21 Comments
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Kate Altman's avatar

You got me to laughing, which I didn't think possible today. Thanks, Jan! Love the pictures, too.

Tracey Braun's avatar

Oh, I love doing what my friend (fondly) calls lame-ass crafts. I’m doing a bookbinding class right now -yup, it involves paper and glue. I want those dodad drawers - you’ve inspired me to go to the basement and glitter a shoe! Last year I had to do 30 - friends pitched in to help- to toss from the float I was riding in the Muses Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans - such fun. (Check out my insta from last winter -tb.dc.mv to see my shoes! Lots of plastic dodads!!)

Elisa M. Speranza (she/her)'s avatar

I’m the beneficiary! Your book shoe is epic and holds a place of honor in my office.

Jan Brogan's avatar

I wish I felt that way. But my research into whales and ocean health has made it impossible to look at anything made with plastic the same. It's kind of a burden, actually.

Priya M. Sathya's avatar

I, too, loath crafts, mostly because I don't want to be stuck with my own rude results.

Priya M. Sathya's avatar

I should say though that it can be fun to try something and laugh because the process is so imperfect.

Jan Brogan's avatar

I am with you on the results.

Jim Earl's avatar

Your wry descriptions are very funny. Do you get to take the finished products home?

I could imagine myself doing this activity only if I also first imagined having children and grandchildren. Then I can see its wholesomeness, and understand that it provides a fun, bonding opportunity.

In fact, in its materials and in the process, it does remind me of parties I used to co-host as a young adult. My friend Paul and I would have semi-annual baseball card defacing parties, either at his apartment or mine. I'll bet there were ways in which these parties mirrored your craft studio adventure, like in the way that conversations can be carried on using one part of the brain, while another part of the brain is concentrating on getting glue everywhere.

https://youtu.be/AQhnR1TGG6k?si=9m2QHwlRiUTckwZL

Jan Brogan's avatar

also, loved the video. Still laughing.

Jan Brogan's avatar

You get to take it home, but it takes forever because they actually string it and varnish, which seems like overkill to me. It was fun to do it with little kids, but there were young post-college aged women who arrive in groups and bring wine. And apparently, companies use it for small department events. I think I’d prefer your card defacing party.

Brenda Horrigan's avatar

But then you can join one of the Island's ukelele groups on MV (I *think* there is still one at Featherstone and another at the West Tis Library--shall I inquire?)

Jan Brogan's avatar

Haha. No, I play guitar but never quite warmed up to the ukelele. Maybe just it seems like ¾ of a guitar, or maybe because I don’t want to learn new chord formations.

Brenda Horrigan's avatar

Confession: I have a uke in my closet--it needs a string. Played as a kid when we were in Hawaii… I might have to get it repaired now.

Jan Brogan's avatar

I could probably restring it for you.

Jim Earl's avatar

Think you'll learn to pick out some tunes on it?

Yes, the similarity to the Paint 'n' Sips occurred to me, too. It's a bit odd that people end up with subtle variations on the same painting in those sessions. At least with the crafty stuff, people are making some kind of aesthetic decisions.

The BCD parties started out as a kind of organized anarchy, lasting long into the night. You might have found them fun, back in the day. Eventually, they became much tamer affairs, held on summer afternoons in Paul's backyard.

Jan Brogan's avatar

I wonder. Tuning it will be a kick.

Rhonda Lane's avatar

Congrats on your bonding experience! I'm with you, kiddo, about any activity involving glue. ("Do we have to? Are we done yet?") How wonderful, though, for you to have shared an experience with your family ladies.

Jan Brogan's avatar

I am really very lucky.

Mimi's avatar

I enjoy crafts and creativity, but by far, my favorite way to escape is through reading. I love books - all books. I really enjoyed reading yours. Wish I lived near the Crafts Zone! Or Martha’s Vineyard!

Jan Brogan's avatar

Thank you Mimi. I, too, would much rather be in a book than just about anywhere else.

Elisa M. Speranza (she/her)'s avatar

Hilarious. I feel you—I’m sticking to words, myself. Kate’s right, though. We all needed a smile today.