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NATIONAL CRAFTING MONTH MEET AND GREET

Welcome! Here is our space to squee about the current theme and tell others a bit about our crafting interests.
Below are the thematic questions for this months fest. Fill in as much or as little of it as you wish, depending on your interests as they relate to National Crafting Month.
My Name (how I wish to be known):
Type(s) of Crafting that I’ve tried:
I consider myself a Beginner, Intermediate, Master, or Other:
Crafting I’ve loved and/or loathed:
Project I’m particularly proud of:
Something I learned the hard way:
Something I haven't done yet, but I'd like to try:
Biggest crafting frustration(s):
Something else I'd like to share:
Feel free to copy this Meet and Greet into your blog as well as filling it out here.
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meridian_rose, Lisa
Type(s) of Crafting that I’ve tried:
outside of virtual things like writing and graphics/photography I've dabbled in sketching, knitting, needle felting, scrapbooking, resin, baking, latchhook and I've got a punch needle kit to try. Also diamond art/crystal art which is less 'creative' but very mindful. I also made some Christmas gonks and walnut dioramas amongst other Christmas crafting (this post has some photos)
I consider myself a Beginner, Intermediate, Master, or Other:
Mostly a beginner. I dabble a lot and am pleased when I actually complete a project.
Crafting I’ve loved and/or loathed:
needle felt projects! A mindful craft
when you're not stabbing your fingersand it can be as basic/creative as you wish. My knitting is amateur hour but I've made some gift projects.Project I’m particularly proud of:
I've got 3 things in this post with needle felt cat, latchhook cat cushion cover, and a diamond art robin
Something I learned the hard way:
felting needles are sharp. The warning culture has made me more sceptical of just how dangerous things actually are but these needles are SHARP for real.
Something I haven't done yet, but I'd like to try:
so many; leather, metalwork, stained glass, mosaics. I'd love to try resin again as it didn't go well last time I made paperweights.
Biggest crafting frustration(s):
expense. That's the major factor for not trying more things. Also crochet; I did it in the past but every time I try now I cannot get the tension right so I go back to knitting! No matter how much I try to always knit/purl and end on a purl row in a project (so I always begin with a knit row) I often mid-project get it muddled/twisted and end up with a 'wrong' row in my otherwise flat piece /sigh/
strong>Something else I'd like to share: I've been making craft posts at my journal usually tagged #crafts: other to distinguish from crafts: cooking but at some point I may have to add more specific tags. Also
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Well ...
When automation and economy of scale made it cheap to produce sort-of-okay things, and later, as companies outsourced manufacture to places with cheap labor.
Another factor is stagnating or falling wages while cost of living skyrockets, certain things like food and housing rise even faster, and new demands like internet and paid TV get added to monthly bills. The result is people trying to do more with less, so they often can't afford to buy what they want or need.
However, folks with a homestead or even just a yard may be able to produce some of their own craft materials. If you're into flower arranging, you can grow your own. If you want to grow dye plants, it's no harder than gardening anything else. If you want to tie flies, you can fit chickens in a small space and use their feathers. Willows and dogwoods can be small bushes and make great craft materials for wreaths, basketmaking, etc.
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I'm in agreement; making something or even baking something, is now far more expensive than buying something.
Thoughts
There are other considerations too.
* Can you even find the thing to buy it? Much of what I make isn't actually available for sale, partly because my tastes differ from the Standard American Diet and partly because I like to devise my own recipes. I had to start making my own sloppy joe sandwich filling because it became impossible to find a canned version that wasn't lightly flavored high-fructose corn syrup. :P My version consists of a grocery bag of assorted produce cooked down in a crockpot with ground meat added.
* Can you make something as good as or better than the storebought version? I'm not going to bother making madras lentils because we can buy great ones in packets. But no restaurant has come close to my partner's lentil dal or my ginger ice cream.
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Thoughts
Wow, those are awesome.
>> expense. That's the major factor for not trying more things.<<
Yeah, that's a huge limiting factor for some crafts like painting or handspinning. Some are more variable. You can start crochet with one hook and a cheap skein of yarn, but the moment you want to work in wool or something else nice, the price skyrockets. :/ Sketching is cheap but paint is expensive.
I wish there were more places that had lots of equipment and supplies, with classes or workshops for different crafts, so people could pay an affordable monthly fee and get to dabble with lots of different things to see what they like -- or enjoy a craft like handspinning where the hardware is super expensive.
