craftgrrl | i am frustrated (Reply)

So I'm having a bit of an issue and I'm sure there have got to be others who can relate to this.

Basically, I see all these great ideas posted in this community. Stenciling, making bags, glass etching, altering clothing.... Sometimes they look so simple, and I decide to try. But I am not very artistically inclined and so when I start doing the crafts I realize that it is not as easy as I thought it was, and it starts to frustrate me and I get discouraged. No matter how hard I try to be crafty and make things, it never really works.

Yes Ive had an occasional success. I make good sock dogs, and I can make simple necklaces with beads.

But I had hoped to make some great christmas presents for my friends- stenciling bags, making pillows, etc, and I just can't seem to make them look decent.

Does anyone have any sort of advice for me on how to not suck at crafts?

And can anyone explain to me how to make a decent stencil? Like what kind of paper and stuff? I tried contact paper so it would stick to the bag I was stenciling onto but that plan failed.

x-posted to