Did you take up a new crafting hobby over the past year?

I'm writing a piece called "why we craft" and interested in hearing about people's experience in the recent year with crafting hobbies (knitting, ceramics, painting, anything really!).

For example:
- Did it happen as a direct response to the pandemic?
- What need did it answer in this specific time in your life / in your career?
- What are the mental benefits you feel happening while and after crafting?
- Are there any professional aspirations involved when choosing this craft, or is it purely a hobby?
- Does it have anything to do with your creative career?

Thank you!


Replies2

  • Cross-stitch/embroidery beginner here!

    - Did it happen as a direct response to the pandemic?
    I was gifted a cross-stich kit for my birthday during the first lockdown, and found was just what I needed during that time!
    - What need did it answer in this specific time in your life / in your career?
    I was struggling with burnout right after finishing my university degree in illustration, so I needed some kind of creative output which was distant enough from drawing that I could have a little break from it, but still visual and illustrative in a sense so I could still tap into my inspirations.
    - What are the mental benefits you feel happening while and after crafting?
    Specifically with cross-stitching from a pre-designed pattern, I find that keeping my hands busy while not working too hard mentally, and not having to actually come up with something to make, is really helpful when I feel exhausted from constantly coming up with ideas. I also find the repetetive nature of stitching large sections with one colour to be quite calming and grounding.
    - Are there any professional aspirations involved when choosing this craft, or is it purely a hobby?
    Just a hobby for now, but I am considering stitching some of my illustrations and selling them on Etsy in the future! Once I get the outcomes a bit more polished and professional with practice. They make decent gifts for loved ones for now though.

  • Hi Shelly,

    I've started doing macrame last year, and it was kind of a response to the pandemic. I wanted to start with macrame for a while before the pandemic - I bought all supplies - but work always got in the way and I just couldn't find time for it.

    Then the first lockdown happened, and I got all the time needed. :)

    The benefits of doing macrame:
    - I could completely disconnect from the news and forget about the pandemic for a bit
    - It was giving me a sense of purpose, as I was creating something that I or others would actually use later (for example, I made a lot of macrame bags)
    - There's just something so relaxing about tying the knots for hours :)

    Macrame is not connected to my creative career, it's just something I have always found beautiful and interesting, and wanted to learn how to do it.

    It's still purely a hobby, but you never know, maybe I'll take it a step further at some point. :)

    Hope this helps!

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