bad crafting & creature brains

What happens when crafting goes bad? Part of the fun of crafting is trying new and different things. Often this requires learning how to use new materials or familiar materials in an unusual way. And frequently there's a bit of a learning curve.

Now I don’t know about you but I like to jump in with both hands and learn these skills along the way. All the while I’m usually thinking, oh this is going to be fabulous! This is going to be great!

Then at some point in the middle of the process it occurs to me that maybe this project isn’t really going to be so great after all. Because things really aren’t working out the way I imagined or the way they’re pictured in the book. But I push through it thinking “well, I’ve already invested this much time in making it, not to mention the money”. And on I soldier.

Unfortunately, carrying on usually results in a hideously disappointing disaster that is now taking up valuable counter space. This is what happened when I tried to make marble magnets.

Sounds easy, right? Marble magnets. Everyone is making them. It’s just some glue, rocks, magnets, and pictures. Yet mine seem to have turned out not quite right. No, strike that, mine are ugly. Yep, I’ll be the first to admit it. They’re ugly as homemade sin.

I’ve been putting this project off for quite a long while. All the necessary materials were purchased weeks ago or maybe that was months ago now. I’d even printed and cut out pictures of my little Fluffy Flowers creatures. They’ve been patiently sitting in the cabinet waiting for me to assemble them.

I lit a fire under myself a couple of days ago when I remembered that ICE Atlanta was coming up on June 7th. Since I wanted to have some of these items available at my booth I decided I’d better get cracking on them.

But here’s the thing. I don’t do so well with paper. Now don’t get me wrong, I love paper crafts. Mostly I love looking at them and admiring them. But it seems like every single time I actually decide to make something with paper it ends up like Peter’s volcano that erupts all over Marcia in the Brady Bunch. Not good!

So what’s a girl to do? I know those marble magnets look wonky. A lot like a kindergarten project, in fact. So I’m afraid they’re destined never to see the light of day and to live out their lives in the land of Crafts Gone Bad. I wonder if they go to group therapy to endure the rejection?

But I have made a few successful things the past couple of weeks, promise! To prove it, here is a picture of a new batch of creatures nearly complete. Just have to squish their little fluffy brains down into their heads and sew them up.

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend. Creature making awaits!

Comments

[Gazed-Upon Glass]

The new batch of creatures are adorable!
I haven't figured out the marble thing either.
Good luck at your show! :)

[maryse]

wow. i must have been channeling you because i made marble magnets yesterday too. (still have to glue on the magnets).

i think the problem is that your marbles aren't flat enough. mine aren't nice enough to sell or anything, but it looks like the marbles i used are definitely flatter than yours. i'll show you a picture when they're done.

[mare]

Morning Felicia,
With all you do and try to do, i admire you. I guess part of finding out what we are good at is the trying part. That takes courage! And the ability to say- that certain things just aren't our cup of tea. I tried pottery on the wheel. Dove right in! But you know, after a while and a whole lot of frustration and scrapped projects, i finally admitted i am not meant to be a potter! hahaha So i support other artists and am humbled and grateful when they support me! I just love your little furry creatures. I can tell they are made with so much love...:)

[Karyn]

Hmmm...no words of wisdom here to help your marble magnets. They look cute from the top at least! :)

And, what adorable creatures!!!! I love the "Fluffy Flowers" on them!

[Brandy]

Cute critters! You know, those magnet things are kind of growing on me. ;-)

[Jodie]

oh Felicia , I am exactly the same - I cannot do anything with paper - it just turns to porridge right from the start.

[Randi]

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!?!

Your critters are adorable. Best wishes at market!

[heidi]

the magnets are one of the few paper crafts that do agree with me!!! however, i would gladly give up my magnet mojo for your creature making talent.

[rebecca]

they look good from above. maybe you can trim up the stuff hanging out? good luck!

[gail]

Maybe the second time around will be the winner. They don't look all that bad. Maybe you could trim them up some.

[Norma]

I agree with the marble comment. Not all mine turned out as well as I would have like either. Some of my images were a good match for the marble but not all of them.

Love the softies with arms though. :)

[Alison Whittington]

Hmmm... paper and I get along just fine, but when I try to work with fabric and thread... well, I wouldn't call it a disaster, but I generally end up with blood all over the projects from pricking myself with the needle. Which is why I generally only give these things to family members... people who already share my blood!

You have no idea how much I admire you for your creature-making skills.

[shannon]

Marble magnets are fun! Of course I say that as the ones I did are laying around without magnets. What kind of glue did you use? It looks like they might have slid out of place or something. I used E6000 and smooshed the heck out the marble when placing over the paper cutout.I would give it another shot, and let me know if you have questions!:-)
--shannon
sugarplumdelights.com

[Marie]

Aaaghh! I can see their brains! Better stitch that up quick! :P

Don't worry about the magnets. Just keep trying and you'll get it right soon. It's cool that you're trying new things. It's okay if there are some test runs along the way.

