I don’t know if this happens to you but sometimes I choose YES, CHOOSE to do certain crafts without really thinking too much about it and then while I am doing said craft I realise that it just isn’t going to work out the way I envisioned it.
This happens to me A LOT. And then I get cross at my DH for not being able to/wanting to rescue it for me. And then I throw it across the room. And once I’m done throwing my tantrum, I pick it up and display it.
So. Dud craft #1:
I was inspired by this craft that I pinned.
Source: theidearoom.net via Julia on Pinterest
I will admit that I didn’t read the post properly because if I had done that then I would NOT have pinned it. I usually pin in a hurry and I really should stop doing that.
When I eventually read the post i.e. on the Friday afternoon before the Saturday morning that I was going to be doing it, I saw that I needed weird stuff like embossing whats-its.
STILL I was not put off. I had a vision. I knew EXACTLY what I was going to write on the candle and who this gift was going to go to. I bought a few candles (at no small cost btw) to practice on first.
Then I went to the craft shop (with a print-out of that blog post) and they didn’t have everything that I needed. According to them I needed to go to The Deckle Edge (very larney, expensive art materials store in Constantia) to get one or two things. However, they had an alternative solution for me. I could buy a specific pen that they stocked which was generally used to write on candles. I paid R50 for this pen and I figured it wouldn’t be a waste because a personalised candle was a cute, cheap gift for any person on any occasion. And it did seem easier than working with embossing tools and so on.
So I went home. And I wrote on the first candle. The ink ran. I wrote on the 2nd candle. The ink ran. I wrote on the 3rd candle. Rinse and repeat.
I made my DH write on the 4th one – he is an artist and has that wrist thing down pat. His one looked WAY better than my 3 but still not good enough. He told me to go and buy more candles so we could practice. He felt that one just needed to get the nick of it and perfect the technique (apparently in the wrist) and that it would come with more practice.
I said “HELL NO”. I was not going to waste any more money or time on this project. This was meant to be fun and it was causing me anxiety and palpitations about this money that was now essentially DOWN THE DRAIN.
So I left it and that was that. I did allow both Child1 and Child 2 to add their own “mark” to it. Child 2 coloured in the top bit and messed all over my desk in the process, Child1 drew what I think is meant to be a sun – I forgot to ask.
I still light the candles. And I like telling them to light the hope candle or the love candle or the joy candle or the peace candle.
IT does add something to the atmosphere within the home when they are lit and it serves as a reminder TO ME of a few things:
1. Don’t jump into things without thinking them through
2. Have a Plan B.
3. Be mindful about what I’m capable of (as someone who is not naturally artistic and who has to fake it till I make it)
4. Remain humble. Because no matter how fantastic your art is on one day it really can turn out rubbish the next day. An artist is only as good as his last creation. OR something like that.
5. Don’t be embarrassed by your mistakes. You AND others can learn from them.
6. Mistakes are EXPENSIVE!
Having said all of that, here are two of THOSE candles. I hate them and sometimes I love them. Actually they have grown on me and I can officially say that I like (not love) them.
This particular one reminds me to ALWAYS have hope. Even during the very dark/ugly/difficult times.
Have you had any flop crafts lately? Does it happen often?
Ps…let me know if you want that pen. I will hand it over with pleasure. FOR F.R.E.E. I still have it and it just feels wrong to dump it.
I think those candles are gorgeous!
LOL now see, I’d never have pinned it – I know that’s not for me – I am not in the least bit “delicate” and have no wrist action
I need to also stick to paper crafts! (my one, true love)
Keep the pen as it will come in handy for other crafts I’m sure. I actually love your candles! So there!! What embossing stuff do you need? I might have what you need in my box of tricks. (which will all be moved in 2 weeks to the flat and then we’ll have winter tea and crafty arvie.)
I’ve not been here to comment much but I’ve been reading all your posts. How much do you lurvvve Rose? I read Hunger Games on Sunday. We should figure out the book club thing then you can read it too.
I really think they look pretty. Forget teh picture you had to start with and appreciate the ones you made. And keep the pen and use it on bigger candles.
I like them too. So it looks nothing like what you pinned, but if it did it would be a copy. Now it’s a CREATION!
Well, I have to be honest and say they sure look Dud, but that’s because you showed us what to expect! At least you learn through it. So just try again
I think that they are lovely! I really do!! Maybe it was the candle, not the pen
xx
i think the problem with arts/crafts is that we are so outcome based….we see something we love and try to reproduce it….i think if you had made your candles WITHOUT seeing that pinned pic you would have been ecstatic with them. I LOVE them. They speak simply of beautiful imperfection. You should be proud.
Ok look they are not shopworthy but they are special in their own way. They allowed you to try something new and to learn to have hope even in the dark times – not to shabby an outcome if I say so myself.
I think that perhaps if you had allowed yourself some more practice, you would have ended up with some shopworthy ones
xxx
My darling – the one you pinned was made using rubons – that’s why your’s looks nothing like it! I have those exact rubons in my scrapbook stash and there is NO WAY you could get the same effect from a pen.
Now, onto yours. They are gorgeous! You’re so clever!
Was wondering if you have a beanie pattern for me? In chunky wool? for a 6 yr old? please? xx