Crafting - The worthy Investment?
We've all looked at them, the spinning wheels, the ridgid-heddle weaving looms, expensive yarn swifts and electric winders. Eagerly and with some fascination we have toyed with the idea of an electric knitting machine, designer yarns and all the other tools and gadgets that would eventually end up being a monumental bill.
At the end of the day, we all have to look at our budgets and decide if investing in these items will be worth it, even if we have to penny pinch in the long run. I'm not willing and I am sure it is not me alone, to spend 500US on a spinning wheel and watch it gathering dust quite attractively in a corner of my workspace, nor do I want to buy a loom and realise that I detest weaving, even though I liked doing a more simplified version.
Despite all of these practicalities and misgivings, I maintain that investing in crafting, when done carefully can be very rewarding. I want to start off with a laptop, then follow with a stock of quality wool in a good colour selections. A yarn-ball winder/swift and various blocking tools would follow.
To this end I am considering taking out a small loan. It may seem crazy to some but I think it is the best way to go. I'm running my mind ragged making plans, drawing up budgets and screaming at the numbers.
Is there like at the end of this tunnel? I'm an unreformed shopaholic trying to control my impulsiveness and yet congratulate myself for what I manage to achieve. I think a loan would be the answer to my current crunch, but that's just for now.
I can't anticipate all life's problems but I'm trying to deal with what is before me right now. So for now, is crafting a worthy investment for me at this stage of life... a tentative yes.
At the end of the day, we all have to look at our budgets and decide if investing in these items will be worth it, even if we have to penny pinch in the long run. I'm not willing and I am sure it is not me alone, to spend 500US on a spinning wheel and watch it gathering dust quite attractively in a corner of my workspace, nor do I want to buy a loom and realise that I detest weaving, even though I liked doing a more simplified version.
Despite all of these practicalities and misgivings, I maintain that investing in crafting, when done carefully can be very rewarding. I want to start off with a laptop, then follow with a stock of quality wool in a good colour selections. A yarn-ball winder/swift and various blocking tools would follow.
To this end I am considering taking out a small loan. It may seem crazy to some but I think it is the best way to go. I'm running my mind ragged making plans, drawing up budgets and screaming at the numbers.
Is there like at the end of this tunnel? I'm an unreformed shopaholic trying to control my impulsiveness and yet congratulate myself for what I manage to achieve. I think a loan would be the answer to my current crunch, but that's just for now.
I can't anticipate all life's problems but I'm trying to deal with what is before me right now. So for now, is crafting a worthy investment for me at this stage of life... a tentative yes.
Crafting keeps me sane. If I didn't have it, I might just be a couch potato mindlessly watching TV for hours every night. Some of these items are a big investment. I bought a small loom and used it three times. I bought a spinning wheel and have spun thousands of yards of yarn. Sometimes I get on the wheel and just go into a trance. I started with a spindle to see if I would stick with it, and I did. You can always try to re-sell anything large you buy; there are groups on ravelry just for re-selling!
ReplyDeleteGood ideas Beth! Thanks for stopping, always pleased to see you and listen to your timely advice.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Beth. I have been looking at that same loom, that same shock of luxury yarn and even that same winder/swift lol. And I make a part-time living designing felted hats. It would make my working life EASIER if I bought that winder/swift contraption. I spend soooo much time hand winding my yarn, it's crazy. But do you think I have taken the plunge? No! And why? Because sometimes, I think in some very small way, I have always made do so that others could have. Don't get me wrong; I love doing that for others. But, I need to move myself to the front row when it's payday and gift-giving time lol. My husband once said to me, figure out what you are willing to budget a month to pay for what it is you want, then figure out how long it will take to pay it off. If it's worth it to you to make the commitment for that length of time, then go for it. I am just paying off my iPad next month. It was well worth it, and when I figured out the easiest size payment, I could do it! Good luck!
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