I'm happy I could tip you to a good community!
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More affordable classes/workshops would be amazing. They can bulk buy and you can try out different crafts without the expensive materials. I'd love to try out a Cricut machine and as I said, maybe try some metalwork or glasswork.
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I am the opposite. I am no good at knitting, I find crochet so much easier. I only ever have to worry about one live stitch instead of a needle full of them.
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Type(s) of Crafting that I’ve tried: I've taken a shot at many different crafts, but stuck with relatively few. My paternal grandmother taught me how to crochet; didn't stick. Same grandmother taught me to sew; much success! So at this point in time I focus on sewing/costuming as my main crafting outlet (other than writing) and when I decided a few years back that I wanted to get good at a second craft I looked for one I felt was sewing adjacent so they could work together. I choose to self-study hand embroidery and cross stitch. That way I could further embellish the costumes or decor I created with my sewing machine.
I consider myself a Beginner, Intermediate, Master, or Other: Intermediate sewing, beginner needlework.
Crafting I’ve loved and/or loathed: I adored watching my grandmother crochet. She could do it while watching TV and never once looking down at the incredible creation draped over her lap. How?! I hate that I'm not good at painting. I'm so-so with doing pencil drawings, but paints don't do what I want, the way that I want them to.
Project I’m particularly proud of: I'm proud of myself every time I conquer my inner critic and actually write something, no matter how short. I'm very proud of my early hand embroidery pieces, especially the Huginn & Muninn I embroidered on the back of my Samhain ritual garb.
Something I learned the hard way: Joann Fabrics and Michael's are not safe places for my wallet. I've never left a craft store without finding a treasure or ten.
Something I haven't done yet, but I'd like to try: Cosplay! Its another way to stick with sewing, but add more crafty options.
Biggest crafting frustration(s): My WIP pile. I tend to get about 30% through a project, then stall. I have an entire cedar chest of neatly stored fabric bundles, each a potential finished garment, but the oldest is from 2013 and it bugs me.
Something else I'd like to share: I've been sharing my Cooking Adventures lately as I begin to start using sourdough starter. I know, I know, its too "on trend" right now, but I don't care. Its delicious and I feel like a fucking Wizard! See my struggles with the Basic Round Loaf and the delectable Cinnamon Rolls. I'll be posting soon about my triumph with Bagels!
Thoughts
Probably tactile awareness, but possibly the spatial part of visual-spatial intelligence. Mine could do the same thing. If you can see with your fingers, you don't really need to keep rubbing your eyes over your work.
>> especially the Huginn & Muninn I embroidered on the back of my Samhain ritual garb.<<
That sounds gorgeous.
>>Joann Fabrics and Michael's are not safe places for my wallet. I've never left a craft store without finding a treasure or ten.<<
I often handle such challenges by taking in only money I can afford to spend.
>> I know, I know, its too "on trend" right now,<<
*snort* Sourdough has been with us for at least 6,000 years.
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I made it a long time ago, but am still so proud of them. Here's a pic!
P.S. The eyes are stones - Amethyst and Larvikite
Re: Thoughts
... and ... really familiar. Pretty sure some skalds and seers used to wear something like that in Norse knotwork.
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I keep meaning to try embroidery so I'm in awe of your skill :)
Who cares if something is popular or not! I think it's great you're trying sourdough :)
Yes ...
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Type(s) of Crafting that I’ve tried: cross stitch and knitting, have also done a bit of crochet, embroidery and quilting, bits of painting, drawing
I consider myself a Beginner, Intermediate, Master, or Other: Intermediate at cross stitch and knitting, Beginner otherwise
Crafting I’ve loved and/or loathed: I love both knitting and cross stitch and do both most days
Project I’m particularly proud of: I go to a monthly Dare to Dabble class locally and try out various crafts and I've always had a go, even if I wouldn't want to repeat the experience
Something I learned the hard way: That with a complicated cross stitch pattern it's vital to mark off the stitches done on the pattern as you go
Something I haven't done yet, but I'd like to try: Making felt decorations. I had planned to do some last year for Christmas, but didn't get my cards finished on time
Biggest crafting frustration(s): The number of times I miscount when cross stitching and have to unpick
Something else I'd like to share: I post a monthly crafting post on my journal. My latest, showing my current projects, is here
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Thoughts
That sounds like a wonderful activity. I encourage people to sample different things, like "dating" a craft to see if you want more.
