My craftwork is crap!

[Miss Chicken]

Because I have been getting bored in my 'retirement' I thought I would take up some more hobbies. I decided to look at various types of craft work.

So far I have been concentrating on making art trading cards and also toys. I have made the following toys out of socks.

I still need to put a face on the doll. I thought I might embroider some eyes on instead of using toggle eyes or buttons. I have never embroidered anything in my life.

Can anyone tell me of any good books or websites for beginners (soft toy making, embroidery, scrapbooking, drawing etc). I have already ordered a book on making jewelry from polymer clay.

I also plan to relearn how to crotchet. It has been about 15 years since I picked up a crotchet hook. I might even try to learn to knit (I haven't knitted anything for about 35 years).

I would also like to see examples of other people's work and any suggestions on other crafts I could take up.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Does your fish have a mohawk?

 

[Finn]

Looks like a creative way of making a dorsal fin. Some fish do have ones shaped like that.

 

[Miss Chicken]

Yes, he is a punk fish.

I was planning to sew a few sequins on him for decoration (a bling fish) but the Chickenfeed Store didn't have any so I used a fluffy pipe cleaner on him instead.


I bought some felt yesterday so the next fish will probably just have fins made out of that.

My friend has challenged me to make one toy each day for a month.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

The starfish is my favorite, it looks like a peppermint starfish.

 

[Jadzia]

I like the snake. Does it have those eyes that wobble about?

 

[Miss Chicken]

Yes, it has eyes that wobble.

The snakes are the easiest to make. I have made three so far.

For the animals I am using patterns out of the book shown in this video


[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpZGA6RgbeU[/yt]

I am only making the easiest (beginners) animals so far - snake, starfish, fish, turtle, jellyfish.

 

[auntiehill]

I don't think those are crap; they're actually kind of cute.

 

[Miss Chicken]

You would think they were crap if you could see how poor the stitching is. I can't draw a straight line, and I obviously can't stitch one either.

 

[Spot's Meow]

Very cute! I have been more crafty than usual lately as well. Here is a little case I crocheted out of velvet yarn for my Kindle:

I have also been making friendship bracelets lately. Here is one I made with a pink ribbon in support of breast cancer research:

I even put these up for sale on Etsy. If anyone is interested I will direct you to my shop.

Soon I plan to start crocheting some socks for one of my sisters.

 

[Jadzia]

You would think they were crap if you could see how poor the stitching is. I can't draw a straight line, and I obviously can't stitch one either.

I'm not very patient with hand stitching either. The most recent things I've made in the sewing line are the two cushions I have on my bed. I'd like to add two or three more so I can shuffle them about.

 

[Miss Chicken]

Spot's Meow - have you sold much of your work yet.

I think the band is lovely, as is the Kindle case. I especially love the colour of the yarn on the Kindle case. I imagine the case protects your kindle better than some of the store bought expensive cases do.

Jadzia - I think lack of patience is my main problem.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I just posted the items to my shop a couple of days ago, so I haven't sold anything yet.

The Kindle case is very soft feeling, but also thick, so it provides great padding. I also made a purple one out of slightly different yarn that is also thick.

I am not very good at stitching either. Although I feel like I have done very well with crocheting items, I can't sew at all. I had a harder time sewing the button on the Kindle case than actually crocheting it.

Don't feel bad about your work though - handmade items are meant to be unique and not perfect. That's what makes them special and memorable (to both you and whoever uses the item).

 

[Miss Chicken]

Here are a couple of my artist trading cards

 

[Gov Kodos]

They look cute. Maybe you could expand into something that is Tasmanian in theme- unique animals, plants, making a collection of characters who interact together.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

If you're new to this, don't worry if they seem "crap" to you at present. Those are just fine for the first batch. You'll get the hang of it, I'm sure. I for one would be hopeless at attempting this sort of thing...

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

They look cute. Maybe you could expand into something that is Tasmanian in theme- unique animals, plants, making a collection of characters who interact together.

Thylacines FTW.. here's a cute one:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/26219695/benny-the-thylacine-or-tasmanian-tiger

 

[Miss Chicken]

They look cute. Maybe you could expand into something that is Tasmanian in theme- unique animals, plants, making a collection of characters who interact together.

Thylacines FTW.. here's a cute one:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/26219695/benny-the-thylacine-or-tasmanian-tiger

He is gorgeous.

I would be happy if I could make something as good as him.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Well you could! If you had a pattern. If you feel like your stuff is a bit rough, odd stitching etc.. why not just make it look like you are doing that deliberately.

 

[Miss Chicken]

I have some felt. I bought it yesterday because I thought working with felt might be easier than working with than socks (which of course are very stretchy).

Now I only have to find some patterns. I have looked at a couple of books on Amazon. i might order one on Wednesday.