I’m So Craftsy

ByJillian Owens

 

 

No I’m not.  That’s a lie.  A big wet-felted lie.

 

Hi all!  When last we spoke, I was just telling you about the interesting time I had with my blog, ReFashionista, haters, and Good Morning America.  I mentioned I’ve gotten more freelance writing work from this publicity.

Awesome, right?

But what happens when someone wants to hire you as an expert at something you don’t actually know how to do?

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a women’s website that focuses on beauty products, Top 5 lists, and the Kardashians.  They wanted to hire me as a DIY/Craft blogger.

I don’t craft.  I don’t like crafting.  I think most crafting is kind of dumb.  I get annoyed in craft stores when I see folks purchasing stuff like this:

 

 

Why would you buy these?

 

and these:

Unless you smoke a pipe, you do not need these.

 

and these:

Uh…no.

 

Buying new stuff to make other stuff makes no sense to me.  Why not just buy the original object if you’re going to spend more money and time making it than you would just buying it?  Yes…I buy used stuff to make other stuff (a sweet wardrobe), but my reasons for this are practical –not just because I’m bored and want something to do.

I mean, isn’t that why previous generations did all that quilting, knitting, sewing, canning, what-have-you?   Out of necessity?  Every time I see someone making tatting or knitting, I can’t help but think, “Why?”.

When I spoke to my new editor, I refrained from sharing any of these thoughts.  “I love crafting!  I craft all the time!” I enthusiastically lied.  “I’m decoupaging a dresser right now!” I added to show I meant business.  I negotiated my fee, signed a contract, and was immediately filled with self-doubt.

 

“You don’t actually craft, Jillian,” said a good friend.  “Ever.”

“Do you even know how to craft anything?” asked another friend.

“It’s just hot gluing stuff to other stuff, right?” I shrugged, “How hard could it be?

 

Welcome to my new favorite website!

As my first deadline drew closer, I realized I had NO IDEA what I was going to submit.  My week had been crazy busy, and I hadn’t given this “craft” thing a bit of thought.

Why did they ask me, of all people, to do this?  The more I thought about it, the less sense it made.  There are other bloggers out there — many who are actually craft bloggers with a visible track record of success at their…um…well…craft.  So why me?

I could procrastinate no further.  I HAD to submit a tutorial to these folks, or lose the gig.  I grabbed a pair of scissors, an old T-shirt and started snipping.  I completed my project on a rug I placed in my driveway (better lighting makes better photos), much to the consternation of my neighbors.

When I was done, I ended up with this:

 

What once was shirt is now bag!

I edited my photos, wrote out the tutorial, and clicked send…which is a challenging thing to do while your fingers are tightly crossed.

My editor loved it.  The post was a hit.  And I actually managed to craft something (other than my aforementioned web of lies)!

But what am I going to do for this week’s post?

I’m in trouble, y’all.

 

 

Jillian Owens is a writer, designer, and eco-fashion revolutionary. A Columbia SC transplant, she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BFA in Theatre and English. When she’s not gallivanting about, she’s busy refashioning ugly thrift store duds into fashionable frocks at ReFashionista.net or helping the underserved through her work in Community Impact at United Way of the Midlands. She also reviews local theater productions for Jasper Magazine and Onstage Columbia, and is an occasional contributor for The Free Times. Any comments, questions, or crude remarks can be directed to jilliowens@gmail.com.

 

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