Re: Thoughts
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mark off the stitches done on the pattern as you go good advice!
Dare to Dabble sounds amazing!
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Hello!
Type(s) of Crafting that I’ve tried: Gosh, more than I can count. Off the top of my head, I've done beadwork, ceramics, embroidery, polymer clay, scrapbooking, sewing, and upcycling. A lot of doesn't fit into neat categories, though, like making suncatchers for the windows or building a Wicker Man for a ritual.
I consider myself a Beginner, Intermediate, Master, or Other: Hmm, probably intermediate with crafts in general. I can usually make something that works and looks good. I excel at scrounging and improvising though.
Crafting I’ve loved and/or loathed: I had no luck with learning to knit or crochet.
Project I’m particularly proud of: Making a Crystal Ornament for the Window
Something I learned the hard way: If it doesn't fit, adjust the angle, don't increase the force.
Something I haven't done yet, but I'd like to try: Marbling.
Biggest crafting frustration(s): Not enough time.
Something else I'd like to share: I love sourcing craft materials from my yard. When I was little, we used to tie-dye things with windfall mulberries or fresh-cut grass. We've made Wicker Men for rituals several times. We've woven flower crowns and leafy crowns. The window ornament I made has the crystals hung from a weathered branch that I found.
Re: Hello!
If it doesn't fit, adjust the angle, don't increase the force. That sounds like good advice in general :)
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Re: Hello!
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Type(s) of Crafting that I’ve tried: writing, drawing (analog and digital), sewing, knitting, origami, baking, scrapbooking, tie-dye, painting TTRPG miniatures, screenprinting, cricut-ing, cosplay.
I consider myself a Beginner, Intermediate, Master, or Other: Beginner at everything, and happy there! I love to dabble.
Crafting I’ve loved and/or loathed: I've loved playing with a cricut, especially to make designs for clothing! I feel unreasonably powerful when I borrow one. And I greatly enjoyed tie-dye. I will bake when I have to, but I don't enjoy it much.
Project I’m particularly proud of: I ran a tie-dye station at my workplace last summer and it was a big hit. Everyone had a blast. I learned how to solder this fall so I could make a light-up battleshell for a ninja turtle Halloween costume! For writing, my Hold Every Memory AU (TMNT) is what I'm most proud of!
Something I learned the hard way: Don't overbuy on supplies for your latest hobby just because stuff is on sale and you have Ideas. It may sit in your closet for decades. ...my closet is very full of Things.
Something I haven't done yet, but I'd like to try: Leatherwork, I suppose. (It seems like it would be very useful for my cosplay/DnD purposes.)
Biggest crafting frustration(s): I don't have much space to myself with my current living situation, so I don't have a dedicated table to lay supplies out on until they're done. It adds extra steps every time I want to sit down and work on a project, so I rarely find the drive to fully finish things.
Something else I'd like to share: I'm new to this community and just made this dreamwidth journal last weekend, so no crafting tags to share.
Thoughts
Tie-dye is awesome. You can get cheap dye at a supermarket that will do a decent job, or cough up for professional quality dyes that will give spectacular results (if you can handle a bit more chemistry). I greatly admire people who can create elaborate designs. I have several geode shirts, one mandala, and one planet Earth.
One thing that seems to have disappeared is friendship shirts. You braid three (or occasionally four) shirts together and then put the dye on. The braid creates the pattern, so the shirts become related to each other.
>> I learned how to solder this fall so I could make a light-up battleshell for a ninja turtle Halloween costume! <<
That looks amazing.
>>Don't overbuy on supplies for your latest hobby just because stuff is on sale and you have Ideas. It may sit in your closet for decades. ...my closet is very full of Things.<<
While I do have some specifics, I also like to keep all-purpose craft supplies -- adhesives, scissors, yarn, craft wire, papers, etc. -- which can be used for many different crafts. That makes it much easier to do a project without needing to buy much if anything special.
>> I don't have much space to myself with my current living situation, so I don't have a dedicated table to lay supplies out on until they're done. It adds extra steps every time I want to sit down and work on a project, so I rarely find the drive to fully finish things.<<
You might look at jigsaw puzzle boards, which are designed to store a puzzle in progress. These can work for other flat activities like some crafts.
https://jigsawdepot.com/collections/puzzle-board
There are craft cabinets with foldaway tables, too. They can help with storage and work space, even if you can't leave the table open all the time.
https://storables.com/craft-storage/craft-table-with-storage/
Re: Thoughts
We decided it might actually be more economical to get bulk dyes/chemicals so everyone in the building could participate if desired, and we had the budget. It was messy and very, very colorful, and the results were spectacular. Dharma Trading Co was our source.
