Excellent article!

Thank you so much for the tips!

I have piles of folders with all the crafts I needed to do, I take them out from time to time and dream about the day I will make time for it all. Thanks for the hints.

what a great article! Thank you for sharing:)

Thanks for writing such a great article! We all need to stand back and take a breather sometimes, and with your tips and suggestions, we'll feel refreshed and ready to tackle the world once again! :)

so true. i get sucked into the internet for hours bookmarking things before i realize i need to step AWAY from the computer and start working on stuff!

What a great article. I find myself in that "I can make that myself" mode alot! It is a relief to let that notion GO! Thanks for the reminder!

You had me at "DIY Paralysis". I know this is gonna hit home with a lot of out there! thank you for this post.

Thanks Tara - Great article!! (She's got an awesome, thoughtful and inspiring blog too - Go check it out!)

Wonderful article. This was something I needed right about now :)

WOW! This couldn't have come at a better time in my life. Realizing that doing it all is not possible but taking the time to finish little things makes me feel like I have climbed Mt. Everest. Thanks for the article, it fits in with my goal of TRYING to live simply!

That has got to be the neatest cupboard of craft supplies in the world in the first photo! :) Thanks for the article, very informative!

Love doing my crafts...and love buying other wonderful "ready-handmade" Etsy items too. Thanks for the article.

i love the concept of taking inspiration in scheduled doses! i bet what we take in would make more of an impact as well, instead of a steady all-day stream of internet surfing.

I am so thankful you tackled this topic. It's hard to explain to people sometimes. Your tips are helpful and a good reminder to stay balanced and close to your own heart. Thank you!

oh sooo true!! sometimes i feel like i want to do it all! thanks for very practical advice!

thank you for this important reminder especially on the horizon of the holiday season. Ironic, though, how it follows another article about merchandising for the holiday season!!! we simply cannot do everything! i've found it helpful to specialize in a few things and do them well. but its always tempting to add another project to my list!

DIY kits are a wonderful idea if you just want to get your hands wet on a craft before deciding if it's right for you. When I purchase gifts for my nieces and nephews, I always try to look for a diy kit when possible- fun & educational.

I love (and my husband hates!) when I try my hand at a new craft. Some are so time/money/space consuming. When I moved a few months ago, I found a box of unfinished crafts. Kits or local classes are such a great way to try out something new without having to go "all in." I think I've gotten better!

Thank you for the wonderful advice!

OMG - I needed this article! I have SuperWoman syndrome... I think I NEED to do every thing all at once! When in reality I should just tackle a few things. Great article!

I love the storage ideas in the first photo! lovely.

great reminder, great tips, great post :)

Brilliant, especially #1! I'm going to try using this great logic in several areas of my life. Thank you!

cuuuuuute!

Great article! Thanks for the info!! :)

I so relate to this. I have tried out many crafts and DIY projects, and have come to narrow it it down to just a couple. Now what am I going to do with that sumi-e painting kit in the closet?

I live in the "Land of DIY". And we do it well! My grandson once told a friend at school "My grandparents can make anything." He wanted us to make custom handlebars for this kids bike. :-D Thanks for the felting kit leads...I want to try and make them with the family during winter break.

Tara always amazes me with her insights...once again food for thought...loved the post, thank you!

Incredible tips. A lot of times it does make more sense to just let someone else do it so you can find the time to do what you want to do. Yes, I can probably knit my own scarf eventually, but it'll probably take me five times longer to do it than someone here on Etsy selling scarves as their specialty. Investing the money to buy a scarf I like is cheaper in the long run than investing the tons of hours it would take to learn how to knit, buy the materials, and put in the number of hours it would take to make a comparable scarf.

Oh please come to my house and help clean out. I can do a lot of things. Crochet, knit, hardanger, plastic craft, quilting, jewelry making, sewing, computer art work, this list seems to long. And I love you idea I need to pick what I am best at.

