Many of us are looking for a new creative outlet but finding precisely the right thing can be tricky. Here are a few suggestions for ways to match your ‘creative itch’ to a new craft to try
I want to make new friends
Sitting alongside others all doing the same craft is a great way to open up conversations and meet like-minded people. If you’re looking for a craft class that’s as much about the socialising as the making, look out for dedicated classes where the clue is in the title - Sip & Paint, Knit & Natter… maybe even Stitch & Bitch if you’re feeling brave. Otherwise, crochet is a craft that encourages a nice chat as you stitch. Even if you’re a beginner it’s fairly easy to pick up and you’ll soon be able to absent-mindedly stitch granny squares while nattering to those around you. And if you get distracted and mess up, there’s probably someone round the table who can get you back on track again.
I want to get outdoors more
Look for something nature-focussed, maybe at a rural crafts centre or forest location, for a craft course with a dose of fresh air. There are lots of one-off workshops for willow-weaving, trug-making and spoon-whittling that might give you a taste for a new outdoorsy craft as well as lots of sunlight and the chance to feel closer to nature.
I want something hands on
There’s nothing like pottery throwing if you want to really get up to your elbows in craft. Obviously it keeps your hands very much busy but pottery also uses your whole body as you shape clay at the wheel. It’s a wonderful feeling going back to collect your pieces from the kiln and seeing your own thumbprints and the marks your hands left as you crafted your pieces.
I want to get out of my own head
While repetitive crafts such as knitting and colouring can feel very soothing, sometimes you need something a bit ‘difficult’ to keep your brain busy and stop overthinking. Jewellery making can be as simple or as complicated as you like. You can buy a few tools, some wire and beads online and be crafting rings and earrings at home by yourself as soon as you like. But there are lots of courses in silversmithing around that will teach you the basics such as soldering, riveting and texturing and hammering to create patterns. There’s a lot to learn, and you need to concentrate on the job in hand - plus you’ll come away with something really beautiful every now and then.
I want to use my creative muscle more
Painting is a wonderful way to harness your creativity. Watercolour classes are a great way to start. Even if you can’t draw a stick man right now, painting classes tend to be very welcoming and non-judgemental and watercolour painting is something you can practise at home alone, too, if you want to improve. For those making a first foray into painting, splatter painting is a really fun thing to do for a day with your family or a group of friends. You basically dress in a boiler suit, are given a canvas and then you splatter paint all over it until you have a colourful, messy piece of artwork you can take home and hang on the wall. If you’re lucky enough to have an art school or an adult education college near you, you could even try out a specialist art class in life-drawing, charcoals or inks, maybe?
I want to try something quirky
The great thing about the crafting community is that it’s full of quirky people so if you want to try something a little bit different, you won’t be the only one…
If you enjoy wielding large tools, tufting lets you make rugs with a tufting gun - very satisfying. Or how about learning the scientific and sensory art of perfume making so next time someone compliments you on your fragrance you can say smugly - oh this? It’s just one I made myself! If you’d like a new craft hobby that will be a real conversation starter, how about Fluid Art Bear Painting? Yes, that’s what we said! You’re given a 3D resin teddy bear, which is your canvas, then you mix liquid acrylics with water or silicone oil, layer them up and pour them onto your bear, tilting it from side to side to create fluid, marbled patterns.
If you can’t find the craft you want to do locally to you, you could always set one up yourself! In our February issue, we met the founders of community arts and craft space, Aunty Social (auntysocial.co.uk) and found out how they got started and what they’re up to now.
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