Crafting DRY spell?? anyone gone through one???

Question

I was always doing something, sewing, quilting, x stitching, embroidery, painting, crochet and scrapbooking. This is the first Christmas in 20 yrs I haven't had something going.
Now I cant get into anyting!!!! I have been in a rut since the summer. Now I just dread getting it out , making a mess etc. I turn on the TV or read a novel... I think I am just BURNED out ..anyone else had this happen to them??? should I make myself do something??

Answer 1

Nah... don't make yourself do it. You won't enjoy it, after all, isn't that the point of crafting... to relax an enjoy what you are doing? There's nothing wrong with taking a little break from your hobbies. When a hobby becomes a chore, then it's not a hobby anymore. Take the "me" time and when you feel like it, get started on next years gifts. :)

Answer 2

First, is it that you don't find the inspiration for making xmas gifts?... or that you don't have the inspiration for making things for any reason?
If it's the former, you could be burning out on Christmas and all the attendant chores, etc., which certainly happens to some people the older they get. Me too. I find that xmas just comes around too often as I age (now, it seems like about every 6 months!) and I hate dragging out all the stuff then knowing that in what seems like about a week (actually a month!), I'll have to drag it all back and perhaps even find more ways to store it.

Also, are you hand-made gifts always appreciated?
And are they meaningful in some way to you or the recipient?
The more "meaningful" gifts and hobbies/crafts are for many people, the more excitement and energy they have for doing them. Just as one example, you might want to join the Linus project or a local quilt group and make simple quilts for kids in the hospital, or kids at homeless shelters, etc., etc. That might tell you if it's just a matter of being meaningful with your work. Or you could "teach" some of your skills to others (friends, relatives, or at schools, churches, nursing homes, etc.), or you could make mini-videos about how to do those things to put on YouTube.com, etc.

Personally, I've had a number of hobbies over the years too, and sort of burned out on some of them --though I may pick them up now and then for a project or two. My last one was polymer clay, and it was actually the longest strictly speaking, just because there are so many different things that can be done with it, and so many different directions one can go (*not* little sculpts, e.g., which don't interest me)...it's really hard to get burned out when you haven't even explored so many of the possibilities.

Now if it's just that you're not feeling creative or inspired for whatever you do want to do, you might also want to read the comments I've collected at my site from people who were in the same situation... might give you some ideas:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/creativity,inspir,art.htm
(... click on the categories called CREATIVITY & INSPIRATION)


HTH, and good luck!

Diane B.

Answer 3

Yes, I have been there done that. Start on a little project you can finish in a couple of days. Maybe make a few scrapbook pages to get ready for Christmas pictures. There are some great things out there. You'll get the bug again. Good Luck and Happy Holidays

Answer 4

Every few years I find myself not interested in any of my sewing, crochet, or knitting stuff for a few months. Enjoy watching TV without having your fingers busy the whole time for once, and don't worry, sooner or later you will have the desire to pick it up once again, whether its from simply having the desire to do something creative, seeing a cool pattern, or getting bored.

Answer 5

I go thru this alot. Just take some time off until you feel like you want to craft again. I don't think you should force yourself.