I have so many things that need finished still up in the air before I can list even ONE painting..and only 3 items listed on my Vintage,etc store!hmm, reality check here! Thank you:0)

You've hit the spot of our creative minds. Organizing supplies like the colorful cabinet photo helps to keep us on track and focus on a smaller scale (and see how much we've accumulated per project!)

Great article! I often have a hard time limiting my own options, and get overwhelmed instead. I think time limits are the way to go!

I do so many things and need to down size to what I do best. Tough decisions.

Certainly good advice, I am trying to live these tips! Thanks for the reminder :)

Wow. I absolutely love this article. I am so excited to try these steps. I too look forward to implementing step#1... that will be huge for me.

I needed those pointers to get me back on track, thanks.

i love this article. I think I'll get back to reading it from time to time :)

Not only am I a frustrated DIYer but I have a horrible case of startitis... where any new project is so much more exciting than the one I'm a quarter way through. If I can take these tips to heart, I think I may actually get somewhere :)

Tara, this is a brilliant article and important reminder of how important it is to know our limitations and to know when to make out lives easier. I have definitely been feeling the effects DIY Calligraphy trend. Sure, I encourage anyone to learn the art of hand lettering. Just make sure not to become DIY paralyzed when you find yourself needing to address 150 envelopes; a spilled bottle of ink usually follows shortly after. Avoid the professional rug cleaner and hire the professional calligrapher for those big projects. xoxo

All very true. Well written. Thanks.

My current situation!! Loved the article!!

This came just in time... I have an hour before my daughter wakes up from her nap. Should I look at my craft and design blogs, look at my craft mags, or should I just try to stitch up one purse... wait. I'd better just read this article again.

Etsy is so loaded with awesome crafts that just browsing the site can get you over-inspired to try a million different things. Thanks for the reality check! :)

This is a great article. Thanks for the tips...

Great post, that was just what I needed to read today, the "2. Recognize an appropriate scale" is so what I need to do.

As I realize more and more that my most valuable asset is time, I'm more willing to let (and sometimes pay) others do what they do best. Appreciate the article and your blog, Tara!

So true! Thanks for translating every DIYer's thoughts into a few very useful tips!

wow...so great to read this and remind myself to limit time on the PC!! Only so much time you have to create. And I like the reminder to do what you are best at. We don't need to try and everything! Right now off to go finish some half done projects on my desk! Great at starting...not so hot at finishing:) Judy x

This is so true! A great lesson in delegation! I have been hunting for the perfect purse... I thought about making my own. Why not, I sew too! But, what I finally decided was that I have never sewn a purse! I have never send with canvas! True, I could teach myself, but all time that would go into my trial and error could be better used on projects I already have started and know how to complete perfectly. So, I found an Etsy seller to purchase the ultimate purse from! They do this all the time and know all of the little tricks I don't. So, I will go work on my scrapbook now and in a few days my handmade purse will arrive! Thank you for this article and seeing me free from my ever growing and overwhelming "I can make that too" state! Heather

This is such great advice!Thank you!!

Well said, thanks!

Great article. Interesting subject I hadn't thought of, yet I also think I can do so much myself! I usually tackle 1 thing a decade though!! It works for me.

So true! Resonated with me for sure. You can do it all just not at the same time. It will take me a lifetime to finish my list!!!

An interesting read. After a year selling on here, I'm still learning. I did take on too much at the beginning but it's all part of the learning curve:) Thank you for a great post!

Thank-you so much! Such a wonderful, informative article! And just what I needed since I was about to start freaking out due to the intimidating pile of projects I have going. Woosaaahh ;)

How true this is! I feel sometimes that I have to be a Superwoman in order to do everything that I need to do, and everything that is expected of me! Thanks for the advice, although after a while things get hectic again!

Great! Thanks so much!!

What perfect timing, just as I reshuffle my studio...thanks!

I SO agree with this article! I joke with my hubs about how I have to censor myself with regards to information overload otherwise I feel like I'm drowning in potential projects/ideas/resources.

