Why I love jewelry artisans

[#1]

Many, many moons ago, when I was preggers with my son who is now 16, I was bored out of my gourd because I was confined to bed. My well meaning sister sent me some rudimentary beading supplies. She figured since I loved handmade jewelry so much, I ought to take a crack at making it. It was hilarious. I sooooo suck at making jewelry. I have neither the fine motor skills required or the patience. I like to slop paint on paper. I like to dribble and be messy.

So what's a handmade jewelry lover to do?
Buy it on Etsy, of course! So, this holiday season I will be purchasing my jewelry gifts only on Etsy. For other people AND myself.

Another thing I am not good at? Needlework. Needle artisans will be hearing from me too.

What would you like to have that you don't have the skills to create?

[Cynhumphrey]

I make jewelry too but can't draw a straight line - wish I could just down and draw something that someone could identify!

[Former_Member]

My daughter is expecting her first child and there are so many wonderful things on Etsy for moms and babies!

[Former_Member]

I would like to be able to cook good food. For now, I can make jewelry. Nice to see everyone makes different things.

[Former_Member]

I make jewelry, but am very analytical and mostly make stuff that's neat and symmetrical and has a pattern to it. I would love to be more freeform and creative! In the same vein, I love cross-stiching, but don't like embroidery - too imprecise!

I also want to do a lot of my Christmas shopping on Etsy! So much great stuff!

[TheDarkFen]

haha love this post!

i got a knack for using pliers. but don't put a sewing machine, knitting needles or crochet hooks in front of me. i might cry! ack!!! *runs away*

[Former_Member]

I started out knitting, then moved on to sewing (more instant gratification). I cannot for the life of me crochet (you'd think it would be easier using only 1 needle!) and I do applaud those who have the patience and motor skills to work with beading, wire, small tools, etc. I would also love to tat, but can't figure out as well how to do it at a quick pace. Practice makes perfect I suppose.

Rebecca

[seemomster]

I tried to teach myself to knit when I was on bedrest with Elder Son (summer of 1985). I. am. HOPELESS at knitting. Or crocheting. I can embroider, quilt, make jewelry...

I CAN sew clothes--but I hate to. In my dreams I am wealthy enough to have a beach house AND a hand-tailored wardrobe. ;^)

[seemomster]

ooooo....furniture. I'd LOVE to learn to make furniture.

[Former_Member]

I love making jewelry, but I also love buying other peoples jewelry! LOL! There are so many creative people here, and when it comes to jewelry, well I can't do it all:) I also like to but a lot of art, and have never been able to draw or paint depite my many, many attempts... Looking forward to buying lots of Cgristmas gifts here this year, and hoping my boyfriend does some shopping off my favorites list!! :)

[Jularee]

I buy jewelry from other jewelry artists who have styles different than mine. I took silversmithing classes a few years ago and most of my favorite pieces are those that I bought from the instructor. Her jewelry is amazing.

On Etsy I'll be looking for unusual items. Maybe art or pottery. I don't do either. And I will scour the vintage shops for fabulous old stuff. I love the old stuff.

[ComfortAndGrins]

there are some great buys on Etsy. Wendy I seem to be a jack of all trades. I can't resist dabbling in all types of crafts. I keep saying quilting is my favorite but now I am into a couple other things.

[Former_Member]

I love to make jewelry. I can sew, knit,crochet, embroidery, tat, quilt but jewelry making specifically wire sculpted and tatting with wire jewelry is my passion. I admire all of the artisans on Etsy. There is so much talent in every piece.

[Former_Member]

I can't knit or crochet. I tried it many times but can't seem to wrap my way around the techniques.
As soon as I think I'm doing good (knitting a scarf, per example), I see a hole somewhere and there goes my project and my confidence! I just can't seem to understand how to repair my knitting or crochet mistakes...and I make A LOT of them!

[Former_Member]

I've always wanted to learn metal smithing, but I quite literally can't take the heat of a forge. So instead, I buy other people's handmade metal elements to incorporate into my jewelry and costume design.

I've often thought about making my own perfumes, but I love what I buy on Etsy. I love to look at paintings on here too. I can paint (I used to make migraine art), but it's been years since I had the time for it.

[FlowerleafStudio]

I would love to be able to sew, for sure, but alas, I can not. People that can sew amaze me!

[TreeCraftDiary]

I make jewelry, I can do cross stitching and felting, but i cant do crocheting...
It feels so hard for me everytime i see the instruction.

[Former_Member]

I can't draw. I can paint, but I can't draw to save my life. Also, I can't seem to make ANYTHING constructive with wood... I keep trying these wood-related projects and every single one has failed miserably.

I'm trying to learn knitting, and I can crochet just not well, but I also don't put a lot of time and effort into it because it's just not what I'm passionate about. I do it for stress relief every so often. Same goes for sewing.

[Former_Member]

I make jewelry at my shop and I am a member of Jewelry Promotions Team
here's a team treasury I just made for them:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA0NzQ4ODJ8MjcyMDY2NTcwOQ/silver-and-blues?ref=pr_treasury

[Former_Member]

I can't paint, but I've always made jewelry. In fact, my first craft show a friend and I did selling jewelry was circa 1985-we each sold one item! Of course, this was in the UK, and the building was blocked off "Because the Queen was visiting"

LOL so obviously nobody went to the craft showLOL

since then, ther's been metalwork, glasswork, beading, and clay and really all kinds of jewelry!
However, knitting -i am a failed knitter(even a very patient roomie gave up teaching me!!

[DesignsbyCher]

I used to sew and made some of my own clothes for years... twas fun to grab a pattern, a few yards of material and whip up a new dress or skirt for work the next day. Now I confine my sewing skills to curtains, household items and repairs. I've tried some needlework, but I don't have the patience for it. I suck at knitting, but love to crochet... it's very relaxing.

I also used to sculpt, draw, paint with different mediums and in addition to making jewelry, I've become quite fond of bending and banging metal... which is very theraputic. I'm a great little baker, pies being my specialties (secret crust, lol), but I try to refrain because I love eating them even more than making them ;)

There aren't too many things of interest that I haven't tried, some I'm more proficient at than others... but if I could add to my craftiness, I think I'd like to try woodwork... love the smell of wood that's been freshly sawed, and sanded smooth, it's like glass. My dad was a gunsmith, had a lathe and I would watch and admire what he could do with wood... amazing!

I leave the rest to the talented artisans here on etsy ... I'll stay away from flame, and buy my beautiful lampwork glass from those who create them... I love B&B products, so those are great for gifts and treats for self ;)

[ForgedMettleJewelry]

I'm only good with creating things in 3D, so I would LOVE to get some paintings/drawing...

[TerraRhapsody]

I would love to be able to do glass and metal work- such as making beads or casting rings!