advice please

[cheeryface]

i have been making jewellery for a while and would like to try some other crafty things too.

i don't generally think of myself as any good at these creative type things but i do love to have a go!

what else could i try ? having never learned how to sew, would a sewing machine be difficult for me to use do you think ?

i would love to be able to make something useful like a bag or a purse maybe

any advice for me ?

Sewing machine can be easy to get the hang of. You can use it to make machined quilts as an easy starting thing (squares to start with) and can get a useful item very quickly.

Personally I enjoy cross sticth. You can do it while watching the tv and make some lovely wall hangings, decorate tablecloths, napkins, hankies etc. You can get som good kits with everything you need in. Start with something simple and as you get the hang of it get bigger and more tricky pieces.

If that doesn't take your fancy you could try knitting, crochet, card making, rug making or even lace making perhaps.

All depends if you want something that is relatively cheap to take up or if you don't mind a big outlay (sewing machines aren't cheap). Also do you have lots of space for your craft items. Not only storage but where you put your sewing machine etc. Can be a pain if you have to keep putting it away as you need the table for dinner.

Some colleges and local councils offer evening courses in pottery or lace making etc. Worth checking out to see if there's anything local to you which might get you started.

Gilly

I am completely uncrafty and have managed to make a clothkit dress, I have done a cross-stich and am knitting a jumper for dd3. I regularly read these posts wishing I was more creative.

A simple sewing machine would be quite easy to get the hang of.
Once sewing, you could make clothes, bags, quilts, etc. - might save you lots of money too.

Knitting is also fun and useful, though I'd imagine a bit more difficult to get the hang of than sewing.

Have you considered crochet? It's easy to do and great fun. I run crochet classes in North London and teach how to make accessories, flowers and other embelishments (bows, butterflies etc...) Next class on Wed. Jan. 13th 2010. See www.omarama.co.uk for details. Thanks!

have you asked on freecycle for a sewing machine?