Hi all, as I do every Sunday night, a new poll is ready (I’m a couple of hours early) on Amazing Paper Grace. Last week’s poll was quite interesting and showed that most people have an interest in multiple crafts. Papercrafters are quite talented and have a desire to explore many other facets of papercrafting. This week the poll turns to how you define crafting or why you craft. So often when you read someone’s blog or you meet another crafter, part of the introduction is how or why they got into crafting. Why do you craft? Take a second this week to weigh in, it won’t be an easy choice because many reasons apply but I know you’ll be able to pick one.
Remember I run a poll every week and the poll is up all week long. You can see the results of earlier polls on my Crafting Poll Archive Page.
Take care, I’ll see you tomorrow :-)
Can I really be the first to comment? Wow! Just wanted to say that I voted for “therapy/balance”, because I am emotionally and mentally much healthier if I take the time to spend on creative pursuits. But I really could have used and “almost all of the above” option. I turn 60 this month (YIKES!) and have quite literally been a lifelong crafter/creator in some media or another. I had the example of my Dad, who could, and did, make anything, not to mention my grandmothers, both of whom made out of necessity as well as pleasure. (My Mom’s creative genes are exercised by writing… she is pretty much all thumbs otherwise.) I just don’t feel complete without creative outlets. It is almost as necessary for life as breathing.
I truly make cards for the joy it gives to others. Friends and acquaintences appreciate the time you invest in them. It’s so personal and often is better than a gift.
While I love it as a hoby, it is also theraputic.
Sometimes I feel I just Must create something.
mary l.
Yes it is a hobby I enjoy – I also make enough money to help keep me in supplies and my parents were both crafty folk…. so many reasons!!
It gives me enormous pleasure to make personalized cards for the people I love. I believe they enjoy receiving them. Many have told me they keep my cards as mementos, which makes the whole thing worthwhile. I am blessed that I found a hobby that is a win/win endevour.
I have always dabbled in a craft of somekind. I got into paper crafting in 2006 when our first grandchild was born and 3 mos later my husband was called up for active duty and went to Iraq for 16 mos. Now I have 2 grandchildren and my husband is still on active duty. He is stationed in another state, 4 hrs away and comes home on the weekends. Since there is no one here but me and our 2 dogs, I am still scrapbooking and starting to get into making mini albums. I think they will make wonderful gifts. Lord knows, I have plenty of stash to make them without having to go out and buy anything. LOL I’m just a little slow and hope I get faster as I learn.
It is my passion and I could do it 24-7. I make very little money from it but it brings me immense pleasure in the doing and in the giving. It feels like something I MUST do and I enjoy all aspects of it except cleaning up after the project is done.:-) Time just goes away when I am creating, listening to wonderful music or an audio book. It just doesn’t get any better….If I could just figuire out how to do it all outside among the flowers and by our stream it might be the best yet……
I want to pick more than one answer! Hobby – check; therapy / stress relief – check; social thing – check! Also, because I enjoy giving handmade cards now because of the personal touch (not because of $s). I never realized what a huge community / industry this paper crafting world was when I started my little hobby 2 years ago – and now I’m completely hooked. I just wish I had more time outside my real job so I could play with paper.
My creative room is the first place I enter when I am stressed…I keep the door closed to keep the “crafting” kitties out (yes they think they can craft…one emptys out my sponges on a daily basis)…it instantly relazes me, even if I don’t create right away…just handling my supplies satisfies me!!
Having a 39 yr old special needs daughter I find card making very therapeutic when my mojo allows it. Great poll again Becca.
Love Sheila xx
BECCA I MADE A WREATH FOR MYSELF, I OWED A FAVOR TO MY
FRIEND SO I MADE HER A WREATH. SHE SHOWED IT TO SOME OF
HER FRIENDS AND A BUSINESS WAS CREATED. AFTER 20 YEARS
I NO LONGER HAVE A BUSINESS BUT LOVE TO CREATE CARDS.
I CAN HARDLY WAIT UNTIL I SEE YOUR BEAUTIFUL CARD, ETC FOR
THE DAY AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING
YOU FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU
SHARE AND WHAT YOU GIVE.
CYNTHIA
Crafting brings me joy and I love how the finished product comes out. It challenges me to continue to create more interesting things.
