How Do I Make Things? 

Hey Kit, my 8 year old asked me to leave a comment about how much we like your channel. We both have ADHD and I think it helps her to know that her favorite crafter has a process to help focus. Thanks for sharing.

Due to limited materials/budget I very easily fall into the "analysis paralysis" pit. And I get stuck there often for months or even years because I don't want to actually attempt to DO the thing until I'm certain I can do it perfect the first time and not waste any materials. As a result I have like 10,000 project ideas in my head and "material stashes" fit for an episode of "Hoarders" but rarely if ever actually complete a project. And I completely relate to the "this project is everything and will consume all of my attention until it doesn't and we will never speak of it again" struggle. So many unfinished projects kicking around here. So it is encouraging to know it IS possible to work through those blocks, although having that external voice to say "No. Put down the new shiny thing and finish the thing you already started" probably helps a ton.

As an artistic person who is often distracted by other ideas (oh, shiny!) and always crippled by my perfectionist ways, it is refreshing to see someone else who is creative and suffers from the same issues I do. I still have problems getting started on something without having the particular thing my brain tells me I need (just the right pen/brush/whatever). I am still a work in progress, but I would like to think I am getting a little better at dealing with that hurdle. Maybe. 🤞

The "shout out" at the end to Chuck Dorsett was superbly subtle, and perfect for a leather video. "Good luck with your projects."

I would love to see a "tools in my skill tree" video. Also maybe an updated studio tour as well could be fun.

As a fiber crafting person, that 'template / mock up / swatch' phase is KEY. Whenever I skip or skimp on it, I regret it. About the only thing I don't swatch is handknit socks for myself. After over 60 pairs, I know how they are going to fit.

First, these kinds of videos where you go through your process (like, the part in your brain that we don't always see on camera) are awesome! Even just the fact that they switch things up a little bit and make you feel a little more relatable is awesome! Also, as a maker, I have a second level to my process that isn't always essential, but is a lot of fun: After I finish something, I love to test it out for real and figure how little things/ways to improve it. If it's an important enough piece of kit to me, I will frequently remake it, with those improvements. I know you've done this a couple of times, but I would love to see more videos of you going back to older projects that you have loved and making new and improved models of them!

1. Get an overlock machine. It’s so worth it. 2. I personally like having a pattern as a way to see what that person’s thought process was so this video is very helpful. 3. And lastly, you should try making personal care items like brushes, combs, decorative personal ornaments, and other cosmetics to stock the mobile vanity.

THANK YOU for so many reasons: - Your process is exactly what my brain needed to plan better. - Because it's great to see that awesome crafters can face the same problems and still end up making awesome stuff - For reminding me to test things in paper first (I was about to start a project soon enough and I only have a limited amount of the perfect fabric for it, not sure I can find more of it and I'd be so disappointed if I wasted it) - And also for being a constant source of inspiration! By the way, I noticed that basically the three Pitfalls of Doom are to get started, to keep going, and to stop working... Yep, I don't think I can deny my own raging case of ADHD any longer 😅

Your ADHD is part of your charm! I liked your method. The ability to see your own issues, and how they hold you back is a gift. I’m a programmer and feature creep is something I have to fight on every project. Planning helps that. Think versions. So your current version is fine. Stop use it for a bit then review what needs to be changed, added, or removed. Thank you for your videos!

I recently started leather working as a hobby, my first project was a gun holster for my 1911. Thx for the video so I have some way to jot down my ideas on the run.

13:35 I love how the whole "shouldn't it have a cover to keep out the elements for an adventurerer's item" thing came up. Because I kinda want to make one for myself for everyday use, but currently live in a more rainy area. However, one of the "maybe" coments gave me some ideas... so clearly it's time to go plan, design, and create, yeah? Honestly though, thank you SkillTree for all your amazing, inspirational work.

So for most people starting out tools of trade video is great means the world. Especially when you are trying to pick and choose what to spend money on. But in that save video I would highly reccomend putting in some tools you use unconventionally. Like I use card scrapers for cleaning up 3d prints, which works better than sand paper some times.

