Around ten years ago or so there seemed to be a revival of the handmade arts like quilting, crocheting, embroidery and knitting. You would be just as likely as seeing a young hipster in a coffee shop knitting as you would the stereotypical granny in a rocking chair. I actually learned to knit a few years ago myself. (Not a hipster nor a granny...) I enjoy it even though I never really made it past the basic knit and purl. I admit I haven't knitted in awhile. (There are only so many scarves you can make when you live in Texas and most of your family lives in Arizona.)
I do like looking at knitting books though and seeing all the wonderful things that someone could make if they had better skills than me. One thing that really stood out to me in a book I read was that you shouldn't knit a sweater for someone who doesn't know how to knit themselves. The reason the author gave was that knitting a sweater was such a complicated endeavor that required much work and that only someone who had first hand knowledge of that would truly appreciate your efforts.
I wonder if that mindset transfers over to DIY as well. Would someone who spent days and much frustration putting up board and batten be more impressed with another who designed and installed it in their own home than someone who never even attempted it? Or would a crafty gal (with the hot glue gun burns to prove it) be more appreciative of the efforts of someone who spent a week gluing 23,784 seed pearls to a wreath than someone who has never crafted in her (or his) life?
I think with making things yourself you do develop a greater appreciation for the efforts of others even if it is in something you have never done before. Just the fact of creating.
I have a great appreciation for the skill and talent it takes to decorate fancy cakes and fancy rooms, to craft charming things out of fabric, wood, paper and other mediums.
So today I'm thankful for handmade items and the people who create them. They make the world a more interesting place.
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