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Practical skills, hobbies, and crafts

MorivethMoriveth BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWNBREAKDOWN BREAKDOWNRegistered User regular
Who here is wanting to expand their interests? I'm sure we all are. I'm curious as to if people have the same issue I do, where it's just hard to motivate yourself to continue the learning process of something, especially in the very beginning stages of learning something you have no experience with.

I think we have a very wide swath of experiences and skills here, and I'm interested in making this thread a place where those that are learning a skill can come here to get advice from those that might have some knowledge of it, or even encouragement to continue forward when frustrated. For example, I'm going to try and learn electronics, because I've always been interested in it, and it's an interesting subject. What do I know about electronics? Next to nothing! But I bet some people here have some knowledge!

So how about, it, SE++? What are you good at? What do you want to learn? What advice are you willing to provide for novices?

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    Duke 2.0Duke 2.0 Time Trash Cat Registered User regular
    Oh man being a newbie at crafts is awesome. Make some shitty test object with no expectations of quality and be massively impressed!

    The moment you want to get any deeper than the skin is when frustrations, lack of resources and lack of guidance really hits that motivation hard

    VRXwDW7.png
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    OmnipotentBagelOmnipotentBagel floof Registered User regular
    I'm really good at basic arts and crafts stuff. Back when I was a student employee, I went all-out with Christmas decorations--building fake fireplaces out of cardboard and LEDs, getting creative with lights and wrapping paper to create a "starry night through a frosty window" effect. One year I even used our rear-projection screen to create rotating speech bubbles for our giant inflatable snowman. I really enjoyed all that stuff, and I like to think I was pretty good at it. Now I don't really have an outlet for that sort of thing, though, since I have an adult job and live alone. Decorating's only really fun if you're doing it with/for other people.

    cdci44qazyo3.gif

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    Bluedude152Bluedude152 Registered User regular
    I do a bunch of papercraft shit. Its great fun and nets me a bunch of cool looking shit

    p0a2ody6sqnt.jpg
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    BroloBrolo Broseidon Lord of the BroceanRegistered User regular
    I make websites.

    Like, for a living.

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    MorivethMoriveth BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWNRegistered User regular
    Brolo wrote: »
    I make websites.

    Like, for a living.

    Like, the internet?

    It'll never work!

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    JebusUDJebusUD Adventure! Candy IslandRegistered User regular
    I'm bad at everything, teach me to do something practical.

    and I wonder about my neighbors even though I don't have them
    but they're listening to every word I say
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    MorivethMoriveth BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWNRegistered User regular
    I mean as far as actual skills go, I'm a pretty decent cook and baker.

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    #pipe#pipe Cocky Stride, Musky odours Pope of Chili TownRegistered User regular
    I'm a kerning expert

    ask me about kerning

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    #pipe#pipe Cocky Stride, Musky odours Pope of Chili TownRegistered User regular
    I should get a Judah Friedlander styler trucker hat that just says "KERNING EXPERT"

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    DidgeridooDidgeridoo Flighty Dame Registered User regular
    I've been getting into woodworking! It's a lot of fun, although it's kinda slow going at this stage in the game. I'll get faster with practice, I'm sure.

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    godmodegodmode Southeast JapanRegistered User regular
    I bought a piano last week and started teaching myself to play it. It's a lot of fun! In fact, I haven't touched a video game in the time since!

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    OmnipotentBagelOmnipotentBagel floof Registered User regular
    Didgeridoo wrote: »
    I've been getting into woodworking! It's a lot of fun, although it's kinda slow going at this stage in the game. I'll get faster with practice, I'm sure.

    I love woodworking but I live in an apartment so I have pretty much no opportunities to do it. It's the number two thing I am excited about one day having a house for, directly behind "dog ownership".

    cdci44qazyo3.gif

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    BroloBrolo Broseidon Lord of the BroceanRegistered User regular
    #pipe wrote: »
    I'm a kerning expert

    ask me about kerning

    cUkc7ly.jpg

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    The GeekThe Geek Oh-Two Crew, Omeganaut Registered User, ClubPA regular
    Didgeridoo wrote: »
    I've been getting into woodworking! It's a lot of fun, although it's kinda slow going at this stage in the game. I'll get faster with practice, I'm sure.

