If you’re anything like me, you’re probably sick of scrolling for countless hours on TikTok or opening and closing the same 3 apps in an endless loop when you’re bored. But in trying to figure out how to get off that habit and embrace my artistic tendencies, I’ve compiled a list of interesting and lesser-known activities that just might become your next new obsession.
- loom knitting
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A go-to activity of mine during the winter time, loom knitting is a fun and beginner-friendly hobby to get into if you perhaps find crochet or knitting a bit daunting, but still want to make the same items. All you need is a knitting loom, some yarn, a loom pick, and a yarn needle, which you can get at any local craft store like Michaels. Loom knitting essentially involves wrapping the yarn around the loom pegs in different ways to form a pattern. With endless of these patterns available on Youtube and Pinterest, you can make a range of items like hats, scarves, socks, and gloves, perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself.
- Bullet journaling
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Bullet journaling is a perfect way to channel your creativity and also have a place to keep track of your life. Starting with a blank or dot grid journal, plan out what purpose you want your bullet journal to serve. Maybe you want it to be a planner to keep track of your tasks, a calendar, a diary to jot down your thoughts, or perhaps a combination of all of the above. After you get this down, you can start getting creative with it and personalize your journal the way you want. It might be fun to experiment with having a different theme every month or incorporating a selection of stationery items to make it more visually appealing. No matter how you choose to do it, bullet journaling should be a relaxing and creative activity that helps you maintain a more organized and mindful lifestyle. Don’t worry about making it perfect the first time around and just have fun with it, it’s always interesting to see how your style grows and changes as you go.
- flower pressing
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Pressing flowers provides a perfect way to add a fun floral element to your space or to add a unique touch to gift-giving. There are multiple ways in which you can flower press, all of which depend on what materials you have on hand and how many flowers you are planning to press. One of the more common methods is by using a book and some sort of absorbent paper. You are going to want to place the parchment paper in between the book with the flowers face down on top, and then close the book and let the flowers sit for 3-4 weeks. There are also flower presses you can purchase on the internet if you are perhaps using many flowers or want a more involved means to press flowers. No matter which method you choose, the end result will be beautiful pieces that you can incorporate into wall art, jewelry, cards, keychains, and so many more projects.
- jewelry making
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Jewelry is the perfect addition to elevate and complete any outfit, so just imagine how cool it would be to design your own and make your looks more personal and unique. With so many options and designs to choose from, there are so many ways to create the perfect item that works with your own style. You can start with just some elastic string and beads to make simple bracelets and anklets, and then move up to more metal wires, clasps, and high-end beads to make more elaborate and intricate pieces. Feel free to experiment with different styles and materials to design the perfect new staple piece for your jewelry collection.
Whether you’re looking for a new skill to pick up or a way to detox from technology, these activities provide the perfect chance to do so while also tapping into your creativity. They also make for the perfect gifts, and especially with my birthday being today, I can say with full confidence that I would cherish getting anything handmade from this list.