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Thursday, May 04, 2006

Confessions of an Addict

I have a confession to make. Some of you may already know this about me and some of you…don’t. Admittedly, I have an addictive personality and it’s always been a problem, whether it is chocolate or smoking or any number of things I’ve become addicted to over the years. I’ve never quite mastered ‘everything in moderation’ and to me…more and more and more and more is ALWAYS better.

Hi, my name is Kim and I’m a “craft junkie”. I have the dreaded disease that totally denies me the unadulterated privilege if going to a ‘craft’ OR ‘Art’ show and BUYING anything because I ALWAYS think to myself: “I could make that!” It makes me crazy. Nine times out of ten I never make it and I have even been known to return to the same art show in years following and think the same, exact thing. I figure it’s just God’s way of keeping me from spending money on a non-essential.

The ‘projects’ I do try most often end up costing more in supplies and tools then it would have been to buy the thing to begin with. This wouldn’t be so bad if it were an investment towards future projects, but I have the temperament that will do a project with a vengeance for about 3-6 months and then I’m done and don’t ever want to do it again. Is any of this sounding familiar?

I went to Hobby Lobby with my mother the other night. This is hard for a craft junkie. It’s the one place I could ‘max’ out a credit card (if I still carried any), and still go back for more. I have to do some prep work with myself. I give myself a little talk about what I’m going for (tonight it’s ½ price beads), how much I’m spending, and the limit of aisles I can peruse because I know what will happen.

My mother is no help. I’ll tell her as I’m walking away: “I’m JUST going to run over to the scrap book stuff to take a look at what’s on sale.” As I wonder off to scrap booking supplies or frames and home décor, she’ll be found over at the yarn picking up just another skein or two for some future project.

I’ve also tried the “I’m only going to stay in here 30 minutes” approach. The problem with that is I don’t wear a watch (I don’t want to be time bound all the time), and I lose track of time in the craft abyss called “Hobby Lobby”. There are just so many distractions…and so many cool projects or potential projects. I know I’ve gone over my time limit when I go in during daylight and leave when it’s dark.

I mentally reviewed what projects I have tried over the years and they include: sewing, crocheting, decoupage’, framed art, painting, scrap booking, jewelry making, some woodworking, furniture refinishing and reupholstering, photography, stained glasswork, glass etching, gift baskets, floral arrangements, wedding planning…I even did latch hook rugs AND macramé all those years ago…

Let’s look at just a couple, shall we. Sewing included purses, animals, clothing, wedding veils, pillows, curtains, blankets, not to mention the yards of ribbon and other “notions” I’ve purchased over the years within the “sewing department”. I LOVE ribbon. I love to embellish things with ribbon. I used to have quite a thing for buttons too, but I have reduced them down to two containers so the passion has passed. I was able to whittle down that collection during my “less is more” cleaning phase recently.

I have panels of stained glass, oodles of beads and picture frames and basically every color of paint available in the free-market. I have glue sticks and glue guns, scrap book paper and stickers, unpainted wood plaques and letters and tons and tons of cards and cardstock. I have stamps and ink. I have tissue paper and gift bags. The bottom line...is I could easily open a Hobby Lobby Outlet with all the “treasures” I’ve accumulated.

My Mother and I started beading last year at the beginning of football season (to pass the time productively) and we made 1-2 bracelets a piece each day. My dad actually gave my mom carte blanche with purchases of beads if she would stay busy and away from the television set. We each have over 30 bracelets. We have made 10 a week since August…yes, we have quite a collection.

Mom started selling them at work, so I followed suit and we have sold quite a few of the newer creations. My mother even takes special orders. I don’t do that…I have a thing about appreciating art as the artist originally created it and I cannot be TOLD how to make something! This was only a problem during my mural painting season. Oops...I got a bit off track…

We decided to start a “business” called ReKi designs (we only have a template created online but we’re getting there) and we are going to ‘sell’ our creations at shows this fall and online of course. What all this led to…is online bead ordering. I now order beads from several different ‘craft suppliers’ and together we have accumulated thousands of beads.

Thankfully Mom keeps the beads at her house and her dining room table has become the official creation workspace…except during holidays when they are packed away in a fairly small container until the food has been eaten and game time begins.

I made it out of Hobby Lobby the other night fairly unscathed. I took only cash and came out with change! Yeah! Hey, I only had $12.00 to begin with…so that’s pretty darn good for me. I only purchased 1 impulse item and it’s actually very handy for one of my gift stain glass projects so it can’t really be considered an “impulse” item…it’s more like a ‘necessity’. Sure I won’t NEED it for a few months, but now I have it!