    Been inspired to whittle some large clubs with a nice heft to them?

    BLM - ACAB
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    #pipe#pipe Cocky Stride, Musky odours Pope of Chili TownRegistered User regular
    Didgeridoo wrote: »
    I've been getting into woodworking! It's a lot of fun, although it's kinda slow going at this stage in the game. I'll get faster with practice, I'm sure.

    I love woodworking but I live in an apartment so I have pretty much no opportunities to do it. It's the number two thing I am excited about one day having a house for, directly behind "dog ownership".

    If you live in a decent sized city, you should look around for a community maker space. There are like 3 of them here in Vancouver. They usually feature a monthly membership fee for which you can access the space during specific hours and use the communal tools. They also often have masterclasses and workshops included in the membership or for a little extra money.

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    Rhesus PositiveRhesus Positive GNU Terry Pratchett Registered User regular
    #pipe wrote: »
    I'm a keming expert

    ask me about keming

    [Muffled sounds of gorilla violence]
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    The GeekThe Geek Oh-Two Crew, Omeganaut Registered User, ClubPA regular
    I've gotten pretty good at falling down.

    BLM - ACAB
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    OmnipotentBagelOmnipotentBagel floof Registered User regular
    #pipe wrote: »
    Didgeridoo wrote: »
    I've been getting into woodworking! It's a lot of fun, although it's kinda slow going at this stage in the game. I'll get faster with practice, I'm sure.

    I love woodworking but I live in an apartment so I have pretty much no opportunities to do it. It's the number two thing I am excited about one day having a house for, directly behind "dog ownership".

    If you live in a decent sized city, you should look around for a community maker space. There are like 3 of them here in Vancouver. They usually feature a monthly membership fee for which you can access the space during specific hours and use the communal tools. They also often have masterclasses and workshops included in the membership or for a little extra money.

    I've considered looking into local theaters. Set construction would scratch that itch pretty good and I really miss doing running crew for shows too.

    cdci44qazyo3.gif

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    BroloBrolo Broseidon Lord of the BroceanRegistered User regular
    Moriveth wrote: »
    Brolo wrote: »
    I make websites.

    Like, for a living.

    Like, the internet?

    It'll never work!

    Did you know you can find pictures of ladies on the internet.

    And sometimes they're naked.

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    #pipe#pipe Cocky Stride, Musky odours Pope of Chili TownRegistered User regular
    Brolo wrote: »
    Moriveth wrote: »
    Brolo wrote: »
    I make websites.

    Like, for a living.

    Like, the internet?

    It'll never work!

    Did you know you can find pictures of ladies on the internet.

    And sometimes they're naked.

    QCeVnbJ.gif

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    Rhesus PositiveRhesus Positive GNU Terry Pratchett Registered User regular
    My skills are the ability to cook some things, occasional bursts of creativity when writing fluff for role-playing games, pun creation, and having the patience to hack together ugly lumps of code to do very basic computer stuff.

    Mrs Rhesus is the creative one. She draws, makes felt decorations, and has a much wider knowledge of cooking brilliant things. I'm a workhorse, she's one of those fancy... triage? Decoupage? Horse dancing, you know

    [Muffled sounds of gorilla violence]
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    The GeekThe Geek Oh-Two Crew, Omeganaut Registered User, ClubPA regular
    Let me tell you what, there are few experiences quite as memorable as being a teenage kid in the early days of online connectivity, learning that you could use it to find naked pics, finding a decent cache of them on a dial-up BBS, then downloading one at the blazing speed of 14.4, watching it slowly appear on your screen, tantalizingly line by line, top to bottom, face, boobs, torso...and then suddenly it's scat porn, all poopin' in a dude's mouth.

