How To Indulge Multiple Crafts

Crafting is a great way to relieve stress, connect with others (especially your kids), give personalized gifts, and perhaps even make a little money on the side. Some people have one particular craft in which they really excel, which is great. However, sometimes more than one craft is appealing, which makes sense considering how similar some crafts are.

As a creative person, it makes sense that you would want to try your hand at multiple crafts at the same time. However, this can present problems as it relates to time management, storage, etc. Here are some ideas to perform multiple crafts at once without driving yourself crazy or cluttering up your home.

Buy Only the Supplies That You Need

People who practice only one craft often stock up on a good supply of raw materials, whether that be fleece fabric, yarn, beads, etc. However, when you do multiple crafts at once, it can be difficult to find room to store all those supplies, let alone keep them organized. In the long run, it can be much more efficient to choose your project first and then purchase crafting supplies as you need them for that specific project.

Note that this doesn't necessarily apply to tools. If you sew, you probably have a supply of needles on hand that you use for every project. You don't necessarily have to buy new needles or scissors every time.

Do Some Crafting Outside the House

It may not be either safe or practical to do all your crafting inside your house. Look for opportunities to do some crafting outside your house, especially when you're still learning. Not only is this more practical and safer, but it can also be less expensive, say if you rent the equipment instead of buying it, as well as provide the opportunity to meet and socialize with other people who share similar interests. An example would be if you are one of several people at a sewing shop renting hours on the machines.

Transfer Your Skills

Many crafts are similar to one another, though not identical. This means that the skills you learn doing one type of craft may transfer to another, making it easier to learn the newer craft. When you transfer your skills as you're learning a new craft, it makes learning so much faster, which makes it easier to pick up more than one craft.

The downside of this is that other people may tell you that your technique is not "correct." Take these criticisms with a grain of salt, at least. In most cases, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to do crafts. There is only what is commonly accepted. Unless a certain technique is unsafe, do it in the way that feels the most comfortable and natural for you.

Find Supportive Groups

It can be difficult to keep learning your crafts and stay motivated. One thing that makes it easier is finding people who inspire and encourage you to keep doing what you are doing. This can be a challenge, especially if you perform multiple crafts. It is easy to find groups devoted to one craft but harder to find those involving more than one. When you do find that perfect mentor, they can provide some great Business Coaching for your hobby. 

The solution, then, is to join multiple groups. To avoid making a serious time commitment, look for groups that meet on an infrequent basis. Another option is to find groups that interact online. Then you can typically get involved whenever you feel like it and have the time.

Time Your Crafts Accordingly

Some crafts are better to do at certain times. Keep this in mind as you are planning your activities. Good timing makes crafting easier and more fun.

While there are a lot of benefits to practicing multiple crafts at once, there are also drawbacks. Your skills may not be as advanced as people who devote themselves to only one craft. You have the choice whether to continue to dabble in multiple areas or narrow yourself down to one craft at which you learn to really excel. Just be sure that you are holding yourself to your own standard and not judging your skills by others. If you are satisfied, that is all that matters.