HELP! My daughter is loving crafts and I don't have a creative bone in my body!

[lookingforward]

My darling 8 year old is showing signs of being a "creative" crafty type person. I am intimidated by crafty people because I personally can't glue one thing to another without messing it up. (not exagerating).

She makes little outfits for her dolls (hand stitched) and just created a beautiful crown of white and gold for her "angel" webkins. I am speechless. I took her to Michaels Craft store to get her some crafty like things and the people in there were experts rushing around buying tons of boring things to create beautiful things. The only thing I managed to buy for myself was a chocolate bar!

I want to encourage her creative/crafty side but it bores me (because I stink at it). HELP! Are there good crafty books for incompetant mothers? I need help. She is so INTO it.

 

[DVCLiz]

There are lots of great kits at specialty toy stores. I can't remember the name of the company but they have all sorts of things. My daughters have done lots of them over the years - pottery painting, jewelry making, make your own picture frame, etc. etc.

My daughters also liked the real jewelry making supplies as they got older. DD13 has a little desk upstairs and she has special tools, wire, etc. to make jewelry. She goes to our local bead store and occasionally to a bead show to buy specialty things.

Both of my daughters are great needlepointers, because I love to needlepoint and have been a needle pointer all of their lives. We also like to knit. You could see if she is interested in the fiber crafts - take her to a yarn or needlepoint store and get her some of the basics. For a long time my girls just liked to have a ball of yarn and some knitting needles - it was a while before they could really make anything. They sell great beginner needlepoint kits so there are lots of choices for the beginner.

Another great thing to do is to go to Michael's and just buy stuff - like pom pom balls, glue, craft felt, paints, scissors, etc. Just get some "raw" materials that fit your budget and go from there.

If you want ideas, get some old Family Fun magazines - I'm sure you can find an archive online. They have some great easy budget-friendly things that I'm sure your daughter would love.

Have fun - it's fun to have a "crafty" daughter!!!!

 

[mrsklamc]

Yes, there should be plenty of books at your library. You could also sign her up for classes at craft stores, check out the creative community here on the DIS, or find a local 4-H club. If you are church goers, ask around at your church. There's sure to be at least one little old lady who'd love to share her sewing skills with a little girl.

 

[Imzadi]

I think it's great that you are encouraging her passion. There are various websites with kids appropriate crafts. But since you really don't care to do this stuff, and it shows in your post, (not flaming ) and your own lack of enthusiasm may deaden your daughter's, (they realize it even if you try to hide it, I know from experience, ) maybe find her some kids level craft classes workshops she can attend? There must be some afterschool or weekend workshops. I used to teach them to kids.

Or maybe find her a teacher, buddy or friend who can do stuff with her at your home? Even a teen "arts & crafts" tutor/babysitter, who is not really babysitter as you will be there, but someone who definitely loves crafts herself & would love to teach your DD a couple hours a week, for babysitting money. You plan out the weekly projects ahead of time with the tutor, buy all the supplies for them, and you can be making dinner as they play.

Hang up a sign at Michaels for this kind of tutor. Or ask one of their teachers if they can recommend someone.

 

[daisyduck123]

Go back to Michael's & get "Pack o' Fun" magazine.

That magazine has a variety of gorgeous projects in it...from ones that you can do in a day thru ones that take several days. Honestly, I am not crafty, but even I can do the projects in there, & my completed work comes out looking exactly like (and as great as) the ones pictured in the magazine!

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Since your DD is so naturally creative, I would just take her to craft/art/fabric stores and let her come up with ideas!! If you go through this process with her, perhaps your own creative spark will be ignited!!

 

[NMAmy]

I'm a crafty person and my mom doesn't have a crafty bone in her body. My dad was an architect and an artist--we always had great supplies and while I can draw adequately, I never had the passion for it that he did and he couldn't quite understand why I'd put all my energy into my projects instead of drawing/painting and I was the only one of his kids who had any aptitude or patience for anything arty. It wasn't until the end of his life that he came to appreciate the skills needed for my embroidery/knitting/scrapbook/ quilting projects.

For your dd--it's great that you want to enourage her. Take her to the craft store and let her decide what interests her. A lot of craft stores have classes or you may have friends who can teach her different skills. Frankly, I learned most everything from library books. If your dd wants to do it, she'll find a way. I learned how to knit from my wonderful third grade teacher.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am NOT a crafty person. I kind of don't like crafts. My crafts NEVER turn out right and I feel it is time wasted.

My girls LOVE crafts...and they simply just LOVE to create. I don't have to teach them anything in that regard. When they see a project that tickles their fancy, we just find something with easy instructions. I can follow a recipe--and craft instructions are just like that. Now what we create may not look EXACTLY like it is supposed to....but would we really have appreciated the works of Picasso if someone told him to paint "properly".

Okay--well some of us..not so much....but really...the great artists..create for creations sake. They don't worry about getting something "just right". Well--maybe if they have OCD they might.

