I'm new to Mustachianism and have taken a different approach to my quilting/crafting stash. I'm looking at it like this; I bought all that stuff during a time when I spent money a lot more freely, and now I've mended (see what I did there?!) my ways. Because I do not expect to return to that level of spending on hobbies, I now look at my stash as something to be used and appreciated carefully so that I can make it last as long as possible. I bought all this stuff because I loved or liked it at one time, so there's very little that I'd want to just get rid of. And I'm not in a terrible rush to sew up 20 quilt tops right now just to get it out of here. More like I will slowly savor it because the days of dropping $50 at the quilt shop on a new fabric line are long gone.
Great! Sounds lovely, enjoy :)
I totally agree with your view - however, I do find that my interests and likes and dislikes do change over time. My crafts involve jewelry making, photography and for a while I made tile coaster sets with a decoupage technique - I'm over the coasters, so several of the sets which turned out beautiful I pulled out for Christmas gifts and I'm leaving a couple of sets for gifts throughout the year (a friend who is coming for a visit) and I will keep about two sets for us - all remaining sets will be donated.
Though I am still into photography and sell on my website, I am re-defining what I do and how I do it. I am getting rid of a good part of my personal collection of frames - most were gifts that just never worked out or frames I picked up, but were the wrong size or style. My girlfriend is dropping by to pick out the ones she likes, the rest will be donation.
I really do hate having things around I never use, what a waste of space and money.
The plan is to invest time and effort into the website and re-evaluate equipment - deadline Feb to March.
The jewelry making - has to be the most expensive hobby on the planet. Part of my goal in my 90 day declutter challenge (see gauntlet thread) is to sort through and re-organize and then decide which projects I would like to either embark on or finish.
Not ready to let it all go - yet, I am a rock hound and love gemstones so I will continue playing around in that arena in some form - weaving a bracelet in gold and silver with gemstone interwoven is my next project - may take a while though as my time is taken up with decluttering and garden projects at present.
The main decision here is to stop investing and work with what I have and set up a viable little workshop in the shed cum studio:) There will be purchases for specific projects only. No random shopping:)
It isn't easy to let go, but before I force myself to make something in which I no longer have an interest - I will pass it on to someone who would be happy to have it.
Then there was the time I fancied myself making a quilt and quilted bags/accessories - well, shamefully - three sewing machines and about $200 in thread and supplies, I haven't sewed a single thing.
The plan here is to take a class, as I finally like the performance of sewing machine number three and make a quilt. Haven't given up hope on that project yet - it is a small investment of money in a new skill and my budget can handle whatever material or batting I decide on down the road.
I plan to donate the other two sewing machines I purchased. Did I mention my DIL gave me an old cabinet sewing machine which works really well. I'd love to keep it just for the hell of it - but then again, since I know I will never use it, I really should let it go.
So my plan of action:
Coaster sets - gifting and donation in process - supplies like tiles - to be donated by the end of next week.
Jewelry - gemstones, beads, findings - sorting/organizing in process - working on a birthday necklace right now. Sorting deadline by April 1, 2016
Photography - donate, gift frames - in process. Will keep the frames needed for taking part in photo competition-photo club. Plan is to start on website overhaul Feb to March and re-assess equipment.
Must address issues with equipment and send for repair - deadline Mar to April 1, 2016.
My to do list has certainly become a lot longer just by visiting this thread and planning out my strategies for using supplies or donating and gifting the lot:)
Good luck with all of your projects - I am enjoying creating my next necklace and looking forward to a complete decimation of the coaster sets as well as finally getting around to organizing the jewelry supplies - notice, the sewing related topic is on hold:) for now anyway - one can only tackle so much crap at anyone time:)