You’re not one of those people who are good at everything. You might be an amazing baker, but you’ll never know if you’re a skilled tailor and o.pen craft reserve until you get your first fitting and see what the results are. Or maybe you’re wicked with design work, but the word processing is above your pay grade. If this sounds like something you relate to, read on for some tips on how to improve in your craft.
Craft is about skills and technique for bettering a skill. It’s about learning new ways of doing things that have been perfected through trial-and-error over time by other craftsmen and women before them…
1. Go to a Good School
A lot of good, old-fashioned crafts schools are still around. Schools like the The National Academy of Art and De Ateliers in Amsterdam are considered the cream of the crop when it comes to education. You might want to start looking around in your area. If you don’t see anything, consider taking online classes, taking courses at local community colleges or reading up on things on your own.
2. Watch What People Do…
…and then do the complete opposite! A little bit of light-hearted rebellion is good for anyone, even skilled craftsmen with impressive resumes like Rick Griffiths. Rick, an upholsterer from Texas, has had his work featured in several leading magazines like Metropolitan Home and D-Listed. Watching what people do is a great way of learning how to take a situation and make it your own as well as developing your own unique style.
3. Make Mistakes Early…
…so you can learn from them later. The only thing you have to fear when making mistakes is fear itself, or so they say. Making mistakes is the only way to truly understand what doesn’t work, and the sooner you realize this the better off you’ll be in the end when it comes to honing your skills.
4. Challenge Yourself…
…and try something different. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Remember that there is nothing so hard that can’t eventually be overcome if you put a lot of heart into it. That, and wiggle those third fingers just one more time and get back to work. You might be the best in town when it comes to upholstery, but what about the other trades at your disposal? Try lace-making or leatherwork. Learn a new skill that will make you a more well-rounded individual. Keep in mind that if you’re at risk of being jaded or losing interest in your craft, challenge yourself by trying something completely new.
5. Stay Organized…
…and plan ahead! You think you’re the only one in a long line of craftsmen that overlooks planning? Think again. It doesn’t matter what craft you do, if you’re not organized and organized well, it’s going to be almost impossible to make money with any consistency. Good craftsmen and women are known for their attention to detail as well as their ability to see bigger picture items like time management, quality control and deadlines. Keep your workroom clean and neat so you can see what you have to work with.
6. Don’t Neglect the Basics…
…because they are the most important. You can’t be good at everything, but you can be good at a lot of things by picking up on the basics that make high-quality work. Study up on design and color theory, study anatomy and construction techniques, anything that will make you a better craftsman. If you can’t create a solid base for your work, you’ll be in for some trouble down the line. Knowing how to make a good stockinette stitch is more important than knowing how to bead crystals onto your sewing creations. Consider reading up on these things in a basic guide like The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns by Debbie Tomkies (buy it here ).
7. Be Proud of Your Work!
This is the most important! Pride in what you’ve accomplished is what makes this whole craft thing worthwhile. Don’t be ashamed and don’t hide your work. Share it with everyone who will listen and enjoy yourself along the way. If you’re learning a new craft or honing your skills as an old pro, never stop being proud of what you’ve accomplished. If you ever find yourself unable to be proud of what you’ve created, that might be a sign that it’s time to take a break and reevaluate your craft.
Summary:
So, are you ready to get started? Do you want to become the next big thing in upholstery? A master of jewelry making? A whiz at tailoring or lace-making? Famous for your crème brûlée or glazed ham? All this is possible for you with hard work and dedication. Just as a needle needs an anchor thread in order to create something beautiful out of nothing, so do you need this inspiration from others in order to create something unique that matches your personality and skill level.