Winter Hobbies and Crafts

CN, at least you are doing something pleasant with your time and it must smell wonderful.

Plantoid, I used to do lost wax casting 20+ years ago.  

The woman who ran the shop wouldn't let anyone near the crucible when she was casting our work and always wore a HEAVY leather shirt.  

When I asked her why she said, "I don't want any of you to know what it feels like to have the investment blow out the bottom of a mold and spew molten gold in a line across your chest and arms."  

I saw the scars.  She wasn't exaggerating.

Please wear a leather bib at least.

Wow, this is so interesting to see everyone's other interests. I've always felt that there are those people who love  making things by hand, and then others who have little or no interest in it. Gardening, being a hands on kind of thing, is probably something that the "makers" would gravitate to, so no surprise that folks here like making other things too. I've had a couple of small businesses over the years, one making jewelry. I stopped doing that when jewelry makers outnumbered everyone else put together at craft fairs. One thing I really enjoyed doing was etching copper, like in this cuff with ginko leaves. After jewelry, I became a soapmaker. I'm no longer selling, but I continue to make soap because it's just so good! I give it away to friends and family these days. These are two of the things I enjoy, along with sewing, knitting and I'm currently trying to teach myself to do watercolors. Having no artistic talent, that last one is a challenge! I've tried a little woodworking too.

Those are pretty, hammock girl.  Anything I make, I give away as making things like that, one would never make much profit from it, but giving it away makes it joyful.

I give most of my canning away as small gifts as I know they are appreciated, but to sell them, makes it slave labour if you count the hours spent making them.

Wow, HammockGal, that's a good looking cuff! What did you use for the resist? Sharpie?

Oh, my gosh! we have some talent here. Plantoid, waiting to see yours.

Kelejan wrote:I give most of my canning away as small gifts as I know they are appreciated, but to sell them, makes it slave labour if you count the hours spent making them.

I love making and giving, but I've never enjoyed or succeeded in crafting for $$.

mollyhespra wrote:Wow, HammockGal, that's a good looking cuff!    What did you use for the resist?  Sharpie?

Exactly! You can't get as detailed results as with UV film, but it's cheaper, easy to use...hard to beat, really. I love working with copper. Now that I have a Cricut machine, I'm thinking about making some vinyl stencils and sticking them to the copper, then etching. I thought after I retired, I'd have all the time in the world, but it hasn't turned out that way. But I need to make time to try it, hopefully soon.

Kelejan and countrynaturals, the reason I started those businesses was because my hours at work were cut, and I wanted to supplement my income. Ha! You're right about it being difficult to make money at crafts, especially considering all the time you put in, and it does take the joy out of creating when you're trying to make a deadline. It was both of those reasons that made me finally stop selling. I do miss doing craft fairs though. I loved the atmosphere and the camaraderie among the vendors. But I do enjoy doing it just for fun.

Hoping to see more examples of your winter crafts and hobbies. From fishing lures, to fishtail blankets, to lost wax casting...what a diverse bunch we are!

My winter hobby is not as creative as some of the things others in the forum are doing. The hobby is Flight Simulation. It's especially interesting flying on the VATSIM network with live Air Traffic Control and following real world flight rules. I may build a new flight sim computer this winter.  As well gardening is never far away so I'll be using my two AeroGarden units and in addition will grow microgreens. Finally I would like to do some ancestry research.

Sounds exciting, TD. I'd probably need a Dramamine to play in your arena.  

Hammock Gal wrote:I thought after I retired, I'd have all the time in the world, but it hasn't turned out that way.

Not for me, either. My to-do list gets longer every day.

Getting back into rock tumbling and rock painting, just in time for Christmas. I'm also going to use some of my creations in the garden. Getting in the mood!  

Anybody else got any ideas for gardeny Christmas crafts?