I suffered from the do ever thing yourself attitude for a while until I burnt out... Now I cut out making all my own clothing and bags to concentrate only on leather and metal with a little bit of woodworking. Great article!!!

Your DIY room is very inspiring - gorgeous color palette!

great advice! I barely have time for the SVU reruns, but I still try to get WAY too many projects done, so now I have a bunch of half-done amigurumis all over my room.

Wow, such great advice and all so true! It has taken me a couple of years now to accept and allow myself to purchase handmade items that I know I could make myself. But will I? Most often not. Now my mantra is to just allow myself the joys of handmade, period. It is so special to let others have a hand in your life. Plus frees up more time for your own hands to prioritize projects. Thanks for the great article, next I will check out the 8-part mini course! Teenah

Thank you for this article. I have so many ideas also and sometimes (most of the times) I feel overwhelm.

Huzzah! Well said.

I love this article and it is a problem artists have, of wanting to do it all, buying the supplies because they are so beautiful and you feel the need to have them surround you. I realize I have to be very careful and try to stop the madness. There ARE too many projects laying around unfinished. I'm taking the steps to first sort, rent out a little storage to give myself my workspace back and slowly use my supply without buying unless absolutely life or death have to have. lol Thank you for your article, I like alot!

Love it! Great advice. And gets me inspired to organize my craft room! LOL!

LOVE this posting. I stopped watching HGTV long ago. My house is inundated with DIY projects waiting to happen. And while I try to follow the "let the experts help with the big stuff" mantra, one trip to the craft store, and I'm itching to start something new.

Thank you, Tara! Well said, indeed!

Fantastic article! As I pass the DIY heritage down to my daughter I am endeavoring to teach her a few things that I wasn't-- Being creative is as much about self discipline as it is imagination. Don't wait to get started till you can do the project perfectly or completely. These two principles would have helped me so much. Thanks for helping us refocus. Everyones comments make for great encouragement! Check out the DIY moss letter kits in my shop :)

Great article, I am drowning in unfinished DIY projects! PS-if that is your craft room, amazing, LOVE IT! Thanks, Carli

Great article. thank you Tara! I agree with you about using inspiration sparingly - I have lots of favorite places I go for it, but it's important to know where to draw the line and start creating. Too much inspiration can get intimidating.

words of wisdom!

I'm always inspired by Tara and this was no different. I feel refreshed and ready to go already!

oh my goodness that was a great article. Said the girl with a pile of vintage things to list, a massive mosaic explosion in the studio piles of papers for decoupaging new plants from the clearance rack at the garden center paintbrushes that dried out before I could finish painting the trim.... I. will. pair. down.

Thanks for the article. Sometimes I feel like I just can't turn my brain off, even at night. The ideas ping in my head like a pinball machine!

I agree - very good article - I enjoyed the read! Love that little owl

Very nice article - being a beginner in DIY I'm already overwhelmed by small-scale cute projects.

Great article, I hope we can all put these into practice.

Hubby will be glad I read this great advice before going out and spending for the next project.

I just love that craft room!! Now I want to go home and remodel mine....

Irrelevant, but why do you remove your eyebrows so unnaturally high dear?!

What a great post! I think most creative people deal with these issues.

Very inspiring. I've been in a craft rut lately too.

Great article Tara! I was reading along thinking "how true, how true..." And then...I bought the Japanese bookbinding kit:-)

Great advice and good article. Happy to see a local Wyomissing gal on the Etsy Blog!

Wow, you could have been talking right to me! This article is just what I needed. I find myself wanting to go in so many directions that I often don't go anywhere at all. So many craft supplies, so little time! I have so much craft stuff that I usually just get overwhelmed. Time to de-clutter and actually accomplish something!

This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Right now, I am trying to do everything. It frustrates me to no end that there isn't enough time in my life, or enough hours in the day, to try everything I want to try. When you wrote, "Trying to do everything yourself isn't empowering — it's paralyzing", a light bulb went off in my head. It was as if you were speaking directly to me! Thanks for reading my mind, and writing about what I needed to hear.! Etsy is a great place for all of us to support each other. The things I don't have time to make, I will search for on Etsy.

