Self Made Craft

It really does start out innocently enough. Perhaps you learn to knit or crochet - or begin simply by sewing a few garments for yourself, or your children.

Some artlessly begin with a simple needlework 'notion', or it could initially and quite naively evolve from a small patchwork project. Others will be seduced into scrap-booking, or the joys of jewellery-making. There are a multitude of crafty choices out there today - more than you could dream about or even begin to imagine.

No matter your choice, the outcome is frighteningly similar - in fact, almost 'mirror image' for each and every victim. Slowly, but insidiously, craft materials/tools/patterns- begin to invade your spare room. And then 'just a corner' in the bedroom, or behind the lounge suite, or behind doors - everywhere! Maybe it starts with a shelf in a cupboard, or part of a bookshelf for the initial few craft magazines.

Red Alert! Crafty concoctions are creeping through your home, filling every available space. You know how Nature doesn't like a vacuum and always tries to fill it as quickly as possible? Well-ll-ll...what can I tell you? Do NOT say you weren't warned. When every nook and cranny is filled, it's time to start to get just a little concerned. (Mainly because you will have to restrict your buying for a while, until you can make or find more space!)

It's OK to actually DO your craftworking on the Kitchen table, and the Dining table, and the top of your chest freezer, and the folding table - BUT - you must leave room for eating...somewhere! You will find your family get just a little 'stroppy' otherwise. It's hard...but you just must multi-task even harder and better than ever before (if you are a woman...AND a mother... this will be your basic 'second nature'). Come on...you CAN do it!

It's also OK to spend a small fortune on your crafty 'necessities' - but please keep just a little money aside for such luxuries as food and toothpaste and toilet paper, for instance. Once again, you could find a distinct lack of understanding exhibited by your family if these areas show evidence of neglect...or even non-existence!

And another thing. DO try to be home from the shops before tea-time (after all, there's always late-night shopping at least once a week - in some stores, every night of the week! Oh-h-h-h!!).

Try to stay calm as the majority of the buying public continue to purchase 'cheap imported items that are ALL handcrafted' (well-ll-ll...?) - for quarter (or less) of the price you paid just for the actual materials to make your precious handmade treasures. You must keep believing that out there, somewhere, are the 'real', genuinely discerning buyers who understand the love and care; the craftsmanship and attention to detail, that is woven into every handmade item.

I know about the Law of Attraction and how the things you want the most can be drawn to you by the power of thought and concentration on self-persuasion, but I wonder...could reverse psychology work, in this instance? I'm visualising maybe a 'Home Beautiful' type treatment of all these 'work' areas...you know what I mean? Huge, shiny clear areas with nothing out of place...where all is pristine and gleaming and always at the ready to be 'on show'.

And the 'lady of the house' is ALWAYS ready for the camera, also. Dressed beautifully in a 'lounging' or chic and casually thrown together outfit, and of course, perfectly 'made up' in both face and hair...she is usually depicted gently and artistically restyling the already magnificent flower arrangement, atop the smoky glass and amazing black 'underbelly' coffee table.

Once I saw a photo of a film star, beautifully draped on a leather lounge, 'working' on her tapestry, on the set of her latest film...between 'shoots'. No extra threads or needles or scissors were in evidence. No pattern or graph or instructions. No hold-all bag at her feet. Huh? What is wrong with this picture? Surely it must be a little faulty dreaming on my part? I think I may be lo-sing con-cen-tra-tion!!

Uh-oh...my visualisation just clouded over. Something rattled my chain of thought! On TV, the words of a commercial somehow transcended my romantic reverie. There's a 40% off sale on all Craft items at that famous craft store - for 2 days only. Oh-h-h-h! Sorry...have to run....Bye!

© 2011 Christine Larsen All Rights Reserved Worldwide

And here are just a FEW of my favourite crafts...that I also try to sell -

ChristineCrafteeCreations

CdCraftee's Cosmos