Musings on Arts and Crafts: A Tale of Those That Do Them vs. Those that Buy Them

There was recently a display in the main public area of my retirement community with several hand-made projects beautifully created by fellow residents. Articles included intricately patterned knitted infant sweaters, to elaborately embroidered linens, stunning needlecraft covers for foot stools, water color paintings, ship models, and many other mediums—it really ran the gamut of creativity, all well done. How I do admire the ability of those that have such talents.

My earliest introduction to arts and crafts probably began in kindergarten when we made flags by attaching a small piece of paper with a crayon-colored flag to a tongue depressor. The only good memory I have of that first project, was the smell of the paste used to assemble it. (Since I can still recall that odor, perhaps I “sniffed” it more than I should have, which might explain why decades later I became a “vaper”—but that’s another story!) Throughout the rest of my elementary years, various forms of “art” were taught and the teachers would then hang the best efforts up on the walls. The rest of us took our artworks home but mine never even made it to the refrigerator. By junior high, we were exposed to more sophisticated styles such as drawing in perspectives or 3-D images. Apparently I must have been absent from school for those sessions because to this day I cannot draw an even passable likeness of a cube. This caused me no concern as it was a skill I never needed until a few years ago. I found a self administered “cognitive test” for seniors that was developed by the The Ohio State University and consisted of several tests for awareness, memory, appropriateness and sequencing abilities, basic mental math, recognition, etc.. Pretty standard fare that is used in various forms today. I was sailing along feeling very confident as I did not cheat and then it happened: I was shown a cube and asked to draw my own! All I can say is that Heaven only knows where I’d be today if the test had been real!

I joined a knitting club in eighth grade and actually won a prize for “originality”. It was purely by default as in the process of knitting a long scarf, I discovered I had dropped some stitches along the way and there was a lovely hole just below mid length. My mother, a true knitter, quickly crocheted around the hole so that it wouldn’t unravel further. I presented the finished product by tucking one end into the hole and pulled it through, thus ensuring the scarf would not slip off from one’s shoulders. And, yes, I did accept the award!

I purchased a basic sewing machine from a friend when my eldest daughter was about three and proceeded to buy some corduroy material and a Simplicity Jiffy pattern that only had three pieces. This surely was something I could cut out and sew together. I had that machine humming away and as I clipped the final threads, I called my daughter to come try on the jumper I had made for her. I hate to tell you but it rested on her shoulders as I somehow had sewn the armholes together. True story! Thank goodness I was born with a good sense of humor to make up for what I lacked in talent but I believe that was when I began resorting to safety pins and staples rather than sew.

For years I was a volunteer hostess at the Tucker House in Colonial Williamsburg—a place for donors to come in from the elements, have light refreshment, good conversation and meet some of the artisans. This house was also the site of the first documented Christmas tree in Williamsburg which appeared in 1842. Each December a magnificent tree would be erected in the house and the volunteers were asked to make a hand-made ornament to represent how Folk Art trees used to be adorned. They had pattern books and ample choices to choose from but for me, the directions and skills needed were beyond my capabilities. But my—how impressive and creative the other volunteers were! Their efforts were stunning and well received. I politely bowed out of that particular endeavor and wore a little pin during the month of December that read “I don’t do crafts.”

And so it went with all my attempts to be an artsy/craftsy person. My art skills were so bad, I could only play the game Pictionary with my family if they allowed me to cheat.

I could however, buy creations made by others which I frequently did. In the end, I think it all balanced out. There are always Makers and Buyers. Kudos to all the crafters out there!