A Journey Back to Crafting

Growing up, I always knew I would be an artist. And it started with crafting. Grade school art classes were filled with craft projects and provided a space to play with multiple forms of art media; from finger painting to paper chains, from tissue paper stained glass to pipe cleaner flowers, and from shadow drawing to clay sculptures. We would bring home all of our finished pieces, excited to share them with our parents and hoping they made it onto that coveted spot on the front of the refrigerator. Back then, there was no limit to the imagination which could be unleashed with the aid of a well-stocked craft bin and an hour to let loose. Was there anything better than a fresh box of Crayola crayons?

owing up, I always knew I would be an artist. And it started with crafting. Grade school art classes were filled with craft projects and provided a space to play with multiple forms of art media; from finger painting to paper chains, from tissue paper stained glass to pipe cleaner flowers, and from shadow drawing to clay sculptures. We would bring home all of our finished pieces, excited to share them with our parents and hoping they made it onto that coveted spot on the front of the refrigerator. Back then, there was no limit to the imagination which could be unleashed with the aid of a well-stocked craft bin and an hour to let loose. Was there anything better than a fresh box of Crayola crayons?owing up, I always knew I would be an artist. And it started with crafting. Grade school art classes were filled with craft projects and provided a space to play with multiple forms of art media; from finger painting to paper chains, from tissue paper stained glass to pipe cleaner flowers, and from shadow drawing to clay sculptures. We would bring home all of our finished pieces, excited to share them with our parents and hoping they made it onto that coveted spot on the front of the refrigerator. Back then, there was no limit to the imagination which could be unleashed with the aid of a well-stocked craft bin and an hour to let loose. Was there anything better than a fresh box of Crayola crayons?

Once I reached high school, it was clear that I had a real talent for drawing and painting. I took every art class offered including Independent Art Survey as well as a rare opportunity to attend an art satellite class which took place at the Milwaukee Art Museum in my senior year. What an opportunity that was! I loved the act of creating and being surrounded by like-minded students filled with talent, ambition, and ideas. Although, in some ways my artistic mindset became more limited. I highly valued traditional art but began discounting anything considered crafting, even turning my nose up at the thought of going to local craft fairs. 

As expected, I went on to pursue a BFA in fine arts. At least that is how I started out. Knowing you want to be an artist and determining how that translates into a career are two completely different things. Additionally, I slipped into a party crowd at the time. My lack of direction and prioritization of fun lead to my college performance plummeting so low I was placed on academic suspension for a semester. Well, in order to stay on my parents’ insurance, I had to be attending school. So I enrolled in a one-year diploma course in Drafting at Milwaukee Area Technical College. I thought, “that’s okay, I can always get back to art later.” I excelled at the drafting program which combined my drawing and math skills. Shortly after completing the program I began my career in Engineering which now spans 29 years. Along the way, I received an Associate Degree in Mechanical Design, completed a mini-MBA program, and have recently been promoted to Design Manager. 

In the beginning I was still doing art here and there in my spare time. In time, life progressed to motherhood and growing responsibilities. The passion and desire for art was still always there but it definitely took a back seat to my family. Kids give you lots of opportunities to get back to those grade school art classes. It’s so fun to explore artistically with them. However, actively pursuing my art was more difficult. Could I have tried harder? Of course I could have. Life got in the way and I allowed the artist in me to wither. This has been a painful realization over the years as I have attempted to tap into my creativity over and over again throughout my life.

Eventually, I was invited to join a book club. Little did I know that this would be the spark which reboots my creativity. This book club consists of many gifted crafters of different skill levels doing different types of crafts. Five years ago, we began going on an annual crafting retreat together. For one extended weekend each year, we stay together in a house which is set up for crafters. Everyone brings the latest projects they are working on whether that is quilting, crochet, knitting, cross-stitch, diamond art, or paint-by-number. We work in a space together but on our own projects. We even try our hand at each other’s craft of choice. I’ve learned how to crochet (slightly) and really leaned into needle crafts like cross-stitch and needle felting. I’ve been able to work with kits to build some skill and then gradually develop my own ideas to execute. 

Every year, our crafting retreat gives a new opportunity to reset and fuels me until the next one. Getting back to creativity through crafting has reenergized my passion for art. I am working to hone my crafts. It is so exciting to see how I’m progressing and how I can apply these developing skills into works of art. The pieces I create may never end up in a museum. But I am so happy to be doing them and genuinely satisfied with the end products. I have so many new ideas that I get to look forward to working on. It’s like I’m that kid with the fresh, new box of Crayolas again.

So here’s the question for you, dear reader. What sorts of crafts did you enjoy in art class? I encourage you to find that craft that ignites your interest. It can truly lead to increased joy, inner peace, personal satisfaction, and even new or strengthened friendships. To get you started, here are my top five pointers to support your own crafting journey:

1. Search for craft instructions on YouTube, Pinterest, or other online resources. You can even narrow your results to a specific type of craft and find dedicated websites by experienced crafters. My sister and I have a shared Pinterest board where we save tons of crafts to do with our little nephews. And recently, I found a blog post that gave very detailed, step-by-step instructions for washing and finishing cross-stitch projects so they are perfectly ready to frame.
2. Follow crafters you admire on social media, such as Instagram and TikTok. One of my favorite artists on Facebook is Peculiarly Ashley. She makes miniature scenes and props, often from common or otherwise discarded items. Ashley is so whimsically talented.
3. Find a craft you would like to make as a gift. Many years for Christmas, I have found various craft projects and then made them for everyone on my list, personalizing each one depending on the recipient. A couple of examples I’ve actually made are gnome ornaments out of yarn and hot toddy cocktail kits with pretty poinsettia adornments on the packaging. Not only does everyone get a unique hand-crafted gift but the repetition helps strengthen my skills in that craft.
4. Check out your local library. Libraries often host craft nights, offer tools of the trade to check out for use on your project, or some may even have maker spaces.
5. Don’t exclude anything from your crafting consideration. Remember that crafting is playing, experimenting. You may never know what you really enjoy and are passionate about unless you try it. So try anything. Besides the crafts named previously there’s also embroidery, stained glass, rock painting, water painting, decoupage, watercolors, taxidermy, wood burning, fairy gardens, and the list goes on. What would you add to the list? Be sure to tag us using #thebegratefulproject or #2BeGrateful so we can see your ideas come to life!

Hope these ideas spark your creativity. Now get crafty, peeps!