[Renna]

I guess I'm out of the loop, as I'd not even heard of marble magnets.

I do love your whimsical little squishy creatures, though! :-)

[Rachael Rabbit]

I think I have a fluffy brain too!

[Mymsie]

I've tried making marble magnets too but so many in each batch of glass marbles I got were scratched.

[LaAlicia]

Your new creatures are great -- love to see them before the heads are closed up...

Maybe if you want to try the marble magnets again later -- try fabric instead of paper?

[ctmott]

I thought the magnets looked cute..Love the little fluffy creatures..

[sadira]

I think it's the projects that we don't quite do so well at that totally stretch us...I mean, look at that batch of cute fluffy!!

[Carrie K]

Creatures are cute! maybe the magnet thing is that pesky learning curve?

[Tara]

Marble madness! I would definitely not give up, the first time I made them they didn't turn out very well but now I'm pretty good at it and I sold a bunch in my Etsy shop. I can definitely give you some tips! Where did you get your marbles from? I can't find any more around here! I've been searching like crazy!

[Tara]

Marble madness! I would definitely not give up, the first time I made them they didn't turn out very well but now I'm pretty good at it and I sold a bunch in my Etsy shop. I can definitely give you some tips! Where did you get your marbles from? I can't find any more around here! I've been searching like crazy!

[Paige]

I love those little fluffy creatures - so cute!

[Angelique]

the only thing I see wrong with the magnets is that the paper is too big...? They look great from the top. You should get a hole punch. I've made magnets before and found a punch that is just the right size. It makes the project a lot easier. I'm in boxes at the moment, but I'll find it in the next day or two and let you know the size. Also, what kind of glue did you use? Mod Podge?

[michelle]

All part of the fun of creating Right? I love the new creatures! Especially the pink and green ones!

[Jennifer]

You're singing my song! I wonder if I can take this advice myself -- I say if you enjoyed the process enough to want to try again, then do. But if it really was not a fun/pleasant experience then chalk it up to learning and let it go. If you really don't know what else do to with them, I'd say put them in your pockets and when you're out on walks and see metal surfaces, leave a few behind for children to discover and adopt....

[Danielle]

Geez...and I wanted to make some cutie-pie magnets like that too! heheheheh maybe they're a trick we don't know about???

But I still think they're cute :D
Love the little Fluffy Flowers images!!!

OMG those new little critters look ADORABLE!!!! especially with those cute felt flowers!

[kristin]

lol you're not alone. i have yet to master the art of marble magnets. Your little creatures look fabulous though :)

[Holly]

Oh crafting always is a learning process... I so understand haha!! I am always jumping in trying to do things I have never done and it usually turns our fairly bad haha!!! At least we try, right?! :) Your little stuffed guys are sooo cute though!!!

[Karen Young]

Felicia, keep trying and you will get the hang of it. I love the fluffy creatures.

Karen

[Crisanne]

Your creatures are adorable! As for the magnets, did you use actual photos or copies of them on regular paper. I would think using a photo might cause trouble-glossy surface, too stiff. That's about all the wisdom I have there.

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

I was going to try those magnets, but now I think I'll skip that one. Really though, I don't think yours turned out that bad. I have lots of crafting mistakes!

[Moonbeam]

LOL - homemade sin! You are too much. I too feel the pain of crafting gone bad :) I have to say though that I love the idea of using pictures of your fluffy creatures - I would revisit this idea later.

[Macy]

This post made me laugh so hard! I totally know where you're coming from. I have countless "uglies" in my past, and numerous in my future as well.

Macy

[Lil' d]

I made an easy version: just used those clear sticker, um, bubbles (?) so I didn't even have to glue the picture on. I used a hole punch the same size as the stickers - then used the same size adhesive magnets. They turned out ok and didn't require much work.

[Jennifer]

I can totally sympathise with you! I've definitely lost my share of projects, and marbles in particular, to bad crafting... (If you used white glue to attach the images to the magnets, you might be able to soak them and loosen it up, and start over. Too much glue can cause the marble to slide across the picture, and a smaller size circle punch might help, too.) Cute brainy creatures!!!

[Brandy]

Poor marble magnets. They wanted so badly to be accepted. Oh well, at least you learned something from the experience and so it wasn't a complete waste.

The new creatures are looking adorable. :)

[bethany]

I did this with the kids years ago and all the magnets fell off the back... frustration!!! I thought yours looked cute!

[Bejeweled]

Every great new product starts with innovation and discovery - don't worry! Soon your magnets will be looking spiffy!

That new batch of creatures is looking very nice! Even with exposed brains :)

[Laura J R]

They look fine from the top! Really sweet - the marbles magnify their googly eyes!

But I agree it may be a trimming thing. Or bigger magnets for the base? Keep trying - maybe in smaller batches. Best of luck.

Now, back to the brain surgery!