Crafting is for crafters

[Longingforatikihut]

Totally trivial (I think) and first world...

I am not someone who is generally good at crafts. It not a hobby I normally pursue but I saw an advert for a free one off workshop in a specific craft and I thought I would give it a try, maybe meet some new people, overcome a bit of the isolation I've been feeling lately. It's later this morning.

Yesterday a colleague asked me in passing what I was up to this weekend and I told her I was going. She is a 'crafter' and went to try and book a place for herself on lunch but it was fully booked. She then spent the afternoon telling me how I had taken the place of someone who 'took crafting seriously' and I should give her my space and on and on.

I've not given her my space and will be going. I just don't know whether it actually is bad etiquette. So i know for future. Not being a craft type person I don't know if there IS etiquette. Her reasoning was that crafter's supplement their income with their projects and thus I'm potentially taking away income by not letting them get experience in this craft.

It all sounds more and more ridiculous as I type so I'll stop there...

This reminds me of the time a woman I was friendly with persuaded me to join her at a local Christmas craft fair to sell my homemade sweets. She is a ‘serious’ crafter who makes cards and small trinkets, and I am purely a hobby sweetie maker and only do it for fun but she made such a big deal of this being so much fun and a great day that I thought what the hell I will. Because I was mostly there for fun I laid out lots of free samples - and ended up selling nearly every thing I had, and because it’s good profit margin I actually made a nice little profit- turns out almost three times what this lady made on that particular day.

This women sulked for weeks, properly sulked, said she was never doing that particular craft fair again and that the people who organised it were shit etc etc.

I think 90% of crafters are lovely but the bonkers 10% are best avoided !

I am a huge crafter (knitting, crochet, cross stitch, ceramic painting, puppet making, sewing, heck, even my biz is craft based) and your friend is being an arse.

A course is a fantastic way of being introduced to a new craft! Of course you shouldn’t have priority if you’re already a crafter.

Her reaction was very odd, and she's clearly wrong.

Why would people who are proficient at a craft need to do a workshop on it?

I've been crocheting for years, I wouldn't go to a crocheting workshop. I've never tried pottery, so I might go to a class for that, and I would think most of the people there had never tried it either.

Go to your workshop and have fun!

Thanks everyone.

I'm on my way. Crossing my fingers that I don't end up tangled up or stuck to myself.

I'm definitely in the camp of 'more the merrier' with these kinds of things and trying to introduce new people to your hobby (I propagate cacti and give away the babies). There's just always got to be one elitest, cliquey PITA, no matter where you go.

I must also say, my colleague is generally the loveliest. I think her wanting of to come just got the better of her. We're all human.

I'll come back and update you on how it went when I'm done.

The only etiquette with workshops is 'first come first served'. They do get booked up, especially now coming up to Christmas. But as said upthread, free ones are to get new people in, and in any craft course I've done (mostly wet felting) no one other than the teacher is going on and selling their stuff! By and large you will meet friendly women (never had a man on any course) who are open and happy to share any tips and encouragement for each other. Hope you discover a new talent!

Workshops, classes and taster sessions are run for everybody, experienced and beginners. I run them myself.
If she was that keen, she'd have been signed up before you. How does she think folk get started? You go to that class, enjoy it and ignore her completely, except to tell her how much fun you had. She's behaving like a moron.

Go and have fun at your workshop and don't give your idiot colleague another thought.

Crafting is for everyone to enjoy. It doesn't matter if you turn out not to be very good at that particular one and won't do it again, the experience will probably be fun and you will get to chat to other people.

I do one craft reasonably well and have been on courses for several others in the last few years (rug making, spoon carving, felt making, silver jewellery making.) I probably won't take any of those up as hobbies as some of them need lots of equipment. However I had a fun time with all of them and a nice day with other people. I will definitely sign up for others at dome point.

Crafting is for anyone who fancies it

Your colleague is bonkers. Go and have fun!

Become the world's best crafter such that you get a Netflix series and become a global crafting phenomenon, then do a feature film about how you were inspired by a particularly terrible crafting colleague ten years ago, then retire

Most crafty people I know are always happy for more people to become ensnared in the crafting.

I know this because I was once just a knitter and sewing type, but now I can crochet and embroider too. They tried to get me with paper craft too, but I managed to escape!:o

Have as much fun as you can, and I hope they provide tea/coffee. A good brew always improves a craft session.

