*updated* Teaching myself a new craft

**Missy** · 09-23-2005, 01:58 AM

I am working with glass doing mosaic. I bought the tools i saw in the department, got myself something to apply it to, the glue that is specific to the craft and jumped on in with both feet. I like teaching myself crafts because i don't learn well from being told how not to do something. And i never seem to do anything the way someone else does. I have to do it my own way or i will never understand it. My brain simply can't do it that way. The result is - 9 times out of 10 - on target. Dh does tiling now and then at work so i have him to fall back on should i have a question (it would be similar to the techniques he uses--somewhat), but for the most part I am flying by the seat of my pants.. and enjoying what i am working on. I will post a pic tomorrow, i am making a trivet for a large pot that I don't like bringing to the table because i worry about scorching the wood. Dh is bringing me home a sample board of grout choices tomorrow and he will get my grout from the same supplier that work uses. He said it is a reliably conscistent product, so i am confident that'll work (plus he likes that he can come in useful with my new interest.) He also said he'd like to try his hand at it too! So it might be something we can do together.

Do you teach yourself crafts? Or do you like taking classes? How do you learn best?

**SewCrafty** · 09-23-2005, 05:03 AM

WTG Missy! Can't wait to see what you make, and hubby helping? That is too cool!

I'm like you, I teach myself. I have never taken a craft class in my life. I have always said, if something is in print I can read, I can do it!

**AmyMCGS** · 09-23-2005, 09:34 AM

I teach myself, too.

My M-I-L got into this glass mosiac stuff last Spring, and she made a beautiful table for their back porch. It was an old, falling apart table that she redid-- it's gorgeous now.

Be sure and post those pics, Missy.

**Jayne** · 09-23-2005, 10:07 AM

Sounds really pretty Missy!!!!...Hurray for you for just gettin in there and doing it!!!.....I am also self taught in all that I do!!!!!

**many houseapes** · 09-23-2005, 10:29 AM

that sounds like such a neat craft, missy...i've seen mosaic things, but it looks hard to do...maybe it really isn't? I too, never took a craft class in my life. My mom taught me how to embroider when I was 5, my grandma taught me how to crochet when I was 10, and from there, I pretty much picked up other crafting abilities on my own. I wish that my older dd's would have been interested in crafts when they were younger......my youngest dd will be 4 soon and is showing some interest....maybe she'll be the one who is crafty

**Missy** · 09-23-2005, 03:08 PM

here are the kids holding my work in progress (it reads "Pot Spot") i had to stop when I couldn't take the shards lodged in my hands anymore. I gotta figure out some protection for that. I got out all the shards and went to bed last night. And this is how far i have gotten with it so far. I have cut my glass really small, less than a quarter inch square each. So it is time consuming and uses dexterity. And i have to pull off some that I am nt happy with, but this is where it stands.

The glazed over look on the kids faces, um, yeah, sorry I didn't explain that, lol. They are all medicated up, they have colds, poor guys. But they won't slow down, they still want to be in the middle of everything.

**Michelle** · 09-23-2005, 03:44 PM

That looks awesome Missy!

In answer to your question in the OP...I usually need someone to show me how to do a craft when I'm learning. I have to see it and then try it before I can say if I understand something.

**Missy** · 09-27-2005, 02:55 PM

here's a pic of the progress

i put brown around the edges to make it look framed

next i have to grout

**forestdale** · 09-27-2005, 03:23 PM

I did a great job on your new craft. I love it.

**Darlene** · 09-27-2005, 03:36 PM

Great job Missy!

Ps~ I love your helpers, they smile so sweetly.

**HandyMom** · 09-28-2005, 12:45 AM

I love that! I think those would make a great gift, too.

**mrsteddybear** · 09-28-2005, 08:31 AM

You have done a wonderful job. It looks great!

**Missy** · 09-28-2005, 02:52 PM

here it is during the grouting process, was a bit worried. All that hard work!! DH had to rescue my grouting because getting the consistency right isn't easy no matter what the instructions say!! Good thing he tiles floors!!

**Missy** · 09-28-2005, 02:58 PM

and finally the finished product (except for the sealing)

I don't have a pic to show you the result of this work on my hands. I am covered in cuts, scrapes, bandaids and neosporin. Definitely not something anyone should rush into doing. I have decided that I can only do this at night when the kids have gone to sleep. It is way too dangerous otherwise; and for three reasons. 1. Obviously kids and glass don't mix well ; 2. you get hurt fast being distracted; and 3. there are tiny little shards that fly off the materials...no matter how careful you are. Easy oppurtunity for a little one (or you) to get hurt.