I also wanted to picked more than one, I think you could have left out “Its a hobby I enjoy” because I think every crafter would agree with that one! I had a hard time deciding between the second and third answer, and picked the third even though calling myself “an artist” may seem a bit puffed up cardmaking is definitely an outlet for my creativity
As a child, I developed a love for crafting. I would get up early and watch a kid’s show called Captian Kangaroo. On this show was a segment from time to time where the Captain would introduce a craft using paper, boxes, crayons, scissors, glue, etc.The supplies were announced in advance so we could gather them and be ready to make the project with the Captain. Thiis was the highlight of my world. I just loved to create, even at that early age. Thus this was the beggining of my passion. Paper puppets, kid’s games, whatever it was; folding, cutting and pasting was my joy. I also enjoy needlework and hope to incorporate this medium into my papercrafting. My children are adults and I am finding time to get back into this activity I find so fulfilling. Some of my goals include taking classes in design and color. I currently work at a state university and should be able to access resources here to help me develope and expand my creative prowess! Thank you for your sharing of your talent that makes my heart sing. Your creations are most tantilizing to my creative soul. They bless me!
I also could have chosen many of them. I started crafting with my Grandmother in the 50’s. She belonged to a club that sent a craft out once a month. I would go stay at her house during the summer and she would have a whole drawer of crafts just waiting for me! Later, I moved in with my Aunt Alice. She could do multiple crafts and taught them all to me. I will try “anything” to express myself. I really do believe that expressing ourselves is “sharing our soul”. I would LOVE to have my crafts sell and own a business. That would take finances way beyond my capabilities. Now I work for Michael’s and share my crafting knowledge with all my friends (customers) every day. Crafters love to “share”!
As usual, a great poll Becca. Hugs.
I have to sign in each time now. I also tried 4 times yesterday to post and it wasn’t working I will try again later. I voted it’s a hobby that I enjoy. Where else can you make something for someone and you know that you will get a smile and a good response. That makes it all worthwhile. Great poll Becca. As always Becca, TFS!!! :-D
I started making cards and doing papercrafts a few years ago and love, love, love it. Crafting of all kinds puts me in the zone, where only the supplies and I live, thinking of colors, what goes with what and creating something that is beautiful and appreciated by others. I love quilting and sewing too and it is interesting to see how similar the papers and fabric I work with are. It is something I wish I had the time to do every single day. Am trying to establish a craft studio where I can go and enjoy some crafting each day….so hard to keep it organized. Enjoy your blog and comments always. All the best. So my answer is life balance.
I started making cards well over 15 years ago, for family at birthday time only. That was maybe 15 cards a year, money and supplies were not at hand. I love to use paper, of all the crafts over the years, anything made of paper has been my passion. Dianne
I have tried every kind of craft……but have finally decided that making cards and other paper projects if what I really want to do. I have not bought a card in 7+ years and everyone tells me that when I give a card & gift that the card is the “gift”. I had make all the thank-yous for work, I enjoy sharing my cards with different organizations; I am a card-angel through Chemo-Angels and that is the more rewarding project I have ever done. I have made some wonderful friends. I also teach classes and share that way…..but am taking a break for the Summer for a complete re-organization is my craft room.
As others have mentioned, it is my therapy and I make at least 2 cards every day before I go to work. My husband is an artist so he is very supportive.
I am a paperholic…would rather buy pretty papers than anything else!!
Happy card-making to everyone!!!!
MaryAnne
Good morning Becca
I started crafting after my second child was born. That was quilting! It was short lived then I moved to paper and have been at it for 17 years! I started scrapbooking then moved to cards with scrapbooking thanks to you. Be blessed!
I love crafting so much I even started classes in my area and met loads of lovely people. The thing which became very apparent was the kindness shown by everyone who came to the classes towards each other….if anyone forget to bring something they needed someone was always there to lend it to them, someone was always there to lend a listening ear when one of the class members was going through a hard time, I learned that not everyone had been fortunate enough to have the kind of life I had and I soon realised that I was very blessed in many areas of my life. I felt very humbled when I heard about the stresses and strains some people had to endure. We ended up very close to each other…..just like a big extended family who loved to craft.
LOL Eileen
The question was a hard one for me because even though it is a hobby I enjoy, I also feel most times it is therapy and balances me in some way.
It makes one think how God can create something for us that does so many things! Wow!
