She’s Crafty, and She’s Just My Type
This is my very first post for Girl Talk Thursday! I’ve been reading the entries for awhile and really enjoying them, but didn’t feel like they had a place over at my other blog. Since this new blog is all about my home and personal life, I finally feel justified having my Girl Talk. This weeks’ topic is “Getting crafty. Yes? No? HELL no?”
There is a very real part of me that longs to be crafty, that desperately wishes to make clever and adorable things with my hands to give away as gifts, or to decorate my home. I read all kinds of design blogs, I check out the clever DIY tips in Real Simple magazine, I even have some remnants of previously attempted craft hobbies sitting in boxes somewhere.
For awhile, I had some weird guilt associated with being decidedly UNcrafty. I think I felt as though creative women have to be creative in all ways, and that if I were not making my own clothing and decoupaging my laptops I was only playing at being a creative person.
At the end of the day, though, I just don’t have the patience for stuff like that. I can sing my ass off, cook an awesome meal, and throw a great party…but when it comes to crafting, I leave it to the other ladies. This is where my addiction to Etsy comes in. The artists I have encountered on this site are nothing short of incredible. Here is a community where lots of creative, talented women can showcase their work and make a living doing something they love. You can find almost anything on that site. In fact, Greg and I are sourcing a lot of the accessories for our wedding from artists on Etsy!
I will gladly, heartily pay another person to make me something knitted, hand-sewn, crocheted, printed, drawn, sculpted, or otherwise craftacular if it means getting to have the lovely thing in my house without having invested the time or effort. I have so many friends who are talented in these ways that it does my heart much better to support their art and work than to spend days fretting over something, and eventually cursing and giving up.
Ultimately, I would much rather look on a beautiful thing in my house and think fondly of its creator, than to have to face some misshapen attempt at a yarn pear every day and wonder why the heck I thought that was a good idea.
Ladies of Etsy, I salute you.
I adore Etsy. I have so many little pendants. Neocrafters make my life happy.
“Neocrafters”! I’ve never heard that before, but I love it.
I am one of your people.
@kelly, just read your post and YES you are! I’m so glad I’m not alone.
I have to stay away from Etsy, lest it shop me out of house and home — I’m seriously afraid to look at my favourites because I add stuff willy-nilly all. the. time.
Yeah, I try to only visit every once in awhile these days, and only AFTER all the bills are paid — otherwise there’s trouble!
I love the DIY section of Real Simple. I use it for inspiration all the time! Now, can you come teach me to cook better? I promise to harmonize your singing at the same time!
That sounds like a plan! I will definitely get around to making some cooking posts on here once I get a better feel for keeping a regular personal blog.