Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
9
↓
Art/Crafting? (self.Blind)
submitted by letspaintthesky
Hi there,
I've decided to find art and crafting supplies and ideas that are more accessible to VI/Blind people, because as a result of my vision (primarily just the one eye and next to no 3D vision with some blurring and focus problems and double vision) I find a lot of standard "sighted" things difficult, like adult colouring in books and knitting anything small.
So, I'm giving up on that stuff and figuring out better ideas, like raised line colouring books (honourable mentions to large print and thick-lined colouring books, too, I love y'all), and knitting chunky. I'm trying out macrame and crocheting workshops to see if they're good for me or not, but I feel like I could use other ideas. I've also decided as a personal challenge to learn UEB (honestly, I worry about getting my dads macular degeneration one day and having to start from scratch then).
What arts and crafts do you all like to do, and how (if at all) do you make them more accessible for you? Are there gadgets I could buy or alternative methods worth trying? Maybe I've just got the wrong perspective?
Any responses are much appreciated, thank you :) (typed emoticon smiley).
I've decided to find art and crafting supplies and ideas that are more accessible to VI/Blind people, because as a result of my vision (primarily just the one eye and next to no 3D vision with some blurring and focus problems and double vision) I find a lot of standard "sighted" things difficult, like adult colouring in books and knitting anything small.
So, I'm giving up on that stuff and figuring out better ideas, like raised line colouring books (honourable mentions to large print and thick-lined colouring books, too, I love y'all), and knitting chunky. I'm trying out macrame and crocheting workshops to see if they're good for me or not, but I feel like I could use other ideas. I've also decided as a personal challenge to learn UEB (honestly, I worry about getting my dads macular degeneration one day and having to start from scratch then).
What arts and crafts do you all like to do, and how (if at all) do you make them more accessible for you? Are there gadgets I could buy or alternative methods worth trying? Maybe I've just got the wrong perspective?
Any responses are much appreciated, thank you :) (typed emoticon smiley).
Sereniitty 4 points 3y ago
My girlfriend ( blind from birth ) really enjoy sculpting, blind fencing and making her own audiobook.
letspaintthesky [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Sculpting seems to be a popular suggestion. I didn't know blind fencing was a thing. I'll have to look that up. She has an audiobook? Cool. Do you feel ok sharing what it's called?
Sereniitty 3 points 3y ago
She made them for herself. The magic world of Harry Potter is one of her favorite so she record her voice and them add sounds that go with the story as car or train sound . Tune her voice when the character are in a cave or a large hall. That's pretty neat but she as yet to finish one haha.
As for blind fencing, as far as I know the French , Italian , spanish, Sweden and add my girlfriend who is the only one in the whole Canada. So yeah it's yet to be something popular but it's hella fun.
In overall, I don't think there is much you can't do as you just have to relearn how to do them.
Don't be shy to try stuff.
As an example, the one I live with does tendem biking , water skiing , hiking , car racing and I probably miss a few.
You for this man! Just try stuff and never stop at someone who tell you something like : well you can't do that with your condition.
Just do it!!
As for blind fencing, as far as I know the French , Italian , spanish, Sweden and add my girlfriend who is the only one in the whole Canada. So yeah it's yet to be something popular but it's hella fun.
In overall, I don't think there is much you can't do as you just have to relearn how to do them.
Don't be shy to try stuff.
As an example, the one I live with does tendem biking , water skiing , hiking , car racing and I probably miss a few.
You for this man! Just try stuff and never stop at someone who tell you something like : well you can't do that with your condition.
Just do it!!
letspaintthesky [OP] 2 points 3y ago
My mum did volunteer to take me tandem biking (I never learned, I couldn't get the hang). That seems like fun.
FrankenGretchen 3 points 3y ago
My mom knitted her whole life. She was totally blind. Used to make fisherman knit afghans which are considered master works.
I crochet. I'm not obedient so following patterns are usually not my thing.
I also paint, make mosaics and mixed media pieces. I love paper clay for sculpting. Doesn't need a kiln. Heavy body acrylic paints and pastes or additives can create a lot of tactile detail. Painting on a surface you can mark on is useful, too. I've learned to do what I love and interact with what others think rather than be bothered by it. Critics come at everybody. It would be an honor to garner such attention, really. Among them will be haters, too but to be noticed? Cool!
Ceramics isn't that hard and kneeding clay is therapeutic. The best sculptors lose pieces to the Kiln Gods so I wouldn't worry about that. Your kitchen oven gets to roughly half as hot as a kiln so unless you're doing salt dough, you're not going to get good results or explosions. You definitely won't be able to fire glazes in your Cuisinart. There are tutorials on building your own backyard kiln and many places who rent theirs out so you'll find workable options.
I crochet. I'm not obedient so following patterns are usually not my thing.
I also paint, make mosaics and mixed media pieces. I love paper clay for sculpting. Doesn't need a kiln. Heavy body acrylic paints and pastes or additives can create a lot of tactile detail. Painting on a surface you can mark on is useful, too. I've learned to do what I love and interact with what others think rather than be bothered by it. Critics come at everybody. It would be an honor to garner such attention, really. Among them will be haters, too but to be noticed? Cool!
