The following is a post from contributing writer Angie.
When the words “arts and crafts” are said, you might get images of summer camp activities or automatically think of finding time for children to do arts and crafts. However, many women have a favorite art or craft that they love, but with busy lives, it falls l by the wayside.
Working on your favorite art or craft may not seem as important as feeding your family, but just remember that your favorite activity may be vital for feeding your mind, creativity, and soul.
Ways for Adults to Carve Out Time for Their Favorite Arts and Crafts
Arrange a Recurring Craft Night
While it is sometimes nice to craft alone, it can be a fun social time to work on your crafts while in the company of friends. The beauty of this is that everyone doesn’t have to be working on the same type of project. Some can be scrapbooking, some knitting, some painting, and yet another making hair ribbons. The important thing is time for your preferred activity, plus some friend time too.
Another nice benefit of a craft night is that you might find that someone you know is a master at a craft you’ve been dying to learn. Most people would be more than happy to share their favorite crafting skills with someone else. Just let that person know that you’re interested, and ask what supplies you need to bring next time, if they agree to help you.
Work on Your Craft During Other Activities
This is easier for some crafts than it is for others. As long as you are able to give your attention to the other activity, this can be a great opportunity to find some extra time for your hobby. It might mean that you are crocheting during a homeschooling parents meeting or fitting in some time to embroider during lunch at work.
It’s important to remember what times just aren’t appropriate as well. Your daughter is the lead in the school play? It’s probably not the best time to whip out your knitting needles.
Schedule Time and Stick to It
If you decide on how much time you want to spend on your favorite craft per day, week, or month, you can actually put the time that you intend to do it right on your calendar. Whether that means that you block off from 7 – 8 pm every Tuesday night or one Saturday morning a month, just put it on your calendar. Schedule time with yourself and your craft. You will be glad for it later.
Crafting Side by Side
One thing that I loved about my (teeny tiny) craft room makeover was that I ended up with a long workspace. This means that there is room for me to work, as well as my daughter to pull up a chair and work on something. She especially loves that if I’m working on a painting, then she gets to work on a painting as well.
While my older children aren’t as interested in crafts, Rob from Art for Kids shared an amazing post about Making Art Time Productive for You and the Kids that will really speak, in particular, to parents of younger children.
Cherilyn says
Our church has a ladies all-nighter every few months and I plan to try to attend and take along a few project to get some things accomplished. I love crafting with my children but sometimes it is so nice to get a lot done in a big chunk of time.
Sara C says
Sometimes I choose to leave the dishes or the laundry to spend time sewing or crafting. I find that creativity lowers my stress level and helps me get through the chores with a better attitude. You can’t skip the dishes everyday to go sew, but once in a while it’s great to take a break from the normal routine and do something fun. And in the end, the chores still get done 🙂
Victoria@snailpacetransformations.com says
I have 3 or 4 different “on the go” craft bags. I take knitting when I know we are going on a longer drive and my husband will be driving. I take locker hooking, when I am going to be sitting and gabbing with friends. I really do craft a little here a little there, so I always try to pick small projects so that I get that sense of accomplishment, instead of Ugh I really should get that done.
deirdre says
I am a mom of many with much on my plate, yet my heart yearns to create. Two things that have helped me lately…..I take my knitting with me everywhere even when I doubt I will get to work on it- then I am always prepared. With yarn hand painting/dyeing, I do the prep in 5min. increments so the yarn is ready to paint when I am ready.
Sarah @ Spoon Fed Baby says
I have found that I am able to be in my craft area downstairs while my son entertains himself near me. We don’t always go down into the basement, so it is always new for him and he can find something to do to occupy himself without needing me to play with him.