What is National Crafting Month
Started in 1994, National Crafting Month is the brainchild of the Craft and Hobby Association (now called Association for Creative Industries). The goal is to bring awareness to the craft industry by helping people learn to craft, reignite a long-lost passion, or give experienced makers a chance to try something new. Crafters are also referred to as DIYers, Makers, Creators, and Artists. At its core, Craft Month is about celebrating all creativity.
Why Crafting Is Cool
With the maker’s movement sweeping the nation, crafting is the “in” thing to do. Living in the modern digital age, people are finding that getting more hands-on and adding a handmade touch to everyday life, is more satisfying than just pressing a button and ordering it on-line. Plus, finished handmade projects make great social media posts and allows for bragging rights too!
Yes, your grandma’s tissue box crafty-stash and your kids pre-school finger-paints are still crafting, but today’s crafting is so much more. There are no limits to tools, projects, ideas, where you make it, and whatever design comes of your creative crafting. Crafting allows you to give new life to old items by giving them a different meaning or use; everything in your sight could be used in a craft project. Crafting really is the ideal platform to let your imagination run wild.
How Crafting Can Improve Your Health
It’s been proven that even a little bit of creativity everyday can improve your overall wellbeing. Allowing your mind to wander as you lose yourself in a craft can lower your stress, reduce anxiety and even help with insomnia. The act of making something gives you a sense of satisfaction, which ultimately boosts self-esteem and confidence. When you focus your attention on crafting, your body releases happy chemicals called, endorphins, they give you energy, motivation and drive. And when you feel that great, a lot more crafting can happen!
Other Benefits of Crafting
Aside from its psychological benefits, crafting has other pros too. Crafters build friendships and community with like-minded people. Crafting is eco-friendly with the notion of repurposing items and crafting also makes economic sense when you up-craft items that would normally be thrown out. Now you are saving money and eliminating the need to buy more stuff.
Biggest Lesson of National Crafting Month
Wrapping it up in a big bow, Craft Month is a perfect time to explore your creative side. Even if you never thought of yourself as the crafty kind, this is the perfect time to dive in. You never know, you might just awaken your inner crafting giant. There’s only one way to find out – get crafting!
About Jane Clauss
For creative DIY crafts, check out two-time Emmy Award winner Jane Clauss’s website. If you have any creative ideas about crafting that you would like to share, or just want to say hi, fill out this contact form. We will be happy to hear from you!
