As I begin my dive into a new craft, I have to wonder why I pick such -ing expensive hobbies.
My shopping basket at Spoonflower holds $150 of merchandise. Better than the $350 that it did before the paring, but still. My KnitPicks cart has $597 and my cart at The Loopy Ewe has $130. None of this $877 will be spent on a SINGLE constructed object however so that price in no way includes my time. Granted, not all of the supplies will make something for me…in fact in the KnitPicks cart only $150 is for making me anything!
And then I remember…
It may cost $36 for the fabric for a skirt but it costs $38 for a basic, bottom-of-the-bin rock tumbler.
It costs at least $99 for scuba diving lessons.
A set of womens golf clubs are $600.
And I couldn’t even find a price for underwater basketweaving lessons but I bet its a combo of basket weaving class ($40) and scuba diving lessons ($99)…oh wait…I guess I can take that Underwater Basket Weaving course as close as Portland, OR.
I spend the money on my crafting supplies because they are a hobby but one that I take great pride in remembering that after enjoying playing around with said supplies, I MAKE something with those supplies. Yes, those $600 golf clubs are only bought once but after you play a round, what do you have to take home with you? If I buy $600 worth of fabric, I have a few outfits in the end. If I buy $600 of wool to spin firstly I get to spin it and then I get to knit it and wear the outcome. I get to see photos of cute kids in my knitwear. I get to wear warm socks and sweaters and show off my creativity to just about everyone because, no matter who you are, knitter or non, if I tell you that I am wearing a sweater that I knit myself, you will take a moment to admire it and praise me for my industrious behaviour. I don’t think that many Sunday golfers get that satisfaction when announcing their scores to non-golfers.
Will I buy those carts today? Well, my Loopy Ewe cart has been there for over 6 months and considering the size of my sock yarn stash, I’m pretty sure that one is safe for a while.
The KnitPicks cart may get moved about a bit with more going to the “Wish List” to be bought at a future date when other projects get finished.
The Spoonflower cart?
Mine, all Mine. And a great start to my new craft.
3 comments
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September 28, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Jenni
“praise me for my industrious behaviour”
I love that.
You’re right, it is fun when people do that.
Also, I get a kick out of every time you spell like a Brit. 😀
September 29, 2011 at 12:38 pm
momster
Now I know why you were asking about making things…the machine!! It looks simple and sturdy…I bet it will last forever!! I believe most women experience a “Mother Earth” period in their lives…I think yours will stay with you permanently!! Lucky girl…xoxoxo. You will love seeing all those projects re-made and remembering what they were once…just shows to go you that everything/body has more than one life!
October 4, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Bonnie
I love making things. It’s a great way to spend my time, and much better than just sitting on the couch in those hours between work and sleep. Carry on! (And I really, really wish you hadn’t introduced me to spoonflower in this post. So dangerous.)