Ceramics isn't that hard and kneeding clay is therapeutic. The best sculptors lose pieces to the Kiln Gods so I wouldn't worry about that. Your kitchen oven gets to roughly half as hot as a kiln so unless you're doing salt dough, you're not going to get good results or explosions. You definitely won't be able to fire glazes in your Cuisinart. There are tutorials on building your own backyard kiln and many places who rent theirs out so you'll find workable options.
letspaintthesky [OP] 1 points 3y ago
>Your kitchen oven gets to roughly half as hot as a kiln so unless you're doing salt dough, you're not going to get good results or explosions.
My dog is very glad you've said that. The part about explosions anyway
My dog is very glad you've said that. The part about explosions anyway
FrankenGretchen 2 points 3y ago
We installed a new security system that had only one panel. The attending smoke detector is a foodie and has pitched a fit about our son's fried rice and my pork shoulder. Both were fine and not the least bit singed. Both times I've had to run through the house to peck out the code and then explain everything to the staff who call to make sure I'm not a pile of cinders. It's been a real treat. Can't imagine how they'd react to me having an art accident. He he he!!
letspaintthesky [OP] 1 points 3y ago
"Uhm, yeah, it's all fine, I just blew up a mug in my oven" yeah, they wouldn't take that well...
FrankenGretchen 2 points 3y ago
This is why I'm reluctant to smudge my house. Chango and I have a friendship but explaining that to the Rickys of the FD is not on my itinerary.
Ref: I Love Lucy... Ricky: "Lucy! You have some splainin to do!"
Ref: I Love Lucy... Ricky: "Lucy! You have some splainin to do!"
KillerLag 3 points 3y ago
Knitting chunky is definitely a fast way to do it, especially if you already know how to knit. Crochet as well (my wife has taught both to people with vision loss, including beginners)
For colouring, I've tried experimenting with using fabric paint to mark off the larger sections. It worked for some things, but not so well for others with lots of fine detail.
Another one is sculpting with clay.
For colouring, I've tried experimenting with using fabric paint to mark off the larger sections. It worked for some things, but not so well for others with lots of fine detail.
Another one is sculpting with clay.
letspaintthesky [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I was struggling so much to knit before I said 'screw that' and went chunky. Everybody loves a knitted hat, scarf and gloves set, especially when they're chunky.
I hope I do well at crochet, but the workshops at 8 ply, so I might contact the teacher and ask.
Your colouring tip-OMG yes. Puffy paint outlines are the best, especially for medium and larger areas. Like, my family are going to outline large print adult colouring books for me. I'm so excited for that.
Sculpting could be a good one. I actually have some clay in my craft cupboard waiting for me to figure out what to do with it. Maybe it's time I broke it out? It never even occurred to me that sculpting can be done with crappy or no sight, but in hindsight, it's so obvious. I love it. Thank you for the reply.
I hope I do well at crochet, but the workshops at 8 ply, so I might contact the teacher and ask.
Your colouring tip-OMG yes. Puffy paint outlines are the best, especially for medium and larger areas. Like, my family are going to outline large print adult colouring books for me. I'm so excited for that.
Sculpting could be a good one. I actually have some clay in my craft cupboard waiting for me to figure out what to do with it. Maybe it's time I broke it out? It never even occurred to me that sculpting can be done with crappy or no sight, but in hindsight, it's so obvious. I love it. Thank you for the reply.
KillerLag 3 points 3y ago
My wife taught my how to knit, and making chunk scarves are the easiest for me. Basically making a long rectangle. I can make squares and rectangles, but anything more complicated is beyond me :P
Good luck with the clay! One important thing is the clean up. Well, the second important thing is try to make sure it is dry properly so it doesn't explode in your oven (we had an art group where that happened. Nothing was damaged, except the piece was in pieces).
Good luck with the clay! One important thing is the clean up. Well, the second important thing is try to make sure it is dry properly so it doesn't explode in your oven (we had an art group where that happened. Nothing was damaged, except the piece was in pieces).
letspaintthesky [OP] 2 points 3y ago
I've heard stories about air bubbles causing explosions in kilns and such. I will dry anything out for weeks before I shove it in an oven-thanks for the tip. I guarantee without your warning, I would have blown up stuff in my oven and scared the crap out of my dog (she likes to sleep in the kitchen).
KillerLag 2 points 3y ago
Yeah, your dog would not like that at all.
If it does happen, you can knit your dog an apology sweater.
If it does happen, you can knit your dog an apology sweater.
TheBlindBookLover 1 points 3y ago
Hi. I enjoy crocheting and knitting. There are tutorials on YouTube explaining how to crochet without sight. I am also interested in learning how to weave tapestries after all of this madness is over.
letspaintthesky [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Tapestries like the big woven art that decorates walls? What a task! Sounds really cool though. Hopefully, the madness will be over soon :)
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.