Great tips in the article. I especially appreciate the comments of being overwhelmed with so many ideas and projects out there. We could spend all of our time enjoying the process of just reading and viewing instead of actually doing the project. Thanks for such thoughtful and helpful tips!

Amen. Just last night I said to my husband, "I might want to learn how to make paper." He looked at me knowingly and said, "Okay." This morning I woke up and thought, "I don't really want to make paper. I just want to hoard pretty stationery and blank books!"

Absolutely correct! If only i had that advice before i started a house renovation.....LOL

It's taken me a few years to realize that I simply cannot do everything, and SELL it all too. I've been trying to find creative ways to feed my curiosities more lately, in doing projects that decorate my creative space and home, rather than my etsy shop. It's fun and I'm getting some crafty to-do's done around here as well!

Good reminders!

Great article. Learning how things are done alone is sometimes a great substitute for doing everything, and it also gives you an appreciation for the time, expertise, energy, and material that goes into the stuff you end up buying.

Wise words that apply to us as crafters and business owners alike. It is ok to ask for help when you feel you cannot handle everything yourself.

oh yes I love it all, I want to make it all

It's funny, actually, I get just as caught up in making lists of projects I can't wait to start on as I do looking up ways to get organized so I can even think of starting. It's a terrible cycle- Made worse that I know I'm in it! I'll take these tips to heart. They're important for any DIYer, I think, even those with the time and resources to actually do it all. Thank you so much for this post. :)

Couldn't have said it better myself. I always think I can DIY the planet! Thanks so much for writing this!

Thanks for writing such a great article! Your DIY room is beautiful and very inspiring.

Too true too true

so true! Thanks for sharing! Love your blog, too :)

My husband would love the Chai spice kit! Love all of the selections.

Wonderfully said! Thanks for sharing!

great stuff. 'nuff said.

great advice

Help I need some questions aswered: !. new posts What is considered a new post? 2. How do I get mine listed in a recent post? 3.I need computer help. I'm old, not computer savay and new to Etsy. I'm trying butnot succeeding. What advise can you give me to get going? Thanks Now how do I get this read?

Great advice. Staying focused is a must.

I love this article! Thank you for such level headed, sound, and practical advice!!! I too grew up watching the same shows that thrilled and empowered me. At the same time, I appreciated the part about budgeting time. And also I loved the part about scaling the project to what is do-able in our own lives. And also the part about deciding whether it is the actual item I want or to learn the process of how the item is made. Thanks again!!

I always felt I was a jack of all trades but a master of none!

This was perfect for me, since my list of "want to" craft is huge!!! I need to stay focused and keep it realistic. Thanks!

Thanks for the insightful article! I am up to my eyeballs in diy for my home, my daughter and myself, let alone all that I want to do for my shop! I must have channeled your insights early because less than a couple weeks ago I bought a fabulous necklace from an etsy shop instead of trying to make my own... and I make jewelry! I just don't make THAT kind of jewelry and was in love with the craftsmanship of another artist. I was thrilled to buy someone finished piece!

One thing I'd like to add to this wonderful list is: Don't buy unless you plan to do the project in the next week. If you don't have time already set aside to do said project chances are your idea will change or a better one will come along. So no impulse buying unless you have lots of shelf space.

great article!

Wow, this came at just the right time! You describe exactly what I seem to be stuck in, thanks so much for putting words to the frustration.

Great article, I think its so easy to get overwhelmed by the number of things to do. Theres so much pressure there sometimes you have to step back.

Fantastic, I'm so glad this was said out loud, I certainly needed this reminder. <3

Thanks for sharing Tara, I've signed up to the mini course, can't wait to try it out!

