The Benefits of Crafting

One of the most significant advantages and joys of crafting is the reduction of stress and anxiety. Engaging in a craft activity allows you to focus your mind on creating something, which can help to alleviate feelings of worry and tension.

Furthermore, crafting can also improve your cognitive abilities. Creating something with your hands requires using various parts of the brain, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Engaging in a craft activity regularly can help to keep your mind sharp and improve your overall cognitive function. It may take some trial and error, but I’m confident that you can find a craft that fits your needs whether it is one to showcase your creativity or just to find a relaxing hobby.

Building Connections Through Crafting

From my upbringing in the Appalachian Mountains, I’ve always had an affinity for crafting. It’s something that continues to bring me immense satisfaction. Creating things with your own hands is a truly fulfilling experience that boosts self-esteem and provides a sense of accomplishment. In addition, another joy of crafting is the social benefits that it offers. It can serve as an excellent bonding activity for families, friends, and children’s friend groups. What could be more rewarding than to gather before the holidays to make homemade crafts or ornaments? Crafting is an excellent way to connect with others and build a sense of community. Whether you join a crafting group or take a class, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people and share your passion for creating with others.

Hint: Crafting at the holidays is a family tradition that I wanted to pass on to my children. Have each parent bring a simple snack. You can bring board games, sing carols, or have the kids watch a Christmas movie with popcorn (not for small children as it is a choking hazard) and hot cocoa. It is a great way to make the holiday season magical without expensive gifts.

Frugal but Perfect Gifts and Decor

Another benefit is that it can be a cost-effective approach to gift-giving, and making event decorations for parties, showers, or weddings. Several others and I made the flower arrangements and decorations for our daughter’s wedding. A dear family friend made a personalized quilt for the couple that was used as the backdrop for their wedding cake. Each person involved had different skills, but together we worked to make their day special.

Besides creating decor for an event, crafting can also help you create personalized and affordable decor for your home. I have made paintings, wall hangings, curtains, and flower setter pieces, among other items, for our home. Creating your decor not only gives you the chance to make treasures that suit your unique style, but it also gives you such a sense of accomplishment when they are admired by visitors. For those new to crafting, it can seem like a daunting hobby to take up. However, the rewards of the process can be worth the invested time and effort.

How to Find the Craft for You

Finding the perfect starter craft can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. To begin, I suggest starting with a project that aligns with your interests and passions. Take a look around your home and notice any recurring themes in your decor. Perhaps you have a love for all things vintage or a fascination with nature. Whatever it may be, find a simple project that speaks to your unique style and personality.

Remember, crafting is all about expressing your creativity and individuality. Don’t be afraid to break away from the latest trends and create something truly one-of-a-kind. Incorporate little treasures from nature walks, or sentimental items that hold special meaning to you. The possibilities are endless!

1. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new techniques. Mistakes are part of the learning process!
2. Remember, crafting isn’t just about the result. It’s about the journey and the sense of accomplishment you feel. So, take your time, enjoy the process, and let your creativity shine!
3. Check with your local library to see if they offer craft or painting classes.
4. Painting parties can be a good way to try out painting without investing in supplies.
5. Look for online DIY videos and step-by-step tutorials. Many are free to view, especially those found on YouTube. Other sites, like Craftsy, offer memberships that allow you to view classes and tutorials.
6. Pinterest is another good place to look for inspiration, tutorials, and even craft sites.
7. Blogs can be another resource for craft ideas, patterns, and DIY tutorials.

Finding Craft Supplies

Once you have decided on the craft that you would like to try the next step is to gather needed supplies. Craft and hobby stores will carry the supplies, but not every store will offer the same sort of inventory. A search online should allow you to find the most convenient store to meet your needs. If you are like me, Walmart may be the only store in your area that offers crafting resources. In a case such as mine, shopping online may be your best option. Other options may be looking around thrift shops and yard sales for items you can incorporate into your craft.

The Dollar General Store, and The Dollar Tree both carry some affordable craft supplies. Home centers and indoor flea markets are often the best resources for resourcing wood. Amazon is a resource for a variety of craft supplies and hobbies, and I often use it as a price comparison while I am shopping in person whether it is in a craft shop or at a yard sale, it pays to be informed.

Tips to Remember:

1. Don’t over-buy. For your first crafting venture, stick to basic supplies.
2. Remember that when working with children make sure the craft and supplies that will be used are age-appropriate.
3. I’d suggest that you start with a small project. As you build up skills and confidence, you will be less likely to abandon a larger project.

Ready, Set, Craft

Are you ready to unlock your creativity and experience the joy of crafting? I firmly believe that crafting is a wonderful hobby that can benefit your life in numerous ways. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving cognitive function and building a sense of community, there are countless reasons to start crafting today. With this in mind, why not give it a try and see how it can benefit you?

Links and Resources

I am sharing a few of my favorite instructional sites and craft blogs to help you get started on the crafting journey.

