Crafter Confession 😬

Can I say something that’s probably a little weird? I LOVE making things. Crocheting is the life I love with music, but I don’t love designing that much? Sure there are things I’ve designed and written up, and there are types of things (especially that involve charts or graphs) that I have a soft spot for in designing. However, I would much rather spend my time making stuff that other people design and maybe putting my own twist on it. I am super appreciative of designers and always try to give credit. It’s just not where my heart is, ya know? And I also find the idea of trying to maintain social media overwhelming, even though it’s the best way to get my products out into the world. And since design isn’t my focus, I have some imposter syndrome going on with my work. Can anyone relate???

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I don’t think that’s weird at all. I’ve been crocheting for years, and I never even felt any interest in designing. I’ve adapted some patterns for personal use, and I find the trial & error process of figuring out the perfect way exhausting. I crochet to relax, not to get annoyed :laughing:: I also don’t feel like I have any ideas that go beyond little tweaks to existing patterns. That’s why I, too, an super thankful for designers and always happy to pay money for good patterns because I appreciate the work those took.

I find social media quite overwhelming too. I always tell myself there’s a reason why many companies nowadays hire their own social media managers. It’s a whole job in itself it you want to fully tap its potential for growing your audience and sales, and that’s something that’s hard to manage in addition to a day job.

None of this means you’re any less talented as a crafter! Crochet is still skill you needed to learn and practise to be really good at. (You can probably easily see that when comparing your first projects to your current ones.) It’s the same with other crafts. Tailors also sell their work without having designed the clothes they make because their work is still something the average person can’t do. Painters who ā€œonlyā€ paint the people or landscapes they see rather than images they came up with themselves are still very talented. So are you :).

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It’s really affirming to hear someone else say it. I wish I could do nothing else but crochet and make music-what my degree is in- but it’s not feasible for me right now. I certainly can’t afford for someone else to manage my socials. But I still love my craft and want to make some money from it to help me fund new projects.

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I can definitely relate. There are so many awesome patterns out there it makes it hard to get to designing. I also really love pattern testing to improve my skills and learn new techniques. As long as I’m creating I’m in my happy place. :blush:

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It’s not weird, social media -IS- overwhelming especially if you have to figure it out yourself. And now a days everyone wants you to pay them to tell you how to do it.

As far as making or designing I think it’s just a matter of preference, if it were weird hobby shops wouldn’t be filled with millions of crafting kits. I can understand the impostor feeling but if your goal is to sell the things you make just seek out the designers that encourage the selling of the finished items. There’s lot of em out there. :heart:

Personally I like the design aspect and have more written down then I’ll ever have time to finish or try.

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I honestly have soooo many patterns I want to use and the work of designing isn’t necessarily my favorite thing unless it’s for something really specific or a gift for a friend. :woman_shrugging:t2: It stresses me out a little.

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Yes social media can be overwhelming. Thats one reason im not posting on insta daily nor facebook. Its alot to create reels and make items plus being an adult and cooking/cleaning

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I’m kinda over being stressed about social media.i used Instagram for my drawing account really aggressively and it was just a massive energy suck. Instagram then turned around and said they’d be deprioritising pictures in favour of reels. If I wanted to do videos I’d have a YouTube channel and get paid for it. whatever.im over it :joy: I post there still but don’t really expect anything from it. I’ll left my account to rot for 8months now my engagement is terrible. same with Facebook. I’d rather have fun designing and making patterns. If you’re worried about selling patterns or items It’s probably better to spend your time on the sales page seo. People search for what they want probably more often than they’d trip over it on social media anyway.
I started designing patterns mostly because the things I wanted to make weren’t out there as patterns when I needed them, for example childrens TV characters.quite often those patterns get taken down for copyright so professional designers (where it’s their main job) won’t touch them. I know what you mean though,it’s much easier to make someone else’s pattern without any frustration if you just want some chill time .

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I’ve never heard of SEO. What’s that like??

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It stands for Search engine optimization. Basically tags and titles etc it’s not a social media :joy:
It helps people find your stuff

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Nothing weird about any of this. I think we all feel much the same.
I do design, but have hundreds that I’ve not published, thank you imposter syndrome lol
And when I don’t want to design I will make someone else’s pattern. There are literally hundreds I have saved on various wishlists.
As for social media, it can burn you out real quick if you’re trying to keep up with influencers. I just let mine grow organically. Post when I feel like it or remember and don’t let it bother me.
Just keep doing what makes your heart sing. If it doesn’t sing don’t do it.
Also, I’m one of those designers who is happy for people to sell what they make from my patterns.

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Yes, I’m happy for people to sell their makes of my patterns too. I suspect those designers who put limits on also sell their makes and don’t like to flood the market with competition. All my makes get snapped up by my daughter :joy:

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Lol my kids are like that too one took the ribot frog i just tested for and the other stole my orca first draft i am designing.

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Ohhhhh that makes sense :rofl:

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That’s so funny! My cats keep trying to steal mine, but I’m pretty sure they would just tear them up :woman_facepalming:t2:

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It was a bit if a race between my daughter and my cat actually :joy:

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I’ve caught them trying to carry it off like a fresh kill several times :rofl:

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Spit Take Lol GIF by Justin

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I know what you mean. I could probably design a lot more than I try to or think about. Is very hard to switch off if have a creative brain even if also craft to relax. Ive always had issues with my confidence. I dont like to overdo social media either as get drawn into thinking what should be doing based on what other’s are. Is not particularly healthy.

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