Confessions of a Polygamist Crafter

June 27th, 2008 in sewing, other crafts, jewelry making, knitting

Jennifer Worick, contributor

I return again and again to my cool craft love: jewelry-making.

I am frequently seduced by the sensuous pleasure found in making body products!

I love my knitting!

Photo: Jennifer Worick

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I’m a Jill of all trades, mistress of none. I knit, make jewelry, whip up potions, and now am starting to sew. Let’s call it CDD, or Craftenion Deficit Disorder. Or more appropriately, artdultery. As soon as I start to become really proficient, to commit to something, a new craft catches my eye and I stray.

I had a brief affair with crochet but, after an initially heady weekend, I realized it was a bad idea, at least for me.

I don’t know why I’m so resistant to something so clearly good for me. Maybe I like the bad-ass crafts. This would certainly explain why I haven’t embraced scrapbooking; it’s far too wholesome. To extrapolate what a friend once told me, scrapbooking isn’t the kind of craft you date; it’s the kind you marry. It’s the sort of craft that calls to mind sachets, potlucks, and paint-your-own-pottery parties. Lovely things all, but not quite dangerous enough for me just yet.

Knitting is another story. I’ve had a torrid l’affaire d’amour with it since I was swept off my feet during a memorable Thanksgiving a decade ago. I snuck away from my friends during that weekend on Orcas Island and rendez-voused with a local yarn during the wee hours of the morning.

And while some might consider knitting to be a safe, dependable craft you can bring home to mother, I find it mad sexy. Two male friends of mine once told me to put my needles away because an eligible guy was coming over and knitting was so not hot. I thought, “Wha wha WHAT??” Knitting is dangerously seductive, both to me and my gentleman callers; just think about my nimble fingers, if you're skeptical.

I had a serious crush on jewelry-making in my early twenties and to this day, whenever I need to ratchet up my cool factor, I return to it. Frankly, I like being seen with it. It’s hip, good-looking, everything I aspire to be (even by association). But jewelry design is not just another pretty craft; it has a hidden depth and sentimentality. For instance, after a long romantic evening with my grandma’s deconstructed jewelry, I emerged with a gorgeous crystal necklace that prominently featured her watch.

Even when I am in a committed relationship with a craft, I get the urge to stray, more often than I’d like. When I hit a craft show, like Portland’s Crafty Wonderland or Seattle’s I Heart Rummage, I dump my current craft quicker than Paris Hilton can swap out a designer handbag and I chase after a new project.

“Ooh, resin!”
“Look what I can do with Scrabble tiles!”
“Gosh, these business-card holders are super-cute; maybe I should start developing a checkbook cover line.”

Then I remember the 11th commandment and I check myself. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s craft. Okay, fine. I’ll go back to my knitting and my other crafty paramours. But until I get the fever for the flavor of a new craft, you better believe that I shall buy my neighbor’s craft.

Do you stray from your beloved, or is it just me? How do you manage to stay true blue to your craft?

posted in: sewing, other crafts, jewelry making, knitting, humor, omni-crafter

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Comments (5)

AmericanCurl writes: Oh, I relate! I do not scrapbook or make cards, though I do keep a journal. I tried to limit myself to fabric crafts once, but lately I've been going crazy over teabag folding - I have all these darling little paper sculptures and I don't know what to do with them! I'm thinking maybe they'd be nice to embellish a journal cover...but they've multiplied faster than journals! Of course, I'm still sewing...dolls, clothes, a brief dabble in quilting for a gift...and lately, embroidery is calling my name again! Posted: 1:14 pm on August 14th

Craft_Crazy22 writes: As assumed by my name, I am physically incapable of sticking to one craft! It gets so bad sometimes that I start crafts to try a new technique and get bored with it and move on. Just the other day I went through my sewing cabinet and was surprised at my how all over the place I am. Pajamas for my daughter that only need the ruffle on the bottom of the pants. That's like 20 minutes of work! Dresses that won't fit my niece anymore when they are finished. It's horrible. But I love it and I don't think I would change it... I've learned so many things. :D Posted: 10:03 pm on July 23rd

byabpryor writes: I am such a craft polygamist... I am glad I have a diagnosis. I use to think I was just allover the place... I think I will have to blog this.... Tomboy around Town and her many crafting loves:
jewelry
Ceramics
repurposing/recycling/upcycling
upholstery
paper crafts

I pretty much embellish everything...

Oh and my new love... photography!
Posted: 4:39 pm on July 7th

ShiningStar writes: I love being able to do more than one craft. It's so much fun. I'm always learning which is a passion of mine. Everything in your pictures look good. Have you tried journaling. It's related to scapebooking but it can be as wild or as tame as you want it to be. Posted: 9:26 pm on June 28th

MichaelaMurphy writes: Jennifer, you crack me up. I was so relieved to discover the moniker omnicrafter instead of thinking that I was just one of those who can't commit. See you soon Birthday girl! Posted: 10:17 pm on June 27th

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