The Mind of a Crafter

You as fellow crafters reading this might relate to all or a few things in this post.  I’m going to look into the mind of a crafter.  Why do we do the things we do?  Well, there is an explanation for everything…

The Hoarder

This made me want to start with “the other” name we as crafters are known as in this world…and my husband reminds me ever so often…yes we are HOARDERS!  Who can blame us?  Our supplies, oh and do we have supplies, need to come from somewhere.  I’m very guilty of this fact as I collect everything (even that nice ribbon to which the price tag of my new garment was attached to just had to be removed and added to the collection.)  Yes,  we see the value in the weirdest things!  All that we collect will one day be of great use for some miraculous project we’ve though about.  In actual fact, we are not craft hoarders, we just need BIGGER craft rooms.

SALES!

“I won’t buy any more craft suppliers until I use up what I have at home” (ha ha ha…and those where the last famous words of a crafter).  Never stand in the way of a crafter when there is a sale on supplies.   We really tend to lose our minds in that moment.  Even though we don’t need anymore we still tend to bring home bags of exciting goodies.  They were on sale after all.. “and I needed them” always tend to be the reason.  My advice, if something is on sale for 50% and more and there is any possibility of it being used in a project, buy it.  If it comes in multiples. buy it ALL.  Sales are definitely our weakness.  We can never have enough.  Besides, we will never get bored with a well stocked craft room.

Creativity

The mental characteristic that allows a person to think outside of the box, which results in innovative or different approaches to a particular task.  Crafters are always busy thinking about new projects or maybe old projects they need to revisit and finish.  Making the decision on which new project to start is the difficult part. There are so many new ideas to try out and most of us already have a long craft “to-do” list to work through, it sometimes feel like so little time to do them all in.  A crafters creativity never ends, our creativity is actually our intelligence having a bit of fun.  It is our way to share our souls and feelings with the world which is reflected in our work.  Creativity definitely takes courage as you should allow yourself to make mistakes and be happy with what you have created, as well as lose your fear of being wrong.  It always surprises us, because one idea would tend to lead to the next and you would end up having something completely different to the original plan.

Craft time is the best time and I think all of you would agree.  Everyday is a good day to craft.  It just makes us feel good to be able to use our creativity and produce something amazing that will put a smile on someone’s face.  Afterall, self-made gifts make the best presents.  To be amongst the things you love is wonderful – Craftiness is really happiness!  Franklin D. Roosevelt said:”Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative efforts”.  Being creative is not a hobby it is a way of life.  The best of all is, you can’t use up your creativity, the more you use, the more you have.  We are definitely eccentric and different you might say.   So on that note.. let us get at it and craft like no one’s watching…..(just finish reading the post first)

 The Craft room

Keeping everything in order in a craft room is quite a challenge for a crafter…to say the least. There are so many different things to keep together and sorted.  Seeing that there is no limit to our level of supplies, we would never use the excuse of “I have no place to put it”  – We will make sure it gets to the craft room somehow.  Cleaning a craft room is difficult, because you get so easily distracted by all the good stuff you find again… and off goes the mind into another direction.  Afterall, we are creative, people can’t expect us to be neat as well? In actual fact, our craft rooms aren’t messy, we are just organizationally challenged and have everything on display…i’ts creative freedom people and a crafters dream!  I find having everything on display in my craftroom inspires me and gives me ideas for my projects. Some advice:  Never question the state of a crafters’ room unless you think it needs to be bigger.

Crafters are definitely different, but we love what we do and remember, crafting your heart out makes room for your soul to grow…. it’s contagious, so you should try it if you haven’t!  Get those creative juices flowing and do what you love.