Crafty Tuesday The 2013 Thanksgiving Edition

Usually I start my week of thanks on Monday but I didn’t realize that Thanksgiving was this Thursday. I am about a week behind in time. Blame the Doctor.

So, for the new readers, around Thanksgiving I like to write about things I am thankful for. It causes me to slow down a bit and reflect on all that had happened both good and bad. Thanksgiving will be 11 months since Peter had the stroke so that day is going to be a little weird for me.

Back to Crafty Tuesday.

First off I am thankful that my parents taught me so many things that I use to this day to create things. They showed me by just doing how much fun it was to create and how good it felt once the job was done.

I am thankful to my teachers over the years both formal and informal. I honestly couldn’t do what I do without what you taught me.

I am thankful for new materials. Polar Fleece changed the puppet and stuffed animal making business. Fimo and other polymer clays have allowed us to create things that were just not possible before. Crayola Magic is an air dry “clay’ that can do so many wonderful things. Colored foam sheets are a wonder.

I am thankful for the old standbys as well. What would I do without Paper Mache?

I am thankful for the opportunities I have had over the years to show my art and craftsmanship to others. I get great joy out of the smiles I see come over people faces when they see my puppets. The giggles I get out of children. The conversation that a puppet can start.

I am thankful that my husband supports me and encourages me to create. I probably wouldn’t get half of what I get done without it. He is also my critical eye and gives me honest feedback that allows me to redo things that aren’t right or just a bit off.

I am thankful for all the costumes that we keep coming up with. They challenge me each and every time to do better or learn something new that is used in costuming. I think the only things I haven’t build for humans are real shoes rather than shoe covers.

I am thankful for the Internet and obsessive fandom. Much easier to recreate when you have lots of lovely reference materials. Also thankful for all official making of books that are out which give such lovely pictures to peruse over.

I am thankful for the fans of my work. I was surprised that I had fans but apparently I do.

I am thankful for everyone who has bought my work over the years. I think I would have ditched showing at science fiction convention art shows but I make enough off of them to encourage me to continue to show in them.

I am thankful for you the reader. I have been told by a number of people that Craft Tuesday is something that they enjoy reading and that encourages me to keep it going.

I am grateful I am a crafty person.