Showing posts with label candle making. Show all posts
Showing posts with label candle making. Show all posts

05/08/2021

10 Most Popular Crafts in 2021

 



What are the most popular crafts? Any ideas?

Most people would come up with the things they enjoy doing. Why? Because they look for articles, websites, blogs and anything that is to do with what they enjoy.

We tend not to notice anything we aren't interested in. So obviously we don't ask those we know as this would probably be biased. 

Why are crafts popular again?

The interest in crafts seems to ebb and flow. In recent years, with people's lives becoming so busy, stuck on a treadmill of work, eat, sleep, hobbies didn't factor into many people's lives. 

What changed? 

The Pandemic! People were stuck at home. If they went out there were only food shops open. So of course people went online. They were bored, if they weren't working from home. Children were bored. So crafts amongst other things became more interesting. 

Hobbies became businesses

Some people discovered how much they really enjoyed their new hobbies and that others loved what they made. Before long new businesses sprung up online.

My granddaughter was one of those and her business, started last year, is going from strength to strength. Read HERE

What are the most popular crafts in 2021? 

Where do we go to find out? 

First Stop, Google

The obvious place to begin is Google. 

Results:

I had 2 choices. The most popular crafts and the most popular crafts to sell.

I selected the most popular crafts and all I got was the most popular crafts to sell. Hmmm. Clearly this is a popular question.

Searching again

This time I went for crafts trending in 2021.

So up came:

Crafts trends to look out for.

Craft trends to try in 2021.

The craft trends to watch.

And so on. Similar themes to go with.

It all depends which blog you look at as far as the order of crafts. Everyone looks at information and sees it from their own perspective.

My list

Resin: A very popular craft that seemed to really take off in 2021.


It was used mainly for jewellery at one time. Now there are keyrings, I had one in the letter of my name.

Trinket boxes, coasters, bowls, paperweights and I also saw an amazing wine bottle stand with holders for glasses too. Oh and a chess set and board that looked stunning, not to mention the brilliant paintings..

Starter kits are available, like this one: 

Orimath Epoxy Resin Crystal Clear Resin Kits for Beginners


Macrame: Now this made a comeback, I believe, because of the programme 'The Chateau'. The chatelaine,  Angel, a woman of many talents, made so many brilliant pieces for decoration in a variety of places, that inspired so many to try it for themselves.

Knitting: This has always stayed fairly popular but has had an increase in popularity in recent years.


There are so many wonderful things you can make with knitting. In the news recently is an elderly lady of 92, who has made many magnificent pieces with knitting. The latest is of the Sandringham Estate, the Queen's residence in Norfolk, where it is now on display. 

I suspect this wonderful lady has inspired many knitters. 


Crochet: This too has remained popular, with the usual ebb and flow of crafts. It too has had a resurgence of interest over the pandemic. It is easy to do and you can make things like blankets and scarves without requiring a pattern. 

I loved crochet and used to make up my own patterns. 

Candle making: A popular craft over the pandemic. Why? It's fun to do and you have something you can use at the end of it.

There are kits to try to see whether you like it before buying more, like the one shown here: 

Candle Making Kit

There are different types of wax: The usual paraffin wax. Soya wax, very eco friendly and much less carcinogenic and bees wax, another natural and eco friendly wax.

When made they make lovely gifts.



Baking: I have included this as it seems many people have become interested in cooking again and not just meals but actual baking too. Stunning cupcakes, cookies and cake designs that are so beautiful it seems wrong to eat them.

Programmes such as Bake Off had inspired some but the Pandemic seemed to bring out the srtistic flir in many.

 Pottery: Interest in pottery increased a lot in 2020 thanks to The Great Pottery Throwdown.


It's an interesting craft and very therapeutic. I had a couple of sessions that were a gift. It was interesting, fun and very calming shaping the clay onthe wheel. 

The pottery kit shown is for creating by hand without a pottery wheel. Its a good idea to find someone who gives lessons or does taster sessions, in your local area before buying expensive equipment.

The kit is called:

Pott'd Home Air-Dry Clay Pottery Kit for Beginners.


Sewing: Sewing has become popular because of the Great British Sewing Bee on television. Seeing how its done and the end results is inspiring and encouraging. Plus many have no idea what a variety of things you can make when you sew.

