COPD is Always Best with Crafts

When I was young, my mom would make crafts for decorations and gifts. She was known for her jewelry trees. With rhinestones, artificial pearls necklaces, and more, she would glue the jewelry pieces to a velveteen background, usually black. I could not wait to create my own. These sparkling pieces drew me in. On my good days, I enjoy going to garage sales. It is so exciting to personally collect the gems to make my own trees and other items. A person doesn’t need to spend a lot of time or money. Once we figured out who the recipient was going to be, the gift choice would fall together.

A week or two before Christmas, my mom and her friends would get together to make Christmas cookies. I felt so grown up when I was included in those events. I learned so much, even about myself. Now, cookies and cake pops are my favorites to make. As I get older, I am more aware of how well I wear those tasty delights; my waistline doesn’t lie. Eek.

Recognizing my physical limits

Crafts have stayed with me. The name “crafts” covers a lot of things; I created so many. My creations became home décor, gifts, and hobbies. There have been opportunities to make extra money. Those were wonderful, relaxing incentives. However, they sometimes affect my COPD, asthma, pain, and whatever else.

As I get older, I realize how much I have learned and how much more I want to do. The most difficult realization has hit hard. I realized that just because I made two or three tie blankets and enjoyed doing it, it doesn’t mean that I should have bought enough for our eight adult children. Yes, I did buy eight kits. After my third blanket, my tongue turned black, likely from inhaling the flannel fabric. I was short of breath, and my back pain had me in tears. The rest of the kits went to those who wanted to do their own. I even sold a few. This was an awakening for me.

Start small. Adapt and adjust. I have always liked that saying. Besides lungs, a painful back, hands, and more are sometimes crippling. Standing straight can be impossible. Before, I could do things that today are not possible. Thankfully, there are some that I continue to challenge myself. For some crafts, they seem impossible to finish. I push myself, if I didn’t, I believe that I would give up my drive and purpose.

My COPD-safe crafts

My husband got me the best gift ever. I consider this as a craft. He got me a new clipper for the dogs. It’s amazing. The clipper and other accessories attach to a vacuum. There is no fur flying! I can breathe! If I need to use the clipper alone, I must mask up, and wear goggles. Then shower as soon as I can. My breathing is affected by coughing and I need to use my nebulizer. It takes me about three days to do one small to midsize dog. They are non-shedding, but like all dogs, they do shed somewhat. Especially after brushing. Sometimes, I think I shed more than they do,

My pulmonologist insisted that we get a good air filter because we have dogs. He got a large machine. It’s wonderful and does makeup a difference throughout.

Another favorite to do are wreaths. I enjoy making them and have given away to family, plus donations.

Something I found out, I can’t breathe when working with Resin. There are some crafts I really want to make. Resin has some beautiful ones. I found out that clear glue and cornstarch have some beautiful projects too. It’s amazing how creative we can be when we put our minds to it. I may have to give up the projects that I really like but we can always adapt. However, Pinterest and the internet offer so many ideas.

Finding your niche and staying inspired

Try to find comfort in knowing that even though I am, and possibly you too, am homebound, on oxygen, or even crippled, you can still find something that is your niche. If you want to do something, search it out. There is something for you. Take pictures. Write a book. Reach out. Know that someone is here for you.

Looking ahead, I want to try more photography. I finally got out the camera and accessories my husband gave me a couple of years ago. That’s my next endeavor; I am so excited! I also want to write more; that was my first love.