Exploring craft stores in my area. What I've been doing part 2 Ever take a craft
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
November 4, 2012 5:14am CST
ing class?
I went to Fiber Junction thinking that would have fiber. Well it has lots of fat quarters, it's a quilting items store. But they will be having a crafting class about penny rugs. Since they're tiny, only the size of a place mat and they do a very simple one, too, I'd like to try. So that's cool.
Another place that Fiber Junction talked to me about was Plattsburgh Yarn and Gifts. So I went there. Great yarns, but most are out of my pocketbook range. They had a class in yarn coil (as apposed to clay) baskets. I was the last person admitted to the class. It's so popular, they're doing more than one class.
I had a great time at it yestereday. What fun! Hard to start and we didn't finish. But having had regular basket weaving, it ends close to the same way. Just the beginning is way different from anything I've done before.
So I've taken one class and had a great time. I look forward to trying another class. So have you taken any classes to learn a craft? Most crafts I learned from my Mom or other relatives and friends. Have you learned our crafts from relatives and friends?
How did you like your crafting class, if you took one? How did you like learning from relatives and friends if you usually went that root?
1 person likes this
10 responses
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
4 Nov 12
Way back in the mid 1970's, my mom and I took a class on embroidery. I didn't care for it, this was back in the embroider work shirt days. My sister did quite a few of them, I didn't do one...
My mom took a knitting class and an crochet class, she didn't care for the knitting, but crocheted a lot. She taught me a basic couple of... stitches? I've made afghans, Doctor Who scarves, and regular scarves from those few stitches. I did have to sit down with a lady in the lobby of my job once to learn to turn a corner so I could work a square. SHE was crocheting LACE!
I learned to needlepoint from instructions in a magazine. I learned to cross stitch from picking up little kits.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Nov 12
From a rough start, you didn't like embroidery (sometimes I can do it and sometimes I can't, tempermental like that) to doing a lot with crochet. I find that instructions in books and magazines usually have one or two things that I just don't get.
Someone doing lace, how wonderful! So you learned from the best!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157987)
• United States
4 Nov 12
This bunny applique has lots of repetitive buttonhole (sort of) stitches. Yes, being taught in person means you learn little tricks of the trade so to speak. This buttonhole outline stitch has a little twist that the workshop person added to make it look even better. Never would have gotten it from a book I am sure. I am going to have to search about yarn coiled baskets, not sure I know what they are. I used to coil and tie with fabric scraps to make a basket.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
4 Nov 12
well, I didn't have time - being on break - to learn more than just how to turn a corner. I did all those things with what is basically a 1 1/2 crochet, I know how to do a single and a double, but I never remember to do them, because habit has me doing this other one. So, I chain and do this 1 1/2 thing.
I can't say why I don't like embroidery, maybe not repetitive enough?
2 people like this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
4 Nov 12
hi friend, I like crafts too but not to the point of attending classes to learn, well I'm an artist by nature so I learn any art or idea fast even by just watching on youtube, yeah lately i had been making parachute cord or paracord survival bracelets and have had a couple of sales, proud to say it even gave me a chance to speak on national radio
, craft is good if we stick to it and believe in what we do. Good luck to you and hope you are just fine and well
, craft is good if we stick to it and believe in what we do. Good luck to you and hope you are just fine and well1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Nov 12
Yes, I forgot about youtube. I make some Christmas and some recycling stuff from there. But some things, I really need a teacher to help me. I have DVDs on crochet, but if I wanted to be good enough to sell and do it really well, I'd need a teacher. Right now I crochet dishclothes because the dishes don't care what they look like!
Thanks and take care.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157987)
• United States
4 Nov 12
I make heart shaped dishcloths, perfecting my non pattern. I enjoy doing it and being different.
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@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
5 Nov 12
The only class I took was art, I was never any good at art at school, I was hopeless, and the teachers weren't very patient with me. So as a mature student I thought it would be go to go back to college and do a course in art, we had to draw a picture of a bottle of water and some lemons on a table, well even through a lot of practice my picture never looked anything like what we were supposed to draw. I did do a pottery class years ago and I actually made a vase, which I took home, unfortunately when I was cleaning I knocked it off and it smashed!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Nov 12
I liked pottery more than drawing in high school. We have a wonderful potters in my area that love to teach and tile workers, too.
That's the only trouble, they're breakable!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
24 Nov 12
I learned most of my crafting on my own though my mother was a great crafter too. She loved doing painting on wood things my dad cut for her....and she was also a sewer and crocheter.....I really miss her. I do learn constantly. I love stamping and belong to a club and we learn something new every month when we meet. I also love watching videos like on youtube...they have tons of craft projects with videos. Last year I made a wreath out of an old book from something learned on youtube.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Nov 12
Youtube does have some great craft and even some nice art videos. I miss my Mom, too. She did some great arts and crafts.
I'd like to go to Home Bureau and do some arts and crafts once a month, my Mom had a lot of fun there, too.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Nov 12
If you ever do, let me know. I'm just getting info and just joined. So I'd love to compare with others and their experiences once I get going.
@Shavkat (137307)
• Philippines
30 Nov 12
Some people have the innate skills to create something out of their own craft. It could be the craft that will lead them to success. Most of the people are well-known for having their trade marks in industries. They had developed an innovative creations to be on top among the competitors, especially in products.
@GardenGerty (157987)
• United States
4 Nov 12
I learned to crochet, at least beginning, from a little old lady at church. Mom said she tried to teach me to embroider, but I never remembered her sitting with me to do so. Most everything else I have learned from books. I went to a ceramic shop and learned some painting techniques. This year I have a friend who has joined a quilt guild. It is some ways away, but meets only once a month, so I went to a session or two, and decided to join. They bring in people who do workshops, and I just went to one. I learned hand applique. It is great to be around people who are doing things because it motivates me to finish things I started and to do new things as well.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Nov 12
I find that books forget to tell you things like what to do when things slip and slide or what to do if you make common beginners mistakes. Like I had tried yarn coiled baskets before, but I couldn't start them, they kept slipping and sliding.
Good for you about joining a quilt quild. They turn out some incredible work up here. I look forward to hearing some neat stuff from you about that group.
1 person likes this
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
4 Nov 12
I haven't taken a crafting class, but I am certain that I could benefit from doing so. There are a lot of things that I would like to learn to do, but I just haven't taken the classes to try out my hand at them and see if I actually have any skill in those areas.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Nov 12
Time, money, those are all considerations. Our Senior Citizens make things affordable, so do some shops like Michaels so that you'll come back and buy more stuff. Maybe someday. . ..
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@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
4 Nov 12
I have taken ornament making classes, jewelry making classes, painting classes, and quilting classes. I have another quilting class on November 20th. I love being creative and making gifts. The penny rugs sound interesting and I will have to look up how to make them. The yarn baskets sound interesting as well and will have to look into that as well.
1 person likes this
@ungu89 (1999)
• Malaysia
5 Nov 12
last year i just like doing some craft after i saw my friend post about felt,
so, from that i start to love doing craft thing
i start from felt, then pcv sheet then now i being focus on crochet stuff.
i really love doing all this thing.
but i never that any class to learn it,
i just learn from youtube and other craft site .
at my place it hard to find anyone that offer class for crafting
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
6 Nov 12
It's great that you're learning all that from youtube! Some areas don't have many or any craft classes. I guess we're lucky.
