I'm a sucker for crafts, I really am. I love making things, and I've had a diverse history of interests. I'm looking forward to picking up many more in the future as well.
One of the earliest things I learned to make was origami. I was little, though, and it was more of something that I could show off to my friends. The only thing I remember how to make is a crane. -__-' However, my freshman year of college I happened to stumble across a certain area of origami (I have NO idea how) and the old fire was rekindled. Modular Origami became my safe haven in the midst of Finals-chaos.
Let's see...I think it was about the same time in 5th grade that I started two new hobbies. I picked them up when I went to Taiwan over the summer. My cousin, who is one year younger than me, got me hooked. The first is a craft that every young Asian girl should be familiar with. I guess it is more properly considered a subset of origami, but I never really considered it as such. Paper Star Folding is hot among young Asian girls (or maybe it's just me...). Basically, you make lots of them to put in a small glass jar and give to your special friends. They're supposed to symbolize your love, commitment, and dedication.
The second hobby I picked up was Chinese Knotting, a subset so to speak of Macrame. I went with my cousin to a historic theme park in Taiwan, I don't remember which part. In one section they had these little olden-styled houses in a row, and each one exhibited some aspect of traditional Chinese culture. In one of these houses they taught you how to make little macrame mice! Can you say hooked again? I made a couple of them to take home with me, and I actually remembered how to make them when I got home to L.A.
The way it was made was basically the same as one of the basic lanyard techniques they teach you in school (what? you didn't have lanyards in your school? aww, that's too bad... :) My kindergarten had an ample supply for the kids itching to do something with their hands). Ahh, and this brings me to my next crafting interest: Lanyards (aka Gimp, Boondoggle). I got to play again with these one summer when I went on a YWCA 4th of July camping trip. Hmm, these would make great gifts...
Throughout high school, I was so busy with extracurricular activities and AP classes that I didn't really have a chance to do much else. I did take drawing/painting classes though. When I get the chance to scan my sketches, I'll make a page for them.
As stated before, my freshman year of college I started an interest in Modular Origami. Just last fall, I also started Knitting and Crocheting! I didn't make very much last semester, but this semester I've really picked it up. It's almost an obsessive hobby...it's entirely consumed all of my resources. Whenever I'm out, I think to myself "this costs $XX, I could buy xx skeins/balls of yarn with that money...that would be an entire [project-name]!" Yeah, it's sad, I know. -_-'
Spring 2004 I took a pottery class with my friend. It's a lot harder than it looks! I have a new respect for potters. ^_^ You need a lot of upper body strength to control the clay, or else it'll wobble and eventually flop over. It takes delicacy too; if your hands don't apply even pressure, the thickness of the piece will become weak and uneven.
What more is there to say? I LOVE crafts. My Future Hobby Plans include spinning, dyeing, and weaving.
5.26.2004