Hugs, Dawn
Card making is one of the hobbies I enjoy. Visiting Amazing Paper Grace always inspires me. Thanks for the poll.
I lost my first husband 5 years ago after a long, unexplained illness, and my children and I are still grieving. Since then, there have so many other stressors that leave me discouraged. Papercrafting is a way for me to get away from whatever is weighing on me at the moment without actually leaving my family. I can’t control so much of what is worrying us, but I can make something beautiful in the mean time. It soothes my spirit.
hugs,
Jennifer
Crafting I think started many years ago as a hobby. Then came scrapbooking, then cardmaking. My cardmaking is a daily, definately daily therapy! I guess I rationalize the time I spend in my craft room as sort of a card ministry. I supply cards to a older lady in our small church that sends them to the members and children. I also live in the country and I send them to people up here as well as family and friends. I know when I have gotten a handmade card I always love it and I those that receive mine always say how much they love them. So it is also a win /win therapy.
Your cards are like a breath of fresh air!!! I’m loving this pink theme you have going on, it’s just so refreshing. Your work is so beautiful!!!
Have a great week.
I have always liked to do different crafts, I was a room mother and girl scout leader when my girls were in school doing crafts for these things. Then I went back to work when I was 41 years old and didn’t have time to craft. When I retired after 21 years I started crafting again, at that time I was into several different kinds of crafts but now do basically card making and scrapbooking. I volunteer to help with the crafts at vacation bible school and have done this for the last 12 years. I am also the craft person for our ladies mission doing crafts for Mothers Day and Christmas. There is always a craft of some sort that I am working on and my craft room always tells that story. I really enjoy all of your tutorials and Becca bits please keep doing them for us.
Jan
I have made various kinds of crafts over the years, but now stick primarily to paper (cards, pictures, ornaments). I find it very relaxing. Although I make primarily cards for personal use, I do craft shows in the fall and sell there. Still have a lot of inventory of other things which rounds out the table. I always keep a plastic box with cards in the car as many times my friends ask if I have any with me to buy. Love it when they do that.
I needed a hobby and was introduced to Scrapbooking first, then onto card making. I do them both avidly. It occupies my mind and gives me plenty of great projects to do.. I’m retired now and have lots of time to pursue my hobby. My hubby built me a “craft shack” that I can play in and leave and shut the door when I’m done. I love it! I love being able to learn new ideas and techniques.
Thanks for your blog, I love looking at it every day!!
Cathy
I guess I enjoy making people smile. And I like to see if I can do it. I don’t believe I am one of the best but it is fun and if someone else enjoys it that’s all that matters. I love all that you do and you certainly bring a challenge to do better. God Bless you!
I, too could have checked nearly all the boxes. I got into stamping and papercrafting for real when a friend had a difficult hysterectomy and had to be down for 6 weeks. We played nearly everyday. She became a Stampin’ Up demonstrator and I became a very good customer. From there, I checked out every “party” company available in our area, then stores where ever I went. Las Vegas was especially full of stores that became on-line companies. There are no longer any stores in my area so I still do catalog companies, but a friend started displaying with SCS and Etsy. Why did I not think that so many sites would be available? I am flabbergasted! Other than personal use, I make cards to send to our Lodge’s widows. They love them. I also stamp on the blank offering envelopes used for tithes at my Spiritual Center. Many companies had envelopes pre-printed that did not express our beliefs. I truly enjoy sharing what little talent I have with an appreciative audience. Thank you, Becca, for your wonderful cards and tutorials. Oh, it took me about two weeks to figure out how to navigate your blog. I’m pretty much self-taught and not much of a techie. Love and blessings to you for all that you do.
LIke everyone else, it’s hard to pick just one. I picked hobby I enjoy because that covers a lot. I’m not like so many of you, I was never a crafter, didn’t think I could pull it off. I became inspired watching Carol DuVall on HGTV and realized there were some things I could do. I surprised myself several times in that it looked pretty decent and practice has improved that, even though all my cardmaking friends are more talented than me. I wanted to scrapbook my memories and found stamping allowed that, but……… once I got into stamping and making cards, everything else took a back seat. I love sending a card to someone who appreciates the time it takes. I never make cards fast, but just lose myself in the process. Hours have flown by before I know it and there’s usually no one up in the house but me. It’s a major stress reliever, both in sitting here alone making cards and also in a group. Some card makers have become my best friends and I’m so grateful to have them in my life. I love going to the different blogs to see what others create. Joyful is the only way to describe this hobby.
