The creative process is a process of giving and taking. Add some paint over here, decrease the values over there, remove this section of copy, add a sentence here.

While working in a digital space, it’s very easy to move through this process quickly. I wrote in my Zine-post last week about the wonders of ctrl+z. Rather than adapting to the work as you go, you can go back in time.

It’s awesome.

But recently I’ve been obsessed with making physical things. Namely, Magic: The Gathering cards.

Throughout my life I’ve gone through 2 major physical hobbies.

I love both of these hobbies. Building Gundam kits while watching a movie and relaxing is a recipe for a very good evening. It’s zen-like, truly. However, making the jump from building to full paint is quite the jump. I’ve done it before using spray cans, but unless you’re willing to shell out the upfront cost for a spray booth, you’re going to end up spending quite a bit more money. And it’s just more difficult.

Warhammer painting is a bit more intensive. There is building in the process, but the act of painting them, at least when I was in the hobby, could sometimes turn into a job. There are a lot of models in a given unit, and having to make each one similar can feel rote.

My biggest issue with Warhammer was the cost. I spent an embarrassing amount of money on these plastic dudes, and I never really liked the game all that much. Mostly because games took well over 2 hours at my skill level, and I don’t know anyone who plays. Playing with a random person for that long is a HUGE gamble.

Both of these hobbies are awesome, but they aren’t the main hobby I’ve been obsessed with for the last 2 weeks.

Magic: The Gathering is something I’ve always been on the periphery of. I first got into it in 2013 and would go to Friday Night Magic quite a bit. Through the years, I’ll come back to it when a set tickles my fancy. Bloomburrow was the most recent set that dragged me in.

However, my friends are REALLY into the game. They have a ton of knowledge about how to build a deck and what card options are available for certain decks or strategies.

Me? I just like frogs.

I don’t have a deep knowledge of the game, and with the high price, I’ve never had much motivation to get into it, but I want to join my friends.

That’s where making cards comes in.

A long time ago, I stumbled upon this video:

I really resonated with it. The creator talks about the high price of Magic: The Gathering and how fun it is to make things. I also love the cards he makes in the video; they are very neat.

I know I’ve wanted to handmake cards for a while now, and over the last couple of weeks I finally made the plunge, and I’m hooked.

My favorite thing about the cards I’ve made is that they each have a story. Where the art came from, how I got the art to begin with, and I can put jokes or personal nods in each card.

Hand-making magic cards also motivates me to understand the game better. I’m currently building a Volo commander deck, and I love going through each card and considering what art I’ll be using and how that card will fit in with the deck strategy.

I've also fallen in love with zine making (and zines in general).

There is so much creativity to creating a small, physical thing that’s supposed to catch your eye. Zines also have a strong connection to typesetting culture. Something I just made up, but I’m pretty sure it’s real cause most zines I’ve seen use incredible type.

I haven’t quite nailed how to make a zine. I made that one I posted last week, but I’m also working on making a commander deck guide for MTG. It will house my deck list, any rules that are important for the deck (because I don’t know the game well), and a scoreboard.

I’ve also made a couple, let’s say practice, zines that I have lying around the house somewhere.

I’m also working on a daily solo journaling TTRPG for the The Worst Game Jam 5. I need to make a game that people can print at home, and it’s been a blast trying to figure out how to make that work. From the mechanics to the physical thing. I love it.

Hand-making anything is a daunting idea. If you’re not a skilled cook, painter, sculptor, or craftsman, you’re risking material and time. Some mistakes you can’t come back from.

Hand-making is all about solving the problem that’s in front of you. If something isn’t working, what needs to happen? If you snipped off the important part of the model, how can you fix it?

Each of these “problem” moments gives you, as a creator, the chance to think creatively and most likely make something that doesn’t match your original vision, but could outpace it.

As I write this, I’m looking at my attempt at a soul herder card. I messed it up pretty badly. Although I’m bummed it won’t be able to match my original vision, I’m glad I messed up because now I have to think more creatively about how I want to make this card.

It’s a little thing, but these problem-solving moments are what any creative endeavor is all about.

It’s all incredibly rewarding. When something goes right and when something goes wrong.

More and more, I’m realizing the importance of doing these little arts and crafts projects. It’s a practice that gives me confidence. I’m sure the TTRPG I’m making won’t be that good, but I never would have had the confidence to even try if I didn’t first make magic cards and zines.

These little projects make me feel like I can make something I want to. I just need to solve the problem that’s in front of me, and pivot the expectations, tools, and approach when things go wrong.

People should do more arts and crafts.