    BLM - ACAB
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    Rhesus PositiveRhesus Positive GNU Terry Pratchett Registered User regular
    DRESSAGE

    Sorry, we were talking about pooping into a guy's mouth?

    [Muffled sounds of gorilla violence]
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    LarlarLarlar consecutive normal brunches Moderator, ClubPA mod
    Lately I've been toying with the idea of signing up for an improv course. In my mind I imagine I'll get really good at it. In reality I'll probably be Michael Scott Scarn.

    iwantanswers3.png
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    RankenphileRankenphile Passersby were amazed by the unusually large amounts of blood.Registered User, Moderator mod
    I've been spending every Tuesday making shit. Starting to learn some basic woodworking skills, and this week I'll be making a couple of molds of some stuff I sculpted so I can cast a bunch of copies for D&D stuff. I'll take some pictures and talk about the process when I do.

    8406wWN.png
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    The GeekThe Geek Oh-Two Crew, Omeganaut Registered User, ClubPA regular
    I've been spending every Tuesday making shit. Starting to learn some basic woodworking skills, and this week I'll be making a couple of molds of some stuff I sculpted so I can cast a bunch of copies for D&D stuff. I'll take some pictures and talk about the process when I do.

    We might be there tomorrow. I'm taking the week off from training because my neck has been kind of tweaky and sore and practice has been aggravating it. I don't really have a project to work on because I just don't really do that stuff, but it'll be fun to hang out while you creative types get creative.

    BLM - ACAB
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    RankenphileRankenphile Passersby were amazed by the unusually large amounts of blood.Registered User, Moderator mod
    The Geek wrote: »
    I've been spending every Tuesday making shit. Starting to learn some basic woodworking skills, and this week I'll be making a couple of molds of some stuff I sculpted so I can cast a bunch of copies for D&D stuff. I'll take some pictures and talk about the process when I do.

    We might be there tomorrow. I'm taking the week off from training because my neck has been kind of tweaky and sore and practice has been aggravating it. I don't really have a project to work on because I just don't really do that stuff, but it'll be fun to hang out while you creative types get creative.

    Do it, I'll put ya to work. There's plenty of shit we can always use a hand with.

    8406wWN.png
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    Rhesus PositiveRhesus Positive GNU Terry Pratchett Registered User regular
    I once used pipe cleaners to make some squares that our Cleric could drop into the table to mark out various areas of effect

    I then used the rest of the craft kit to make a Pac Man fancy dress costume

    [Muffled sounds of gorilla violence]
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    CelloCello Registered User regular
    What kind of materials are you going to cast with, @Rankenphile ? A friend and I picked up a Star Wars chess set a little while back, but the pieces are plastic. We were thinking of pulling some molds off of 'em and using pewter to cast with, but because my friend has exams we haven't had the time.

    Speaking of time, now that I don't have a job I have a ton of it. I'm probably going to pick up an Arduino this week or next depending on when I get my severance pay, and a bunch of accessories in a kit so I can brush up on some robotics skills.

    Steam
    3DS Friend Code: 0216-0898-6512
    Switch Friend Code: SW-7437-1538-7786
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    RankenphileRankenphile Passersby were amazed by the unusually large amounts of blood.Registered User, Moderator mod
    Cello wrote: »
    What kind of materials are you going to cast with, @Rankenphile ? A friend and I picked up a Star Wars chess set a little while back, but the pieces are plastic. We were thinking of pulling some molds off of 'em and using pewter to cast with, but because my friend has exams we haven't had the time.

    Speaking of time, now that I don't have a job I have a ton of it. I'm probably going to pick up an Arduino this week or next depending on when I get my severance pay, and a bunch of accessories in a kit so I can brush up on some robotics skills.