I watched all those DIY shows too. It's overwhelming. Your are so right about not being able to do everything. My mind feels over loaded that I have trouble finihing what I've started. And remembering things. Thanks for the article. Jo

I watched all the shows! Love your picture, so bright and retro. Thank you for sharing!

Guess we're all peas in the same pod here. Great article.

My problem is too many ideas; not enough time! But when I get bogged down, I search for patterns or tutorials, and that usually sparks something! Great article.

This is a fantastic article. It really cuts to the bone for most of the creatives I know. I get caught up in inspiration and end up not finishing items. I find I always work best with a to-do list and when I doggedly stick to it. Sometimes I add knew ideas to it, but I try to order them lower in priority then my already started items.

Hi Tara, Thank you! So true...the more I do the more ideas I have which means aborting 90% of them, I have to work hard to let my best ideas have the loudest voice and focus on things that compliment what I'm already doing. This article is letting me know I should probably let go of a recent dream baby to start a side business of plastering peoples walls and coving ceilings with American Clay. haha.

So true! I can just peak into my closet and look at all the supplies I have purchased with good intentions but not touched in years! Eileen...

Its true!! I went to an estate sale and bought HUGE boxes of fabric because i thought i would use it all no problem. Now ive been overwhelmed trying to make projects out of all of it! this article was very helpful and inspirational! THanks!!

great work space in the first photo - cheery, colorful, inspiring. i agree with busterandboo, i have too many ideas floating around in my head and in my journal, but not enough time.

Wow, so very true for me! Add in a home renovation (we can do it all ourselves! We've watched plenty of house flipping shows!)and I am stuck waist deep in the DIY quicksand.

Love this article... I have this problem so often and this really is helping me! Everything is piled up around me as I remodel my office/work space and try to get it all perfect... never gonna happen. Right?

I really needed this! Thank you!

WOW! Your article has helped me so much. Can't thank you enough.

i can totally relate, thanks for the advice!

what an appropriate time! can't agree with it more...thank you!

Wonderful. Share a website with you , (==== clothes6.us ====) Believe you will love it.

=D Thanks for including our mini terrarium kit =D!

Yay!! (sigh) I feel much better now. Thanks for addressing this dirty little secret of the most addicted DIYers.

So right!! This is a hard problem and I'm already passing it on to my kids!! Can you say "unfinished latch hook pillow"? They are now THIRD generation of crafty souls who get distracted from one project when enthusiasm for something else comes up.....I had to cancel my Martha subscription years ago because I was stressing out over each issue! Obviously, I've got a bad case here! Thanks for sharing and trying to help!

Very informative and helpful!

Thanks for this article Tara! I think if I lived 3 lifetimes I still wouldn't be able to make everything I want to try! :)

Simply wonderful! This article can be applied to so many circumstances that I *might* admit to being familiar with (and LittleGreenSquirrel: So funny--I'm sure many can realte to your account of distraction and abandon of old projects for new). Now if I can just get my husband to understand these principles; many a time I have come home to an abandoned construction project in favor of a new hole in the wall somewhere else. In all seriousness, though--I think trying new projects is fantastic, if for nothing other than finding out what you enjoy, BUT there is also a certain amount of accomplishment to becoming an artisan in your field of expertise! For me, this is always a work in progress.

I agree...It's hard to stay focused when there are so many wonderful things to be made!

Really great article! Thanks for insight and suggestions!

great article!

Speaking of scale... now is probably time I finished painting that last wall!

thank you for your post. I am not really having to many projects to do but I think I should have a look more what other people are doing and I find quite inspiring the bit I already did. also realizing that making everything from scratch myself might be too limiting and too limited.

I am getting ready for the season!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for the post.......

Thanks for the advise. Learning not to bite off more than i can chew:)

Man I really, really, REALLY needed to hear this. Thank you!

I totally relate to this article, since google has become my best friend-enemy. And referencing Christopher Lowell! woot! He used to be my best teacher.

Knowing that I am not the only person - makes me feel better. Thanks for the breather. Now... skill or make?

can't found my today showcase ?

