Crafting to relax
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Many people use crafting as a way to relax, however is this still true when crafting is the basis of your full time employment. I have crafts that I work on in order to sell and then I have a completely different set of crafts that I undertake in order to relax. The key is that when I am working on these I know that they are not work related and it enables me to switch off and just enjoy the process of creativity.
Adult colouring
It is somewhat childish however there is a lot to be said for Adult Colouring. A really simple and cheap craft to take up which can work wonders for helping you switch off. Colouring books are available from a range of places and can be used with either colouring pencils or felt tip pens. If you are using felt tip pens just be aware that coloured ink may bleed through the pages. So you will need to either place a spare piece of paper behind the page to catch any ink or to purchase a slightly thicker papered book so that the ink doesn’t bleed through.
There is such a huge range of colouring books available the most common designs are variations of floral designs however with a bit of research subjects of the artwork can range and suit most tastes.
Diamond painting
Diamond painting is a relatively new craft on the scene, however it is very addictive. You have a sticky canvas that you attach flat back gems to. The gems come in a range of colours and once they are arranged on the canvas they create an image.
The canvas is printed with the coordinating gem colours so is completed in a very similar way to a paint by numbers. Many ex cross stitchers end up taking up diamond painting as it is very similar in process to cross stitch. It is very simple to get the hang of and will appeal to children and adults alike. There are a huge range of designs available so you are bound to find a design that appeals to you.
Inspiration searching aka relaxing
Although not technically crafting I find it very relaxing scrolling through inspirational sources. I am a super fan of Pintertest and could quite easily waste several hours browsing posts and links. I find it very relaxing absorbing the current trends and crafting crazes. www.pinterest.com
Not only does this help me chill out but it helps with inspiration for future product lines. In addition it gives me a wider understanding of how crafts are done and certain items are created. This broadening of my understanding helps me with running my craft shop, I can discuss products with customers and aid their understanding of the products they are purchasing.
Even as a craft business owner you can still use crafting as a form of relaxation. The key is having no intention of selling the item that you are making. All crafts have been found to have a beneficial effect on mental health in my experience. So explore crafts and see which ones you find the most relaxation from.
If you would like to see what other hobbies I spend time relaxing with, have a read of my blog post on what I do when I’m not crafting https://claireyatfairycrafters.com/when-i-am-not-crafting/