>>That looks amazing.<<
Thank you!
>>While I do have some specifics, I also like to keep all-purpose craft supplies -- adhesives, scissors, yarn, craft wire, papers, etc. -- which can be used for many different crafts. That makes it much easier to do a project without needing to buy much if anything special.<<
Oh, I definitely have those too! But I have the terrible tendency to go, "I need green and brown and black specialty paints for my goblin miniatures, but look at this full-spectrum paint set on sale! It will be worth it so I can paint my fire genasi miniature next. And I'm grabbing this minifig primer spray from the bargain bin, even though my goblins come paint-ready, because my next miniature may not and it will be good to have on hand and you can't beat the bargain bin!" [proceeds to finish the goblins and not start my next figure, leaving 85% of the paints unopened]. As a random example that may or may not have happened to me...
>>jigsaw puzzle boards<<
>>craft cabinets with foldaway tables<<
I'll look into those! Thank you.
Re: Thoughts
Yay!
>> Dharma Trading Co was our source.<<
Yeah, that's the gold standard for professional dyes. Go you!
>>But I have the terrible tendency to go, "I need green and brown and black specialty paints for my goblin miniatures, but look at this full-spectrum paint set on sale! It will be worth it so I can paint my fire genasi miniature next.<<
Failure of extrapolation. Those would be reasonable choices if you followed through. Study your actual use patterns, that may help with targeting.
>>I'll look into those! Thank you.<<
Also, look up. Do you have things like bookcases or china cabinets that you have not already put things on? If so, you've got another option for in-progress art projects. You can put things in boxes or on boards up there. A corner of bookcases will support a square board if it's not too big. And you can use something like "quake hold" putty to stick your minis in place so they don't tip over.
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Welcome to Dreamwidth :)
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Yeah, leatherwork would be useful but the tools/supplies would be the biggest barrier there. I do hope to try it someday!
And thank you! It's very nice to be here. :D
Well ...
Minimum investment is a pattern, a piece of leather or fur, a leatherwork needle (which is triangular), and button thread or sinew. I strongly recommend adding a thimble though. If you want to work with hard leather, that's more challenging, because it's usually done with stamps and such so you need more tools.
Thoughts
Workspace is often a limitation, especially when so many people are already rent-burdened.
>> especially when the finished product might need to sit and dry out (anything involving paint or resin for example) and it is taking up the dining table.<<
One option is a drying fan or oven -- various models are offered for art purposes.
Drying racks are available for flat types of artwork, so you can stack things vertically with a minimum of floorspace.
Another way is to put things up overhead, like on top of bookcases or cabinets.
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I like how you've adapted different pieces to make your TMNT costume. My costuming is always a mix of upcycled/recycled pieces and things I've sewn myself.
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Type(s) of Crafting that I’ve tried: Sewing, candle making, jewelry making/bead-work, scrapbooking, kitting, crochet, drop spinning, quilting, painting, card making, book binding
I consider myself a Beginner, Intermediate, Master, or Other: I think I'm intermediate - journeyman. You need a LOT of experience to be a master of something.
Crafting I’ve loved and/or loathed:
Loved: I used to get together with a couple of my best girlfriends for a weekend and we would do beading and jewelry making together. It was so much fun. Very best times, doing a fun thing I loved with people I loved.
Loathed: When I was a kid, my mom got me this latch rug kit. I HATED it. I'm too impatient to do any craft that doesn't give me a fairly immediate ROI.
Project I’m particularly proud of: I really love the wrap I made last winter. I bought this delicious malabrigo washted yarn in Cereza and Poción because when I saw the colours, I just knew they would go together and be amazing.
Something I learned the hard way: Do not weave in the ends too early. Especially if you are not sure you're happy with a project and might decide to frog part of it, or throw it completely back into the pond. Because OI. I'm way too good at weaving in ends and WHAT A PAIN to frog something when you do that.
Something I haven't done yet, but I'd like to try: I am trying really hard to NOT get sucked into anything new.
