for anyone who does crafts...

[Nummy]

What do you do with the finished articles?

For example, if you make cards, do you only make enough cards for yourself use?

If you do embroidery or cross-stitch, do you give the finished results as a gift? if not what do you do with them?

I only ask because i want to take up some sort of craft/s, to keep away the boredom, and I do enjoy cross-stitch, and (basic) card making, but my friends wouldn't thank me for any sort of crafted anything, because it's not their style. And to be honest, although i enjoy doing it, it's not really my style either, so I can't see me wanting to keep much that i made.

[annadomino]

Most of the pleasure of making stuff, is giving it away. Sorry if that sounds odd.

[daisya]

I love doing my crafts, especially card making. I make all my own cards for my use and if anyone wants one I give them away and do cards for charity too. You could try doing them for charity if you don't like to give them though once you become proficient at it you'd be surprised just how people like them... Hope you get to try and see how you go. Create and Craft on TV have kits etc and so do QVC too...try viewing the programmes when on and see what you think. Good luck.

[Mamyalynne]

Well I knit toys for the Grandchildren and all family cards are hand made. I have sold items in the past though, you do not get much return for your labour.

[vulcan]

My wife used to do cross-stitch and tapestry work as a relaxation after a days teaching. I framed them and she started giving them away but after a while we found people would buy them, so perhaps you could do the same.

[daffy654]

I do cross stitch, I frame my completed projects and hang them on my walls. I do counted cross stitch patterns by Mirabilia and they are very complex designs that look lovely when finished. I have several around my home and a few unfinished ones lying around. This is an example of what they look like:

http://www.google.co....QsAQ&biw=1348&bih=605

[nungate]

If you don't want to keep anything you make or give it to friends why bother making anything in the first place? I've been a stitcher/crafter since I was a child and I only do it because I love doing it and my friends love to receive hand made gifts. It is possible to make other things other than just cards and pictures. There is an awful lot of really interesting stuff out there for stitchers at the moment maybe you just haven't found the right style of things you might want to keep for yourself, alternatively you could just make cards etc and donate them to charity

[Ratty2E]

I can't really understand why you wouldn't want to keep at least some of the things you make. Maybe you haven't found the right craft/hobby yet. If you have invested hours of your time creating something you should be proud to display it in your home. If you decided to give it away then I'm sure the recipient would feel honoured to recieve it. If you just want to be rid of the stuff then maybe a local charity shop would be glad of the items.

[maggiebee]

My daughter has recently started doing cross-stitch but she does them with a recipient in mind - a special birthday, anniversary or birth etc.