What do you do in your free time? Some might choose to go for a walk, read a book or even simply just take a nap. Everybody has their own cup of tea, but if you happen to be looking to pick up a new hobby, we are introducing 9 crafts you probably didn’t know were cool - so you can fulfil your weekend downtime!
1. Soap Making
Remember those days when we all used soap instead of bath gel, and the soap bars we used were white, round and boring? Well, not anymore - a new trend has risen! Lately, we’ve been obsessed with watching soap-making videos and we’ve stumbled across a YouTube channel called “Royalty Soaps” by Katie Carson. We were blown away by the designs and the amount of work she’s put into it, it’s so fascinating to watch. The artisan soap bars that she makes are in limited quantity but definitely of high quality - she often draws inspiration from food, desserts, scenery, and even movies! These fancy soap bars look just like cakes and we are drooling. If you are looking to make some aesthetically-pleasing soaps, check out her YouTube channel and her Instagram to learn how!
2. Knitting
Knitting has always been considered as a ‘granny hobby’, remember that time you knitted a scarf as a present for your first love? (We’ve all been there…) All jokes aside, knitting is actually really calming and it’s strategically challenging. Besides, chunky comfy knitwear always come in handy during winter. How cool would it be when you can wear your very own creations? We found this Instagram account called @oddknotsandthreads by Daniella Hua and we love her aesthetic. She is a knitting fanatic and we can see why - she knits all sorts of things: from scarves to tops and bralettes; from coasters to bags! Try this out, it might be your new calling!
3. Origami
Whether it’s making a decorative card or spicing up your art project for art class in middle school - we’ve all tried origami at some point in our lives. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but when you click with it, you won’t be able to stop folding and creating. This intricate art requires a lot of processing and accuracy - if you mess up one step, the whole design won’t work. But when you’ve completed a design, the satisfaction it gives is beyond words! “Origami Tutorials” is a blog with tips and answers to common questions about origami: they provide videos to teach you step by step on how to master the art of origami. Even if you are not into folding papers yourself, watch some of the time-lapse videos - they are so satisfying to watch!
4. Pottery
Okay, so what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear “pottery”? For us, it has to be the scene in ‘Ghost’ when Sam joined Molly from behind to make clay pottery - probably one of the most iconic moments in movie history! But in real life, pottery-making is so much more meditating and oddly satisfying. This art requires very steady hands and a lot of patience, and is very difficult to master. Pottery classes have been around for a long time, and more and more people are starting to take this on as a hobby! We found an experienced ceramic artist, Hugh Hope, whose pieces are awfully Zen - he specialises in a technique using clear wax resist. He free-hands a design on the pottery itself with clear wax resist, then adds paint onto it after the wax has dried, which creates a very surprising reveal of his designs at the end. Just see for yourself on his Instagram or watch this video by INSIDER.
5. Candle Making
Candle-making is no stranger to many of us - it’s easy to make and can be customised to your liking, so a lot of people buy candle-making kits and make them at home! Today, this hobby has been taken to new levels - by turning candles into life-like desserts! Just look at these pictures, how beautiful and mouth-watering do they look?! Start with this video by Blossom - it’s filled with hacks and straightforward recipes on how to make a candle that looks just like a drink. We challenge you to go try it out now!
6. Cross Stitching/Embroidery
Embroidery, also known as cross-stitching, is probably the most time-consuming and challenging craft on our list. But when done correctly, the results are incredible and actually, quite practical because you can embroider any designs onto any fabric - towels, clothing, tissue box covers, hats and even shoes, the possibilities are endless! “Peacock and Fig“ is a Youtube channel created by Dana Batho that teaches people how to create these sophisticated designs. In her videos, you will be taught everything you need to know about cross-stitching - from beginner to expert level, you won’t be disappointed. It’s not a platform just for learning, but for you to slow down and to connect with this traditional art while having fun with it!
7. Miniatures
Who else is a sucker for tiny things? We are mesmerized by these cute little miniatures that you can make by yourself! They are such detailed settings and models, but in an extremely small size, or as we like to call it - fun size! These DIYs are so cute as if they are made for little baby animals. Just imagine baby rabbits and mice cooking and singing in those houses - oh, so cute! We came across a YouTube channel called “Tiny Little Things” created by a girl called Christine and what she does on there is phenomenal. The miniatures look so real that we feel like giants just by looking at it. We would wholeheartedly recommend this - this hobby is absolutely fulfilling!
8. Paper Flowers
Some say diamonds are a girl’s best friend but we beg to differ - flowers should be a girl’s best friend! Buying fresh flowers could get very expensive if done regularly, so we love the idea of making paper flowers! Not only is it affordable to make, but these flowers will never wilt. This adorable craft is the perfect way to welcome summer in your home! These will make a wonderful decoration - it’s relatively easy, you can make a few and soon have a lovely bouquet! As this is a quick craft to make, they will make a nice add-on to brighten up rooms and workplaces alike. Lia Griffith is the one person to go to when making paper flowers - her designs are uber romantic yet fresh, and if we weren’t told we would have thought they were real!
9. Quilling
Quilling is a new art that is so underrated. Believe or not, it is actually a really complex yet extremely delicate art, and it takes a lot of creativity! By rolling thin strips of paper, you are creating shapes and filling out negative spaces - forming these exquisite designs. Quilling is a great medium for those who have a rather wild and bursting imagination, waiting to be consumed. For some inspiration to get you started, follow Sena Runa (@senaruna) on Instagram for her innovative quilling art - they are breathtaking, almost ethereal.
So there you have it - 9 crafts you didn’t know were cool! We will definitely be trying out some of these, let us know which one is your favourite!