I have to do kid crafts--the grown up crafts are just too much for me. There is an artists series called "How Great Thou Art" (I think) that we bought at a homeschool convention so we are all going to do art class together.

I second the craft classes offered by the stores like Michael's, Joanne's or whatever local craft store you have. Art Museums might also have some classes in different art media (ours had pottery and something else (I forget what it was) that was not "traditional" painting and drawing. Community centers are also a great resource.

And over the some--be on the lookout for art camps, arts and craft camps, or medium specific camps (like mosaics, pottery, etching...etc.) for her to participate in over the summer.

There will come a time when your daughter will be able to teach you a thing or two.

My craft of choice--I like card making..the repetivite action of stamping is just soothing to me.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Having been in this position some of the projects we have done are:

stepping stones for the back yard & being you are in Florida they could stay out all year...they have kits for these as well.

tiling regular clay pots...alot of fun & she could make whatever pattern that appeals to her, she can also pick out the tiles

painting birdhouses- you can make the birdhouse or buy a premade birdhouse

with the holidays coming making wrapping paper is always a great idea...and everyone will be thrilled when they receive her art as part of their gift...but either rolls of brown shipping paper (from Staples) or white drawing paper rolls from Michaels and she can either use stamps or paint the rolls free hand

starting a scrapbook, great supplies out there.....they even have starter kits

Have Fun!!!!!

 

[rie'smom]

If you want to do crafts with her, then I suggest buying the Klutz series. There's a different book for each craft.

 

[lookingforward]

You have all been so kind and gave wonderful ideas! I took my 14 year old to see a movie and my daughter stayed home with my husband so she could play with the "stuff" she selected at Michaels today. While I was gone she made a homemade angel costume to go with her webkin crown and used fabric paint to make three halloween cloth tote bags. She did it all by herself and was so proud. My husband said she and was singing and happy for two hours on our back porch.

To illustrate how uncrafty I am, when we were stationed in Okinawa, Japan the wives club offered a basket making class. We all signed up and went one evening. We were "taught" to weave the materials together to make a basket. It started at 7 p.m. and everyone was done by 10. I sat there until 11:30 when the instructor informed me that I was hopeless and she had to go home to her family. She gave me a free basket of her own just to get rid of me.

Today at Michaels I hid my confusion and panic with enthusiasm and she was so excited. I am glad and proud to encourage her with your many wonderful hints. THANKS!

 

[Katy Belle]

www.familyfun.com has wonderful ideas for crafty kids. I remember some adorable fairies made from clothes pins (or something) that sounds like your daughter would love.

You are a good mom to recognize that this is HER thing and help her to explore it!!!

katy

 

[kandeebunny]

I am about 20mins from you theres a place in coral springs called Amore Beads, if she gets in to beads they offer GREAT classes at all levels.

 

[MAKmom]

Since your DD is so naturally creative, I would just take her to craft/art/fabric stores and let her come up with ideas!! If you go through this process with her, perhaps your own creative spark will be ignited!!

Walmart has a great inexpensive fabric dept. Your daughter is creative you just need to supply the materials I purchased DD10 an inexpensive sewing machine for about $70.00 at Walmart last year for Christmas. We have many,many homemade pillows.

When she was 9 I purchased the toy sewing machine it was junk.

 

[grlpwrd]

You have all been so kind and gave wonderful ideas! I took my 14 year old to see a movie and my daughter stayed home with my husband so she could play with the "stuff" she selected at Michaels today. While I was gone she made a homemade angel costume to go with her webkin crown and used fabric paint to make three halloween cloth tote bags. She did it all by herself and was so proud. My husband said she and was singing and happy for two hours on our back porch.

To illustrate how uncrafty I am, when we were stationed in Okinawa, Japan the wives club offered a basket making class. We all signed up and went one evening. We were "taught" to weave the materials together to make a basket. It started at 7 p.m. and everyone was done by 10. I sat there until 11:30 when the instructor informed me that I was hopeless and she had to go home to her family. She gave me a free basket of her own just to get rid of me.

Today at Michaels I hid my confusion and panic with enthusiasm and she was so excited. I am glad and proud to encourage her with your many wonderful hints. THANKS!

Basket making is definitely not an elementary craft (lol) so please don't be hard on yourself.

I love crafts and I do them with our Girl Scout troop. I do get my ideas from the library or just looking online, like at www.makingfriends.com . You might want to check at your local parks and rec. Our city has many fun arts and crafts classes for all ages.

GL!

 

[diznygirl]

This is a great site for paper crafts:

http://www.dltk-kids.com/

They also have it organized by materials - like toilet paper roll crafts, paper plate crafts, etc.

Also - I noticed you mentioned Webkinz They have a link on their home page for Crafy Critterz that show pics of webkinz related crafts with a list of materials and directions.

Sounds like your daughter doesn't need much help in the creativity department - just take her shopping and stand back!!