To some, crafting may seem like a waste of time. It may seem like an easy way to clutter their homes. Crafting may also make some people realize how truly uncrafty they are. To me? Crafting makes me feel like super woman.
You see, my life isn't perfect (what? Yours isn't either?)... There are things in my life which I can't control, and I absolutely hate that. If you read my family blog, you know that in this crafty house, we struggle with fertility issues. We've been trying to bring a little baby into our lives for over two years. I know, some people struggle longer...But, to me, two years feels like an eternity. It's hard not to get down on myself. It's hard to be happy all the time, when you're poppin' fertility drugs like it's your job. Do you know what those drugs do to a girl? It isn't pretty. It involves lots of tears, irrationality, and mean comments to your husband. I don't recommend being infertile to anyone. It hurts.
When I craft, all that pain seems to melt away. It's like I am in my own little world where nothing else seems to matter. I feel so much freedom, and I can create anything I dream up. Creating, it feels good. I may not be able to create life (right now, anyway), but by golly, I can create other things and that makes me feel like a million bucks.
That is why I craft. I craft to create something that wasn't there before. I craft to clear my head, and renew my energy. I craft because when I'm doing it, I feel like me again. The me before fertility treatments. The me before I had a care in the world. The real, true, me.
Simple as that.
Why do YOU craft? I would love to hear your stories.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
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30 comments:
First of all: *hug*. I am afraid I have nothing to say to make this all easier on you, but maybe it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling for a second. I hope it does.
I craft/sew/photograph/write because I love to create. It relaxes me. It's almost meditative to me to think about and plan a new project. When I create, it only takes a little while and then I hear myself sing again, even if I was down when I started.
And, maybe even more important: I love making things other people love to use, wear or look at. If it brings a smile to their face, if it touches them, makes them feel beautiful, special and loved. Knowing that something I created had an effect like that is one of the best feelings in the world.
Thank you for this post. I craft because I love to create. To say "I did it myself". To see what's in my crafty imagination turn into something real. And wow, it's pretty, too!
It is a wonderful stress reliever on so many levels.
I'm so glad crafts help you, too. Thank you for sharing and good luck with the road ahead.
Wish you my best.
I'm glad you craft, because I sure enjoy stealing [I mean admiring] your ideas.
I craft because it reminds me of little things I'd do as a child. I like to shine my creativity on my home like my mom did. :)
I craft for the same exact reason. My hubby and I are going through the same exact thing you are going through. We have been trying to have a baby for 2 years now also, with no luck. We tried the fertility meds and such and I know how awful those are!! Actually, they were so awful to my body that we cant do any more treatments :( So, now we just have to hope and pray that a miracle will happen on it's own. Crafting takes the pain out of life some days for me. Some days though, even crafting isnt enough...especially when a lot of my crafting includes making baby gifts for our friends. ((hugs)) to you from someone who knows EXACTLY what you are going through.
I, too, struggled with infertility. It isn't pretty at all. I am now blessed with 4 kids that love to craft and spend time that way each day. I find it soothing to sit in quiet, or music, and let my creativity flow. I love watching my littles try something new. Crafting brings me back to what's vital and important for me.
By the way, LOVE your blog. My oldest son giggles every time I read it because of the name ... that's creative!
I craft for... sanity, relaxation, release, and procrastination! I'm a full time graduate student doing clinicals/class 12 hours a day 4 days a week and crafting is so calming. I need my mental energy to go towards something other than memorizing the cranial nerves and crafting does that.
Some times I craft because it helps me remember that I'm more than "Just a mom" and some times I craft because I like the combination of creativity and problem solving.
I had no idea! So sorry to hear! I tried for over a year with my son and that felt like forever, I can't imagine it being longer. I actually got so down every month I decided to get on birth control so that I had a few months off from hoping...went to the dr Tuesday, was supposed to start my pills Sunday and got a positive pregnancy test instead! Strange how things work out sometimes! I truly am sorry for your struggle! Lots and lots of good baby vibes coming your way!
i craft/make art because what else do people do? The thought of not being artistic is the most horrible thing in the world to me. It's just something I do like cleaning, hanging with friends, breathing!! I don't even know what people do that aren't crafty! It takes me to my happy place!!
Good luck with a baby... I'm sure it is very tough-feel free to contact me if you ever want to talk about adoption :) I did (by 1st choice) and have the most fabulous little girl!!!
