm talking crafters, although I admit for some people there's only a thin line of distinction. I, however, can barely draw a stick figure, much less produce any semblance of actual art. Crafting, on the other hand, is something I dearly love to dabble in. I like:

Shirt/cloth stuff decoration - iron-ons, free painting, jeweling, etc.
Latch-hook
Cross-stitch
Glass etching

Those are my biggies, although I've only done one set of glass etchings in many years. (Some mugs with family names for gifts a few years back.) I also like to dabble in other things as I have time - ceramic figurines, I like to either paint them or use the oil pastel chalk stuff, I've done some glass decorations, candles (I rolled beeswax candles a couple of years ago and really liked that!) and who knows what all I've done over the years.

So, what do you guys like to do?

**theworm**[$] · #2 11-25-2002, 10:17 AM

I love crafts! I've done painting and stencilling. I like to play with clay (did that last night). I also make rocking horses for babies. I don't do the woodworking - I but the basic horse, but I do the painting and decorating. It's fun! I've done some craft sewing - wouldn't mind doing some quilt work, but haven't done any yet.

Great thread - I'm always looking for new craft ideas!

**lynnzop**[$] · #3 11-25-2002, 10:18 AM

I've gotten into beading. You would not believe how addictive it is! I've made over 100 bracelets and wine charm sets since the latter part of October and have done 2 craft fairs...one more to go!

It's a good creative outlet, and I'm investigating other jewelry making, like wire wrapping.

I've also gotten back into sewing, although that's not really "crafty"...now that I have room to set out my sewing stuff and don't have to clean it off the dinner table every time we are going to eat, it's much more enjoyable.

Lynn

*emeleel* · #4 11-25-2002, 10:28 AM

Oh, I forgot about stenciling! I love stenciling, but it's been a long time since I've done any.

Grouch · #5 11-25-2002, 10:44 AM

I'm not crafty (unless you mean in the conniving, mustache-twirling way), but my wife is incredibly skilled with a needle and thread. She also weilds a mean glue gun.

Her specialty these days is making primitive dolls--classic designs like Raggedy Ann, etc., which have been tea-dyed and "roughed up" a little bit. Each one she makes is unique--though the doll bodies are basically the same, she scavenges antique stores and rummage sales to find unique trinkets and doo-dads to add to the doll.

I'm so terribly proud of her work (can you tell?)--and have helped construct a website for her (which, if you're so inclined, you access via a link to on my Eps profile page). She's been in the crafts business for a little over a decade and has come a long way from the early days when she made "Renuzit dolls" (hot gluing a wooden ball on top of the air freshener, painting a face on it and gluing on yarn hair, then adding a dress--it sounds chintzy, but I always thought they were a pretty cute way to decorate the ugly air fresheners). Oh sure, her workroom gets cluttered and every now and then spills out into the rest of the house, but I don't mind picking up tufts of poly-fill stuffing here and there since the end result is worth it.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #6 11-25-2002, 11:43 AM

I would love to be crafty. Needlepoint, both regular and plastic canvass, have interested me since I was a kid, along with rug hooking. Alas, I have no time to craft.

**theworm**[$] · #7 11-25-2002, 11:51 AM

I'm also making an AOL CD Christmas ornament for MJ, but she still hasn't sent me the address. I think maybe she does not appreciate the generocity of this lovely and so not tacky (yeah right!) offer.

Redlass · #8 11-25-2002, 12:04 PM

I like to crochet. I used to do cross-stitch, but I'm not very good at maintaining more than one craft-habit at a time.

**lynnzop**[$] · #9 11-25-2002, 12:09 PM

Bridgette, you make one hell of a scrunchie, if I may say so.

Lynn

**bluehawq**[$] · #10 11-25-2002, 12:13 PM

Helloooo..

Ok. I'm a tad crafty. I do a bit of cross stitchery and have been known to quilt and "do" ceramics.

I believe if I were to have to choose my fave, it would have to be cookies.

I know. ... how crafty can that be. Right?

I make shapes and decorate them as near to realistic as possible. I love to do trees with fruit and cats, what else? lol

I use pure ingredients and they always taste oh, so yummy. The hard part is taking the first bite though. They (and I am bragging here) are so pretty and unusual, one just does not want to ruin it.

I have often considered taking it up as a business and try to make a buck or two with it but have been afraid that I would lose interest in them or maybe it would totally ruin my fun.

What do you all think?

Aud

Grouch · #11 11-25-2002, 12:15 PM

Bridgette,

You just reminded me--I myself was a serious cross-stitcher for a couple of years, so I guess I am crafty, after all. I'm proud of the dozen or so projects I completed (most took me 3-4 months to finish)--including a large baby quilt for my daughter when she was born, which was probably the easiest of the projects since I cross-stitched small (5' x 5') panels, then Mrs. Grouch sewed them onto the larger quilt itself.

I had to (reluctantly) give up cross-stitching about 8 years ago when I just got too busy and spread too thin. It was either pack up the needle and hoops or give up my pleasure-reading time. The books won, of course.

