Wednesday, October 5, 2011

A Crafty yet...Non-Crafty Post

Hey y'all!  In this post, you won't find any cards.  No tags.  No ATCs.  No altered items.  And apparently no confidence.  Every once in a while I have to rein myself back in.  I get so obsessed with becoming a "known" in the paper craft world that my passion...my release...the thing I enjoy the most becomes sullied and ugly and not so fun.  I don't know why I do this.  Envy?  Jealousy?  Wanting to be one of the cool kids?  It's really not any of that.  I just want a spot in the sun.  But, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?  Nothing.  So, today, like I've done in the past and like I'm sure I'll have to do in the future, I'm reaffirming my love of paper crafting.  Not for notoriety or prestige but, just for the pleasure of creating something with my own two hands.

I've met some great folks and I have a good time every time I touch paper.  Who could ask for anything more?

This post was brought to you by my meandering mind.  Just wanted to share!

Thanks for reading and see you back here at Two Tears in my Bucket soon...I hope!

29 comments:

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...

Oh Rochelle! I have a feeling that I was *meant* to stop by your blog today. I've been feeling a need to reaffirm my own passions as well. It's always important to reconnect with the *reasons why* we participate in the activities that bring us the most joy. For me, it's writing. I'm so lucky that I get to write for a living at Paper Crafts magazine, but my own personal blog writing has proven to be quite difficult recently. Lately, I've needed to write more for myself than for others, and it's helped to center me in unexpected, yet very familiar ways.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the other-centric nature of the world we live in, and the industry we are a part of-- Facebook, blogging, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. I think it's good--and healthy--to take a break from it all and do something just for ourselves.

It sounds like you've been discouraged lately. But I promise you, as long as you paper craft for yourself, and not for what others think about your paper crafting, you will always be happy in doing it.

I hope your own personal reaffirmation has been just what your soul has needed to come back to center. And besides, as far as I'm concerned, you'll always be one of the "cool kids" with her own special spot in the sun.

Candice F said...

I completely understand how you feel. There have been times I felt like I was creating just to be noticed and wanting to be one of the people with hundreds of followers. When I started to feel like I was getting depressed, I had to remember that I create for myself and like to share with others. On one of my blogs, I used bloggers new template, which removes the gadgets. It allows me remove followers so I don't get caught up in who visited my blog.

It will get better!

Jessica Buffa said...

Very well put Rochelle and Cath!!! Taking two steps back, even if just for a moment, is quite normal and quite healthy! Beautiful post today!
:O)
Jessica

Teen Queen said...

Thank you Rochelle for your openess. As you can see from the comments that you are not alone. We as creative people always have to make sure that we do not simply seek affirmation through our 'craft', but that we stay grounded and focused on why we do what we do. Say to ourselves that we are good writers even if we do not write for a publication, we are great crafters even if we are not accepted on any design teams, it is great to share our love of paper crafting on a blog even if there are only a small number of followers. There is nothing wrong with receiving accelades and affirmation through our creativity, but like you already are doing keep the balance...because you are a worthy and wonderful person even if you didn't have all these great skills. Your passion for paper crafting just adds to your wonderfullness. Now I truly believe that God made me creative. In that sense I am sort of a co-creator of beautiful things...therefore I am already in His 'sun'...He sees me and God sees you. God may only purpose for one person to be blessed by experiencing our creativity...you best believe that though it may seem small...it is BIG and valuable. Ok...speech over(lol) Keep on doing what you do and thank you for sharing your heart.

Scrappin Abby said...

Hey Rochelle...I just sent you an email regarding this post : )

Sammy Jo said...

All ready I've experienced a "uh huh moment" from our SOC Blog Hop for Breast Cancer. Otherwise, I might have missed this post. Everything is in Divine Order. Thank you for you and keeping it real! This post is an inspiration.

Gisèle said...

Oh Rochelle; this is such a brave post, I so respect your honesty. I also get caught up in the world of "who visited, what are they saying about my cards and on and on..."...and I am also trying to take a step back and do what I love to do for myself, my family, my friends...Thank you, and a big encouraging hug is being sent to you from Canada..xoxooxoxox

Robin said...