Happy Wednesday!!
Wow! What a powerful story! It's a relief to know that others out there craft for reasons OTHER than to clutter their homes :)
I used to craft just to prove to myself that I could, in fact, be creative if I tried hard enough, and to give people things that showed I put a little thought into a gift. Then, this past December 24th (you know, Christmas Eve), my oldest sister died suddenly, out of nowhere, at 33. Months of therapy can't compare to the feeling of peace I get when I set out my sewing machine or paint brushes or whatever and just go to town. I'm not angry or sad or depressy-lexy, I just am, and sometimes that's the best feeling in the world. So, to that end, I say "craft on."
You guys never cease to amaze me. I love that crafting fills such a special void for all of us. I love that creating helps us feel like better people. I'm SO lucky to have such great readers. I really mean that. You all have such wonderful stories to share, and I always feel so emotionally fed whenever I read your comments.
Keep 'em comin'!
The simple answer would be because I want something I can't afford, so I make it, or re-make something into what I want.
But I think it's really because I don't have to think about the things that worry me. Like a daughter who works 16 hour days in a high stress career while her Peter Pan of a husband works about 6 and then plays the rest of the day. Or two kids in college that aren't quite adults yet and who sometimes make some childish mistakes. Or the spider bite my youngest daughter has right now that won't heal. Or the health condition my youngest son has that we were told he would outgrow but he hasn't. Or the fact that my husband is getting more and more involved in triathlons and doesn't seem to care how much time and money it takes away from our family.
I can just paint, or sand, or glue something, and it's fun and relaxing for the time I'm making something.
I craft because when I didn't which was for quite a few years (if you read my blog you will see the whole story) but short is my son and I were in a car accident, he has Apraxia and I broke my back, and my daughter has epilepsy. So when I couldn't craft I felt like I had lost myself, my way of expression. So I craft to find myself daily....
Good luck, if that is the right choice of words. I can't even imagine.
I craft because it is something I am good at that I don't feel I am trying to hard to be good at. A career counselor and I decided since I ranked LOW as an Artist that crafting wasn't really the same b/c it was more of an organized art, so I wasn't barking up the wrong tree so to speak. I lost my job a year ago and had no motivation to create, but am getting my mo-jo back and wish I had gotten off my bum and created during this down time. I would have been ready for a craft show (not that I know how to get into one) months ago. =)
I craft because in a crazy, chaotic house it helps me relax. I enjoy it and I love the excitement on the face of my boys when I make something they want. Or the look on my husband's face when I make something for him, and I love it when he brags about my crafting.
Cyn from Cynspiration.blogpost.com
I craft because I can't sit still. I am not fulfilled unless I am learning how to do something new or getting better at doing something.
I also get immense satisfaction out of knowing that I made something that someone else loves. I see my son snuggled up with the sock monkey I made rather than the dozens of store bought stuffies in his room, and get all warm and gooey inside.
I really love your blog! The name cracks me up and I enjoy all the crafts you do and your creative talents! I wish you all the best with your fertility issues. I can't imagine what you are going through.
Crafting makes me feel good about myself and like there is something I am really good at! It relaxes me and I love to create! Take care-
Karen @ Pocket Full of Pink
I craft/sew because I love to create. I think about clothing and study it in my mind all day long. I see something and in my mind in 3-d I flip the item around, turn it inside out, lengthen or re-size something. I craft because it makes me happy.
First of all, big hugs!! What a frustrating thing to go through, but so good that you have found that crafting can be a great refuge. If you haven't read it before, I frequent a blog called Bloomin' Babies (http://bloominbabies.blogspot.com/) where a group of women blog about their trying-to-conceive journeys. I was diagnosed with endometriosis almost three years ago and have been on hormones to shut down my ovaries to hopefully preserve my fertility until my boyfriend and I are ready to have kids. I've put on a lot of weight with those hormones (around 50lbs), and I recently injured my back and got laid off from my job. That is when I started sewing....if you'd like to hear more about my story, the first blog post about my journey through crafting is right here:
http://silverrosesewing.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-i-decided-to-sew.html
I'm so glad you shared your story and I wish you the very best of luck. I absolutely love your blog and it has been a huge inspiration to me during some tough months this year. Keep the craft coming!
