My crafty side

I'm a dabbler when it comes to creating things, a trait I likely picked up from my parents.

I remember my dad making wooden clocks in the shape of Kentucky, my mom making wreaths that would shame Martha Stewart, and my grandmothers with their own creations. For my grandfathers, farming was the way they expressed themselves.

I spent many hours with my mom and grandma, making things, going to homemakers classes on painting flower pots or the gazillions of other things we've tried over the years. Some of those projects worked like a charm. Some were better off thrown away.

But they were always fun.

Luna, sporting her sweater. Looks
sharp, doesn't she?

That's where I first learned how important it was to create things. It didn't matter if the end result was exactly how you planned. It didn't matter if you were the worst artist in the world and couldn't draw a smile if your life depended on it.

It matter that you tried and that you had fun. Life is far too short to take yourself too seriously.

When I was in high school, my dad taught me how to crochet. He had learned from his mom and his sister-in-law. He couldn't remember a lot, just enough to get me started, but that's all it took. From there, I became an addict. I still have trouble making hats, but I love trying to create new things.

Somewhere along the way, I started making jewelry. I loved that, too. It can be tedious sitting over a box of beads, stringing them on a thin metal wire, but I enjoy it. I still find it enjoyable! I think it was actually my brother who bought me one of my first jewelry sets.

A painting I made for by beautiful
niece. We added "leaves" with names.

In college, I dabbled in a few art classes. I was accidentally an art major (somewhere along the way, my paperwork got a little mixed up) but it was a lot of fun. I had never taken a real art class, so learning some of those basics was a great experience. These days, I still enjoy painting on canvas, but I don't think I'm any sort of expert in that arena.

True to my roots, I love to work with recycled concepts, like making a wind chime out of a broken limb and old keys.

And still, if I see something that looks fun, I will give it a shot! Someday, I want to work in ceramics.

I believe there's no rule that says you have to stick to just one craft, although all of the great organizing books say you should.

Is there something you think I should try? Let me know! I'd love to see what I can do!

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