For the scribes kit I believe: it should have straps instead of belt loops, in inclement weather it will be under your cloak so a 'flap' would be unnecessary and it needs more arcane symbols. Just my opinion. I really like it, but a bard wouldn't want to risk mangling his book on his hip and a strap would both protect it better and provide easier access.

Pretty much every project looks like junk right up until the moment when it doesn't anymore, so learning not to get discouraged when you're looking at nothing but a hot mess on your workbench is key. And don't forget the important step at the end of the project, where you pour yourself a beverage, literally pat yourself on the back, and bask in the glow of your own genius. That part makes all the work feel worthwhile.

Something that really helps me is being honest to myself and say: "No, today is not a good day I'm not feeling it" That way i don't feel guilty for not doing anything on a "bad" day and there is a big chance that in the next "good" day I'm going to be even more productive

Me: inspiration, design, research pre existing patterns, end up making my own pattern. Choosing color then material, making a list of what I am going to need, make a check list to mark off when I complete each step or milestone.

I love the bit about not overthinking it and getting started. To date, I’ve only ever made one thawing and that was customizing something that was already made. I love it, though. I want to do more, just need to pull that trigger

Speaking from experience as an adult with ADHD, I’ve tried to explain hyper fixation to my significant other, and when it ends, the ability to move forward again evaporates. Most people don’t understand that this is a thing and it is real, and real tough to push through. In my case I’ve usually push forward mentally and there comes a crossroads, and at this point the next fixation occurs. And the cycle begins again. Good explanation.

The process me and my channel partner go through is 1) idea, 2) gush on said idea, 3)start figuring out what we need for it, 4) panic at how are we going to make it, 5) look at it and come up with the game plan and start tackling it in sections, 6) freak out on dead line, 7) enjoy. At least that how it feels... we both have fallen in those trappings too, but it's thankfully only one at a time, so the other can pull the worrier off the proverbial edge.

You should absolutely make a favorite tools video, especially for leather, but id also like to see wood tools too

My husband was an artist and an architect, he said to me once, "To be a good artist, you need someone behind you with a ruler to whack you when you've gone far enough"

I just recently got into crafts, and in particular wood and leather. Your videos in general have given me lots of ideas for various projects, and also rekindled my passion for DnD! (that is a bit bittersweet thou, I haven't played for 20 years and I lost all my old friends and acquaintances from that time) You have a new trusty follower/fan who will watch each and every video you make, with excitement and admiration! :) Thank you for what you do, and thank you for awakening my inner adventurer! :D

On printer paper, I write and draw and plan for long periods of time. Often I tape these goals up all over my room so I am always looking at them. I folded one paper and am using that as a mouse pad. I placed cardboard as my desk so I can write it too. I debated just writing on the walls (I pay for them) but then I couldn't erase them well enough. I find my hanging plans inspire new plans regularly and the long planning allows me to fully understand what I will undertake. Thank you for your videos I also find them inspiring. I would love to see a video about your tools.

Yes, a favorite tools episode would be great!

"The Plan is always perfect. It's in practice that things go sideways."

Your favorite tools for… would be a great series of videos!

See if you can add a table of some kind to the traveling scribe kit. Then you can have a traveling office. Like the tavern. And the kitchen. 😂

Thank you so much for this. I love your channel and content and hearing you explain your process and struggles helps me out so much. I am mostly undiagnosed, but I think I may struggle with ADHD or some equivalent too. Especially as I have tried to start many projects, channels, videos, etc and everything you discribed has been places I have struggled and fallen off the wagon so to speak myself. I really appreciate you showing all this and I aspire to rise up to overcome or at least manage them. Thank you for being an amazing and inspirationally wonderful person. Keep up leveling up so amazingly.

Being new to cosplay, this was very helpful. My background is more mechanical so this is a stretch for me. I love the videos. You have inspired me to start leatherworking. I struggle with finishing a project too. I always see the flaws in my work. Keep up the great work!

I like that you mentioned making something but not getting footage of it - sometimes it's important to only focus on the making and not the presenting and all the other stuff that goes along with making a video :)

This was one of my favourite projects you have done Cl3ver thank you for sharing how you do such cool things like this!

