Challenge: 31 Days of Arts & Crafts

My February (and end of January) challenge for myself

I decided last year that I was going to commit to my art and focus on it full-time. I have signed up for an online art school with various digital art courses and I am learning more every day. I have also pushed myself to crochet daily and learn new stitches and techniques every week.

Since the year began, I have completed “Fox” – my 250 cm x 200 cm textile art piece, a long-sleeved top – “Foxling”, a pair of leg warmers for yoga, a screen cover, two coasters, a pin cushion and a few other things. I have also written about 50’000 words and read about 50 books.

New routines and habits

Last year I decided on a few changes in terms of routine as well. I wanted to reduce my use of plastic further, and this month’s challenge was to use my metal food container and canning jars for leftovers rather than using plastic containers. I only needed to use plastic containers twice for the month, so I deem that a win.

I am also monitoring and logging my plastic waste to simplify the process of evaluating the sources and eliminating/replacing them one by one.

The challenge

The challenge is for February and for the 30th and 31st of January, since there are only 29 days in February. It is an art challenge.

I have decided that each day I will crochet projects that take up at least one roll of yarn (about 50 grams). I will also create art in my art journal, practice embroidery and macrame and create more jewellery. I expect to use up most, if not all of my art supplies during the challenge, and learn a long list of new techniques. I am really excited about it.

I have signed up for a course in Sashiko, which is the name of a Japanese method of embroidery. It is a beautiful art form that I have been meaning to learn more about. As long as enough people sign up, the course will begin at the end of February.

I had also been meaning to take a course in pottery, but it was sadly too great an expense for my present budget to bear. So I hope to find other ways of learning pottery, and perhaps there will be a new course available this fall or next spring.

Until next time!