Top 5.... reasons to craft
Attending a workshop this weekend to make a leather wallet pouch and keyring has given me a chance to think about why I love workshops so much, why I love to mkae things myself, and what the top 5 benefits of a workshop are...
1. It is FUN! Craft for me provides a relaxation, a chance to be distracted from the mundane and every day, from the stresses and strains of another load of washing, workplace politics, the 'I don't want to go to school today' refrain. Crafting or making something from scratch enables me to enjoy doing something, just for myself or for someone else. I am fascinated by talk about what someone thinks their wife/daughter/best friend would really like to receive as a present, what colours they like, why their style is: contemporary or modern. Do they like silver or gold, would they wear this or that? And then seeing their faces when their jewellery is made. That's my idea of fun!
2. Unleash your creativity. Crafting allows you to explore your creative side. Whether it's designing a unique piece of jewellery or experimenting with different materials and techniques, crafting lets you express your individuality. It's good for you - making something improves your hand/eye co-ordination, it is said to repair neural pathways and it keeps your brain active. keeping your brain active keeps you young and I'm all for that! Crafting is not only fun but also a fantastic way to learn new skills. From mastering the art of wire wrapping to perfecting your soldering technique, from paper crafting to gouging pieces out of a piece of lino, from making a mess sipping and painting, to knitting, workshops offer a range of skills that can enhance your crafting abilities
3. It enables you to relax and unwind. Making something can be a meditative and soothing activity that relieves stress. The repetitive motions involved in crafting, like threading beads or hammering metal, like making knots in wool (Mr H's definition of knitting!), can be incredibly calming. Creativity changes your emotions and your sensitivities, it calms, it focuses and it makes space for you in this hurly burly of life we live in. Sometimes the silence of the house, switching off the radio when I am concentrating on setting a stone or designing a new piece of jewellery, makes my soul sing. It makes me immediately drop my shoulders, sigh and lets my brain take paths that it wouldn't have time to take. It enables me to relax and unwind.
4. Community. Crafting or making together or just talking about making something creates a community feel. Crafting is a great way to meet like-minded people and build a community. During my workshops, there is a space created where people connect with each other, where they share ideas, get inspired, and maybe even make some new friends along the way. Sometimes people who have known each other for a long time,come along to workshops together. Time spent chatting about things they might have never chatted about before, and it enriches their friendship, it changes their perspectives of each other, perhaps we all became more rounded and interesting people.
5. Empowerment. "I made that" is such an empowering phrase. How wonderful is it to see someone's eyes widen in envy and disbelief that you made something. And how about if you made it for them, for their birthday, or just to say thank you?! Perfect gift which has given you all the benefits that crafting gives and also the feeling that someone else has that you valued them enough to make something for them, to give all that time and thought just to them. Lastly, I love being able to say I made it rather than I bought it at a high street shop!
So, are you ready to come to a workshop and feel all those benefits? Why not join my jewellery making workshops and discover the joy of creating something beautiful with your own hands. Whether you’re interested in making gifts, learning new skills, or simply finding a new hobby, my workshops offer something for everyone. If you would like more details about upcoming workshops, just click here and find all the details you need. New workshops come online all the time and I would love you to join me and make some beautiful jewellery.... oh I forgot to say, there is always great cake!