Wow, it's like you've tapped into our heads and know exactly what we deal with. Love the fact that you mention about just getting started!! Thanks so much

I have ideas and plans and they never get further than my head. I may gather supplies but I rarely get to making them - that's if they are my own ideas. If I come across a pattern for a thing and I know how to make it then it gets made (sewing, knitting, crochet). I've so many things I think up that I want to make and they rarely get out of my head and written down - and then it goes no further. I've got to get past that and start making the things I think of.

As a leather crafter, I get ideas and write them down. Once I can get to my leather stuff I read the concept then start with paper.

Yes please make videos about your favorite tools.

According to my partner, the four most scary words are "I can do that". So far, I have not met defeat, some close calls, but defeat, never.

I find the hardest part of a project for me is getting motivated to start or continue after stopping. I don’t know why but even if I’m super excited to start/continue a project I find it hard to physically make myself do it. There could just be little things in the way like having to clean up the work space, or dig out the tools yet somehow it demotivates my brain just cause I can’t just jump right into it at that exact second. No clue why it does this

When I want to make something my starting thought most of the time is ``I realy like the design of that thing, except this and that ``. Then I first make a Model/Copy of the thing and then start Modifying/Planing what i want and when im ``satisfied`` with it start with the real thing. To be honest, I have like 4 ore 5 projects that i really want to make but haven't started yet (a few even inspired by you). My main problems are that 1. I dont really have the Space to make and store them and 2. I dont have the luck of having a craft store/leather store close to me to get the materials and Basic Tools i would need ( I now i could buy them online, but dont realy like the Idea to buy crafting stuff that way). I realy hope i can get rid of these problems soon so I can finaly craft to my heart's content.

I have just got into leather crafting, so bought a bunch of scraps of Etsy from what seems to be a sofa maker, and just going through it to see what I can make with what I have, rather than what do I need to make what I want. Even though it is a very soft leather, I am trying to make a small backpack with it, and made all the templates and stuff myself, then taped them all together to see what it looked like, and I hope it is going to look awesome! Just hating the fact that I need to wait for the hardware and the like to be delivered before I can continue.

I had a thought if you wanted to add a flap over it like you stated, in the video you could always add the chrome tan leather that you have because you’ve stated that it’s very flexible and I’m betting you can make it waterproof somehow.

As someone with a never ending list of projects ^tm, I need a sign that just reminds of of analysis paralysis. I will sit and draft out a design... but then never make it. I need to figure out how to escape that and actually finish my projects

You deserve so many more followers!

Remember to also constantly say these key phrases, or your work won’t be nearly as good. “Look how perfect that is!” “I made sure to really *lock* it in” “so I busted out some leather” “…and just *mwwah~*, so good”

Favorite tools would be cool.

While I usually try to complete a project quickly, before I fall out of love with it (thank you ADHD), I occasionally will get to a point where the project "stops speaking to me." In other words, I know it needs more but I don't know what. I've had projects left unfinished for a couple of years when one day I'm walking through an antique store, hardware store, surfing Pinterest, or what have you when suddenly I find just the things a project needs to truly be complete. Does this ever happen to you?! It's a simultaneously frustrating and beautiful situation to find myself in

You can combat perfectionism by telling urself, “if I want to improve this it has to be by making another iteration” after making 2 or 3 of the same item you’ll definitely be satisfied with it not being perfect

I feel the sentiment about ADHD to my core. I've been hype focusing on ridgelines for medieval tarp camping for three days now but if you ask me to do something that takes 2 minutes, if it is not interesting, It will be extraordinarily difficult to actually make it happen. Do you have any tips to share?

You know, thinking of more simple things that could work, things like various mug and loop frogs could be a useful thing. Maddie might be interesting to see work on skirt hikes...

I'm definitely a wing it person. If it's on paper, I don't need to make it because it there, on paper. If it's in my head, the only way it will come into existence is if I physically make it. Paper templates are fine. Sketches are not.

'Art is never finished, only abandoned.' (Leonardo da Vinci)

yes

Kit your favorite tools episode would be great.

