Stepping back into the party

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If a crafter makes something without anyone else around, does it make a sound?

Ok, ok, bear with me. I’m a bit rusty when it comes to this whole writing thing. Maybe a better start would have been the golden cliche of ‘Is this thing still on?’

This month I’m honoured to be featured in Simply Crochet magazine. In Issue 55, they’ve dedicated a whole article to one of my favourite topics: finding a tribe. You can find some of my comments on the topic from page 66, where I discuss online community along with the skilled Amanda of Little Box of Crochet, Mandy of Red Agape, and other inspiring makers.

I look back on the history of this blog. There have been highs and lows. I have nostalgic memories of making new friends and the satisfaction that can only be won through hard work, as well as literal blood, sweat, tears, and tension headaches. I have written over 150 posts on Crafting Fingers alone and been honoured to get over 600 comments so far. It’s harder to measure how many conversations, giggles, and debates have been had on social media, too. This blog wouldn’t have kept on if it weren’t for the community I found online & off.

In my little neglected craft room I’ve been dusting the cobwebs (not literal, thankfully!) and embroiling myself in the task of figuring out what exactly each WIP was supposed to become. After months of ignoring my crafty hobbies I am genuinely surprised by how cool some of my projects actually are – or would be, if I could figure out how I had intended to finish them.

Although I haven’t been blogging, I have been able to sneak some hellos on social media. I’ve been lurking on the edges, waiting for that magical moment of motivation to push me out of my funk and back into my creative habits. Unluckily for me, these moments of motivation don’t really happen. You just have to get stuck in and get your hands dirty. As I sit here and feel tender new sparks of inspiration (the amount of juicy fabrics and yarn I have been hiding away could inspire an inanimate statue into making something in my very humble opinion) I stepping back into the party.

With many projects to come and a personal project (something I’ve been working up the courage to do for years) coming soon, I feel the motivation flowing back in. Funny how motivation only comes after you force yourself to get started. (I’m sure some famous people have said that in a much more inspiring way.) Some of the hashtags have changed (an update to my Instagram crafty hashtags list is coming up!) but the online community is there all the same. I feel as welcomed and inspired as I did 4 years and 3 months ago when I started this blog.

I’ve felt I’ve neglected my part in the crafts community. Let me make it up to you.

Pun intended.

Lots of crafty love,

 

P.S. You can grab a copy of Issue 55 on stands in the UK now, or you can buy it online at Simply Crochet’s website. You get an additional free booklet of 12 amazing patterns by Vanessa Mooncie and I am BLOWN AWAY by her work. The sheep below is just one of the patterns, isn’t it cute?

P.P.S. You can find me at Blogtacular this summer! Say hi on Instagram & Twitter @craftingfingers if you’re going too, let’s take this community offline.