Stepping Outside My Studio: The Joy of Being a Beginner at Craftcation

My introverted self is finally (mostly) back to normal after the weeklong creative whirlwind of Craftcation. This was my fifth year attending, and my third year teaching. Each year this conference gets better and better for me. I’ll write more about that in a later post, but for now I’d love to share the projects I made!

As a creative who loves learning, Craftcation is my favorite opportunity to try new crafts and enjoy the creative journey. By enjoying the journey, I mean loving the process of learning and creating, without obsessing about the final result, or overthinking every little step. Craftcation is my time to embrace imperfection, make peace with unfinished projects, and simply enjoy the flow.

Needle Felted Cat 

My favorite project was my first class of the conference: Needle Felted Pet Portraits by Ventura artist Michelle Wilson. This was my first time doing felt work and I had no idea what to expect. By the time I’d gotten my felt and started work, I only had about 90 minutes, and I did most definitely did not finish the project.  But I’m SO thrilled with the portrait of my sassy senior cat Zeela! 

Even with more time to finish, I think I'd still leave the “floof” at the bottom unfinished, since it reminds me of her actual fur. Interestingly, when I shared a photo of my creation with a few friends, one of them told me the floof at the bottom was “off-putting.” Um, wow. (We probably all have a friend like that, right?) It was good reminder for me about how I want to respond when others share their creations. One of my core values is lifting people up, so when a friend shares something they've made—especially when it's something they are excited about and most especially if it's a first attempt—I want to respond with enthusiastic support and share their joy! Unless someone is specifically asking for constructive criticism, there's no need to point out flaws or offer unsolicited advice.

Upcycled Orb

My next project was an upcycled orb workshop by Jenny Loubinos. This was a perfect low-key craft after a long day of teaching. (Funny enough, Jenny was a student in one my classes - I love this aspect of Craftcation, seeing so many teachers being students and vice versa!)  The orb came together fairly easily despite my fatigued brain, and I can definitely see myself making this in different sizes. As a science geek, I can't help but think of Calabi-Yau manifolds, and I love that I can now create some mind-bending doo-dads!

Dot Painting & Paint Mishaps

Finally, I tried my hand at dot painting with Ondira Caffey. The 2-hour class limit meant I didn’t achieve my full vision, but I loved learning this technique. I’m already thinking about taking some of my digital chainmaille mandalas and reimagining them in dot paint.

Confession time: You can see the smudges in the square piece. It *may* have face-planted onto my hotel room carpet and I *may* have stepped in it and tracked it. Maybe. Hypothetically speaking. Cue mild panic about the hotel banning future Craftcations because "the woman in Room 2016 made a mess” … but thankfully I was able to get ahold of housekeeping right away.  The staff worked their magic and the carpet looks as good as new, much to my relief. 

The Beginner's Mind: A Creative Recharge

Beyond the fun I had in class, I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to learn from other instructors. It’s always insightful to experience different teaching styles and class environments. It's also invaluable to remember what it's like to be a beginner again, keeping that perspective fresh for when I teach others.

I wanted to share these imperfect creations in case anyone needed a reminder that the beauty of crafting isn't about flawless results; it's about the joy of the process, the thrill of learning, and the pure satisfaction of making something. 

So, if there's a project you’ve been wanting to try, I’m here to encourage you to do it! Your first attempt is not going to be a masterpiece (if it makes you feel better, check out my truly tragic crochet cowl from my first Craftcation), and that's perfectly okay. Embrace the journey! Share what you’ve made with those who lift you up! (If you don't think you have anyone to share it with, feel free to email me your creations or tag me on socials - I’ll always be your cheerleader!) Just ahem remember to be careful with carpets and paint!

Have you tried any new crafts lately? Share in the comments!

To close this post, I'll leave you to enjoy this image of Zeela sitting with her portrait.