January is a time for new years resolutions and new opportunities. This means it is the perfect time to take up a new hobby, or maybe two. Here are some brilliant creative hobbies that can help you to develop new skills, create beautiful things, de-stress and simply have some fun.
1) Crochet
At one time, knitting was the big craze among young women – and some men – as a way of de-stressing and getting creative. If you have made enough woollen clothing in 2016, maybe turn to crochet for 2017. Here you can learn to make coasters, broaches, 3D animals and much more.
2) Needlework
Crochet is just one of the hobbies available where you can pick up a needle and thread. Cross-stitch is a great option for newcomers because of the use of patterns and simple process. Anyone can create pretty pictures with patience and love. Alternatively, you may want to try embroidery. There is a helpful guide here.
3) Painting
Painting is one of those creative hobbies that many people day they would love to be able to do, but many feel it is beyond them. The trick is to take it slow and find a medium that you enjoy. Maybe you find a hidden talent for watercolour landscapes or bold abstracts in acrylics. Get started here.
4) Colouring-in Books
This may have once seemed like it was just a craze, but colouring-in books have proven to be more than a hipster fad. In fact, these books have proven to be highly therapeutic for people dealing with stress and anxiety. An hour with a fun pattern and a set of pencils is a great escape in an evening.
5) Calligraphy
If you are the sort of person that likes to skim through social media for motivational quotes in the morning, or has mass-produced posters at a workspace, calligraphy could be for you. Calligraphy is a way of creating beautiful letters and flowing script from ink it can be tricky at first there are guides here and here that can help.
6) Papercraft
On the subject of greetings cards, why not learn to make your own with papercraft. You can learn to make delicate, one-off cards that family members will love. Furthermore, you can add those new skills of calligraphy and painting or even cross-stitch. Papercraft projects are endless – from flower making to good-old origami.
7) Clay modelling
This is one for people that have no problem getting their hands dirty. There is a great feeling that comes from shaping clay and watching it transform into a beautiful object or practical item. You may just fancy the idea of playing with basic modelling clay. Alternatively, you could go all out and join a ceramics class.
8) Baking
In many ways, the love of baking as a creative hobby is similar to that of clay modelling. You are taking raw materials and transforming them into something beautiful with a purpose. Bread making, cake baking and other methods are all fun skills to learn with tasty results. Start your baking journey with guides here and here.
9) Cake Decoration
Finally, if baking has been a hobby for a little while now and you want to expand your horizons, you may want to consider cake decoration. Baking shows always have stunning designs on showstopper cakes, so why not try to make your own. Learn the art of fondant making and sugar craft for a family member’s birthday cake.