Those are some wonderful and reassuring tips. I think I lose too much time every day "looking for inspiration" and just end up wasting time online. It's a great idea to set a limit on the inspiration hunt!

Great tips. Thanks!

I also spend to much time looking for the inspiration of the products. But I really don´t know why. I have so much good ideas so I need just time to realise them. And time is limited. My problem is how to get buyers to look at my products constantly and buy something. As you can see I´m new on Etsy. Any ideas for me? Thanks

Well, I do have the inspiration but time is a limitation also, I try to get all the advice as possible, and like PrettyHelena I am new and very motivated to have clients looking at my gallery, I will use some of your tips, Thank you so much!!!!!!!

Your article came at just the right time. I thought I was losing my mind. Can't do it all so not a lot gets done. My mind seems to go 90mph all the time and I need to just stay focused. I LOVE the rush of having so many creative ideas come in but I want my best to go out. Thanks again, needed to hear that.

This is a super fantastic article, and really hits home here. There is ALWAYS so much more for me to do than can I ever reasonably accomplish and have time to like, you know, sleep. (What's that?!) So, thank you, this was perfect. :)

Thankyou! I appreciate that you thought to share this with all of us who tend to have gobsmacked crafty, sewing, d.i.y. stuffed brains!

Wow! What a great article. I spent years going from one DIY to the next, loving the learning but always feeling overwhelmed and under fulfilled. What you recommend is perfect. What really helped me also was that I went thru all my myriads of art and craft supplies and decided on just 1 art that I’d pursue and master (pottery) and 2 for occasional crafting. I paired down on those two and completely eliminated all others by donating all of my tools, materials and “inspirational” information to the local Art Council. It was a commitment I am so glad I made and would recommend it to anyone who is drowning in DIY overload. I’m going to print out this article and put it in my studio! Thank you.

Thank, you, it's such a useful article!It made me realize I've done many mistakes!

Clever thoughts - thanks for sharing x

Clever thoughts, thank you.

I feel calmer already! Your article reinforced my commitment to stay focused.

This was a well timed read for me. I am definitely guilty of trying to do too much. I have to reign myself in every once and awhile!

Oh #1! Starting #1 right away.

Yup, good stuff! Thank you.

great article - thanks for sharing your thoughts

great advice!

Thank you so much for writing this!! What great advice. I feel so much better now :)

Very thoughtful advice, thanks! It is great to think that Martha and friends have helped to create a whole generation of people devoted to recreating and giving back, and making the world a more colorful and beautiful place; that's a noble investment of time they probably never realized would birth such an amazing future.

Excellent advice

I have to ask... who's office is that in the top picture? It's sooooo cute!

Thanks, I needed that! I am NOT wonderwoman!

Tara rocks my world, as usual!

I can totally relate to this article. There's so many things that can be DIY. But there's a need to focus on what's manageable and not everything un derthe sun. I am selling DIY jewelry kits and printables. Sometimes I looked around and saw other ready made things and I thought: Who will buy this? Is the effort worth it? But I think the satisfaction of doing-it-yourself and learning something in the process is really huge

"Who will buy this" this means DIY kits

HAHAH, my favorite part is the "close up your computer" part. I get sucked in by my Mac's laser beam and have a hard time breaking it. Too much inspiration! Thanks for the lovely suggestions!!!

Thank you so much for the "permission" to let myself off the hook! what a relief :) I'm learning the art of having a specialty niche. I want to try my hand at everything, but that really means that I can do nothing well... I end up staring at my craft supplies for hours on end deciding what to do, and end up giving up in exhaustion!

Wow! This article was amazing! I find myseld all the time frustrated and unhappy because I am overwhelmed in a pile of ideas and inspirations and no idea where to go from there, and this driving need to create. This just solidified what I had been telling myself to just break all my projects and ideas down, and stop all my browsing for other projects and ideas.

This was very helpful! I love to take on more projects then I know what to do with. One thing at a time!!