Yay! I use very similar methods from design process, to planning, testing, to build! How it goes with my brain: I get a fevered idea blasting off like a rocket-ship in my brain pan, or it's a little fizzle like a wee plug of gunpowder--seems to depend on how my depression is working that day mingled with my autism & ADHD (you & me both seem to have that little jerk in our head-meats, though I dunno if you have autism), often full-blown in form. So I siddown somewhere & turn it over in my head, 3D mapper style & "look" at it. "What is this thing, bub?" I ask myself. "New thing. You gotta make it." "Really? You know what happened last time. I ended up with some knickers in plaid & a brocade pirate shirt no self respecting dwarf like me would be caught dead in." "Aw, C'MON, you looked _awesome."_ "OK, fine, I kinda liked the knickers, show me..." Images of whatever dreamlike monstrosity of the moment rapid-fire across my synapses. Yes, I really do have conversations like this with my brain. And yes, it's a manipulative asshole. Then I draw the item in question & hope it won't jump off the page to strangle some good sense into me, working out what shapes the pieces need to be, write down what materials are needed, what colours I saw in the mental images there in the flashing through imagery in my mind (plus any alternatives, if any), what accessories that might be needed, the rough sizings of everything & so on. Then I let it fester in my head for another few days to be sure, then I make a rough mock-up out of paper, then try making it out of cheap cloth of similar weight & stretch & if it works, out of the stuff it needs to be made from. Right now, what I have boiling it's way to the surface is a pair of "leather" look pants in a gorgeous, black scaly, heavy spandex--I mean in a _really_ heavy material that's perfect for pants (I'm a Goth, & I need some new pants) that should look fucking _AMAZING_ when they're done. Wish me luck.😜

I sadly have insane trouble taking things from my brain to a concept sketch or similar so i tend to jump straight to a prototype even if its just from like popsicle sticks or something

Only somewhat related, I find it wild how few DnD guys have watched the web series Journey Quest (season 4 coming soon! brian lewis greatest actor of our time). It has probably my most favorite depiction of bards.

🥲 6:04 7:26 13:20 14:35 thank you for wording how my brain also works when i cannot word

I am burdened with the same Three Deadly Sins but I have another problem that relates to you asking about tools. I collect tools. I love antique tools for their look and feel, and I love using them. I buy them at yard sales and second hand stores, though power tools and consumables like drill bits and sandpaper I buy new. So I have all these cool tools that I might use once or twice, but most of what I do is done with a core set of tools. What do you recommend for someone trying to put together an absolutely minimum essential set of tools *that is useful across disciplines*? How about tools that weren’t designed to be tools? For instance, a blow dryer can stand in for a heat gun. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who want to get into crafting but also have a very limited budget, so getting the most versatile tools is a necessity. Any ideas?

A vard in a world of magic probably has magical waterproofing on their books

I would love to see a joint project between you and Bobby Duke, however!!!! I pity the poor camera person who would have to keep up with the two of you. LOL BUT that would be one hell of an amazing video.

Just one thing.... It needs only one leg strap/tie. It will stay dry with your coat 😊

You know I'm trying to puzzle out using some of the things I saw in this a sort of travel trunk that contains my entire larp kit, both for storage and transportation. Like you just throw it in the car and stand it up next to your bunk when you get to the camp. Any thoughts on this?

Hey Kit - among my many hobbies I'm a knifemaker and I make some little kiridashi style marking knives which are great for woodwork and leatherwork projects. If you'd be interested, I'd love to send you one. Please let me know if you'd like one!

Hey Cl3ver, what sort of paper do you use to make large templates?

Cool 😀

The creative process requires a good drink and a lovely pipe tobacco or cigar in a massive wingback chair

Yes yr favorite tools would b nice 2 c

Hey, so I made a sword chariot aka a sword frog. Now, I was successful with my project but I want to see if you could improve it. Only if you have the time.

I am one of the people who usually goes from idea, to build without proper planning, usually it works out for me, but sometimes it bites me in the a$$

Any chance you could start posting your videos to Rumble? RU-vid is no longer playing any videos for me, I'm completely locked out and have to use various tricks to get around this issue.

