Here’s the thing: I should not be allowed to buy craft supplies.
You see, I always think that I will suddenly become a crafty person when the truth is, I am seriously lacking the crafty gene.
About 5 years ago, our MOPS group did a really neat Christmas craft. It involved putting different combinations of metallic paint into clear ornaments and shaking them up. The result was beautiful swirly ornaments that looked classy and elegant. We only did a few ornaments at the meeting, so I made a stop at the craft store on the way home so that I could continue to make more. I had visions of making beautiful ornaments for everyone in our family. I bought the ornaments and the paint (I had even written down brand names and colors so that I would get these just right). I spent close to $40, but I justified it because I was going to have a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and have many lovely gifts to give away. I got home and got to work.
I promise, I did it just like we had done at MOPS. Honest. But my result…well, not so good. The paint didn’t coat the inside of the ornaments like it was supposed to. Instead, it left some streaks along the sides and then pooled at the bottom in a gunky mess. Basically, it looked like I had let loose a teeny-tiny bird inside the ornament – one that had eaten something horrible – and that teeny bird had done what birds do best. Seriously – it looked gross.
I tried ornament after ornament, but to no avail. They would look nice for about 30 seconds, and then the paint would drip down, leaving ugly ornaments that no one in their right mind would hang on a tree. $40 down the drain.
I won’t regale you with all my failed craft attempts, but suffice it to say that I’ve been “inspired” on more than one occasion, and most of those inspirations resulted in sad little imitations of real crafts.
So I try to stay away from the craft store. When I do go in, I limit myself to things that I know I can work with. I am allowed to buy yarn (for crocheting). I’m allowed to buy beads (I can make very basic beaded bookmarks that would be good preschool crafts – since that’s about my level of talent). But other than that – no craft supplies for me!
Well…until the next time I’m inspired, anyway…
Oh my, I have to restrict myself in the same way. The thing about it is, I am somewhat crafty. I have visions of making a complete set of placemats for my kitchen, making every Christmas gift, etc. So I get these big ideas and spend all this money. And never make a thing with them! I hide it all under the steps in shame (perhaps that’s where I should hang out as well!)
I am pretty sure that I am never going to be a crafty person either. The really funny thing is that because of my ability to organize (and boss people around), and fill an open spot, I actually coordinated our MOPS craft position. I don’t usually have delusians of grandeur in that area, but we still have plenty of extra, unused craft materials, mostly for Amanda.