**theworm**[$] · #12 11-25-2002, 12:16 PM

I think that you could probably rake in the dough - especially around holiday times. They sound delicious and beautiful! I wouldn't risk losing your love of it though! If you can enjoy it and make money - go for it - it sounds like a huge business opportunity. If you really fear that it will become a chore - keep your day job and bake/decorate for fun!

**bluehawq**[$] · #13 11-25-2002, 12:18 PM

LOL! I could do it for a while but am afraid when I consider the time involved for each one, I would be waisting my time unless I stumbled on to a buyer with too much money on their hands and would not mind paying for my time. lol

**theworm**[$] · #14 11-25-2002, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bluehawq
LOL! I could do it for a while but am afraid when I consider the time involved for each one, I would be waisting my time unless I stumbled on to a buyer with too much money on their hands and would not mind paying for my time. lol

The are out there!
Look at Cookies by Design. They do a great business, and while their cookies are cute, they aren't anywhere as beautiful as yours sound! If you have any, can you post a photo of your cookies (oh - that sounds perverted

).

vonboob · #15 11-25-2002, 12:21 PM

I go through phases where I just try something like sketching pencil, charcoal and ink during my campus years or woodcarving since moved to mountains. Now I'm playing with metals: a bit noisy with all the hammering, grinding and polishing but is very intensive and a lot of fun. Important in sense that the "pass-time" is not meant to kill the time...

**bluehawq**[$] · #16 11-25-2002, 12:25 PM

Quote:

The are out there!
Look at Cookies by Design. They do a great business, and while their cookies are cute, they aren't anywhere as beautiful as yours sound! If you have any, can you post a photo of your cookies (oh - that sounds perverted ).

LOL... you pervert, you. :lol

Oddly enough, I have never even thought about taking pic's. Hmmm... I will have to do that. I will also check out that site. It is hard to judge ones own work when I know I would be biased.

**bluehawq**[$] · #17 11-25-2002, 12:25 PM

OH yeah.... great thread Melanie!

**hadassahchana**[$] · #18 11-27-2002, 11:58 PM

Audrey, I also vote for photos of your cookies- they sound amazing!

I like to quilt. It's relaxing, and I can usually end up with something I can use, too. The craft as well as the practicality really appeal to me.

Cindy

millinocket · #19 11-28-2002, 01:33 AM

I also like to bead, make jewelry and the like. It is terribly addictive, so suits me to a T. I used to cross stitch, but haven't in a long time. I've also tried quilting, but I can neither cut a straight line nor sew a straight seam, so I'll leave that one to others!

Sue

lyagushka · #20 11-28-2002, 03:12 AM

Does knitting count as a craft? I'm doing a lot of that these days. I also have a big needlepoint project that keeps getting shoved onto the back burner: I've had it going for years, but it never gets finished.

I've decided to try working with acrylic paints on recycled metal to make some xmas tree ornaments. One of my favorite ornaments I call the "tin can Santa." I decided I would try to imitate it and see what I come up with.

**conradd** · #21 11-28-2002, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Grouch
I myself was a serious cross-stitcher for a couple of years, so I guess I am crafty, after all. I'm proud of the dozen or so projects I completed (most took me 3-4 months to finish)--including a large baby quilt for my daughter when she was born, which was probably the easiest of the projects since I cross-stitched small (5' x 5') panels, then Mrs. Grouch sewed them onto the larger quilt itself.

I am in awe of anyone who can actually finish a cross-stitch project. I've done a couple of small ornaments, but the big projects remain in the closet unfinished. They're in good company, I have 5 panels of a 7-panel afghan that I started when I was 18

and boxes of calligraphy supplies. One reason I never let myself get started with scrapbooking and stamping is because my house would be fully consumed with craft materials. It's fun to read about what everyone else does though.

The only thing I do now is handmade Christmas cards. I usually get about 5 or 6 actually completed. I have my idea ready for this year though, and have purchased all the necessary materials. Doesn't matter how early I start though, I end up mailing them in time to arrive the day after Christmas. Right Amy? Sara? Andrea?

Deb
who is really, really good at planning projects and starting projects and getting half-done with projects

lisaffire · #22 11-28-2002, 09:45 AM

Things I have dabbled in: crocheting, quilting, latch hooking, needlework, plastic canvas work,.... that's all I can think of.

The one thing I really enjoy though and do when I have the time and can find a pattern worthy enough is counted cross stitch. For me the more complex the pattern the better. My mom got me a book the other year of Theresa Wentzler (I think that's her name) who designs wonderfully complex patterns.. the book has some beautiful designs, I'd love to sink my needle into one of these days!

**bluehawq**[$] · #23 11-28-2002, 11:45 AM

I'll be doing cookies for Christmas and will take some photos then. AND.... I used to like crotcheting but deciding that anything with the word crotch in it should be kept between.. well, never mind. LMAO! J/K... don't bleep me Amy. hee hee