Biggest crafting frustration(s): Not enough time to do everything I want to do. If I did have the time, I'd complain I don't have the space. If I did, well, everything is so darn expensive. I guess not having enough time could sorta be a blessing in disguise...
Something else I'd like to share: I have expressed this to my children but they do not agree. I have found that acquiring yard is really as separate hobby/interest from making something with said yarn. Does anyone else find this to be so?
Thoughts
That yarn comes in such gorgeous colorways!
>> I have found that acquiring yard is really as separate hobby/interest from making something with said yarn. Does anyone else find this to be so? <<
Yes. It is especially true of art yarn. Some people buy it not to use but to display, as a type of sculpture. It's the same as any other collection.
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I love the wrap! So cosy looking!
The cost/space/time are the major obstacles to crafting and as you say it's hard to balance those out.
I think maybe accquiring yarn is a bit like notebooks for writers. Even if 99% of writing is done electronically there's something about notebooks with lovely covers and in different sizes and lines vs plain vs squares and it's on sale...and they're too pretty to write in....so more notebooks. Maybe it's like that. so pretty and good price and then the perfect project to use it in doesn't suggest itself, so more yarn... ? ;P
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This sounds lovely, and like something I should get my friends doing. Maybe once a quarter?
That yarn and the wrap you crafted are both completely gorgeous!
Yes ...
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Type(s) of Crafting that I’ve tried: Lets see - writing (not active any more), knitting, sewing, embroidery and blackwork, patchwork, jewellery making (beading and wirework), furniture restoration, dabbled with photography, a tiny bit of drawing and painting and started crocheting in Nov 2023. Also I'd stretch the boundaries and consider DIY gardening and allotmenting an offshoot of crafting *G*
I consider myself a Beginner, Intermediate, Master, or Other: intermediate with regard to most of the ones listed - though probably halfway between beginner and intermediate with crochet. Very much a beginner with drawing and painting which I haven't really done in the last 50 years.
Crafting I’ve loved and/or loathed:I've really enjoyed most of the crafting I've done. I loved jewellery making and plan to go back to this when I retire and have more time and branch out into silver clay and metalwork. At the moment I'm really enjoying crochet - started in November with a beginner's class at Hobbycraft and I was hooked. *G* Within 3 weeks I had a very basic very chunky half treble blanket. I followed up with a 6 week course on making a Granny Square blanket (they taught 5 different types of GS) and I'm adding in some extra squares to that to make a bigger blanket and I've almost finished a rather a simple granny square lap blanket which I made to use up 8 balls of spare wool. I've got yarn for my next 4 projects too (maybe 8 projects if you include knitting)! *G*
Project I’m particularly proud of: several of my furniture restoration projects, a fantastic jumper I knitted in my 20s (which alas is no more), several jewellery pieces and my recent quick crocheted granny square lap blanket.
Something I learned the hard way: allow time for projects and don't try to rush things. You'd think as a lifetime gardener this is something I'd understand but I find myself hopping from foot to foot wanting to crack on with furniture restoration and have to really ensure I leave adquate times between coats of varnish/finishes.
Something I haven't done yet, but I'd like to try: so MANY things. Pottery, stained glass, silver clay jewellery and metal work (in the jewellery sense not the blacksmithing kind)!
Biggest crafting frustration(s): lack of time and space! I live in a small flat - half my crafting supplies are in the attic and the rest are taking over my living space. I work a job that is seasonally very busy (and being a keen gardener/allotment grower) I find my time for other crafts is pressured. I knew I wanted to learn crochet so cannily timed my courses/learning in the November to March period. My local Hobbycraft also runs a crochet club 2 x week and since I work flexi hours I plan to try and attend at least one of these a week so I finish my damn projects!
Something else I'd like to share: I decided last year (before I got into crochet) that I was going to have a year of finishing projects and sorting out my stashes. Then I got the crochet bug and now have 4-5 more proects to add to the list. But I will (a) get together a proper Project Masterlist of every uninished project (b) try to NOT take on any new projects and (c) start finishing the semi completed ones and finally (d) sort out my materials, embroidery, wool, jewellery and art supply stashes and get more organised!
Also if anyone has links to good crafty communities on DW please hit a girl up!
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Yeah, that sounds like something I would be very interested in. I've told myself firmly, "No more craft hobbies!"
There is a comm that basically an encouraging place to talk about what you're up to craft wise. It's called
Try this ...
Follow Friday 1-26-24: Crafts