I did a blog about a man starting a sewing business. Read it HERE!

Painting: With time on their hands more people were exploring their love of art. Taking lessons online, getting outdoors with easel and paints as well as exploring the different mediums of acrylic, oil and watercolour.

Painting can be very absorbing and enjoyable, hours can pass by in a flash. I have often heard people say they cant draw or paint. It doesn't have to be perfect or even recognisable as anything, you just have to enjoy it.

Embroidery: Such a beautiful craft this is.


Embroidering pictures onto hoops is a very popular pastime.

The finished pictures make lovely gifts.

Of course embroidery is used on clothing, tablecloths, 

runners, chair backs and so much more.

It can be very absorbing and interesting to watch the picture emerge.

There are a variety of embroidery kits available

 includng this one:

4 Sets Embroidery Starter Kit

Starter kits are a good way to try a new craft.

I think 

that crafts are fun, enjoyable, they help with focus and we learn as we go. Learning anything new is very good to keep our brain sharp. The saying 'use it or lose it' is as true for our brain as for our bodies. It is important to keep both active.

It's really enjoyable spending time crafting and great fun trying out different crafts. It's also good to gain more skills and to have wider interests. 

It can help you to connect to other people who have similar interests. I have always found crafters to be a friendly bunch in the main.Ready to offer help and advice too when needed. It's a good commnity to be part of.

Are you a crafter or thinking of trying out a craft?

What is your favourite craft?

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Thank you for visiting, please come back soon.






04/04/2020

Candle Making fun






Natural Beeswax Kit
 HOUSE Of Crafts Natural, HHJ610

                                                Candle Making

Making your own candles is a favorite craft and/or hobby for lots of people. It can be fun to try different methods and get creative with colours and shapes.
Worth doing some research on the best types of wax to do if you are new to it. I think natural wax's, soy and beeswax are better purely because they give off up to 90% less soot so less polluting for your home. Using essential oils to scent them with is also better than commercial parfums.
Making your own can be more economical than buying them as good quality candles can be expensive.



Stress Reducing.

Any craft can be enjoyable and relaxing, excellent to do in times of stress. Also very good for the world situation as it is now with so many of us confined to our homes due to Corona virus. Lockdown is necessary but it can be difficult to suddenly have freedom of movement curtailed.
Losing yourself in the creative process can be very therapeutic.


What's available?

There are plenty of books on candle making that can provide everything from basic instructions, tips, and creative ideas to make beautiful candles. Many of the books will have an illustrated step by step guide with the instructions.
There are of course other resources, such as You Tube for instructions. The beauty of video of course, is that you can stop and start it as required.
Once things are back to normal, the library too can be a great resource and many areas will have candle makers that offer classes.


                     Crafting can reduce stress
                   even though it makes a mess.
                      The sheer joy of making
                     whether candles or baking.
                Try different crafts to find the one
                    that enthralls so you are gone
                    to a far away place of delight
            where your mind goes when it takes flight.
                Where imagination soars and leaps
              in a way that says, this ones for keeps!




This book published in 2018 is a good guide
with details on equipment, supplies and safety. Before going into the making process. 

It goes through the making of different types of candles as well as the best fragrances to combine and use.




Making Candles and Soaps For Dummies 



Instructions to make floating candles and herbal soaps. Learn the secrets of color, shape, and scent in an easy and enjoyable way. 
Whether you're a beginner or seasoned craft person, this fun book offers everything you need to make beautiful, professional-looking candles and soaps at home. 
There are practical tips on dyeing and scenting wax, using unusual molds and adding embellishments to your candles too.
Even some practical tips on turning your hobby into a business.
What more could you want.



House of Crafts Candlemaking Craft Kit



  • Make your own candles
  • This kit is packed full with creative new ideas within this ever-popular pastime
  • Ideal for gifts
  • Kit includes wax pellets, candle moulds, coloured dyes, fragrance oil, bulb pipette, wicks, wick rods, mould sealer and full instructions





Practical Uses.


Candle making can be fun to learn. Its wonderful to make your own candles and also give them as gifts. They can also be useful to make as part of the decor for a wedding. Making things you can use yourself gives great satisfaction as well as a sense of achievement.
If you continue to enjoy the creative craft you could even turn your hobby into a business. Especially going the eco friendly natural route as they are becoming so popular.

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