So I was just this second (well, maybe a bout 30 seconds ago with the time it took my laptop to load blogger), scrolling through a forum that I'm pretty active on. It's fab, gives loads of encouragement, help and advice on all things crafty, and there is a great community feel for non craft problems too. But today I came across something that has confused me a little?
I can't decide what I'm feeling. Anger? Not quite. Confusion, yes. Indignation? Definitely.
Basically, the crux of it is, someone saying that putting different charms or beads together to make a piece of jewellery isn't crafting.
Now, I'm the first to admit, that I buy my beads from online shops. That I buy my chains from shops or online. And I most certainly buy my findings in (although I did make a jump ring the other day...a little wonky, but it was a jump ring!) Apparently, this means I'm not a crafter?
What about my vintage charms? Am I meant to travel back in time, make them in the 1950's, hide them in a box under a tree and come back 60 years later to dig them up and use??
It has only been a year or so since I started making jewellery (or perhaps I don't really make jewellery? Just put things together?!!!), and before I started reading tutorials, finding articles online and asking for advice, there is absolutely no way in h...that firey place down below, that I would have known how to attach a pretty charm to a jump ring and an ear wire to make a pair of earrings! And, I'm sorry...you need pliers for this?!?
There may be a lot of the same things out there, a lot of the same charms being used in different ways, but this is the whole point of a woman's prerogative to shop around! To find the one we actually like!
My point is, that whether I make my own beads, or put beads I discover to good use, not everyone out there can do this, and doing it is a skill. Making something so pretty someone wants to buy it is also a skill. I'll put different things together in a way someone else hasn't thought of. Or maybe they have, but I'll do it my way. And if someone likes that, and someone wants to wear that. How? How I ask you, am I not a crafter?
You are a crafter and so am I. I also make jewellery from beads already made etc etc... like you say not everyone can do what we do!!
ReplyDeleteI think that sometimes some people make comments to wind others up. I think that they may mistakingly believe that they get attention from these comments and think any attention is good attention if that makes sense. Best advice is take no notice as long as you are happy with your work then it is no one elses business. Elissa x
ReplyDeleteI think you're right Elissa, but that's the great thing about having this blog, I can rant and then forget about it, I feel much calmer now! And the person that said this got no attention from me...don't even know if she had a link to click 'cos I just scooted straight over here! hehe x
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you...does a painter make his/her own paint and brushes??? NOOOOOOOO!
ReplyDeleteGood points raised! I see myself like an interior designer really, pulling lots of bits and pieces together from here and there to create an overall look/effect - but I still consider myself an artist/crafter too.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I was wondering if that was the case, (assembling things to make them look attractive) isn't making jewellery, OK then do knitters actually make the wool?! Or glass crafters make glass from scratch? Etc etc, I thought she was a bit harsh too!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think it was a strange thing to say. Does that mean that artists cheat if they don't make their own paint? Do bakers cheat if they don't mill their own flour... don't let it get to you chook!
ReplyDeleteSome very good points made, I agree!
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