8 Things to Know Before You Start Crafting

If money were no object, many people on earth would make art all day long. Something in the human spirit cries out to create. Crafts provide a means of self-expression, therapeutic release and even self-actualization. 

Are you ready to dig into the exciting world of expressing yourself? There’s no end to what you can create, from candles to Afghan’s. However, here are eight things you should know before you start crafting. 

1. You Might Have to Do Math

If algebra was your least-favorite subject in high school, take heart. You’re never too old to brush up on your skills and exercising your gray matter is one way to stave off dementia and preserve your brain health. 

How many balls of yarn will you need to complete that quilt? What’s the equivalent of a British or Canadian size-9 knitting needle in American terms? How much soy wax must you order to refill all your repurposed candle jars? 

Please don’t let the initial frustration of needing to run back to the store deter you from your course. You’ll get better at estimating as time progresses and gain expertise. 

2. You’ll Need to Gather Your Supplies

If you need a bit of retail therapy, you’re in luck. Once you decide how you want to express yourself, it’s time to head to your local crafts supply store. 

While your precise shopping list may vary depending on what you decide to tackle — knitters will need different gear than painters — you should stock up on certain basics. Nearly every crafter needs the following items in their inventory:

• Paper: Gather newspaper, wax and tissue paper. 

• Glue: Depending on your specialty, you might need craft, fabric, hot or superglue.

• Scissors and knives: Nearly any craft requires you to be able to cut a clean line. 

• Pencils and pens: Grease pencils come in handy for fabric, while tiny golf pencils make barely detectable marks. 
• Storage bins: You want to keep your supplies neat and organized. Invest in plenty of storage, especially for smaller items like buttons and sequins.

3. A Dedicated Craft Space Is Divine

You might not have room for a dedicated craft space if you share a studio apartment with a roommate. However, you can get inventive if you have a bigger pad. 

Attics and basements often go overlooked, but you can fix them up into a craft room in no time. Pay particular attention to heating and cooling. In winter, basements can feel damp and attics can become saunas on steamy summer days. Adequate ventilation, fans and space heaters help you stay cozy while crafting. 

If you don’t have such areas, consider a corner of your garage. Those with deeper pockets might go the she-shed route, creating your own cozy cabin that’s all about crafts. 

4. You Don’t Necessarily Need Artistic Talent

Guess what? It doesn’t matter if you failed art class in high school. You can still embrace creativity and self-expression through crafting. Not every project requires you to paint or draw. 

For example, you might take up candle-making, repurposing old jars with a fresh bit of soy wax and your favorite essential oil. Cross-stitch has you following a pattern, almost like a fabric paint-by-number. Knitting requires more hand-eye coordination than artistic talent — it takes a bit to get the knack of knit-one-purl-two, but your fingers will fly once you do. 

For a relaxing twist, you could even experiment with making natural CBD candles, which combine soothing aromas with the calming effects of CBD.

5. You Can Be Eco-Friendly 

Are you concerned about climate change? Repurposing old items is even better than recycling them because it doesn’t require machines to convert the raw material to a usable form. Plus, you get a free stash of supplies. Does it get any better? 

Are you spring cleaning your closet? Why not make a pretty wreath with those holey T-shirts instead of turning them into rags? Even used soup cans can become adorable pencil holders when you cut a paper to fit and paint or color it with a festive scene. 

6. You Can Involve the Whole Clan

Could your family use a bit of bonding? If so, why not do it around the crafts table? 

Even the tiniest tots can get in on the action. Little hands can make pretty finger paintings or make stamps with fruit to create designs.

7. You Can Start a Small Business 

If you get so proficient at your craft that friends and relatives rave over your designs, why not convert your passion into cash? It doesn’t take much to open an Etsy shop. Some people work so hard on their site that they amass enough money to buy a home in a few years — not an easy endeavor in today’s market. 

Another avenue you have to peddle your wares are craft fairs and farmer’s markets. You can set up your canopy for a small fee and delight other locals with your artistry. 

8. You Will Improve Your Mental Health 

The human soul cries out to create, to make its mark, to leave a legacy. Crafting can fulfill your existential need for meaning and purpose. 

What gives your life meaning and joy might not have anything to do with your chosen career — and that’s okay. Your craft time can become a respite, something to look forward to on challenging days. It’s the perfect mindful stress reliever, centering you in the present moment as you attach sequins and hem your new dress. 

Things to Know Before You Start Crafting

Crafting is a magnificent way to bond with loved ones and express your creativity. It can bring meaning and purpose to your life and maybe a bit of extra cash, too. 

Take note of these eight things to know before you start crafting. Then, get started and share your artistry with the world.