There is something quite soothing and relaxing about letting ourselves have the freedom to be creative, like finding our inner child again, creating something just for the pure enjoyment of it, rather than for work or some other practical purpose.

During the first National Lockdown, finding ourselves with more time, it seems that people across the UK began to find new ways of occupying their time, as well as keeping their minds active during difficult times. The Crafts Council Organisation reported in June 2020 that the craft market had increased with over 73% more people buying craft products than in 2019. They noted this could also be down to sustainability, with people more conscious of consumerism of throwaway objects, as well as a focus on wanting to support small businesses.

They also stated

“The current pandemic has highlighted the growing craft trend – the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee has shifted to a prime-time BBC TV slot and attracts audiences of close to 5 million, and sellers of craft supplies for the domestic market are seeing a surge in sales.  With 20% of British consumers indicating that they would pay to attend a craft workshop, it is no surprise that such a significant number of people are turning to online tutorials and craft kits to learn a new skill while they have more time at home.”

Some of the crafts trending in 2020, according to craftcourses.com are stained glass, pottery, art therapy, woodwork, embroidery and soap making. As noted in the report by the Crafts Council Organisation, this could also be to do with an influx of creative, try at home programmes on prime time TV, such as The Great British Bake Off, The Great British Sewing Bee and the return of The Great Pottery Throwdown after a 3-year absence. There has also been a surge in the sale of colouring books for adults as well as children.

“They’re simple and fun activities that help you relax and be creative, decluttering the mind as you concentrate on one task, putting negative thoughts out of your mind. Through creating art, you can better understand yourself and others, explore your feelings, and cope with stress and traumatic experiences.”

Of course, there is also the element of learning a new skill and achieving something long lasting. During the early summer of 2020, I found my way back to crafting after an absence of around 15 years. I had forgotten how much I used to enjoy using colour, texture and materials to create something colourful and meaningful just for fun. I was delighted to have the time to try some new craft activities such as making home made bunting, for a ‘festival at home’ feel, during the Hay Literature festival online. I also made a paper rose for the first time, thanks to a YouTube tutorial video from Hay Festival resident rose maker, Karolina Cornwall. Although it took concentration and practice, the joy I felt when mastering the skill and having a complete paper rose, was worth it.

The time I took out for myself to take part in these crafts was only minimal, perhaps an hour for each activity, yet I found the benefits lasted for days. Unexpectedly, there was no feeling of guilt or anxiety at the ‘more important’ tasks awaiting my time. In the moment, I felt only relaxation and joy, following the path I felt my mind and body needed at that time. I guess there’s a kind of therapy in creating, and creating without a real sense of end destination or deadline.

The Crafts Council Organisation document that crafting is good for your mental health.

“Craft can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness and even dementia, according to research.”

They say that there are 4 main reasons that crafting and creative activities are good for your mental health

–        Engaging with the arts boosts mental wellbeing – Textile crafts such as embroidery, crocheting and knitting have the highest participation rates of all the arts – more than music and painting – according to the government’s Taking Part survey. Another study showed that participating in sewing as a leisure activity contributed to psychological wellbeing, through increasing pride and enjoyment, self-awareness, and ‘flow’ in younger women.

–        Craft has long been used to help with anxiety. In general, participants in arts on prescription workshops experience a significant increase in overall wellbeing, through reduction in nerves, stress and anxiety. Though seemingly different, the acts of baking, knitting, and gardening share characteristics that make them well-suited for self-care. These activities all help to improve mood and lower stress. These activities also have a meditative quality due to their repetition, but also require focus and attention, which can provide healthy distraction from other stresses.

–        It brings people together. Respondents to a study by Sinikka Hannele Pöllänen, from the University of Eastern Finland, revealed that textile craft helped them cope with depression and negative feelings, while offering social support and positive relationships. In the UK, craft clubs are emerging that are specifically aimed at boosting mental health. It is also a good idea to try doing crafts with other members of the household, particularly children as it can boost their self-esteem, get their creative minds active, as well as to help form a bond with parents, siblings and carers.

–        There are positive links between craft and the cognitive skills of stroke and dementia patients – A study of community engagement and dementia risk in the British Medical Journal, suggests that community engagement, and particularly cultural activities, may reduce the risk of dementia onset.

There are many ways in which we can get crafting, from single creative projects to ongoing courses focused on developing skills over time. Here are some things you can try, including some local community groups and businesses offering their creative knowledge and services.

Cariad Glass in Llandysul, Ceredigion offer workshops in stained glass and mosaic techniques. During the spring and winter lockdowns they offered a ‘make a mosaic’ at home kit which was very popular. Although this has now been put on hold for the foreseeable future, and they are unsure when classes may start up again, they are offering various activities to do at home, such as a free downloadable colour in mosaic pattern.  Find out more here.

I their ‘How to’ video for making a mosaic at home, Justine says,

“Despite the challenges that 2020 has brought us, we are delighted to have harnessed the power of creativity during the pandemic and have embraced the opportunity to work in a slightly different way and produce new, exciting work.

Our ‘Make a Mosaic at Home’ kits have proved so popular, we’ve had to pop them on hold at the moment to make way for our commission work…we are very lucky to have a full order book, and can’t thank our clients enough for their support.

Usually, we’d be teaching from March to October, with our popular courses fully booked months in advance and of course all of our teaching was put on hold during 2020.

Our pupils have been incredibly supportive and understanding and we look forward to welcoming our postponed pupils back into the studio just as soon as we are able to do so safely.

We’ve worked at increasing our online sales presence too as of course there have been no exhibitions to attend, and gallery opening has been curtailed due to restrictions, and this has been a really lovely way to engage with customers looking for a special gift to send to their loved ones across the UK and further afield too.”

Chris and Justine are looking forward to another busy 2021, maybe a little different to the ‘norm’ but still filled with creativity and colour here in their corner of West Wales!

Reconnecting 50+ Carmarthenshire offer a range of craft activities to take part in online, as a group over the coming months. These include making paracord bracelets, mosaic tiles, glass panels, Dorset Buttons (an ancient craft which is being revitalised), string art picture, 3D animal jigsaws. The classes are fully booked but there will be many more to come in future.

For April they have planned activities such as history talks, cooking demo, papercrafts, needle felting, decoupage and live music.

Sandra Llewelyn, treasurer for Reconnecting Carmarthenshire 50+ notes the importance of their activities for the community, as well as the positive impact they have had on the group.

“I think is that as a group of people we have come together to keep Reconnecting going, by pooling our physical resources and skills to share the skills we have with others, many members are going to lead sessions, others are giving materials, others are sourcing upcycling and recycling crafts we can do.”

In terms of the benefits of crafting for members of the group, Sandra says

“Learning a new skill or upgrading /renewing an old skill, mental health improvements from achieving something, being a part of something, having a session to look forward to, we chat and laugh and tell stories while we craft. In our case, there is some element of control over what the group does, we listen to everyone and collectively choose what to do. For some, the social aspect is the most important. For others, it is the making. For most, it is a mixture of both.”

Find out more at Carmarthenshire 50+

For online tutorials of crafts to do at home try:

Make a paper rose with resident rose maker of Hay Festival.

Try these fun crafting ideas from Good Housekeeping.com

Or these kids activities, aimed at keeping children occupied.