I recently went to the garage sale of another ‘craft junkie’ and she had things her husband wanted to give away because they were either incomplete projects (planters painted on only one-side, etc.) or she didn’t even know what to do with them. Her husband offered to give one item away free if someone could tell him what it was used for. I knew, but it was too big to put in Maxx, so I didn’t say a word! It was sad. I felt for her. I feel her pain in giving up these things. I feel her pain of incomplete projects or projects gone “bad”. I had never seen her at Hobby Lobby, so she must be a “Michael’s” shopper. We only have the two stores, people and I’ve been to ALL the Hobby Lobby’s in Oklahoma and the surrounding areas.

I’m proud to say this “junkie” has almost made it through another week without taking on another “new project” or removing even one of those free patterns…the hanging temptations on every end cap throughout these stores. If you don’t know what I’m talking about just offer praise to God that you or your loved one has never been down this path of destruction. If you ever feel the urge to start a new hobby…stop and weigh the costs first or email me because I probably have all the supplies you need to get started!

Have a happy Thursday and happy ‘crafting’!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dr. Pepper is my weakness...and if I don't pay attention, I could literally drink 5 in one day....luckily, I am usually paying attention! :)

the lizness said...

I'm not an addict - stop laughing, I'm not!! I do start crochet projects but then get bored working with the same color or same project. AND I'm a perfectionist, so if it's uneven, I frog it. I've been working with the same gray yarn making a blanket - no, wait, it's a poncho - no, it's a tote bag! See what I mean?

(right now it's still a totebag)

kpjara said...

I'm so glad I'm not alone!

kpjara said...

You LIKE the taste of Diet Pepsi. OH friend, what have you done to the taste buds? It's bad enough it's Pepsi...but DIET pepsi....egads!

I'm with you on the coffee though...all the way!

someone else said...

LOVE the coffee, can't start my day without it. Hate diet drinks because of the aftertaste. My husband says putting lime in diet coke/pepsi helps it a lot.

I always admire people who make beautiful craft items. I can't stand doing crafts! But I love to sew clothing and tackle challenging patterns. Go figure!

HeyJules said...

I've gotten better over the years but it's been tough going. It was worse when my best friend lived with me for a few years because she could make a new project sound better than getting a new car. We'd get all excited, leave our credit cards as a down payment at Hobby Lobby and then come home to make ONE and then lose interest.

She lives in Michigan now and I am miles away in Kansas City. I miss her like the dickens but I have my charge card paid off and a little spending change in the bank so I call it even.

Once you get that site up and going let me know and I'll link to it from my "Artisans and Craftsman" section of my new place.

kpjara said...

I should have known this blogdom would be FULL of other addictive personality types... no wonder we all fit right in here.

"Hey Jules" I'll keep you posted about that website. I've just got to stay out of Hobby Lobby long enough to learn a little HTML or hire a designer! YIKES...

I love the new place BTW, especially the Monday Night THOUGHTBALL? Very thought-provoking stuff.

Aunt Murry said...

Hi my name is Mary and I am a craft Junkie also. When I moved across state lines I sold most of my stuff in a garage sale except for my beloved scrapbooking items. I have been out of the habit almost a year but I am sure as soon as I go to another crop I will be hooked again.

the voice said...

I also am an addict. You do not want to be around me if I have not had my caffiene fix. (ladies-think PMS) I guess I am also addicted to my lovely wife, but hey, that's an addiction I can live with. ;) Closest thing I ever did to the craft thing is having to glue on 10,000 gemstones onto my daughters dance outfit. Talk about one step from insanity. So I guess I can't identify with your crafting problem. I bet there is probably a group that can help you; Crafter's Anonymous. I can help you find a local chapter if you wish.....ROFLMAO Anyway, God bless you today Kim! Ken

kpjara said...

Now there's a dad that should get some award...WOW, I'm impressed...my father knows to just stay clear and say "Yes that's lovely" when we do the show and tell.

Do you think they'll have a crafting activity at Crafter's ANonymous? Cause I could sure unload some of these supplies there... Or we could ALL bring our supplies together and just swap it all out to try new things...

the voice said...

I do believe that would be a violation of their 12 step program, but hey, whats a little beads between friends.

Sally said...

Hi Kim, thanks for dropping by my sight...I sooo miss Hobby Lobby, we have nothing like that in the UK and I became quite addicted when we lived in Texas!!!

kpjara said...

Sally,

I'm so sorry there is no HObby Lobby, though it would probably make it easier to survive the de-tox!

Thanks for visiting. I look forward to reading more from you!

GiBee said...

Oh my goodness -- sooooooo addicted to crafting too. The funny thing is ... I just started a bead business, too! GiBee Designs... isn't that hillarious? I just started working on template ideas ... not as far along as you are, though!

You know what they say ... great minds think alike!

kpjara said...

Good grief GiBee! Too funny! I hope yours takes off so you can stay home with that darling baby! and make more of em'...kids, not beaded treasures!

We decided to do it strictly to have an excuse to shop for more beads, teehee..and it's very relaxing! My dream is still writing and I'm so looking forward to pursuing it full time, soon!