Craft Rant

I am so sick of being judged and being told I have too much stuff. I am an artist and a craftswoman. I am multitalented. At any given moment I have finished projects to sell, projects I’m still working on, and supplies and books for making future projects. If I only did one thing, that wouldn’t equal all that much stuff. But I do many things. I sew, I weave, I throw pots, I paint, I draw, I do quilting, I make jewelry and costumes. All of those things require their own set of tools and supplies. To cut any of those things out of my life would inhibit the flow and growth of my creativity. I’m sorry I’m not rich enough to own a warehouse and a gift shop where there would be a place for everything and everything in its place. Yes, sometimes I keep something for over 10 years. I don’t buy the theory that if you haven’t used something for a year you should get rid of it. Some of my best projects use items that are over 20 years old. It’s called vintage people. And it means more to me if it once belonged to my mother or my children or I wore it in high school. But I’m not going to change who I am or my calling in life just so people that do nothing but sit in a chair all evening watching TV can judge me for having too much stuff. You don’t need much stuff if the most creative thing you do is flip from TV station to TV station. And no, I don’t want you to come to my house and help me ‘clean up.’ I don’t come to your house and throw away your old stuff. I don’t move your furniture around to make your place look better.