    Plaster, mostly, just for cost reasons. I might do some resin casting, but it's more expensive. Haven't done any metal casting yet, but I'd love to learn how. I looked into making a little aluminum foundry last year, a little, and might actually set one up this summer if I get around to it. I do a lot of sculpting using insulation foam, so doing lost form casting with aluminum wouldn't be that difficult, in theory.

    8406wWN.png
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    The GeekThe Geek Oh-Two Crew, Omeganaut Registered User, ClubPA regular
    Actually, now that I think about it, I've had a cosplay idea in mind for a little while that would be pretty much just be all cardboard and maybe I can work on figuring that out. Oh, and maybe I'll work on trying to design a new set of ring gear that I've been trying to save up for.

    BLM - ACAB
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    MorivethMoriveth BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWNRegistered User regular
    Oh! I've also been painting miniatures from my boardgames. Haven't done that in a while, though. I should get back to it.

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    The GeekThe Geek Oh-Two Crew, Omeganaut Registered User, ClubPA regular
    Hmmm, maybe I should work on my board game, too. Haven't done that in over a year.

    BLM - ACAB
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    facetiousfacetious a wit so dry it shits sandRegistered User regular
    I just started learning 18th-century shoemaking. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume this is a little too specific for anyone to have advice? :P

    I kind of really want to learn to ride and/or work with horses, but I've emailed a couple local barns about possibly volunteering with them and never heard anything back. I don't have the money to simply take lessons (and again, want to learn to work with them as well) so I kind of don't know my options here. Although if I get a job I'll be hearing back about within a week, I'll be moving to a new place and the organization itself has horses as part of its programming, so there may be opportunities.

    "I am not young enough to know everything." - Oscar Wilde
    Real strong, facetious.

    Steam: Chagrin LoL: Bonhomie
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    #pipe#pipe Cocky Stride, Musky odours Pope of Chili TownRegistered User regular
    Larlar wrote: »
    Lately I've been toying with the idea of signing up for an improv course. In my mind I imagine I'll get really good at it. In reality I'll probably be Michael Scott Scarn.

    I just became acquainted with a guy who does classes a couple times a week. I could introduce you if you ever feel like following through with it.

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    Rhesus PositiveRhesus Positive GNU Terry Pratchett Registered User regular
    facetious wrote: »
    I just started learning 18th-century shoemaking. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume this is a little too specific for anyone to have advice? :P

    I could refer you to some people that might help, but it's likely to be just a load of old cobblers

    [Muffled sounds of gorilla violence]
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    LarlarLarlar consecutive normal brunches Moderator, ClubPA mod
    #pipe wrote: »
    Larlar wrote: »
    Lately I've been toying with the idea of signing up for an improv course. In my mind I imagine I'll get really good at it. In reality I'll probably be Michael Scott Scarn.

    I just became acquainted with a guy who does classes a couple times a week. I could introduce you if you ever feel like following through with it.

    :bro:

    iwantanswers3.png
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    MorivethMoriveth BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWNRegistered User regular
    Brolo wrote: »
    Moriveth wrote: »
    Brolo wrote: »
    I make websites.

    Like, for a living.

    Like, the internet?

    It'll never work!

    Did you know you can find pictures of ladies on the internet.

    And sometimes they're naked.

    I dunno man, I heard Prince say the internet is over.

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    OmnipotentBagelOmnipotentBagel floof Registered User regular
    Moriveth wrote: »
    Brolo wrote: »
    Moriveth wrote: »
    Brolo wrote: »
    I make websites.

    Like, for a living.

    Like, the internet?

    It'll never work!

    Did you know you can find pictures of ladies on the internet.

    And sometimes they're naked.

    I dunno man, I heard Prince say the internet is over.

    He meant the name "Internet". We're supposed to call it ð now.

    cdci44qazyo3.gif

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    ChicoBlueChicoBlue Registered User regular
    I can draw things sometimes.

    I am currently painting the penis of a weird troll monster man. I could've just put a loin cloth or something on him, but I thought, "You know what? Nah. Let's get that dick out."

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