It's nice to read a post like this... I keep feeling this way and try to change my thinking... but get drawn back into everything and wanting to be one of the 'cool kids' too.... sigh.....

Unknown said...

Rochelle, it's like one mind...you've so eloquently put into words the very emotions and battles I've been dealing with myself. We put so much of our hearts and souls into our art that sometimes we need to know that others notice it. When I'm feeling particularly burdened by my 'poor me' attitude, I make a card for someone who won't see it coming. When they realize how much time, effort and love it took to make it, the look of shock and happiness that washes over their face is all the boost I need. It reminds me that I make cards because I enjoy making cards! What a simple realization in a complicated world. :)Hopefully knowing you're not alone and that you are fabulously talented will help you move beyond any feelings of insecurity or unconfidence. Create because you need to...and want to, and you'll never go wrong.
God bless,
Barb xo

Michelle said...

Rochelle, I feel the exact same way but could never put into words!! Thank you for expressing them for me too!! Don't give up....keep on creating!!!

jan metcalf said...

Appreciate your style of expression, wonderful post which echoes my own thoughts!

Judy1223 said...

YES! Everything you say is so true,, Rochelle, thank you for taking a mement to express your thoughts! ou are not alone, I know i feel this way as well. I almost feel guilty for posting a card I made that is not for some challenge or contest...and that is NOT why I started out in this craft. It feels good to make cards for FUN, and I need to remind myself that it's not always a contest to be won. I know I'll never be on some grand design team, maybe I'll never have a card published, but I still love doing it and that has to be enough.

Julie Ranae said...

You and I have had our late night 'chats' on FB and I hear ya!!! I haven't read through the rest of the comments here to know what others are saying back...but from my heart to yours, the creativity YOU make is yours, it's your God-given ability and if for no other reason, it brings pleasure to HIM...so continue on because by doing so, you remind us all what's important...love ya!

judy said...

Thank you for your heartfelt expression of what
many of us feel. It is true with so many things
in life that we must keep the right balance and
protect ourselves and who and what we love from
getting caught up in the rat race (in whatever form it takes).

Angi Barrs said...

What a powerful and thought provoking post. I love what you've written here Rochelle. The love of crafting is way more important than anything else. Hugs to you! :)

pcrusberg said...

You know what, you are one brave lady. This is my first visit to your blog and I came over from Cath's Moxie Fab link up. To put yourself on a blog and show your work is more than I can say that I ever do. I am so afraid that I won't be accepted, that I don't even try. So, chin-up, you're ahead of the game!

Glenda J said...

Thanks for sharing this with us. I have felt the same way many times and struggle with it all the time, so I know where you are coming. Thanks for the reminder why we do this - for the love of our craft!

norine said...

I know exactly what you mean Rochelle!! It's something I have to remind myself of constantly!! And from others' comments, it must be an (almost?) universal thing. Good to know we're not alone in any part of this journey through life. To thine own self, be true.

Jingle said...

Rochelle, not only is this an awesome post, (that I have no CLUE how I missed the other day) BUT what an awesome discussion you have started! I ABSOLUTELY know how you feel! I struggle with it, too! And when I do, I make something for ME! And then I realize that I actually just love to make stuff, so I'm gonna keep doing it no matter what!

Amber said...

Rochelle. I just have to say that your honesty is refreshing and I could have easily written this very same post! I hope it's cathartic to get your feelings out there and I hope that you're able to press the "reset" button on your creativity. Do it for you and as long as your projects make you smile, then they will be a winner every time. It's likely that you'll come back to this place again...feeling the pressure creep back up on you. When and if that happens, just come back to this post and remember that you are not alone and that you are in this for the creativity, not the notoriety. All my best, Amber

Nancy K said...

You put in eloquent words what most of us think at times but never express. Thank you for your honesty and for reminding me how important it is to find joy in this creative journey. Blessings!

