Arts & Crafts is something that kids are encouraged to do at school. As they get older, the importance of crafting seems to disappear, replaced by other lessons and activities. But, staying creative is good for you. It can ease stress and relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
It’s never too late to embrace Arts & Crafts again — even if you’re in your retirement years. Find out how to join a creative community and what types of crafts you can try on your own.
Join a Crafty Community
Find a community that shares your creative interests. Your local area is bound to have clubs for every craft from knitting to needlepoint. A club is a great place to practice your hobby and make connections with like-minded people. Who knows? You could make some strong bonds while you’re following patterns, stringing beads, or painting canvases.
Better yet, if you’re in your retirement years and you’re considering moving into a nursing home, look for a home that actively supports your new hobbies. Click the link for Allseniorscare.com/residence/chapel-hill-retirement-residence/ to see a nursing home that gives residents plenty of opportunities to be creative. They have a multi-purpose room for crafts and baking. They have a schedule packed with programs, events, and workshops for everything from painting to gardening. After moving in, you’ll have more hobbies than you can handle.
Crafting on Your Own
Joining a community might be a little difficult right now, but just because you can’t be in a packed room, it doesn’t mean that you can’t start some exciting projects. Here are three amazing crafting ideas that will make social distancing a little better — and they’re easy enough to do on your own!
Reusable Masks:
If sewing is a new skill that you’re trying to hone, then you should make your own cloth face mask that you can reuse and wash with your laundry whenever it’s dirty. You will want to use cotton fabric. It’s accessible, washable, and, most importantly, it’s breathable. If you don’t have any cuts of fabric available, upcycle an old cotton t-shirt that you don’t wear anymore.
DIY Soap:
You’ve never washed your hands so much in your life, so you might as well make your own soap to have as a back-up when you run out of store-bought bars. Look up homemade soap recipes and see what ingredients and blends pique your interest. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to use Aloe Vera or oatmeal. If you’re stressed, you might want to use calming scents like lavender or jasmine.
Paper Flowers:
If you’re limiting your time outside, bring some “natural” beauty inside the house with some homemade flowers. Make yourself a bouquet of paper roses or tulips or peonies — whatever you like. Place them in a vase on your nightstand or turn them into a decorative garland to hang on the wall.
You will need a short list of tools and materials:
- Paper (letter-weight, craft or crepe paper)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Hot glue gun
- Floral tape
- Floral wire
Crafting isn’t just for kids. It’s an amazing way to occupy your time, especially in your golden years. So, clear off your dining-room table, gather your materials, and get started on these projects.
