I love making things. When I was a kid, I loved to draw, sew, garden, paint, crochet- you name it. I was fortunate to come from a crafty family- my grandmother was a professional seamstress and my mom knew how to do all kinds of artsy things. My childhood friend's mom was a very talented artist and we would spend hours learning painting and drawing techniques from her and using her sewing machine to make things. I would sit at my desk and draw for hours on end and give my artwork as gifts to my parents. It was my favorite thing to do.

I miss those days. Over time, I lost touch with my creative side. Life got consumed by other pursuits like track and band and school, and before I knew it I forgot how to do so many of the things I worked so hard to learn.

Crafting and creative life is making a huge comeback nowadays, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Sites like Etsy give artisans the opportunity to showcase and sell their creations and gain notoriety that the average booth display could never do. The marketplace can never become saturated with so many original ideas- there is always something fresh and new to discover when it's one person's unique work on display.

I hope to get back into the swing of things, most specifically sewing. I have had aspirations to begin an apron business for more than a year now, and so far I have made one whole apron. This is due mostly to a total lack of a sewing machine over the past several months. However, my grandmother is moving here next weekend and will bring with her a particular sewing machine she set aside just for me. I cannot wait to begin using it and taking lessons from one of the people who influenced my creative side so profoundly in my formative years.

Once we learn what we will be having (in a little more than two weeks! Yay!), I am going to start seeking out projects to begin for our little one. Knitted and crocheted items will be key since he or she will be a winter baby. I also hope to support other artisans who carefully and lovingly make handmade items for babies, such as Baby Mae Couture, a friend of many friends of mine who is tremendously talented at her craft. I will treasure most the things that I know were intricately made by a person rather than processed my a machine en masse.

I love discovering handmade items by talented artists. If you have a favorite, I want to hear about it!