I am often told I should sell my work. Usually by people who think that if I sell, it will be priced like the sale racks at Ross and they can pick it up for a song. Every once in a while someone hints that they would love to have something I make. I usually tell them that I make things for myself first, then for people I love and care about, I’m not into making something just because an acquaintance likes my creativity.
And then there is Roberta, she simply comes out and says – you know, that hat would look really good on me, or cool scarf – Christmas is coming. So she made a similar comment about my recent cowl and you know what, I realized that yes – she should have the cowl.
Looks great on her right? Now here’s the thing, she makes things herself so she understands the value of hand made items. She doesn’t knit, so it’s not like I could just give her instructions. She does crochet, she also has me come over every year for the last 6 years to show her how to crochet the Easter eggs her mom used to make. I’m an expert on Easter eggs now, I think she is too, but she really enjoys our time together crocheting eggs, so we’ll continue to do so every year.
Also, I mentioned that she makes things
This was a gift from a few years ago – this definitely makes Roberta Knitworthy, not to mention a very special friend.
Like you, I will make exceptions for certain people and sew/knit them gifts. But those special people are only a small number or people I know haha 🙂 I don’t remember if I told you, but in June I knit this turban style headband for a friend and she didn’t even say thank you or acknowledge that she got it. That was my official “DONE” for making gifts for people that aren’t family or people that can’t appreciate the time that went into it. That said, you and Roberta are lucky to be crafty friends! 🙂
Yes, I have had that experience, I’ve also been asked by my husband to make things for family members I don’t like – sorry just go buy a gift, a little bit of my soul goes into my work, it’s not to be given away easily.