Art and Crafting for the Beginner

Art...just do it!

Art and crafting should be fun, however there are a couple of things that can be off-putting to the starting crafter.

For beginning any craft why go out and buy the best art supplies / materials only to find you don't really like that craft much at all?

Art is an exploratory process for beginners, finding out what you like and what you don't, and finding what comes more naturally when it comes to technique.

 
Recycle

When you start to craft, the price of things can be prohibitive. That's why its good to 'improvise' with what you have about the house or using cheaper storebought supplies. This way you become resourceful and more creative.

I quite often use 'kid supplies' - cheap materials. I like the 'silk purse from sow's ear' idea.

Some things you may have to buy but when you are beginning let those things be 'all purpose' materials.

Another thing that can put you off is your lack of confidence. The only way to get over that is to
 

• accept your work - this is where you are now. If you don't like it that much you can add to it or recycle it into other projects.

• keep practising - after a while you will find your style

Put yourself back to when you were a child and did things because you wanted to. This way you have the most fun.



 
What you get out of crafting:

• The benefits include the following:
• Sense of achievement
• When you are involved in an activity, time flies. You get to be 'in the moment'
• A tangible product for your efforts
• You get to refine techniques
• You get to nurture your creativity
• Exercise your problem solving abilities
• Stretch your thinking muscles