I tend to be a procraftinator. Urban Dictionary lists this as “someone who avoids a task by engaging in one or more crafts that they likely will not complete.” There’s probably a 12-step program for this somewhere that begins with a ball of yarn in an attempt to knit a scarf before paint and stamps and beads are added; by step 10 a Silhouette is involved and you still can’t find the scrapbook paper (still in the bag from the store) that was put in a safe place to complete step 7.
Sound familiar? If not, kudos to you! I admire your ability to complete what you start – and there’s no sarcasm in that statement whatsoever. Finishing a task is worth celebrating! On the other hand, if it does, you’re in good company. I’ve met many a busy person who struggles to contain their creative energy to the project at hand – especially when the only time you break out the regular colored pencils (as opposed to washable ones!) is during naptime.
Over time, I’ve learned (or at least strive to) minimize the number of crafts I have going at any given time. One year, our family New Year’s resolution was to complete all of the unfinished craft projects in the house. Piles of wood were turned into bookcases, yarn found its way into scarves and blankets and shawls, and by the end of it we were searching for more projects because the feeling of completing something and gifting it was as fulfilling as working on it.
Several years ago, I was blessed with 5 large trash bags (think lawn-sized bags!) of quilting fabric. When it comes to learning, I’ve found that learning by immersion is the best way for me to remember and fully understand what I’m doing, so I decided to take this opportunity of fabric inundation and turn it into a year-long adventure. I set out to make a quilt a month for the entire year. It sounded daunting at first, but eventually I found a rhythm and got underway. Friends and family each got quilts for their birthday or at Christmas, and there was a marked difference in the quality of work from the beginning of the year to the end. There was everything from wall hangings to queen size, farmhouse to patchwork, and some that were so dizzying they went into a bag never to be seen again. (Directional fabric matters!) In all, 37 projects were completed, and I was able to pass fabric along to others as they learned, too.
It was a great experience, and I enjoy quilting, but I really didn’t love feeling locked into a single craft. I really needed to mix it up to incorporate other outlets, too. With all of the varying interests we have going on here, we’ve learned a handful of ways to contain the clutter, not get bored, and still be able to do what we love.
· Each craft gets only one project at a time. I can have multiple yarn projects going at once, but only one that’s crochet, only one that’s knitting, only one that’s weaving, etc.
· Bless someone else. I love to keep my hands working, and I often crochet dishcloths on the go since it’s a quick and easy project that’s portable. Also, there are only so many dishcloths that my kitchen drawer can hold, so passing them along to friends and family allows me to stay busy while also blessings them with something useful.
· Stack function. In permaculture, we look for ways that do more with less. One of my favorite shawls to wrap up in on chilly nights is actually a color sampler I wove in a class a handful of years ago. When it’s not being worn or used for reference, it hangs on the back beam for decoration, and when I go to sit at the weaving bench it can easily be folded and used as a cushion for when I work.
· Refrain from impulse buying. Yes, that Diamond Dotz kit may be adorable and on clearance for $3.00, but when there are seven others at home still unfinished (and the completed ones aren’t displayed and there are no future plans for them) it may not be the best use of time, money, and space.
What about you? Are you a procraftinator, too? Have you found a way to pare back the crafting clutter?
Until next time…
Sarah