Handmade Gifts and Bits and Bobs of Upcycled Whatnot
Beginning in May this year, I began focusing a lot of my creative energy on the making gifts for family as a way to express myself and also to save money. In doing so, I taught myself more crochet, upcycling, and designing skills. I also realized that, to some extent, upcycling is like sleepwalking for me. It happens whether I think much on it or not. That doesn't mean that it's not worth highlighting here, even if they aren't my most innovative work samples.
Each project had some aspects of upcycling as part of the process but not the whole process. It was a long process! Realizing how much time can actually go into making something as simple as a small bag gives me a newfound appreciation for every item of clothing and every item made of fibers that I have.
I am going to include photos of various things I made for people without getting into the occasions for gift-giving. Four of the things I made were bags or pockets. Some were big enough for a phone or small doodads, and one could hold a book or a journal and pens. All of these were crocheted from yarn I bought from people who were de-stashing (getting rid of yarn they purchased at one point but don't plan to use now) or yarn handed down to me from other crafters. The upcycling comes in mainly with the ties I use to wrap around buttons. Some of the ties were from t-shirts I cut into strips to make "ribbon." One of the ties was an actual ribbon that I had saved, probably from a gift or fancy packaging on something I ordered.
Another upcycling moment: One of the projects had a lining and inner pocket that I made from an old cotton dress that had been handed down to me about 10 years ago.
After this gifting interlude, I began paying attention to my own wardrobe and making myself things again. It turns out getting through my mending pile may, in fact, take me the rest of my life. At least I don't ned to buy much for awhile.
