September 29, 2012

My tenets of happy crafting

Compared to many topics on this blog (vintage fashion, recipes, mid-century history, and home decor, for example), I've not delved into crafting nearly as much. Of course there have been some craft themed posts over the years, but compared to the number that many vintage bloggers share on their sites, I'm the first to say that Chronically Vintage hasn't been flooded with such entries by any means.

This was never an intentional move, especially given that crafting has been an integral part of my life since I was knee high to a grasshopper. While, unlike many of you, I don't knit, crochet or sew (though I do know the basics of the latter and enjoy sewing a lot), that doesn't mean that I'm not an avid crafter.

The first craft that I really got into as a child, and one I sometimes still do to this day, was cross stitching, quickly followed by stitchery (embroidery). For many years these were the two main crafts that I did, though along the way I added beading/jewelry making to the mix, and also created and successfully had a part time business selling hair accessories when I was in high school. Later on in my twenties paper crafting hopped on board, and for the past two years scrapbooking and card making have been the two primary focuses of my crafting universe.

I adore that scrapbooking allows me to marry my love of preserving the past (even if that happens to mean the events of just a few days ago) with my desire to create and play with an abundance of beautiful craft supplies, from vintage themed papers to bowls of beautiful buttons and yard after yard of elegant lace. Card making, which often goes hand-in-hand with scrapbooking, is nothing short of an unbridled joy for me, as I really prefer giving someone something handmade when I want to let them know that I'm thinking of them or to celebrate a holiday or special event.

Sometimes, as I'm sure happens to pretty much all crafters, regardless of what arts and crafts they pursue and devote their time to, negative thoughts pop up or my mojo might wanes for a spell. During this time, I turn to a list of guiding principles that I first set down on paper when when I took up scrapbooking, and which has truly helped to serve me well ever since.

Lovingly known around my house as my "tenets of crafting", this list includes several points which I try to use like a compass in the course of my crafting adventures. Whether I find myself wishing I had more of a certain supply to work with or feeling like I haven't had had a good light bulb moment for a while, my spirits are always pacified and revived when I take a moment to review these tenets and reflect on how truly blessed I am to be able to craft often, in my own work space, and with (in reality) no shortage of supplies.

And so, on this crisp, lovely early autumn morning, I thought it was high time I shared my trusty tenets with all of you, knowing how many of my readers are also avid (endlessly talented) crafters. (Please note that I made this list into an image, which you can quickly pin to Pinterest or right click and save for your own personal, non-commercial use wherever you like.)



No matter what kind of crafts you love to do, where your mojo is at this week, or how often you get a chance to spend time creating, I sincerely hope that you'll also be able to avail of the help and inspiration this list has provided me over the year in your own life, too.

And should you happen to have any of your own personal tenets of crafting, please feel free to share them with me, I'm always happy to add to this list.



22 comments:

  1. Well said! Thank you for sharing. I have an etsy shop and I sometimes think about what I can create in order to sell instead of creating and selling what I like. This will help me to remember that crafting is not about making money it's about creating.

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  2. How is it that us vintage girls are often crafters too? Is it because a perfectly good vintage piece may need a little TLC before being worn? Making us craftier types just the ones to bring it back?
    I love crafting! Making embroidery friendship bracelets in grade 4 is how I got my start! lol! Since then I've beaded (making jewellery primarily), made fairy wings (tedious projects!), dabbled with hat making and decorating and now I too make cards. It's pretty much the only craft I indulge in these days, but it gives me great pleasure to give these beautiful handcrafted gifts to friends, family and neighbours.
    Have a great weekend hon! (It's supposed to be +26 in Winnipeg today! I can't believe it! Nick and I are headed out of town to ride our bikes in the country!)

    Lisa.

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  3. Your tenets are all so useful, and I think every crafter/artist has need to remember these at some point. I often have to remind myself of the second, and that's why I like to share with readers what I'd like to improve on with my craft projects as much as what turned out well!

    Although I read a great many vintage blogs, crafting blogs and those which combine the two, I have always thought vintage bloggers must have crafter's hearts to have an eye for sourcing beautiful vintage pieces and putting an outfit together. You clearly have! An interest in the past also often means an interest in social history, of which crafting and homemade was a huge part. I'll be printing your tenets and keeping them where I can see them - thank you!

