Do you remember the first thing you made that left you thinking, “Ooh, I made that!”? It might have been a card, a wonky bit of sewing or something that required a little explanation before anyone knew what it was supposed to be. Still counts. :)
I have been thinking about those first steps into arts and crafts, and how one little experiment can lead to all sorts of unexpected things. A new skill, a different hobby, a friendship. Occasionally another box of supplies. Funny how that happens.
So, let’s rewind a little …
When I wrote my first post on this blog back in January 2013, I had already been dabbling in creative pastimes for over thirty years. So it was a beginning of a different sort: opening the craft room door, as it were, and inviting you in.
I wanted to share the things I was learning and hear about what you were making too. Looking back, that seems quite a good place to start.
There is something lovely about the early stages of learning a craft. You try something, see what happens and then have another go. Perhaps the colour is wrong or the glue has appeared somewhere it wasn’t invited. But somewhere in amongst it all there is a little discovery that makes you want to carry on.
Of course, things do not always turn out as planned.
One of my early posts, A Gremlin In The Works, followed my attempt to sew a cute patchwork kitten. Between the sewing machine, the iron and some rather unfortunate choices for the eyes, the kitten developed a personality of its own. Cute was becoming debatable.
I think that little project still makes a useful point. You can have experience, equipment and a fairly clear idea of what you are doing, and still end up looking at the result thinking, “Ah. Right then.”
Learning a new craft puts us all back in that position sooner or later. Perhaps that is part of the attraction?
These days, my blog includes digital cutting, SVG projects and machines that would have given those early experiments some interesting possibilities. A design can begin on a screen and become something you can fold, assemble and hold in your hands.
I still find that rather wonderful.
But the changes are not only in the equipment. Think about the things you can do now that once seemed difficult. Choosing colours, lining up a stamp, threading a machine, knowing when to leave something alone before you add just one more embellishment. Still working on that last one…
Those small bits of confidence are easy to overlook because they arrive a little at a time. Then you help someone who is just starting and realise how much you have picked up along the way.
Your interests might have wandered too. Perhaps you began with cardmaking and found yourself sewing. Perhaps a little colouring led to painting, or a handmade gift turned into something you now make regularly. There is no telling where a first attempt will take you.
And if you are taking those first steps now, I hope you will give yourself time to enjoy them. Choose something small that you actually fancy making. Have a go with suitable materials you already have, if you can, and ask questions when you get stuck.
You do not have to know where it is all heading. I certainly could not have planned every creative diversion that would find its way onto this blog!
Anyway, I would love to hear a little about your journey.
What was your first craft, and what are you making now? Do you still have that first creation tucked away somewhere? Tell us what it was and whether it went according to plan. Especially if it didn’t. It would be nice to know the kitten has company.
And what would you tell someone starting today that you wish you had known yourself?
While we are chatting, I would appreciate your thoughts on the blog too. Would you enjoy a few posts revisiting basic techniques, some small projects using familiar supplies, or more experiments with something new? Let me know what would be useful to you in the comments.
Whether you have been here since those early posts or have only just found your way in, thank you for being part of it. Hearing your ideas and seeing the different directions you take a technique is still one of the nicest parts of sharing mine.
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Much love,
John.
Good morning John, I was always crafty, right from the word go, I learned to knit and crochet before I was 7. I designed clothes for paper dolls, knitted and crocheted various bits and pieces for my dolls. The item I passed my CSE in needlework is the one that I remember best. I crocheted a circular cushion cover, in various colours, it was really quite pretty. I took it on holiday with my parents and slept on it in the car while travelling. A day out, stopped in a lay-by for lunch, beautiful view across the valleys of Wales. Dad had put my cushion and his new coat on the car roof to give mum some room to make tea. After lunch we packed it all back in the picnic box and made our way back to the B&B. You’ve guessed, I’m sure, when we had driven away coat and cushion slid off the roof un noticed and that was the end of my cushion. Poor dad he was so apologetic. I make cards and scrapbooks now although I do still dabble with knitting and crochet now and again.
Keep well, take care my friend.
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