Confessions of a Polygamist Crafter

comments (15) June 27th, 2008

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Jennifer Worick, contributor

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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: humor, omni-crafter

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Comments (15)

KayKayCrochet writes: Ohh yes and Origami. Thanks youtube for feeding my addiction.
Posted: 1:00 am on July 8th

KayKayCrochet writes: I've been crocheting on and off and just picked up jewelry making. I've been trying to learn how to wire wrap although I don't have the tools to do polymer clay. I feel like I do a project and see something else and think, hey, that would be a lot of fun to do!! Then I have to buy more craft tools oy... I've done bows I've done scrapbooking and even dabbled in web design back in my middle school days (none of which was really that amazing). Mostly scrapbooks I've done are small, I made one for my old manager. She had worked at the store since it was remodeled and had a lot of frequent customers. Anyway, I have done hemp and friendship bracelets and even done some work with bottle caps using and ull or all however you spell it. I've done stamping and fineally in highschool I took a class for photography so any time I take a picture I'm always doing the thing of, is this the right angle? Lighting? Too much "noise" in the background?? Flash? No flash??
Posted: 12:59 am on July 8th

ChristinART writes: I've no shame in having many craft loves! I have mine on seasons...scapbooking summers, crocheting winters, jewelry springs, craft painting autumns, and sewing whenever I need a quick fling!
Posted: 11:45 am on April 13th

timandcandice writes: Your sultry words move me more than I could ever say. My life has been consumed for three years with college in a design degree so digital art became my medium...however the recent call of crafts has lured me and I stumbled onto your ring contribution and my true love, jewelry will have to wait...or will? You know torrid affairs can turn into threesomes where one old craft finds refreshment through the outlook of a new one. I bead onto bobby pins and your ring idea has given me food for thought *winks*.
Posted: 4:55 pm on December 10th

Terricka writes: My name is Terricka and I'm an Artdulterist. Yeah I used to blame myself for having commitment issues and feel guilty about never quite finishing a project. Maybe it is a mild form of ADD (CDD) or maybe it's just that bug, you know? I love them all (these points of inspiration) and each one gets me amped for the next hot young idea that enters my brain. Thanks for the read.
Posted: 11:50 am on November 5th

voodooeyes writes: Soooo glad i'm not the only one.And there is a name for us wow i'm so thrilled.I started sculpting dolls 17 years ago moved to porcelain went back to sculpting,and sewing,then photography,now i'm doing jewelry which i'm going to try to incorperate my sculpting into also(I hope,maybe?)But thank you so much you all give me hope that i'm not crazy.
Posted: 1:25 am on August 31st

TianDream writes: I have two dangerous words: Hobby Lobby. I try to go there only once a month for fear of spending the rent and food money. My kids need me to stay somewhat responsible.
Posted: 1:45 pm on April 5th

ladyjyl writes: What? I'm supposed to stay loyal to ONE craft? I like trying to learn different crafts (Ok, some I just cannot do more than once, latchhooking for example) if that's what I need to bring my latest gift idea to fruition. Maybe that's why I have a room full of craft supplies and many unfinished projects.
Posted: 1:02 am on March 30th

roxsan writes: I don't feel guilty about having a lot of interests. I make stuff - or work on a personal project - daily, in a variety of mediums, and I think it keeps me sane. I just wish I had more space and time for it all.
Posted: 7:43 pm on January 18th

Jen1964 writes: You've got me laughing, and that's good! As long as you can finish a fair amount of the launched projects, you're not too distracted. Actually, I LOVE doing crafts of all sorts, but RSI problems (Repetitive Strain Injuries) demand that I rotate them. Do some of several, and remember to stretch. If there's too much temptation, and you do more hours of one than you expected, run for ice, and try hard to think of something else!!! Once upon a time I was distressed about how I was going to fit all my favorites into my life -and still have a life. That's when it hit me: shift some of them like the seasons. That reduces the risks of overdoing it. As for the wide interests, I think it's inherited - you should see what my son does to tennis balls... and his smallest origami crane was about 1/8 inch in wingspan. With the things he came up with in high school, they nicknamed him MacGyver. By the way, what's tea bag folding? Never heard of it but it must smell good. It's a trip to see a family member or friend develop a new passion. And that's truly what crafts are about: need and passion.
Posted: 11:25 am on October 20th

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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