Hey Girlie…. did not know if you got my text- some of the old crew meeting at Angelinas at Noon on Wed 6/15/11 come if you can!!
love and miss you!
There are just too many catagories that I can check– it is a hobby I enjoy, stress reflief, creative outlet I need and making new friends -the list goes on. Besides , I believe crafting is in my genes. my grandmothers knitted, crocheted and braided rugs. My mom did all that and sewed most of our clothes and ran a fabulous Antique business.
Its a hobby that I find I have much less time to do anymore, unfortunately.
I absolutely love all sorts of arts & crafts and miss the hours I used to be able to devote to them. I used to sell some of my items for profit, but its
rare that I do so now. I usually make items (centerpieces, corsages, wreaths, etc) for friends and family upon request (baby showers, wedding showers, etc) and give them as a gift.
Becca, what an interesting question. I love to create. I always have. Since standing by my grandmother’s knee and making baby doll clothes and playing in her buttons. She would give me scraps of fabric and let me make my own patterns and dress my dolls. I had a child’s Singer sewing machine when I was 4. I remember asking my mom for fabric to make my dad a handkerchief for father’s day. She told she didn’t have any. I kept begging for fabric. Finally I went to the linen closet and got some white fabric. Cut a square out of the center of it to make the handkerchief. Guess what I cut a holle in. A brand new sheet. Good for me bad for my mom! I love cardmaking now. I can go into my craft room and loose myself in paper and stamps and color. Love it!
You come up with some of the most creative questions. I am not sure how I would answer. Good thing it will be a multiple choice.
No one in my family was crafty, But some how I got the bug, scrapbooking i started when it first came out way back in the early 90’s. wow. I am a widow and live alone it is my therapy and my enjoyment. I love it I just can’t seem to get into it at the moment, but I will. It just takes time and the right frame of mind. thanks for your beautiful cards.
I love to make things– anything, really. I am an artist and art teacher, but I rarely get enough time to dive in and do something major. Cards let me give a little piece of me to my friends and that gives me real joy.
Becca, In 2004 I was doing nothing but painting. Tole painting that is. I really enjoyed it and was happy with my progress. A few months later, I learned my niece had stage 4 cancer. For some reason I could not bring myself to paint after that. I wanted to do something for my niece and did not know what until I met this lady who owned a scrapbooking store and we talked about something my niece and I could do together but we lived 3 hours apart. So my new friend and I decided we could make cards and/or a scrapbook. My niece was receiving chemo at the time and she could not move her head without becoming quite ill. So long story short, I started a scrapbook for her. I wanted her to look at it as a new beginning.
Once a week I would send her a “goody box” full of papercrafting tools and accessories. She loved it. She could sit still and yet add pictures and journaling to her new book. We did the scrapbook for about 6 months and then her doctor told her she needed to go home and spend her last days with her family. She had lost her battle but she never gave up. She so loved working in her scrapbook and I was so happy it gave her a chance to think of something other than the pain she was experiencing. We lost her on January 06, 2006. She was an only child and she had lived life to the fullest. She was just 33 years old. Life brings about circumstances over which we have no control. Today I am making cards and card samples for my friend’s scrapbooking store. Perhaps I will work on scrapbooks some day in the future. Thank you Becca for your talents and your willingness to share those talents. You are a great inspiration to us all. Hugs Linda
I find that doing paper crafts is so relaxing so I use it as therapy to unwind.
I chose artist, but I’m actually a little more between two, artist and hobby. I enjoy reading about others on your poll. I like even more hearing how you answer the questions…guess it makes me feel I know you just a little bit better (if only in cyberworld!).
A friend invited me to a Stampin’ Up party and I’ve been hooked ever since. I now have taken over on of my children’s bedroom (after they moved out) for my crafting room. I just love to go there and create as I do find it my therapy/balance, my creative outlet. I can sit and make a card within a 1/2 hour (I like quick vs. a quilt or afghan), and people really enjoy getting a homemade card or papercraft. I love your cards for their inspiration (although mine don’t come close) and thanks for your awesome tutorials, I’ve learned alot.