There's two reasons I believe why I've really got back into cross stitching and experimented with trying new crafts. Not only because I can't work but it's a great way to productively waste a good couple of hours but because of the American love for crafts. And because this love exists there are huge crafts stores all over the place - living in walking distance of two [a Michael's and a JoAnns] I'm in craft heaven.
Growing up I was always considered a little odd because I knew how to sew, I could attempt to knit and that my mam knitted a lot of her own cardigans and jumpers and because I taught myself how to crochet [all the older relatives who use to crochet had died before I was interested in learning]. I knew other people had such hobbies but no one would talk about it, even at work. While the UK has Hobbycraft stores and a tonne of independent retailers [the later I'll admit the USA doesn't have] they are nothing like as big, or as cheap as the American version. The aforementioned stores make me wonder how British shops charge so much - for example one DMC thread retails [although cheaper online] at 75p [or it did when I was back in the UK]. Here they retail at the equivalent price of 26p [39c - excluding tax, JoAnns]. While I know DMC is an American company, Anchor cottons retailed at the same price. Yet it applies to everything.
These stores will tempt your dollars out of your pockets, they introduce you to crafts you never knew existed. From art, baking, flower arrangements, framing, scrap booking, wool, sewing, equipment, patterns and fabrics. JoAnns even offer free patterns so I always grab them, I might never use them but I love the inspiration. As with a lot of American stores coupons are a plenty often ranging from 40 percent off an item to 25 per cent off your entire purchase. While you might have to sign up for them it's always worth it - I always use the sales as an excuse to stock up on my sewing basics.
There is one thing America and it's passion for crafts slightly falls behind on - craft magazines particularly ones for cross stitching. Predominately they rely on and sell British imports which I'm all for because it means I can still get the Cross Sticther magazines with all the freebies but I've even spied British crocheting and even Mollie Makes.
If you're ever in the USA and you love crafts, take a couple of hours out to check out a craft store - if you're a big crafter it's really worth it!
Growing up I was always considered a little odd because I knew how to sew, I could attempt to knit and that my mam knitted a lot of her own cardigans and jumpers and because I taught myself how to crochet [all the older relatives who use to crochet had died before I was interested in learning]. I knew other people had such hobbies but no one would talk about it, even at work. While the UK has Hobbycraft stores and a tonne of independent retailers [the later I'll admit the USA doesn't have] they are nothing like as big, or as cheap as the American version. The aforementioned stores make me wonder how British shops charge so much - for example one DMC thread retails [although cheaper online] at 75p [or it did when I was back in the UK]. Here they retail at the equivalent price of 26p [39c - excluding tax, JoAnns]. While I know DMC is an American company, Anchor cottons retailed at the same price. Yet it applies to everything.
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These stores will tempt your dollars out of your pockets, they introduce you to crafts you never knew existed. From art, baking, flower arrangements, framing, scrap booking, wool, sewing, equipment, patterns and fabrics. JoAnns even offer free patterns so I always grab them, I might never use them but I love the inspiration. As with a lot of American stores coupons are a plenty often ranging from 40 percent off an item to 25 per cent off your entire purchase. While you might have to sign up for them it's always worth it - I always use the sales as an excuse to stock up on my sewing basics.
There is one thing America and it's passion for crafts slightly falls behind on - craft magazines particularly ones for cross stitching. Predominately they rely on and sell British imports which I'm all for because it means I can still get the Cross Sticther magazines with all the freebies but I've even spied British crocheting and even Mollie Makes.
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Do you have any crafts? Do you agree that the UK needs to embrace it's craft heritage a little more?