Craftsy offers classes and tutorials for various crafts: https://www.craftsy.com/

Craft Blog: https://www.marthastewart.com/1502461/diy-projects-crafts

Links to Several of My DIY Craft Posts

That You May Enjoy

• Up-cycled paper craft (beginner): Paper Bag Crafts (Angel and Ornaments): https://beeveecreativecrafts.com/homemade-appalachain-christmas-crafts/
• Mix Media Crafting (intermediate): https://beeveecreativecrafts.com/diy-dryer-vent-hose-pumpkin-crafts/
• Painting (beginner): https://beeveecreativecrafts.com/how-to-paint-a-pumpkin-fall-decor/
• Burp Cloth (Beginner/Sewing ): https://beeveecreativecrafts.com/burp-cloth-pattern-for-beginners/

I hope that you will embrace your creative side and discover the joy of crafting. I’d love to hear from you. I’d love to see your creations.

Thanks for stopping by, visit again soon,

Vikki

The post The Joy of Crafting: A Guide for Beginners appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

It was easy to find wild grapevines in Eastern Kentucky. Some of my best memories are of my siblings, cousins, and I stopping along the gravel road to pick and eat fall grapes. We’d get home with hands and clothes stained with grape juice, knowing full well that Mom was going to be upset.

Wild grapevines have long been a source of both food and crafting material in the Appalachian Mountains. Wild grapes make flavorful jelly, and the vines are used for creating wreaths and baskets.

I am going to show you how I craft my grapevines wreaths. If you love working with your hands and getting outdoors to find nature-farmed craft supplies, then I think you will love wreath making.

You Will Need:

• eye protection
• grapevines
• shape knife for cutting vines
• space to lay out vines and work
• long pants

Safety Matters

Creating Grapevine wreaths is not hard to do, but you may end up with a few splinters and scratches on your hands and arms as you work. Protective eye gear is recommended. Take care using the knife in tangled areas while harvesting vines. Also, it’s very wise to make sure that you know what a grapevine looks like. I have heard of people cutting poison ivy thinking that it was a grapevine. Avoid both poison ivy and poison oak, as both plants tend to grow in wooded areas along with grapevines.

When to Harvest Vines

You can use domesticated grapevines to create wreaths. Here, I am harvesting wild vines from our property. Make sure that if you are harvesting from someone else’s land, that you have the landowner’s permission. Spring is a good time to harvest and work on your wreaths as the sap starts to return to the vines from the roots making them more pliable. Vines can be harvested in summer and fall as well. Although, you will have to deal with sap that will drip from the cut ends during the summer and until the sap has receded in the fall). You do not want to harvest in the dead of winter because the vines will be more brittle and harder to work. Working in early spring will also help you avoid finding ticks and snakes in your vine thicket.

Choosing Your Vines

When you begin gathering your vines, you are going to want to harvest 5 to 6 grape vines that are about the size of your thumb on one end, tapering down to about the size of your little finger. Size of the vines doesn’t matter so long as you can work them and does not have to be exact. The vines each need to be about 20 feet long. For a larger wreath, adjust the size and length of your vines. Make sure that you lay your vines separately as you stretch them out on the ground (this will keep them from becoming tangled).

Once you have your vines cut and laid out, choose one to be the base for your wreath. Carefully shape one end of the vine into a hoop the diameter that you want your finished wreath to be. Hold the area near the end of your vine, and carefully pull the loose end through the hoop you’ve established.

In the photo below, I am tucking in loose pieces as I work. You can also see the angle that I position the vine in, to prepare pulling it through the hoop. Holding the hoop with my left hand, I move my right hand to the bottom of the wreath. I push the vine through the opening in the middle of the hoop (near the bottom of the wreath).

Make sure that when you began to pull your vine through that you do not try to make it bend too sharply or it will break.

As you pull it through, wrap the vine in and out as you move around the hoop. When you get close to the end of your first vine, look for an area where you can tuck the loose end inside your hoop.

Choose your next vine, take the end of this vine, move back about two inches from where you tucked the end of the last one, and insert the large end (the end where you cut it loose from the near the ground).

Work your new vine into a space within your hoop. You then will continue working this vine exactly as you did the first. Add the rest of your vines, one at a time, until your wreath has reached the thickness that you want.

Wreathmaking is something that takes a bit of practice to get the wreath to hold together tightly. Try not to be discouraged if your first attempt at making a wreath is not perfect. It took practice on my part as well. After your wreath has cured for at least a week in a dry environment, you can begin decorating your wreath by adding a beautiful bow and anything else your heart desires.

If you have enjoyed learning about this Appalachian craft, you may want to check out the Foxfire book series. The series is a collection of works that teach many of the skills used by mountain folk for centuries. You can find them at amazon.com and most public libraries.

Join me in an upcoming post as I work to add embellishments to my grapevine wreath. Have fun creating your first grapevine wreath. If you do create a wreath, I’d love to see photos.

Thanks for stopping in,

Vikki

The post Making A Grapevine Wreath You’ll Want To Decorate appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.