I craft because when I was a little kid I used to dream of being a fashion designer and spent hours drawing all the clothes I wished I could make. When I had my daughter (20 plus years later) I finally decided to learn to sew because it was impossible to not make her clothes! When I create, I feel a sense of power and genius! I feel accomplished and creative and as a SAHM, I need that! I pray to God to bless your belly with a bouncing baby! Thanks!
I craft so that I & my family can have things that we otherwise couldn't afford.
I craft because once something is done, it is done. I don't have to re-do it again later in the day or the next day. The dishes, laundry and vac'ing have to be done over and over. When I craft, I have something permanent to show for how I spent my time.
I craft because it makes people think that I am uber talented when really, I am copying other uber talented individuals. LOL
Thanks for sharing...I hope things work out for you soon!
I craft because I look at something cute and think "I could do that." Even if it ISN'T cheaper to do it myself, I love that sense of accomplishment.
I really started crafting when I was drowning in the depths of post-partum depression. It saved me, and my family.
I love your blog and I love to craft! My finished projects make me proud and happy, especially if someone can enjoy them.
I hope your dreams of a little one come true soon. We struggled for 5 years before Punkin came into our lives. Four years later, w/o help, little man joined our family. Positive thoughts coming your way!
Crafting grounds me. Sometimes just making some thing, really makes me feel good. If I'm feeling like my life is going no where(boredom), crafting pulls me back to a good place. My creative spirit needs to make stuff, and I literally feel better after I make something.
Good topic! I find myself only recently having my Craft Addiction raise its head with a vengeance. I did psycho-analyze why I am so stuck to it lately, and similar to you, it is to clear my head and forget about life problems. My new husband and I have opened a company a two years ago. It was very stressful, and we even were very successful at times, but only in short bursts. After realizing we were in a dirty, low morals business (car sales), and we just didn't have the thick skin or blood pressure to play in that arena, so we stopped it, and are now starting new ventures. When our finances were already running on empty, the stress is too much, and I find myself crafting things to keep myself out of the stores (I usually go shopping to relieve stress) and to still have new cute stuff for the house. I have also wanted to write a craft book at some point, so this helps me to keep that goal moving. The benefit of my blog is that I am also improving my writing skills, photography skills, website programming skills, photoshop and illustrator skills, and last but not least, crafting skills!
By the way, our new ventures are starting to turn a profit as of this month! YAY!!!!!!!
Craft Addiction - www.tuscanydesign.net/craftbook
What a beautiful post.
I'm not sure why I craft, but your post made me think. I guess I like being in control and I like making something out of seemingly nothing.
I have only just discovered your blog through {M.A.K.E} and am loving it! My son took his time too (4 years) before deciding we were the right family for him. I would have adopted, had he decided not to come... As for crafting, I am very new to this area too! Last year, I would have said I didn't have a creative bone in my body. But after a few dark years, I have discovered crochet at the end of May, and with it, a world of colours. Of happiness... And I'm now slowly learning to sew. And the pleasure I get from these small success is amazing. Crafting has made me (sane?) whole again. Keep heart. The sun usually shines at the end of the tunnel.
Happy thoughts your way. XOX
Thank you for such a great opportunity to leave our opinion and thoughts here. I craft because I feel great when I do that. I don't think about all the problems I have, sometimes I make people happy with those dolls I made (especially kids. I have time to do that in peace and really enjoy it. Feel that I am not waisting my time in front of the tv. Love to sew, love to see what will grow from my hands. And I am proud of it.
Greetings from Croatia!
I just found your blog today and am hooked, reading through your posts. Reading your reasons for crafting make me feel like I am reading part of myself on the screen... maybe not literally.. but I craft because its one of the only things I do for me, and its my little world to escape to. I used to get so frustrated if it didn't come out exactly like it was supposed to, but I've come to appreciate that the majority of the fun is getting to the end of a project. I love looking around my house and seeing pieces of myself everywhere. Maybe its self gratifying but who cares, it makes me happy. :) Thanks for sharing!
Wow - I also just found your blog and love it! I was taking notes on your laundry closet - I have the same small space and love the colour and design you chose - and found this entry. After 3 years of trying to get pregnant(1 year with the meds) I needed something to make me sane and feel like I have some control over something so I started getting crafty myself. Started sewing projects, then enrolled in knitting and cake decorating, have made necklaces and a bunch of other things too. Thanks so much for sharing - I'm hooked!
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