What’s the fuss about crafting anyway?

 

We all have gifts and talents but not everyone finds out what that is.  Yes, even you!!

 

You always hear things like: “I can’t do that" or  “I wish I could do half the things you do”.

Everybody has been gifted with something or the other. If you want to knit, you can. Just find someone to teach you or get a book or find tutorials on the internet You’ll never know until you actually try it.

 

So what if your first attempt at knitting looks mangled tree roots?    As long as no-one dies from your attempts, then it’s not a big deal! Really! Just unravel it and do it again.  

 

Very few things in life are perfect the first time around. 

 

Just learn from your mistakes and try it again.   I have a friend who always said : “I wish I was half as talented as you.  It’s not fair that you can do all those things and I can’t do anything!” I then asked her what type of craft would interest her if she were to do crafts. She said : “Decoupage”. So, we went to the decoupage shop, got her some wooden blanks, modge podge, glue and paper .  I had more than enough paints at home. My family always tease me and say I have an at-home craft store.  She couldn’t wait to get home and try her hand at this. She now makes the most amazing decoupage items!! Even I am totally astounded. She makes tea and butler trays with Pratley glow (stuff that you put on to make the tray heatproof) and the most amazing ostrich eggs. This is something I cannot get right because I don’t have the patience to wait for it to dry. Choose your crafts according to your personality. 

 

If you’re wild and crazy then I would suggest fabric painting. This is what I do on my wild and crazy days if I don’t have any wood projects lined up.   If you are a calm person with lots of patience, then decoupage is for you or perhaps clay work or embroidery.   There are various types of clay that you can use and bake in your kitchen oven. No need for an expensive kiln unless you want to go that route.

 

Getting involved in a certain craft or different crafts can be very addictive. I cannot leave home for more than two weeks because withdrawal symptoms set in and I want my paints, brushes, beads, clay, wax, soaps whatever. Just let me make something, please!

 

I thoroughly enjoy crafting. There are so many ways in which to express yourself. Be it in vibrant painting or soft coloured soaps and candles. Not only is it creative, but it is also my ‘therapy’. No matter what has happened during the day, when I pick up one of my crafts, contentment sets in and the rest of the world just seems to disappear. 

 

I really would like to encourage you in finding a craft through which you can express yourself. It’s like having a piece of you on the mantelshelf (candle) or on the table (if you’ve painted the tablecloth) or hanging from your friend’s ears (if you’ve made earrings). It’s really not that difficult if you get the right basic teaching. Creativity also keeps the mind and the imagination fresh and focused on something other than the daily problems and grind and really is a stress release.

 

So, what craft are you looking to start with?  You can download a free Purple Directory of South African Craft Suppliers and search for a craft store in or near your town, get a kit or three, go for some classes and get crafting!

 

René is an avid crafter who loves helping and teaching people to find and express themselves through crafting. Renzo’s Crafts www.renzocrafts.com