Here are 9 ways I believe crafting can change your life. Let’s dive in:
1. Crafting sparks creativity, which can spark innovation in other areas of your life.
When you get your creative juices flowing while doing crafts the creativity doesn’t just stop when the craft stops. That creativity will flow into other areas of your life. Even if you are just following a step by step tutorial, you are still creating and can reap the benefits.
Start by incorporating small crafts into your life. You will see yourself go from crafting to wanting to try a new recipe. Then you will want to try new make-up. Next, your thinking outside the box at work, and on and on. Think of creativity as a muscle and just like other muscles, it has to be worked and used regularly for it to grow.
There are no limits what your creativity can lead you to. I’m trying to convince you that creativity can change your life!
2. Crafting is a way to express yourself
In a society where we constantly told no, don’t do that, do wear that, etc., crafting is a safe zone where you can express yourself freely. There are so many different types of crafts to appeal to every different type of person. Find something that appeals to you.
A mother in my church quilts memory blankets. My god-brother makes custom bow ties. I know someone who does balloon art. My uncle makes model airplanes. A friend of mine enjoys welding. My dad built a wrought iron dining room table from scratch. The news showcased a young lady the other day that made her prom dress out of hair and it was amazing. There is something for everyone. There’s freedom in expressing yourself.
3. Crafting is a way to connect with your kids
Today is all about electronics. Kids can easily have a screen time overload. I know, it’s hard. The kids go crazy and the tablets occupy them and they love it. What do you do? Glad you asked…You pull out a craft.
Kids like to be hands-on and their little minds really enjoy the process of doing crafts. I’m totally the Craft Auntie and I love it. The kids (even the adult niece and nephews) expect me to have crafty activities when they come over. When doing crafts with them you get to have lots of discussions and find out a lot about them without it being an interrogation. While crafting, you are creating timeless memories and building their creative skills.
4. Crafting gives you a sense of accomplishment
Very few things can make you more proud than making something with your own hands. Completing crafts gives you a sense of accomplishment and builds self-esteem. You feel fearless. It makes you feel like “Bring it on” and “I can do anything.” Who wouldn’t want to live this kind of fearless life?
5. DIY’s can help you save money
Just like any other craft, trade, or occupation, if you learn how to do things yourself, you don’t have to spend as much for others to do it for you. If you know how to sew a simple seam, you don’t have to pay a seamstress just to hem pants for you. If you are willing to have fun and paint, you can create wall decor for cheaper than anything in stores and it’s personal to you. There are also tons of tips and “hacks” that you can do to save money around the house.
Beware though, you can fall into the trap of buying all the supplies for a craft and end up spending way more than what it would’ve cost to buy it ready made at a store. Just weigh your options before you invest.
6. You could make money crafting
Not only can you save money crafting, but you can make money too. Once you’ve dibble and dabble in a few crafts you will get a sense of what type you really like to do. If you make a unique item and spend the time to perfect it, you can sell your crafts. There are so many avenues to sell hand-made items: family, friends, fairs, art shows, Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, boutique stores, etc.
7. You can give more personal gifts
Whose tired of giving gift cards and random cutesy stuff you find at Target? I know I am. By crafting you can jazz up your gifts with the recipient’s name and favorites. One Christmas I made everyone their own personal blanket. Each blanket had their name on it and was in their favorite color. When you give personal hand-made gifts, it means more and people tend to keep them longer. My grandmother crocheted me a blanket when I was a toddler. I kept that blanket until my 20’s because it was the blanket Grandma made! I could could always feel her by my side.
Show up to the softball name with cups with the teams name on them. Make fun matching tshirts for you and your family. Make a card for your best friend with an inside joke that only you all would understand. The possibilities are endless.
8. Crafting can help relieve stress
Many years ago, I found that baking calms my nerves (and I have the waistline to prove it LOL). Something about focusing on measuring and mixing helps take my mind off my everyday problems. Baking might not be your jam, but finding a hobby in something has proven to be relaxing to the body. You are happy and at peace. I don’t know about you but I have a lot of stress to relieve! Bring on the crafts LOL.
9. Crafting is Fun
Last, but definitely not least…Crafting is FUN! It’s no surprise that painting parties and online craft classes like Bluprint.com are popular. Being creative is fun. Get some friends, pick a project and make a day/night of it. Who cares is you don’t do everything right? Perfection doesn’t matter while crafting. Laugh a lot and make memories. Just enjoy the process.
Taken from purplecraftdiva.com
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