Annette Witherspoon ♥ said...

Wow, Rochelle and everyone else. It is so comforting to know that I'm not alone. I feel the same way. I will go to other blogs and see tons of comments. Then check mine and see only a couple and wonder why nobody comments on mine. Then I start questioning my work or my writing. It's so silly. This is an outlet I picked up for ME and I need to remember that. I spend most of my time serving other people (i.e. husband and kids). This is something I do for myself. I need to stop worrying about others. Thanks again for putting things in perspective. You're awesome!!

Sonia said...

Thank you Rochelle! Your post is EXACTLY how I have been feeling. It can be so hard to not get caught up in getting "noticed" or "published" and forget to just enjoy the craft and all the beautiful supplies. Hang in there, this too shall pass. After making wedding cards for a friend, I lost all my joy and didn't create or craft again for almost a year.Thanks for being so brave and sharing :)

Sue Lelli said...

Rochelle, just read your completely honest post and the comments of all the others. Maybe it's the fact that I am older than a lot of the card makers I visit (I'm 53) but I have learned over time not to worry about what other people think about me. I make cards for my own personal therapy and also to bring happiness to others. THAT is my reward. We all have to remember that it's only someone's OPINION as to whether or not our card is "good enough" and as long as it's good enough for the people I mail it to, that's enough for me! Yes, I'd love to be published a million times or asked to be on some FAB design teams, but I try to keep it real and create because I WANT to. I also try not to get discouraged by the commenting game. I comment on a LOT of cards, expecially for the team I'm on, and receive a SMALL percentage of comments in return, however the BIG BONUS is that I have made some FABULOUS blog friends through commenting and I know when we comment on each other's cards, it TRULY comes from the heart. So I choose to see the best of my FAV hobby and let the negative roll off my shoulders. Hopefully you'll feel better now that you've gotten this off your chest and have received so much positive feedback. You GO Girl! THX for sharing!

Helen F. said...

Rochelle, thank you so much for sharing this post. It's strange to see my own thoughts written down by someone else :^)
Earlier today I received a phone call from a new friend (just from the last six months)whose husband is going in for surgery next Wed. I sent a "thinking of/praying for you" card to him. She went on and on about how touched they both were by this 'beautiful' handmade card I sent. I was so happy to hear such heartfelt appreciation for a card I made, it literally brought me to tears. I guess this is truly the reason I have been immersed in this hobby for so many years.

Hope G. said...

I totally understand where you are coming from! You put it so plainly and easy to understand. I recently just started my own blog and sometimes find myself in the same kind is funk, but I also have to remember that I love papercrafting for the sake of papercrafting! Now that the holiday season is coming up, it'd be a great time for everyone to get back into the spirit of papercrafting for the love of it and to share that love with people of our lives. Thanks so much for this post! Keep ur chin up and look towards the sun : )

Laura Williams said...

Hi Rochelle! I wish I had wise and wonderful words to share. . .but I think there are quite a few in the comments above. All I can say is - you are NOT alone!!!!! In some ways, it was easier (for me anyway) before all of our online connectedness, because I didn't get a case of discontentment nearly as often. I didn't find myself envious or catty or wishing I was something I was not. It wasn't IN OUR FACES all the time. But we are forced now to constantly search for who we each truly are, and find contentment in that, instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing. And heck, if I got off the computer, think of all the CRAFTINESS I could accomplish!!! Hang in there, and know you are NOT ALONE!! :)

Deb Walker Deb Stamps Life, LLC said...

I have a Stamper's Anonymous stamp that says, "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." Loved reading the discussion you generated with your post! Make it a great day!

Wendy said...

Hey Rochelle,
I am coming to this post a few days late, but my hat goes off to you for posting your real feelings!! I want you to know that the first time I saw your work, I noticed you and I think your fabulous. I love it when I see your posts on the Skipping Stones Design FB wall and out sketch challenges. You do amazing things with stamps and all that see's can see your love of this industry!
Great job on re-evaluating why you do this.
Hugs to you my friend!!!