Everyone has to start somewhere. The course obviously appealed to you, that’s all that matters. She’s a jealous, selfish cow, please ignore her. Hope you have fun and the course sparks an interest and inspires you.

@mondaytosunday By and large you will meet friendly women (never had a man on any course)

Plenty of men on the spoon carving course I went on. Must have been something to do with the fact you use an axe for most of it 😁

I know what you mean though. I saw a man in the wool shop once and everyone was looking slightly startled.

Everyone has to start somewhere with crafting! Your colleague included! That place is rightfully your place on the course. Who knows where it will lead you? Have a great time and forget those unkind remarks.

Really? I've never heard that before

I do a lot of crafts

I feel like this with everyone who has been to University and as a result took the * place that clearly should have been mine* - regardless of the fact that I didn't bother with 'A' levels and, to be honest, only half-heartedly attempted my '11 plus' 😠

You’re absolutely right, these kind of group sessions are for everyone, regardless of your level of experience. The main objective is for people to get together and have fun. Im not getting her logic tbh sound like she’s taking it way too seriously so maybe not the place for her!

I hope you a great time!

She sounds like one of those daft 18 year old boys who spends all their time on XBox and has some kind of chip on his shoulder about being a 'real gamer', because that's his whole identity.

It's a silly attitude in a teenager; it's an absolutely tragic attitude in a fully grown woman. Especially about craft! Craft, art and creativity are for everyone.

I'd actually say that a FREE workshop would be designed to attract new people to the craft, so YABU at all. She's just weird.

@SydneySage

It's because if you are copying an example made made the course leader, then it is not your own design/pattern. And if you are selling it, then it is not completely your own work.

I hope you had a lovely time OP , who knows by now you may also be a crafter ! Honestly not every crafter is actually good at it or is experienced, but they enjoy it and to find out they needed to give it a go in the first place, so she has not a leg to stand on .
Actually the craft group I go to has one member who just likes a natter and another who in the nicest way has no talent for it ( as she herself acknowledges) but just likes to give it a go and actually her achievements are always celebrated more than anyone else’s. I hope your new found bunch of crafters were a friendly bunch .

What a nonsense. She sounds very entitled!

You have a right to attend as much as she does.

PS - I'm glad you didn't back down!

Have a great day and enjoy!
Entitled to say the least (your colleague)

I am what people would describe as a 'crafter'. I'm a silversmith, I paint/illustrate, I sew/knit/crochet, I make my own gifts/cards/clothing/alterations, I recycle bits of fabric into lovely things.

You would be very welcome to join any of the groups I have attended. In fact they would likely snap your arm off to be able to teach someone a new skill/craft. True 'crafters' love to share their craft with anyone and everyone. Your colleague is a dickhead and a bit of craft snob by the sounds of it!

Agree with this.
my lovely sons like to give me craft courses as presents. They know I love to learn and enjoy the company of other folks wanting to learn same things.

I had one of the most lovely days of my life being immersed in beautiful flowers for flower arranging. Loved it. But can’t afford those sort of flower in my house normally.

lve just finished a 6week pottery course- liked some aspects but others I didn’t take to (hated the wheel! ). But I got a good appreciation of potters and I made a few decent things I can use, and am glad I had the experience.

I’ve done mostly embroidery/textile art as this is where my real interest lies- advanced my skills, learnt tips I didn’t realise. I’ll always steer to those, but will give pretty much anything a go.

I have a list of courses I’d like to go on before I become completely dolally, some to do with textile, some just because I’m curious, and some cos I think they’d be useful in producing things I make better like calligraphy or picture framing(anyone know of good picture framing course btw as I can’t find one near me in NW?)

she is being a pompous twat…she’s backed herself into the most absurd corner. There is huge pleasure to be had, not only on learning, but in passing knowledge on. If she had encouraged you she could have found a new friend or ally and taken a lot of pleasure in coaching you to improve or make suggestions of other things you might enjoy. Her loss not yours. I go to a weekly textile group and 30 women there love being asked to help each other out with a particularly problems, skill, issue etc.

And if she’s attending courses and then selling what she makes directly from that for profit she better ensure she’s not directly using any designs the course provided or she could be in breach of copyright.