know I’ve been banging on about it for months now but I started crocheting this year and it’s totally saved my brain. Blogging used to be my hobby and when I came home from a day of teaching, I’d jump on the computer and blog away but now writing and blogging is my job, I needed something to do to signal the end of my working day. I’ve had a few people ask me about finding great hobbies so I decided to pop together a little list specifically for people who aren’t naturally art and craft inclined. Here are 5 creative hobbies for art and craft rookies…
Collage
I recently went to Unleash Creative and one of the sessions was run by Pete Cromer. I admit I had no idea who he was before I went but it turns out he’s somewhat of a celeb in the collage world. The great thing about collage is that you don’t need to buy anything special – you can just use paper, scissors and glue which most people have lying around their houses. Check out these collage artists Laura Blythman, Anna Mulcany and Kelly Sullivan for a bit more inspo!
Colouring In
Colouring in has become MAH-HUSIVE in the last few months and I’ve seen lots of my online buddies posting beautiful pages from their colouring in books. I found this one at the airport but I didn’t have time to buy so I grabbed it on Booktopia when I got home. Even just spending 20 minutes colouring in half a page can make the world of difference to your wellbeing. BTW: I refuse to say ‘coloring’ because I’m from Australia and here we ‘colour in’.
Hand lettering
Hand lettering is not my bag, as much as I wanted it to be but when I did a class with Kate Pullen, I found it remarkably relaxing despite the fact that I was totally rubbish at it. Again, it’s a fantastic activity you can do at night in front of the TV and it’s also dead useful. You’ll never have to buy another greeting card again. I’ve got Sean Wes’ online course on my to do-list so check it out if you’re keen to get awesome at hand lettering.
Crocheting or knitting
I couldn’t not include this one. I spent most of my life trying to make knitting happen and it just never happened so I finally booked myself into a crocheting class at Yarn and Co and it was the actual best thing I’ve done this year. I learned to crochet a granny square and it totally set me up with basics and now I’m making all kinds of crazy things. There are lots of great crochet blogs I’ve been using to teach myself additional skills (All About Ami, Attic 24 and Crochet in Color are major favourites of mine) and I’ve bought a few books too. Crocheting is the actual bomb – I do it almost every day as my wind down and I carry a hook and ball of yarn with me almost everywhere I go.
Cross stitch
I taught a student many years ago who had anxiety problems and when she felt overwhelmed I’d give her some little cross stitch kits to complete. Sometimes if I had a spare moment, I’d sit down and do them with her and they were amongst the best afternoons I ever had as a teacher. I’d just grab a few cheap kits from my local $2 shop and they came with all the equipment and instructions. Cross-stitch is a really cheap (unlike crocheting…) hobby that’s a fairly low commitment too.
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Do you have a creative hobby? Or are you on the search for your spirit craft?
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P.S Did you know there’s a Smaggle newsletter? And Smags on Facebook? There are lots of awesome life tips and Beyonce in both of those places.
22 Comments
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I can knit and crochet and have done cross stitch in the past and I love colouring in xx
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I adore colouring in and I’m so glad it’s become more of a thing recently.
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Knitting and cross stitching are two of my fave ways to unwind – I feel like it helps me to properly calm my brain down after a busy day at work xxx
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I crochet for at least an hour every night (truth be told it’s closer to 9pm to midnight!) and it’s the only thing that makes me sleep ready.
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My mum was the most amazing knitter and crocheter (?) until that bitch dementia robbed her of her motor skills. I am a so so knitter, but never could get a handle on crocheting. I think I struggled because it’s kind of back to front to knitting. xx
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I’m the opposite! I tried for years to make knitting happen and I just couldn’t keep my stitch count or tension right but crocheting just speaks to me! I’m thrilled!
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Love this! I am not “creative” but I often find myself doing these sorts of low-key hobbies when I need that outlet (and I should totally do more!). I’ll try to doodle mandala-type designs with black sharpie, and often colour them in afterwards. I also try to cheaply re-create some of those inspirational pinterest quotes and while they don’t look professional, I kinda like, and have framed, a few of my amateur ones.
I also got in the habit of making construction-paper cards for friends babies and so while it’s not a frequent thing (If I did them for birthdays or something I’d never do anything else as they are time consuming) I do enjoy them.Its definitely been at least 3 years since I last played arts and crafts. Way too long. ? #prettysuremooseactuallyeatleaves #crafting #constructionpaper #letsmakeamess #canada A photo posted by Carolyn Beaumont (@xoxocarolyngrace) on Apr 12, 2015 at 10:49pm PDT
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I love mandalas! I found a gorgeous adult colouring book full of mandalas that I’m think about buying!
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I am a craft junkie. I’ve tried all sorts of things. Scrapbooking, paper tole, knitting, dried flower arranging, card making, candlewicking (a form of embroidery) ceramics, crochet (only as far as granny squares), cottage crafts (those material covered tissue boxes, photo frames etc). I have mini cross-stiches that I can carry in my handbag and take anywhere. I often knit and since my FMS made it difficult to make large garments I discovered Knit one Save One program so I make squares, that I can manage and send them off for them to get assembled into blankets that get given to underprivileged people. I currently make quilts for Aussie Hero Quilts http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com.au/ where people can participate from making a single block and send in to be assembled and there are groups around the country getting together to have a team make a quilt. My quilts are rarely traditional block quilts because they don’t need to be they are gifts for personnel deployed with the ADF so it is about the feeling that we are sending not the method of construction. I love being able to give things to people that come with that personal touch.
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I’ve tried pretty much everything too! I used to be a beader and I’m also a qualified jeweller (I’ll come back to that one day when I’m rich!). I’m not terribly good at making things with my hands but I’ve always enjoyed it!
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I am totally on board the colouring train, and I really want to learn to crochet as well. I was just looking at the classes at Yarn & Co the other day so I’ll have to book in to one! I used to cross-stitch a bit as a kid, maybe I should give that a try again too! So good for the soul!
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I was thinking of running a crafter-noon sometime soon in Melbourne… I should totally do that.
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I’m totally a crafting junkie too! I’ve tried them all, but scrapbooking, Project Life and crochet are by far my favourites at the moment. I’ve bought some books to jump on the colouring bandwagon … But am yet to start. I can totally relax when I’m crafting. X
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I’m the same! I think I need another hobby apart from crocheting… I think I’m getting a bit addicted!
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You name it I’ve probably done it. I make handmade greeting cards as my “job”, selling them at markets and to friends. I recently took up crocheting again and have gone absolutely gaga over it. I spent hours learning how to redefine my weird way of crocheting and have several projects on the go now. Am trying to finish a ripple blanket for my son’s birthday next week, don’t think I will get there somehow.
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Oh awesome! I have a weird way of crocheting too! I grip my hook on top, not underneath but it seems to work for me!
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You make crochet look cool! I feel like I don’t have a creative bone in my body but I feel like I could get on the crochet train.
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Oh I love thatI make crochet look cool! I don’t love all the brightly coloured granny style stuff – I’m more into muted greys and simple styles.
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I’m a big fan of crochet too Carly – helps me unwind and has the added bonus of making some pretty cool stuff. I have had a few mishaps though that could have easily been featured in a “nailed it” post but I improve with each project lol! x
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I find the quicker and more relaxed I am the better my crocheting looks – I tried to do some crochet after a few too many wines last week and it did not go down well…. I had to undo a few rows! 🙂
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Have you ever tried Zentangle? A very therapeutic and easy art.
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I tried making a zine once and it was relaxing (to me) – and it turned out good! I stay away from making a mess (because I’m too lazy to clean it up) but then I realized, it’s one of the ways to make things happen 🙂
