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Home » Hobbies Articles » Which Craft Is Right For Me

Which Craft is Right for Me?

Diana discovered the joy of pottery after suffering a terrible divorce. Taking a seat at the wheel with a lump of clay, she felt an immediate release. Her mind cleared and her heart rate slowed down. She was able to relax in a way she hadnt for weeks. Better than therapyand medication! she happily reported to her doctor after her first day at a community education class, where she went on to make friends with fellow potters, further enriching her life.

For Kris it was counted cross-stitch. The repetitive motion of the needle passing up and down through crisp cloth put her in a near-meditative state, the way yoga does for some. In this state Kris was able to work out solutions to her daily challenges. It was like the ideas dropped into my mind out of the sky, she told a close friend.

Shawn found furniture restoration to be wonderfully soothing after a stressful day at the office. The raw scent of wood loosened him up, and he was surprised how satisfying it was to sit down at a table he had restored himself.

Such is the world of DIY. Discovering the right craft for your personality and temperament can be a reward that transforms your life.

The crafting world is as wide and diverse as a tropical rainforest. Each crafting activity has unique benefits and challenges. You could spend your entire life just trying out different crafts. While this may be fun, it can be expensive and frustrating. Should you desire to narrow your search down, this article will act as your guide by investigating the world of crafts as they fit into five spectrums. If one activity doesnt suit you, take heart. Crafting is for everyoneyou are bound to find that perfect match.

1. Short-term projects vs. long-term projects.

Do you have a need for immediate gratification? If you do, you might prefer cake decorating, ceramics, candle-making, lotions-n-potions, or cut-n-paste projects (scrapbooking, collage, and decoupage), which deliver results relatively quickly. Conversely, if you are known to possess the patience of Job, needlecrafts and quilting may be your thing. (Although quilting by machine cuts down the time dramatically). If you like long-term projects, pottery and gardening are also excellent choices, since they involve several steps.

2. Fastidiousness vs. playfulness/ looseness

Needlecrafts, baking, and jewelry-making require a meticulous and careful eye, whereas cooking, gardening and cut-n-paste projects are more appropriate for the playful type. Keep in mind that many activities can go either way or are best for those who can balance a bit of each quality.

3. Planner by nature vs. spontaneous to the core

If you dont mind doing a little math, counted cross-stitch, knitting, and crochet are great activities. Needlecrafts, quilting and sewing also require planning and pattern-reading. If all this sounds too boring or frustrating and you prefer to jump headlong into projects as soon as you feel an urge, cut-n-paste, candle-making, ceramics, or pottery may be a better fit.

4. Space available

Do you affectionately call your apartment a cupboard? If you need an activity that takes up little space or can be cleaned up in a jiffy, yarn and needlecrafts can be tucked away in a basket or a drawer. Baking and cake decorating use what you probably already have in your kitchen, and jewelry only needs a modest tackle-box with little compartments for beads and tools. But perhaps you have a room or a whole basement where a hobby could take up a permanent residence? Pottery is such a hobby. If you quilt by hand you will need a room where a fairly large frame can be set up (unless you only want to do baby quilts). A table for laying out and cutting patterns is required for sewing, and most people dont appreciate having to lug out the machine every time you want to work on a project. (However, it can be done.) Lotions-n-potions, and candle and soap making can be done in the kitchen as long as precautions are taken, but ideally they need a separate space, since you are using dangerous chemicals that you dont want to accidentally mix with food. Gardening is ideal if you have a nice-sized yard, but many green-thumbed apartment dwellers find cultivating the space around their windows, on their patio, or even potted indoor plants a satisfying diversion. Dont lose heart if you dont have space for an activity that interests youjust sign up for a community class!

5. Available funds for expenses

Each craft has a range of what you could pay for the activity, depending on your taste and willingness. If you are picky about using only hand-dyed, organically grown 100% wool yarn, you are going to pay a lot more than someone who works with an acrylic yarn available at the closest Woolworths. It is a good idea when just starting out to borrow someone elses equipment, or use inexpensive supplies until you know it is an activity you are going to stick with. Then you can slowly replace your supplies with quality items that you appreciate. On average, pottery and sewing require more expensive equipment to begin, while you can garden, cross-stitch, or cut-n-paste on a shoestring budget. Yarn crafts are the cheapest activities to try, since they dont require a lot of expensive equipment to start. Again, a class might be the best investment for the more expensive hobbies.

If you still aren't sure which craft is right for you, talk to other crafters about why they enjoy their craft. Ask if you can join them one day to see if it is something that appeals to you. Be patient with yourself as you begin each new activity--nothing kills the excitement of trying something new more than impossibly high expectations. Don't worry--as you continue, your skills will improve. You will also know better which activities suit you best.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

To Make More Sales, Get Out There and Network!

Do you have a routine of networking? If you are not reaching out on a regular basis, how will people know about you? You have to show up to networking groups consistently and persistently to build relationships.

Remember, EVERYONE you speak with is a potential client, referrer, center of influence, or joint project partner. Once you start viewing each person you meet as one of these things, it becomes easier and easier to engage in small talk at events.

When people ask you what you do, give them a compelling answer. Don't be shy â€" speak form your heart about what you do. It's what you believe in, so speak with passion. Get out there and TOOT your horn! Why keep yourself a secret?

Join associations and groups where you can rub elbows with your prospects in large numbers. To ensure you are attending regularly, plug meeting times into your calendar for the entire year. Keep in mind, you are building relationships with clients for the long haul. People are mulling your services over â€" just keep reminding them how remarkable you are â€" eventually they will do business with you or refer an associate.

One thing that is important for you to realize is that people aren't waking up in the middle of the night thinking I need a {fill in your profession here}. Instead, they are thinking about their problem: I don't have enough money, I'm in pain, I need to lose weight, I need to get out of debt, I need to save for my kids' education, and so on.

Your products or services provide them with a solution. But, services are generally an investment that people want to consider for a while. And so, part of your role as a remarkable marketer is to make sure you stay in front of them to remind them of the value you offer.

Here are a few ideas beyond networking events to help you stay in front of your customers and prospects:

-Give speeches about your area of expertise at the events your clients and prospects attend.

-Give free educational seminars.

-Write articles that give tips and advice to help your clients. Post these on your website in a resource area, send them in a print newsletter, or slip them in a handwritten note to your client.

-Provide free teleseminars online and send out an e-mail invitation.

-Provide a free ezine or newsletter with helpful advice.

-Create a blog that provides valuable information.

-Attend networking events consistently.

-Ask clients, prospects, and referrers for "coffee dates."

Remarkable networking is not about quantity; it's about quality. It's enjoyable, and it enriches the lives of both parties. If you want others to open the door for you, open it for them first. Building relationships takes time and patience, but it will serve you for life. People trust people who are their friends.

Often when we have a goal of making a sale, we try just once or twice and then give up. We say, "Well, I guess it's just not going to happen." To be truly successful, keep at it! This is true with networking and reaching out to prospects. Successful business owners are not at the top of their game because they are "naturals." It's because they don't give up. When at first they don't succeed, they try again and again and again until at last...they realize their goal.

Ultimately, people buy from people they trust and feel like they know. Eventually, you will get work from your networking efforts because you just happen to be in the picture at an opportune time. Or, it may be they have an associate who is looking for a service or product you have to offer, and who better to recommend than you?!

Keep in mind, you aren't going to stay in business if you keep yourself a secret - so get out there and make sure people know about what you offer when they are ready to buy!

Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven