When thinking about the cure for boredom, many people think about reading or watching movies. However, it is not a solution for students who want to have a proper distraction from their daily routines. Instead, crafting has proven to be a perfect way of stress management, concentration improvement, and coping mechanism development. In other words, a crafting hobby is something that not only saves you from boredom but also improves your quality of life.
You know for sure that crafting helps unlock your creative streak and improve your mental health. It is definitely time to consider crafting if you feel bored, irritated, or overwhelmed with something. Grab your friend, designate a space in your room, and submerge in your new or long-forgotten hobby.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a newbie in the world of crafting or a pro. You can try something new after finishing your homework with WritePaper, no matter your skill. Of course, some crafting hobbies require more time than others. But it’s always a practice that makes it perfect.
So, don’t expect the results right away. Spoiler: in the end, you will be rewarded with new awesome skills.
Drawing and Painting
Even though many people use the words drawing and painting interchangeably, they differ in some technical aspects. Drawing usually is a good start for beginners. It focuses on using dry media like pencil, charcoal, or chalk with surfaces like paper. Just like you use pencil or charcoal in drawing, the main medium of painting is acrylic, watercolor, or oil paint.
Of course, you can and need to experiment with surfaces. It is good to set a goal, like starting something abstract, practicing character design, or seeing your work in MoMA one day. Whatever it is, don’t limit yourself with definitions and have as much fun as possible.
Collaging
Many think that collaging belongs to Photoshop these days. However, you still can use collage in an old-school way and create creative artwork to gift your friends or decorate your dorm room. If you have ever collected magazines or newspapers, you have plenty of materials to work with. All you need to add to the mix is your creativity, a pair of scissors or an Exacto knife, and glue.
You can follow Jeremy Newman and his TikTok profile mrcutandstick to get some ideas on how to recycle old fashion magazines into surreal collages worth putting into art museums. Of course, you can always bring painting techniques to collages to add more dimension and experiment with it in any way. This crafting hobby would work for any student, whether you study design or STEM.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is perfect for decorating your linen homewares or creating unique prints on T-shirts or anything you want to. There are a variety of methods and techniques that are easy to grasp for beginners. At the same time, it can be a good progression for those who want to advance their drawing skills into something more practical. This type of printing can be used not only for traditional textiles but also for ceramics, wood, paper, or plastic.
Pottery
Pottery is one of those crafts that help you develop a skill and improve your concentration. You will find yourself calmer and less stressed as you master the technique. It is a slow and soothing craft that will also give you a sense of control over the process of making a pot or a jar. Forget about boredom because this one will result in many beautiful creations you can gift your friends and family.
On the other hand, pottery is not the cheapest hobby as you might want to have your tools to shape clay. You can start with local pottery courses and proceed to have your home studio.
Basket Weaving
Basket weaving is yet another soothing hobby that can cure your chronic boredom. It uses natural materials and has several major techniques to make your baskets everlasting. You might need these tools to get started with the weaving:
- Sharp basket scissors;
- Side cutters;
- Packing tools;
- Needle nose pliers;
- Measuring tape;
- Awl.
As you master basket weaving, you can try to create sculptures from willow and other materials appropriate for it. It depends on what you want to achieve to discover how this craft can benefit you in everyday life.
Jewelry Making
This crafting has no limits with materials and ways to approach it. You can create textile, metal, or wood pieces with everything you already have or by purchasing some specific tools. Here are a few types of jewelry you can master at home:
- Wire jewelry involves wrapping wire components over one another and connecting them without using extra techniques like heating. You can embroider jewels and other elements to make the final product more versatile;
- Beaded jewelry is usually used with fishing wire that connects plastic, glass, or wood elements into one piece;
- Hand-stamped jewelry requires simple tools and techniques to design unique patterns and assemble them into a piece.
Sewing Soft Toys
Soft toys are a perfect way to upcycle old clothing and unleash your creative toymaker. It is time to learn sewing techniques that can help you in other areas of your daily routines. There are no specific rules for what toys should look like. You can find readymade patterns online for starters and then work on your designs.
You can add any accessory element to make your design unique. Of course, if you plan to give toys to children, be cautious of small details. If you’re looking to add an adorable touch to your crafting projects, consider incorporating penguin-themed elements like fabrics or accessories, or even find inspiration from these cute creatures by exploring penguin-themed crafts. You can also indulge in the joy of penguin appreciation by exploring various penguin plushies like those available at Buy Penguin Plush.
Embroidery
Embroidery is one of the oldest crafting hobbies you can learn. Forget about associating it with only old ladies and pastoral country-sides. Embroidery can give your old clothing a second life, turning worn patches into beautiful, unique pieces. With different materials and stitching techniques, you can recreate classic paintings on a piece of fabric.
Wrapping Up
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the product of your hard work. Crafting hobbies let you recycle old stuff and make something new from it. Whatever you choose, you learn how to appreciate your time and the craft of others.