Learn to Crochet

Even though this conversation is about crochet, just plug in your favorite craft and I bet you have had similar experiences. Last night I was in the Etsy chatroom, and since a few of them do crochet I started talking about crochet. I was talking about how much I love it, and that there are four generations of crochet artists in my family. This one woman who crochets says to me, "Well, what do you have to show for it." That seemed a bit hostile, but things can easily be taken out of context in a chatroom. I thought she wanted an esoteric answer so I said, "Do you mean like the satisfaction of working with your hands, or sharing a legacy with your ancestors." Then I realized what she meant was if I was so great at it, why wasn't my shop filled with crocheted and knitted items. So I said, "Right now I just have the crocheted octopus finger puppets. I just finished a bunny but I already gave it to my grandson. Now I'm working on a giant squid." So she says, "Oh, so you just give your stuff away, I see." Well, that sounded even more hostile. Like hers is good enough to sell but I just give mine away. So more than a little miffed, I say "If you want to see my crochet, here is my flickr link." On Flickr I have about 500 crochet photos. So she goes off, presumably to look at my crochet, comes back about 30 seconds later and says, "Well, it looks like you are having fun." Now if anyone else said that I'd think they meant that in a good way, but when she said it, what I heard once again is when I crochet it's 'just for fun' and when she does it, it's a business. At that point I gave up and left the chatroom. It was after midnight anyway. Yes, I have had a lot of crochet items in my Etsy shop. But like many things on Etsy, most items never sell, and then I have to do something with them right? I'm drowning in things as it is. So if I choose to gift them to family members or donate them to a raffle to raise money, what's wrong with that? I do about 20 kinds of crafts. At any given time, I may not have any of one particular item in my shop. Chances are I do have it in a box here somewhere. Some of the stuff is never listed on Etsy but goes straight into the inventory for my craft fairs. I thought I'd be over this conversation when I woke up this morning, but obviously I'm not.

Two more sea creatures for your ocean puppet show.If under the sea is your favorite place to be, snap these up for your collection.

I just crocheted 4 finger puppets which include 3 octopusses and a monster. I only got good photos of the yellow one so I'll post those now. Sooner or later I'll get photos of the other ones.

… You can read my almost daily craft blog here: http://craftaday.blogspot.com/ I do try to drop by Indiepublic once in a while to add an update. I just added some new photos to my photo stream here. I've been busy on many projects including beadwork earrings and beaded spiders, whittling, weaving, and doing cross stitch embroidery. My need to create is greater than my need to make sales so I just keep on creating through thick and thin. I just spent a weekend in AZ and that inspired me to study southwestern art. I bought some charms from a lady out there including kokopelli, a coyote, a roadrunner, a saguaro, and some more conventional charms. The weather was perfect out there and we camped 2 nights by Quartzsite where I took many photos.

I'm hoping to start a monthly meeting for people that want to work on their arrow making, bow making, flint knapping and archery gear. We already go to one on Pasadena every month, but I thought we'd get a lot more done and stay focused if we had one two weeks after the other one. I wan… I'm hoping to start a monthly meeting for people that want to work on their arrow making, bow making, flint knapping and archery gear. We already go to one on Pasadena every month, but I thought we'd get a lot more done and stay focused if we had one two weeks after the other one. I wanted something in Orange County CA so I wouldn't have to drive all the way to Pasadena. It will probably be at El Dorado Park, though I'd prefer Mile Square Park because they don't have the $5 parking fee. Well, they do, but they have free street parking. There is no street parking at El Dorado. But most of the people who said they might come live closer to Long Beach, so I may get outvoted. If Sig comes we can work on gourd art and spoon carving too. But he works in the medical field so his schedule is all over the place. He gave me a spoon carving tool and I can't wait to get some green wood to try it out on. Also I hope David will come. He lives in Laguna Beach, so either location is closer for him that Pasadena. Of couse if you are reading this and live near Anaheim and think you want to learn these skills, leave me a comment so I can make sure you know when the meetings are.

I'm trying to remodel my blog this morning and can't seem to find how to change the blog background photo. It's not listed on the other page to change and tile photos for the header and so on. Hmmm. When I quit trying to solve the puzzle I'll probably find the solution. It's my brain teaser for the day. I'm trying to remodel my blog this morning and can't seem to find how to change the blog background photo. It's not listed on the other page to change and tile photos for the header and so on. Hmmm. When I quit trying to solve the puzzle I'll probably find the solution. It's my brain teaser for the day.