As far as I could remember I have always been drawing, crocheting, sewing and any other type of creating I could find.. I learned how to do embroidery before I could really write my name. I crocheted when I was in second grade and made special gifts for everyone I knew. I mastered beading, ceramics, sewing, cooking and painting long before my times tables. I have never known me not to wish to create something from nothing. My dreams shows me colors, textures, projects and fanciful images that make it hard to get a good nights sleep but what is sleep when the need to create takes over...
If you are like me, your house is filled with every known craft - all the necessary supplies at your finger tips, all the books, DVD's and publications to instruct you and to inspire you thru to your next project. There is a famous saying "The one who dies with the most (fill in the blank) wins! Well, I plan to win on many art horizons. I can say that about fiber (doesn't count I do it for a living), fabric (I once did that for a living too) beads, stamps, and scrapbooking.
However, lately I have felt the need to unclutter. To stop the madness and focus. Yes, I took over 200 stamps to my retail store in town and put them up for sale. Now that still leaves me with about 100 but it is a start. I brought my scrapbooking supplies there too. I even managed to take some fabric there. O.K. I still have enought to open a fabric store but baby steps I tell myself. For those of us who have to create you understand my compulsion.
I would love to hear at what age did you found that NEED to create? What are your passions and compulsions? How do you control the need to own every tool, supply and materials to create that masterpiece at a whim? Please let me know I am not the only one...
7 comments:
You are definitely not the only one! My first memory of creating something was sometime before first grade- I was at my grandmothers and I was at some kind of city sponsored day camp making creatures out of different colored foam pieces. It seems when I look back - my fondest childhood memories are when I have been making something. As for controlling the urge to not buy and hoard everything- I can't say that I've mastered the art of "not" buying something! I need to declutter too...
I knew you would be so much like me. That desire I think is there from childhood. I guess that is why I hate that kids do not get ART in schools anymore. Keep creating and let me know how it goes on decluttering???
it was drawing and writing for me. Age 5 or 6. Although, I presume the drawing actually started much earlier. :)
I totally understand the trauma of getting rid of things. Last year, I sold my two french easels and oil paints, got rid of tons of art books, water colors, etc. I still walk around the house looking for them sometimes. I'm not sure why, the reason I got rid of them was that they hadn't been used in years. It's just somehow a comfort to know that I could have painted again if I wanted too . . .
I so understand - the moment I send some items on their way is the moment a great idea hits and those items would have been used. I then kick myself and say "See you did need that". However, the sense of freedom is also there - strange but I guess that is the creative mind... At least I am saying it that way so I do not have to lay on a couch and spill my guts out to a stranger - Nope I do it here!!!
Grace, the neighbor girl, Teresa, was 2 years older than me. She started doing crafts at a very young age and she was a good teacher. She taught me to do needle work at 9 years old. I can remember we went out and dug up clay and sit on the back steps and made things out of the clay.
I also had a grandmother that sewed, and every other needle work.
I learned that I could sketch and draw while the teacher was lecturing in high school and I retained more of what she was saying...my EMT teacher would always want to see what I sketched and then began requesting special sketches.
Art has always been my source of relaxation, my out from the hectic world around me.
I need to declutter too.
Sarita
My earliest memory of creating was sitting at the table with my crayons and the box of Fruit Loops, trying to draw the Toucan. I was probably 4 years old. The first thing I made using home arts was a cross-stitched cardinal that mama still has hanging on her wall. I cannot imagine not creating. I have often wondered what ladies who don't craft do in their spare time! I am terrible about seeing a new craft and having a uncontrollable urge to learn and conquer it! I have lots of potential projects in my craft room, and I think my satisfaction comes from know I CAN do them if I so choose to!
~Lori
Oh Lori - a gal after my own heart. I love your Toucan story - great!!!! I had a melt down the other day because I did not have the "Right" thing at 1:30 in the morning when my creative thoughts went wild - what do other folks do at 1:30 in the morning??? Oh, they sleep.
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