Hello there! Today I have a video for you that I really wasn't planning on making but it just happened. I wanted to share with you just a few of the hundreds of little things that crafters who have arthritis can use in their arsenal and what I've found to be personally helpful. I'm sure I'll do a few more videos as there is so much I've discovered along my journey having rheumatoid arthritis and how to keep crafting. Sadly, coloring is my absolute favorite thing to do, but I have a very difficult time anymore so I've really cut back on it. Coloring is so relaxing and calming to me. I just don't have the motor strength or coordination to stay in the lines. I've been doing it more lately but it fatigues out my wrist a lot which in turn forces me to use my left hand more and then that fatigues out. It's a vicious cycle. Just every day activities of washing my hair to doing dishes to laundry – it always affects me.
I also love to do ink blending, but let's face it, that is a workout in and of itself. But, I've managed to keep my great blends and transitions by holding the blending tool differently. It takes a bit longer, but it also gets the job done. I forgot to mention that wearing a soft brace definitely helps a lot and I highly recommend using one whenever possible, even daily while doing chores so that it helps support your wrist. I only wear a hard brace if I have a complete drop wrist and that is just hell. I don't wear one otherwise since it's for stabilization only. I take that back. Every now and then I do at night to let it rest and give me extra support while sleeping.
When I was watching my video, I realized a few things about myself. I'm right-handed, but use my left hand more predominantly, I have a New York accent that I thought I avoided picking up for the 15 years that I lived there despite the fact that I'm a California girl and I talk with my hands way too much. I also have to go back to physical therapy if I'm dropping a paper piercing tool that weighs less than an ounce.
So, I hope this video helps anybody who has any type of arthritis who like to do any kind of crafting. I honestly think I'm going to have to give it up soon unless I want to spend all day making a card that entails sitting for a long period of time which will hurt my back. The joys of autoimmune diseases.
Thank you so much for stopping by today to visit me and I hope that you like this really freaky clown card I made, even though I don't like clowns. They spook me and are just weird. In the movies, they are always really bad characters – and I also think I just got why people can refer to others as "clowns" or "bozos," and it's not good. I can be a slow learner like that sometimes.
In making this card, I broke out a lot of different products that were collecting dust and I'm glad that I did. It makes old new again.
Also, be sure to check out the Paper Craft Crew tomorrow. There is blog candy from yours truly! It's a great color challenge and you will see my card on Saturday for the Mid-Week Inspiration.
Take care and have a great day. God bless until the next time.
Psalm 46:10-11
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