For some, there’s nothing like the rush of walking into craft stores in California. The shelves full of papers, paints, yarn, beads, and a myriad other parts and pieces for putting together beautiful and functional art and household items are intoxicating. So, too, are the bolts of colorful fabrics, each a different type of material, pattern, or texture.
Crafting is a great way to get your creative juices flowing, and using your creativity can be of great benefit to your mental and emotional health. With all the stress we deal with these days, taking time to concentrate on an enjoyable project can help you better moderate and deal with your stress levels. You may feel desperate to do something that demands a different type of focus if your day job requires linear and logical thinking. Even though tackling a new talent can be time-consuming and demanding, many find that by not thinking directly about work or home problems actually helps you arrive at solutions much more effectively. You can do something creative while your subconscious chugs away at coming up with effective answers.
Most craft stores offer classes in various types of projects: activities such as sewing, cake decorating, painting, scrapbooking, jewelry making, and quilting are all popular. Whether you are a beginner or have mastered the skill, there’s always something new to learn as well as the social aspect of meeting new people and making new friends who have a common interest.
If you’re new to crafting or creating, take some time to look at all the options a craft store offers. Maybe you already have an idea of what you’d like to try based on past experiences and interests, or perhaps you’re ready to try anything. Many craft stores sell books for any number of different types of crafts. Page through some of the books to give yourself an idea of what is involved in quilting or photography or jewelry making. If you’ve ever thought crochet looked too intricate or difficult, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can learn to create beautiful fabric from a hook and some yarn.
Accept that you’re a beginner when you try something new. It’s easy to get frustrated when the thing you’ve finished doesn’t look like the glossy picture or the teacher’s perfect sample. Instead of quitting because you don’t have any talent, take a picture of that first attempt and then commit to spending a certain amount of time on improving before you give up entirely. Odds are, you’ll revisit that photo and be amazed at how far you’ve come with a little practice.
Studies show that being involved in creative projects as you age keeps your brain more elastic and strong, staving off memory loss and even dementia. It’s never too early or too late to set out on a journey to becoming a master of the particular craft you enjoy, and there’s no rule that you can’t enjoy many at the same time. The choice is yours, and all you have to do is visit a few craft stores in California to begin a lifetime of creativity.