Crafts

Maybe one of these days I can. You never know. Kathy.

It is a good idea to make gifts for others, and use up the stock that you have remaining. I have lots of stuff on hand that I can make things from.

Yes! It was kinda fun too making gifts for my relatives. It was like a labor of love hehe. And using the stocks I have is cheaper cause I don't need to buy anything at all. My relatives loved the gifts!

I bet your crafts are beautiful! I used to have a sister-in-law who used to do decoupage. She made me a purse one time that had story book characters on it. She also decoupaged my high school graduation invitation and I still have it on a wall in my bedroom after all these years! She used to sew, too, and she also painted and did a lot of art. She and my brother have been divorced a long time, though. I used to do crafts and paint shirts for my family members for birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, etc. It was always a lot of fun. Kathy.

to do then right does take alot of time!

They do take a lot of time, that's for sure. Kathy.

I tried the paper making once. I may try it again, if I ever become boss of my own time.

Gerty, since you are a teacher, I should add that I learned to do paper mache when teaching elementary school, and that reduced the learning curve on the handmade paper projects. Some of the materials are the same and both are messy and time-consuming, but fun and rewarding.

It's interesting how you can turn a piece of junk into something beautiful, isn't it? Kathy.

Hi! I know latch hook too. I've made a rag from them and used it in my bedroom. It's nice that something we use is personally made by us.

I almost forgot! Crocheting, cross-sitching, latch hook, tatting, and I make Christmas ornaments with beads. They're so pretty when the Christmas lights shine on them. I usually give them away to friends and family pretty close to Christmas.

I think calligraphy writing is beautiful, myself. I didn't know it could be traced back to cavemen writing on cave walls! This is very interesting! It sounds like you have a lot of beautiful crafts. I would like to see your Christmas tree ornaments. Do you plan to post any pictures of them around Christmastime? Kathy.

Hi yoga! Hand embroidery, that's crochet right? I like to learn how to crochet but I'm a failure in that art. Too bad cause there are a lot of nice things to do with crochet.

Cyrus believe it or not, the handicrafts or the other things which are made in India are dirt cheap, and only some works which are made of brass or bronze are a little expensive to us. If one converts the Indian ruppee into the American dolor or the European Euro, you will not believe the prices. It is because of the greedy middle man as well the Classy retailers who sell the Indian crafts, the prices reach heaven wards. Visit India or ask anybody who comes to India to buy some of these handicrafts and you will find the difference. Even in India do not go to the high class handicrafts show room run by the private players. There are so many government organised shops as well as you can get it directly from the craftsmen itself for a price which will be thousand times cheap than what you get in your show rooms.

We had a preacher at our church several years ago who had been doing mission work in India to come talk to us and he brought several clothes and other things back with him from India. Youall do have some beautiful stuff, that's for sure. It's too bad that some of your crafts are so expensive. Is it possible you can try something now? I always thought I would like to do pottery, myself. I don't have an oven to fire it in, though. Kathy.

Hi sid556! I have tried selling them in the past but I didn't have much luck with them. I might have asked for too high a price for them. I don't know. I talked to a girl who was a dental hygienist at the time who also painted shirts on the side. She told me how much she sold her shirts for and I kind of went by what she told me. I rented a booth at a flea market one time and down at Old York (a little reconstructed western town about 15 miles south of here) at one of their festivals one time but I didn't do any good, I hate to say. I sold a few but not very many. I ended up giving most of them away. I haven't painted any shirts or made any earrings in a long time because like I said, it does take a lot of time and I'm living on a small income now. Kathy.

This sounds like a good idea. The ones with suede are very pretty. Kathy.

I've made one dream catcher in my life. It turned out okay, I guess. I've seen some a lot prettier. I had it hanging in my bedroom over my bed for a long time. It finally tore up, though,. I also have another one in my house. I like Indian stuff, anyway, and have a lot of it in my house. Thank you for responding. Kathy.

It took me a bit to catch on .. I was taught to do the webbing with sinew, and to do the hoop with a variety of medians, primarily medal hoops covered in suede leather, or from a wreath made of birch. I think that once you learn the weaving pattern that sinew is much easier to use than various fabric/thread, etc. mediums because the sinew can be flattened and has a slight moisture to it, which helps secure the "knots" in place.

I don't know if I've ever seen waxed petals or not. I might have. I just don't remember. From the way you describe them, they sound very beautiful. Do you have any pictures on your profile of these crafts? I might like to check them out sometime. Yes, I'm very happy. Happy mylotting! Kathy.

Yeah, I like craft too. Letsee, I am interested in making jewelry such as earings, bracelets. I have made some for my dear friends and they just like it. Some of them even want to order some personalized jewelry from me, . I never think of my craft can turn into a business to earn some extra money for myself. I like crochet especially crocheting something for my kids. For far I have made them some hats, blouse and vests too. They like every piece of my craft. I am very happy to see what I have done and turn out to be so meaningful to my family.

So true, it's got so much more meaning when it's made from the heart. It's more personal and special when you make it then if you just go out and buy it. Like I said I would love to learn to make sweaters and vests, I've been looking around on line for a tutorial or patterns to follow. I have also had a lot of requests for jewelry, a few times I have made a bunch for fundraisers. I have also been asked to make some for a church sale. I know it makes me feel really happy when I see friends and family wearing a piece that I made. Crafts let you be so creative. What you can do is only limited by your imagination. Happy crafting, all the best. :)

Hi ellaprice! I try to think positive, myself, but I'm aware you have to be realistic, too. I haven't done any artwork in a long time but I just use the type of paints for painting t-shirts, on sketch pads, and other crafts. I'm not really sure if the drawings I do are good enough for people to want to buy them or not. I just mainly do it for fun. I did paint a t-shirt for a lady who lived in Birmingham one time. She had a Dalmatian Dog at the time and she had been trying so hard to find one on a t-shirt and she never could find one. She asked me if I would paint one on a t-shirt for her and I did. I charged her $10.00 for it and as far as I know, she was happy with it. That was more than ten years ago, I guess. I'm sure a shirt like that would be worth more than that now. Welcome to mylot, btw. Kathy.

Thank you, you did inspire me. I did come up with a new image for a painting. I have been putting it off for months and I have the empty spot in my living room which needs a new painting. I now have in my head exactly what I want let see if I can get it down on canvas and when.

Hi ladygator! I just looked at your tomatoes and they are beautiful! I bet you have a lot of beautiful stuff! It's good that you enjoy doing these things. I wish I had the time and the money to do my crafts these days. Maybe someday I will again. You never know. Kathy.

I bet the Red Hat party was a lot of fun. It sounds like it would have been. Maybe one of these days you can come up with your own Christmas Card designs. That would be neat! It's interesting what you can make out of things such as trash, tin cans, etc., isn't it? I save tin cans but I recycle mine. I would like to learn how to make candles, too. It sounds like you do a lot of fun things with your clients. Kathy.

Well, at least you try. That's better than what most people do. The more you practice the better you will get at it. I bet you have some pretty things you've made. Thank you for responding and happy mylotting. Kathy.

Hi sblossom! I think it's great that you learned to do crafts by following blogs. I bet your map crafts were interesting. I don't think I've ever seen anything like this. Have you posted any pictures of your map crafts? I thought if you had any on your profile, I would like to check them out. I bet your seashell necklaces are beautiful. Kathy.

These sound beautiful! I bet they make great gift items, too. Do you have pictures of your mud pots on your profile? I would like to see them, if you do. I just love your avatar, btw. It's so cute! Kathy.