Category: Crafts and Hobbies
I've always loved working with my hands, creating things and seeing the finished product, though I'll admit that I don't really do much of this at home, largely cause I don't have the materials. Anyway, as I researched different crafts in general, I came across an interesting term called blind trades. These mainly consisted of chair caning, basket weaving, broom making, rug weaving and piano tuning. Have any of you ever worked in these fields or known anyone who did? Is it still possible to do so today and if so, what kind of money can you expect to receive for your work? Btw, I don't mean in a sheltered workshop. I'm talking about free lancing or starting your own small business. I realise that it takes a long time to do such projects, but I figure since I will probably be taking a work at home job like braille transcription, I might make a few extra dollars and work in some kind of craft like this, piano tuning obviously excluded, since I'd need to go to school for that. Can anyone suggest any other things I might do? I've already considered ceramics, but need to work on those skills and learn more about the process before I feel confident enough to make anything for profit. As for the others, I have no experience, other than some simple weaving with yarn, but I'm willing to learn. I also used to be able to make flowers out of tissue paper, but forgot how to do it and they probably wouldn't ship well in any case. There's a way to make keychains out of wire (similar to the kind that you find in headphones, computer microphones etc) but I have no clue how to do it. I have a rock tumbler so might work with that, but jewellery making might require some sight and I'm a total.
I have some really small beads that are used to make jewellery with, but I have to remember which colors I'm using, because you make the neclaces and bracelets and things by putting a few strands of cotton on a weaving loom and weaving the beads in and out between the strands. You have to use a really small and sharp needle, so it is quite hard to thread. I don't know if that will make much profit but you could have a go.
Yeah, I doubt it too, and having to know the colours would frustrate me if, say, they fell or something and I had to wait for sighted assistance. Neat idea if you were doing it for yourself though, thanks.
Even a really good color detector probably won't be able to pick up something as small as a bead, because it can't pick up the different colors I've done as part of a cross stitch picture. You could try knitting, if you know how to do that, though because if you had a color detector you could use that to find out what color wool you are using.
I'd just rather avoid the colour angle of things if possible. lol That or work in a situation where the colours are already taken care of and organised.
How about making cards?
What kind of cards? Sounds interesting. Btw, I've also made little gifts in a jar, usually food (like the dry ingredients for soup), tea etc. I've also made bath salts and soaps, which I seriously loved. I did this at The Diamond Spring Lodge, a place for the blind. They have a a week of fun workshops called Holidays At The Lodge every year, so I always go. I also made chocolate moulds, now that I think about it. I did do a little weaving, as I said, but the kind of looms they had are way too expensive, and though I have a laploom, I have no clue how to start it on my own.
I used to have a weaving loom, but didn't have an idea how to start it and got it all tangled up. I was shown how to do teabag folding to make cards. Well, that's what it's called. You cut some paper into squares of the same size either with or without a picture and fold them ... it's a bit hard to explain how to fold each square, but eventually, after you have folded them into shape, you put them round like in a circle on a card and you can stick say a bead or heart or something in the middle and put other decoration on the card as well.
I have been able to do ceramics and sell it. but it is very costly to make in less you pour your own molds and can do repeat sales. I have tried getting the stuff from shops that are already poured. it is not that the green ware cost much it is getting the same things again and again I have my own kelm but I need a sighted person to help me run it it saves money that way. I have been in one art show so far. if you guys knkow of any places that I can get information about blind people and blind art please feel free to email me at mcrawford2@kc.rr.com
and send me a link to this. I want to collect as much as I can.
The ciramics I did weren't with moulds. I guess it should be called pottery. I made my own, using the pinch pot method. I'd get out of selling exactly the same things by saying each item is handcrafted and one of a kind. *smile* I also have a kilm but have never used it. I've never used a potter's wheel either, though I'd love to try one.
I've never used a potter's wheel, either except for putting things on top to make it easier to turn around.
I have my own whell also and have done some hand modeling also. II have not done much whell work lately lol it is pretty messy. kind of like playing in mud.
Well, for colors, I remember when I was still a little one, I'd ask my mom to get my colors in order. brown beads would be one container, blue would be in another, and so on. It was easy to work with afterwards. You can make computer graphics, maybe?
Hmm, now there's an idea! Thanks. I'll just to ask Mom which colours go together.
You're welcome! Now, just try to learn the colors that do go together and that doesn't. I mean some colors just don't go together, say pink and purple. Lmao!
Where is the diamond spring lodge? How much are the weekly sessions?
um, pink and purple go together quite well in jewelry!
The Diamond Spring Lodge, headquarters of the New Jersey Foundation for the Blind, is in Denville, NJ. I'm not sure how much they're currently charging for their programs. Alot has changed since I last attended one. But they usually work something out if you can't afford to pay the entire price. Here's their programs page.
http://www.njffb.org/programs.html
Unfortunately, for those of us who have been blind all of our lives, they're really focusing more on those who have recently lost their sight and those who are currently losing it. But it's still a great place and they still have some of the cool classes like crafts the various crafts.