The Popular and Contemporary Arts

Two Mistakes People Make When They First Take Up Arts and Crafts Activities

26 March 2021

Bradley Carr

Here are some errors people make when they first take up arts and crafts activities.

They don't give themselves enough time to explore local and online arts and crafts stores

Lots of people don't allow themselves enough time to familiarise themselves with the arts and crafts stores that they visit when shopping for specific creative materials. This is a mistake, as new artists and crafters often have very limited ideas of what art or craft supplies are available. As such, if they don't give themselves an hour or more to wander through a store's aisles every once in a while, and instead simply walk in, grab the drawing pencils or sewing needles they need and leave, it may take them years to discover the mediums that they are gifted at using or which they find most fun to use.

These explorations of arts and crafts stores can also encourage a person to use supplies that are not commonly associated with the art they plan on making. For example, a person who is new to sculpture might, after exploring the crafting section of a store, find some faux flowers and reams of colourful ribbon that they then decide to use for the sculpture they're about to create. Likewise, a new painter might decide to use the gold leaf paper they find in the craft section as part of an acrylic painting they're making.

They don't take chances when making their creations

The other common mistake new artists and crafters make is playing it safe, instead of being bold when it comes to making their creations. For example, if a person picks up a sewing kit at their nearby arts and crafts store that comes with a pattern for a handbag, they might stick to the precise pattern, instead of sewing on some colourful patches or a few sequins, even though they think that these additions would look great.

People often make this mistake because they're afraid that if they branch out and add their own stamp to something they're making, they'll ruin the item and then will feel as if they have wasted the supplies. However, whilst it's true that not every bold choice a new crafter or artist makes when creating something new is going to work out beautifully, every project they take on and experiment with will endow them with knowledge and increase the chances that their next attempt at making a unique item will produce wonderful results.

For more information, contact a local arts and crafts store.

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