| Diana discovered the joy of pottery after suffering a | | | | projects as soon as you feel an urge, cut-n-paste, |
| terrible divorce. Taking a seat at the wheel with a lump | | | | candle-making, ceramics, or pottery may be a better |
| of clay, she felt an immediate release. Her mind | | | | fit. |
| cleared and her heart rate slowed down. She was | | | | 4. Space available |
| able to relax in a way she hadnt for weeks. Better | | | | Do you affectionately call your apartment a cupboard? |
| than therapyand medication! she happily reported to | | | | If you need an activity that takes up little space or can |
| her doctor after her first day at a community | | | | be cleaned up in a jiffy, yarn and needlecrafts can be |
| education class, where she went on to make friends | | | | tucked away in a basket or a drawer. Baking and |
| with fellow potters, further enriching her life. | | | | cake decorating use what you probably already have |
| For Kris it was counted cross-stitch. The repetitive | | | | in your kitchen, and jewelry only needs a modest |
| motion of the needle passing up and down through | | | | tackle-box with little compartments for beads and |
| crisp cloth put her in a near-meditative state, the way | | | | tools. But perhaps you have a room or a whole |
| yoga does for some. In this state Kris was able to | | | | basement where a hobby could take up a permanent |
| work out solutions to her daily challenges. It was like | | | | residence? Pottery is such a hobby. If you quilt by |
| the ideas dropped into my mind out of the sky, she | | | | hand you will need a room where a fairly large frame |
| told a close friend. | | | | can be set up (unless you only want to do baby quilts). |
| Shawn found furniture restoration to be wonderfully | | | | A table for laying out and cutting patterns is required |
| soothing after a stressful day at the office. The raw | | | | for sewing, and most people dont appreciate having |
| scent of wood loosened him up, and he was surprised | | | | to lug out the machine every time you want to work |
| how satisfying it was to sit down at a table he had | | | | on a project. (However, it can be done.) |
| restored himself. | | | | Lotions-n-potions, and candle and soap making can be |
| Such is the world of DIY. Discovering the right craft for | | | | done in the kitchen as long as precautions are taken, |
| your personality and temperament can be a reward | | | | but ideally they need a separate space, since you are |
| that transforms your life. | | | | using dangerous chemicals that you dont want to |
| The crafting world is as wide and diverse as a tropical | | | | accidentally mix with food. Gardening is ideal if you |
| rainforest. Each crafting activity has unique benefits | | | | have a nice-sized yard, but many green-thumbed |
| and challenges. You could spend your entire life just | | | | apartment dwellers find cultivating the space around |
| trying out different crafts. While this may be fun, it can | | | | their windows, on their patio, or even potted indoor |
| be expensive and frustrating. Should you desire to | | | | plants a satisfying diversion. Dont lose heart if you |
| narrow your search down, this article will act as your | | | | dont have space for an activity that interests |
| guide by investigating the world of crafts as they fit | | | | youjust sign up for a community class! |
| into five spectrums. If one activity doesnt suit you, | | | | 5. Available funds for expenses |
| take heart. Crafting is for everyoneyou are bound to | | | | Each craft has a range of what you could pay for the |
| find that perfect match. | | | | activity, depending on your taste and willingness. If you |
| 1. Short-term projects vs. long-term projects. | | | | are picky about using only hand-dyed, organically |
| Do you have a need for immediate gratification? If you | | | | grown 100% wool yarn, you are going to pay a lot |
| do, you might prefer cake decorating, ceramics, | | | | more than someone who works with an acrylic yarn |
| candle-making, lotions-n-potions, or cut-n-paste projects | | | | available at the closest Woolworths. It is a good idea |
| (scrapbooking, collage, and decoupage), which deliver | | | | when just starting out to borrow someone elses |
| results relatively quickly. Conversely, if you are known | | | | equipment, or use inexpensive supplies until you know it |
| to possess the patience of Job, needlecrafts and | | | | is an activity you are going to stick with. Then you can |
| quilting may be your thing. (Although quilting by machine | | | | slowly replace your supplies with quality items that you |
| cuts down the time dramatically). If you like long-term | | | | appreciate. On average, pottery and sewing require |
| projects, pottery and gardening are also excellent | | | | more expensive equipment to begin, while you can |
| choices, since they involve several steps. | | | | garden, cross-stitch, or cut-n-paste on a shoestring |
| 2. Fastidiousness vs. playfulness/ looseness | | | | budget. Yarn crafts are the cheapest activities to try, |
| Needlecrafts, baking, and jewelry-making require a | | | | since they dont require a lot of expensive equipment |
| meticulous and careful eye, whereas cooking, | | | | to start. Again, a class might be the best investment |
| gardening and cut-n-paste projects are more | | | | for the more expensive hobbies. |
| appropriate for the playful type. Keep in mind that | | | | If you still aren't sure which craft is right for you, talk to |
| many activities can go either way or are best for | | | | other crafters about why they enjoy their craft. Ask if |
| those who can balance a bit of each quality. | | | | you can join them one day to see if it is something |
| 3. Planner by nature vs. spontaneous to the core | | | | that appeals to you. Be patient with yourself as you |
| If you dont mind doing a little math, counted | | | | begin each new activity--nothing kills the excitement of |
| cross-stitch, knitting, and crochet are great activities. | | | | trying something new more than impossibly high |
| Needlecrafts, quilting and sewing also require planning | | | | expectations. Don't worry--as you continue, your skills |
| and pattern-reading. If all this sounds too boring or | | | | will improve. You will also know better which activities |
| frustrating and you prefer to jump headlong into | | | | suit you best. |