    Anna. x

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  4. Thanks for sharing this! So useful sometimes :-) ! Liz

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  5. Although I haven't quilted or made cards in a couple years, I have a grand love of all things fabric:) I used to dye my own fabrics and also did a lot of fabric post card trading.
    I invite you to take a look at my old blog.

    http://serenityisbliss.blogspot.com/

    A few of my favorite things to do were 3D paper on fabric, tassels, and making fairy slippers. Have you done 3D cards before? I used to love to do flower fairy 3D cards, but of course, it was very time consuming. I also loved working with embossing. I was just looking through my old blog and I came across the below card I made. It's funny because the paper flowers part of the card is really old. A friend sent me some of these paper flowers and I had completely forgotten about them until right now! I was told the paper flowers were from before WW1. Interesting eh?
    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wmnQnu6O-bg/Rmh5RTYTtwI/AAAAAAAAAbo/B8XwPy9etrw/s1600-h/CardSampleOne.jpg

    I think I might do a post in the coming future about some of the cards I used to make, you've inspired me:) I'd love for you to post some of your creations:)


    http://dividingmoments.blogspot.com/




    http://serenityisbliss.blogspot.com/

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  6. I'm very tempted to get into scrapbooking. I should stop thinking about it, and get busy!

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  7. I love your tenets to crafting. I was feeling sorta down because I'm not as good at knitting, crocheting, or sewing as I would like to be. But this makes me want to shoot for the starts. Jessica, thanks for another great post! :)

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  8. how about you don't need to have a reason to make something if you love it.My youngest is an 11 year old boy but I saw a tutorial for lace party crowns and I now have to make one:)

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    1. Absolutely! That's another fantastic one to add to this list. Thank you for sharing, my dear.

      ♥ Jessica

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  9. That's a fantastic list, thank you for sharing it! I've always said that art is not about the end result but about the mess you make in the process :) and I'm sure the same applies to crafts too. Not highly professional advice but I think the point is to have fun! xx

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  10. Such an awesome list! Thanks for posting this Jessica :)
    I'm just about to finally venture into the world of sewing for the first time. I'm very excited about it, but also a little nervous (I'm a bit of a perfectionist so I'm worried about stuffing things up or making mistakes). But after reading your list it has given me more confidence. Thank you so much. I'm going to stick it up on my wall to remind me ;)
    Big hugs!

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  11. I can relate to what you are saying here. Sometimes when I see the magnificent work of others, I feel that I will never measure up. But it is always good to keep trying and working at whatever level of talent you have. Be happy; be satisfied; let what you can do be a blessing and encouragement to others.

    ♥Hope

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  12. Wonderful timeless advice. With a little twisting you could apply many of these tenets to raising children! LOL!

    Thanks doll,
    The Glamorous Housewife

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  13. Dear Jessica,

    You are really a wonderful blogging friend!
    Thank you, for all of your visits, sweet comments, and for adding my blog "Women Then" to your blog roll; I consider that quite and honor!

    What fun to share your birthday!!!

    ♥Hope

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  14. Good morning dearest craft loving ladies, thank you each very much for your fantastic comments and for sharing some of your own tenets of crafting with me. I'd love to expand the number of craft/handmade related posts that appear here next year (and beyond) and look forward to chatting more about this wonderful topic with all of you in the future.

    ♥ Jessica

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  15. What a lovely post! It would be fabulous to see some crafty posts here soon as I love the way you write (and I simply adore your list of happy crafting tips- so posiitve and sunny!) x

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  16. What a great post! Your thoughts on not having to be perfect resonate with me. Even though I'm a bit of a perfectionist I still sometimes post my craft "failures" because I'm human! And being content with what we have is also very important.

    And please, show us your scrapbook creations!

    Hugs,
    Collette

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  17. The biggest lesson I learned while crafting was not to get mad. I know it sounds funny but as a child I would always get mad at the fact my craft didn't turn out right. y mom told me to undo it (which I hated) and start over. It was a hard lesson but a good one. Now I don't think twice about undoing my work and doing it the right way.

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    1. Wonderful point. I can relate, but in the opposite direction. I've always been a perfectionist who wouldn't think twice about doing things over and over until they were "just right", but have learned to cut myself some slack as I've gotten older, as there's definitely a definite line between the seeking of anal retentive perfection and a thoroughly lovely project that anyone else would be pleased as punch with.

      ♥ Jessica

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  18. Those are great tenets, I can definitely relate! One that I try keep in mind is that if you make a mistake not everyone is going to see it or even realize it’s a mistake despite the fact that it seems to be glaring at you and, overall, that it might add to what you’re working on. Of course being a perfectionist makes this rather difficult, but I do try to remind myself of it.

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  19. This outfit is divine, i love it :)

    would love if you could check out my blog and we could maybe follow each other?
    http://champagnelambinibudget.blogspot.co.uk

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  20. You've shared some wonderful wisdom here and I believe there is great strength in all of us from the creativity within! We spend entirely too much time testing ourselves and yes, I absolutely agree that the point is to enjoy!

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