You want to get into crafting?
Many people tell me that they don’t know where to begin with arts and crafts, DIY, or anything else creative. My blog has many cool projects that people want to try, but they’re not sure they can. Do you sound like that? Do you have a hard time deciding how to begin crafting? Have you ever thought.
- I don’t know how to craft.
- How do I begin crafting?
- What kinds of crafts can you do?
- Crafts aren’t just for children?
- What does it mean to say “crafts?”
Art and Crafts is for Adults Too
Crafts aren’t just for children. Kids love crafts because they are imaginative and have a free mind. It is rare to have to beg children to get started with crafting, as they are eager to learn and create new things. Adults, on the other hand are more difficult to convince to begin crafting. Adults are often reserved and cautious when it comes to trying new things. They also tend to be conservative with their time. Adults are mainly concerned with work, bills, children, groceries, exercising, retirement, and so on. I hope that you will embrace creativity and enjoy the benefits.
What are the top 6 tips to get you started today?
#1 – Open your mind.
This first step might seem obvious. You must have been drawn to this post because you are open to the idea of crafting. Remember to have some fun. Crafting isn’t about perfection. Enjoy the process. The laughs, the calmness, the mistakes and the excitement that comes with completing a task. Enjoy the process.
# 2 – Select a speciality
Crafts come in many different forms. Crafting is more than just cutting, drawing, and gluing. Today, you can do anything that you think of. Someone has probably done it and created a video. I have included a list with popular arts and crafts specialties. I suggest that you start out with one craft and build on it as your skills improve. You will not burn out.
Knitting or Crocheting
A process for creating projects using a knitting or crochet hook to interlock yarn, thread or other strands.
Papercrafts
Crafts that use paper or cardboard as the main artistic medium to create two-dimensional or three-dimensional items. You can create cards, journals or cupcake toppers.
Drawing/Painting
Visual arts is a form that has many genres. Among the many instruments are graphite pencils and pen and ink. Other items include colored pencils and crayons.
Art Journaling
A visual diary. It is a way to put what you see visually in your head on paper. This can be an excellent way to express your thoughts.
DIY Home Decoration (Do it Yourself)
The art of creating and decorating things for your own home with raw materials, rather than buying finished items. A great way to achieve big design at a fractional cost. It’s all about being creative.
Woodworking
The art of creating things out of wood. A creative approach to creating anything, from tables to benches and everything in between.
Scrapbooking
A book, box or card is a way to preserve, present and arrange personal and family histories.
Quilting or Sewing
Sewing is one of the oldest crafts. It involves adhering textiles to fabric with needle and thread. Quilting is the more precise method of layering fabric in a creative pattern with multiple layers.
Needlepoint
A type of counted stitch embroidery where yarn is stitched into a stiff canvas with an open weave. Cross Stitch and Embroidery are two other creative fields that use a similar technique.
Paint pouring
A creative way to use acrylic paints to create art. Mixing the paints with another material helps them flow.
Personalization Crafts
A creative outlet that was born out of a desire for something more than what is available in the stores. It is the addition of any personal touch to an item using etchings, screen printings, vinyls, engravings, sublimation etc. You can create t-shirts or cups, blankets, cushions, coasters, etc., depending on your personal taste. This craft is used by many people to start their own small businesses.
Basic Crafting
Grab a few random crafting supplies and have some fun. These are the crafts I do most often with children, at VBSs or in groups. It may not always have a purpose but it was still fun to make.
# 3 – Get Inspire
Inspiration is everywhere these days. Google is the best way to learn anything. I tell everyone all the time. It helps me all the time to Google everything. Pinterest is my go-to for inspiration when it comes to crafts. Try Pinterest today !!!! if you’ve never used it before. You can search for the kind of craft that you are looking for and get a lot of great ideas. I share my Pinterest board. I share tons and tons of cool things every day from blogs around the globe.
Buy Supplies
Here is where things can get expensive. Crafting is not an exception. Every specialty requires its own set of materials. No matter what you do, I believe that every crafter should have five essential tools. I have created a list of exclusive tools that I believe you should buy. I have provided links to items that I use every day.
#5 – Learn
There are many different types of craft classes available today. My great aunt Rosemarie brought me to Wal-Mart where there were classes after-hours (yes, I am that old). You can now learn to craft on your mobile phone. You can find websites such as Artsy and Createbug.
#6 – Get a Craft Buddy
Learning something new is always more enjoyable when you do it with someone else. Ask your family and friends if they’re interested in learning together. Paint parties are so popular because of this. Learning something new with others is fun. My grandmother started a knitting club with a group of women in her senior center. They formed a community through their time together and couldn’t get enough of Wednesday knitting day.
Let’s Get Crafting
Hopefully, I have inspired you and provided you with the necessary tools to get started. You can choose any specialty. Choose a specialty that you enjoy and stick with it. It doesn’t have to feel right. Move on. I have tried many different crafts. Although some of them didn’t work for me, I can say that I tried.