👍👍👍👍👍

Maybe your bard lives in a really dry climate where it rarely rains 🤔

Where is the squirrel

Salam alaikum 🙏 MashAllah great and beautiful vedio 😍😍 my dear friend 🙏❤️🙏🤲 from Pakistan 🇵🇰

When you mentioned dnd books and made me think of this video to share to you: ru-vid.com/group/PL7JQte6_XNbjo2ZScQdq_eml19VvFRkhv. Enjoy~

Do you know of a "Maddie - R - Us" location where I can rent my own Maddie to keep me on track? asking for a friend...

The products look good..but the issue is that these videos are not focused on the product. The camera is constantly focused on just you instead of a clean walkthru keeping the product in focus with you on the side or in the picture with what your creating as the centerpiece. I may check back in the future whether you focus on showing people how to do things rather then focus on yourself.

Early gang~

Eyyyy first

Your bird is rough.

As a fellow crafter, I try to go from concept/sketching phase to real-world as quickly as possible. That said, I often hit snags, have to step back, sleep on it, and by the time I come back to it my subconscious has formed some amazingly elegant answer I hadn’t thought of but, once I see it, I go, “Yeah, well of course that’s how I’m going to do that. So obvious.” I’ve learned it’s important to be kind and patient with yourself, too. I always remind myself I’m a student and always learning.

Hey this is really helpful. The hardest part is always going from a rough inclination to an actual plan. Doing the project itself isn't so hard usually

I would love to see different "sets" of workhorse tools. What are the essentials that you grab every project?

One way that I try to motivate myself to get out of the procrastination station is watching other people do a similar project. Seeing the problems that other people encounter and how they overcame them helps me feel less intimidated and I don't get so discouraged when I encounter issues, even if they're different from the ones others faced.

I have an answer for rain on that design! Having a similar item that I LARP with in the rain. The character would likely try to protect their entire body from the wet and cold not just their book, so they’d wear a cloak or a long coat in the rain which would also protect their book! Nothing extra needed on the prop itself, especially since that would make opening it quickly more difficult and they likely wouldn’t need to shed that layer in a heavy fight like a weapon wielding character because the motion restriction isn’t as much of an issue!

We love Sir Cl3ver so much 🥰 Hubby and I are newbies and would love it if you could share the basic starter kit tools for each leveling up episode.

Bro! I totally get this! I'd share my similar experience but I think I just saw a squirrel out by my van. Seriously though, you are an inspiration. In the spring I plan to light my channel up and build a Romany Vardo because my son and I want to LARP but I don't like camping. So I guess we will be GLARPing!

I had a bet with myself you had ADHD. I have just been diagnosed and it seems everyone i watch on RU-vid has it too. I think i love the excitement and variety other people with ADHD often show on their channels. I adore the stuff you make and i love that you do like me, you go for complex projects and skip the basic boring stuff! I would love this item as i do calligraphy and Handwritten letters with wax seals. 😍 Maybe once I've finished one of my many current projects!!

You seem to work and think a lot like me. My only little sadness about my process currently is that I don't get to riff about ideas with a friend. Gotta get them over to the house for riffing and food! I love your videos, thanks for sharing your personality and art with us. Keep crafting you!

hi kit, great vid, I have some ideas on how to improve your scribe pouch, i think it would be good to add a waxed camvas top that can roll up in the back of the pouch (as you said), and the underside of the canvas can be a pencil and other tool holder, like those pencil rolls, so when you have it on the pencils are on the inside/under part and when you roll it on the back its a "normal" pencil roll. And I think that one thing that helps me in the idea generation part of crafting is reminding myself not look at things and say what that object is used for, but instead what it could be used for, and combining other ideas, or making my version ofanother idea. With regards, your fellow crafter,

I'd really love to see an episode based on your leather craft tools

I have no idea if this is the case for others, but I get a lot of ideas from visiting castles and palaces. The other day I saw a box containing chess, dominoes and other games all at once. Something like that and the pockets you see or the notebooks on display, that helps me a lot😁

THIS. This is the video I've been waiting forever for!!

Hey Kit, just want to say, love the videos, but I always find the volume a bit low. I always have to turn up my volume so much to hear your vids compared to pretty much everything else I watch on the platform.

