Arts & Crafts?

Question

Who exactly does this form of what you would call "entertainment"? I know that this type of thing does exist around the holidays, but I find myself asking " What would you make , would you sell the item, how much would you sell it for?" So to all of you who do this kind of thing entertain me as to what it is you do , this goes for the men as well, I am almost sure that women only does not apply to this one.

Also does anyone know how to make soap from scratch, someone did for my mother and it looks & smells beautiful.

Thanks.

Answer 1

"what would you make" - If you're going to try to make money, it should be something that you can do better than anyone else, AND it has to be something that people want to buy as opposed to making for themselves.

"Would you sell the item" - Is it something that would do well at a craft show, in a boutique, online? Something that does well in one place may not do well in another.

"How much would you sell it for?" - materials times 3, plus $10.00 an hour for yourself.

It ceases to be entertainment when you do it for a living. I do voiceovers and I sew for a living, and for entertainment I do woodworking with my son, more sewing, gardening, handmade paper, Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, geocaching and my podcast.

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Answer 2

OK, I do what you might call 'Arts and Crafts' but I don't do the simpler, crafty things (although some of them can be quite involved and beautiful). I do what i would call Arts. I weave,making both rugs and fabric, dishtowels and scaves etc etc. I spin wool into yarn, i do alot of the needlecrafts such as knitting, crochet, tatting, lacemaking and embroidery. I also hook rugs. I paint some, I make candles and baskets and mosaics. I love to dabble with anything I've never tried before. WHO am I? I'm just an average woman, I love to make things with my hands, I can't stand to be bored or doing nothing with my hands. I'm a bit creative but not overly so. I wish i was! I simply get satisfaction from seeing the progression of something i'm making come to life.It's like seeing your garden growing. I love to make useful things. I do sell some of my work, but give most of it away. Price....whatever I feel people are willing to pay. I never get out of it what I've put into it, not monetarily or esp. time-wise. It's all for the satisfaction and personal, creative fulfillment.
Soap. I've never actually made soap myself but i do have a couple books on the subject. I can tell you it isn't an easy process and yet it's as simple as following a recipe. You have to use the proper equipment, use sometimes dangerous ingredients (lye can cause serious burns) and follow the proper techniques. It's something i intend to try soon. Now, there's also a very easy method. You can go to any of the craft stores and buy blocks of glycerin soap and some molds. You melt the blocks, pour it into the molds and let it set up. You'll have an attractive little 'bar' of soap in no time with no trouble at all!
If you are looking to begin crafting. Go for it. It's a very rewarding hobby no matter what you do.

Answer 3

I thought most people did arts or crafts for entertainment at some point. Obviously we have more time, money and inclination at different times. I don't know why you put "entertainment" in inverted commas either.

My hubby and I are working on making a paper mache doll for my sister for Christmas, and a story quilt for my brother's 21st. He's making new tunics for SCA and makes LARP costumes whenever he needs them. He has also learned to lucet, makes chainmail and is pondering on how best to make a medieval style tent.

I'm also dabbling in dressmaking, felting, dyeing with natural dyes, fingerloop braiding, weaving, a few different styles of embroidery, knitting and I'm intending to learn to crochet and machine knit next year. In the past I've decorated birthday cakes.

My mum has always been into tapestries, my brother is a ceramicist, my sister scrapbooks, my grandmother knits (her brother taught her with two 4 inch nails and a ball of string,) my other grandmother was a toymaker. She and my grandfather both gardened, I don't know if you count that as an art; and everyone cooks, though I'm better than most of my relatives, if I say so myself!! My father in law gardens, and my mother in law used to cross stitch and still would be if her eyesight was good enough. Most of my aunts knit a bit, one of them does virtually everything I've mentioned here. She's the one who has never had kids, so I guess she's got the time! The guys in our SCA group dabble in all sorts of crafts. We're actually putting in an entry into the local craft show in a few weeks. Entries include my embroidered bag, a chainmail pouch made by my hubby, another guy's little cooking pots and weaving loom, and his son's norse hat (no horns!)
It's hardly worth trying to sell handicrafts. Most people want to pay factory prices for homemade goods. That would hardly cover the materials, let alone time. We make stuff for our own use or as Christmas presents.
Your library will have books on soapmaking. I'd like to have a go at that, I do have a book. I think I'd better wait until after we get the doll and quilt finished though...

Answer 4

I do counted cross stitch - when I happen to be in the mood, that is - and sewing, as well as reading, and word-related puzzles. Those are forms of what you could call 'quiet' entertainment. I enjoy them, and to some degree or another they are relaxing, and fulfilling/satisfying.

As for guys doing that sort of stuff, my younger son likes to do cross stitch every once in a while, as well as sew, and read.

Answer 5

Ask any verify which they discover extra beautiful, the Mona Lisa or their loved newborn's imperfect paintings. this is an analogous way with God's handiwork. would not remember if we are masterpieces or the three-three hundred and sixty 5 days-previous's all-eco-friendly crayon drawing. we are created in His photograph and He properly-knownshows us beautiful.