I am pretty sure I have some degree of undiagnosed ADHD. My "projects in progress" list includes half a dozen knives, a leather helmet, an axe, learning to play guitar, a half built electric tenor ukulele, a bass guitar, a box to cover the pump attached to my water tank, and at least 4 or 5 (or 20) others. Oh - I also have 3 different Warhammer 40k armies sitting in boxes with one or two models assembled and partly painted. And that doesn't even include the projects that are just in the planning stages...

I think my biggest problem is having too many pokers in the fire. I'll get excited about something, gather materials and tools and make a start. Then, because I have to pay bills and what not there is that job thing that takes up a lot of time. So I have to stop for a bit and a while later here comes another idea. To give you and idea; Right now I have 4 hand puppets (think Muppet type puppets) that are 2/3 of the way done. I'm putting together larp clothing, and I decided that scavenging thrift stores isn't doing it for me so I bought some cloth and made some measurements to make some of the pieces myself. I could just buy the clothing, but I know how to sew fairly well, so why not just make it? I saw a video of someone playing a tagelharpa and that instrument has such a beautiful sound. It also looks really interesting. And I would love to learn to play it. Should I buy one? I don't have the several hundreds of dollars to buy even a "cheap" one. Nope, I have the tools. All I need is the wood, string, and hardware. Well I bought the wood, in fact I bought enough to make 2 so the first one will be a "prototype". I've spent a few hours watching videos of other people making them and playing them, I think I can pull it off. And all of these things involve lots of measuring, pattern making, etc. Now we come to tools. My biggest weakness. I love tools. Tools and art supplies. I love paper and pencils. I love anything I can sculpt or reshape into something else. The 2 most financially dangerous places for me to go into are Jerry's Artorama ( a discount art supply place) and Harbor Freight. So it can be a struggle to maintain focus.

ADHD NEURODIVERSE UNITE! I am so much like you, my wife is my Maddie. She also does the measurements and math for me as well as the plan drawing and any artwork I may want. I supply the main idea, supplies, and assembler (Wifey helps on bigger projects). My wife taught kids like me so she knows how to keep me on task and understands my shortfalls. I also have an issue with hoarding, Soooo supplies are never in short supply because usually, I will see something lying around and a project will pop into my head. Which often leads to over-engineering. Tips that I have are 1: I have trouble when I see the finished product in my mind's eye, vs what I have as far as the parts or tools. I often lay out the parts and even do a mock layout and think about the entire process how will I cut or shape the parts and so on. I have avoided so much trouble this way Mostly in the over-engineering dept. 2: When drawing it out not only helps in design looks or changes due to changing your mind but also on if it will work at all. I often have an idea and when drawing it out I discover I can't assemble it as I thought because another part of the project would be in the way or not move if I wanted it to. 3: if you have several projects that have the same processes do them together. For example, I tend to work on projects that have both wood and metal. So I first determine if the wood is going to be done first or the metal. If it is wood I will cut all the wood parts, then put all the saws away and clean that mess up. Then I will cut the metals as needed clean that mess up, then move on to drilling first wood and then metal drilling all the holes of one size, then moving to the next size or type bit. continue through all the processes like this. The entire time cleaning up after each process because of safety, keeping the work area easy to work in, and less cleaning later. It also helps if you have boxes or totes to keep each project separate. Just as a note I mainly work on one project at a time unless it is a kit that I am making, which is the case on the project I am working on now, which is 4 knives (paring, filet, butcher, and an ulu type) as well as a heavy blade for splitting wood, a handle to use with a sawzall blade, a campfire cooking set. and an invention for fire-starting The blades are made from old hardened steel parts, and saw blades then the handles are brass and Mahogany. Going to be part of my complete camping setup and if things go right I will have much more time to do projects and go camping.

I’m curious how you would do something. Understand I do love your thieves racers but if a FIFA card the Brazers would be taken from them. So how would you go about making a thieves card piece to hold his tools?

As far as the “journal holder needs a cover for the rain” thing goes, you don’t need to get stuck on over engineered solutions to individual problems. Sometimes zooming out from the problem can help. For example: Why make a flap when a cloak that covers all your character’s gear in the rain would work just as well?

I definitely like to work much of a project out via sketches and drawings before doing the first physical steps. Catching some of the issues and bottlenecks beforehand is rewarding and helps reducing waste. Though I want to get more experience outside the wood workshop.