Are you one of those women that scoffs at DIY videos and rolls her eyes at craft stores? We were right there with you. And then, it happened.

A friend convinced us to go to a painting class (hey, we were promised wine!)  And guess what? We had a good time! Seriously.

Next thing you know, we’re up to our eyeballs in paint, beads and hot glue, making our own jewelry and DIY gifts. And let me tell you, we’ve never been happier!

“A work of art is a scream of freedom.” Christo

Taking Time For Creativity

You’re a busy mom. So you’re probably wondering, why take the time to pursue a hobby or try a craft project? I’ve got so many balls in the air already! Stop right there, you may have just answered your own question.

There are a lot of benefits of art, one of the main ones being it’s a great stress reliever. Plus, imagination and creativity are essential components of a joyful life.

Exploring our creative side allows us to express the most magical parts of our being. It’s not about creating “good” or “bad” art, it’s about creating something that is uniquely YOU. Something special, that comes from your heart.

 

benefits of art
Getty Images

 

Still not convinced? Other benefits of getting crafty include:

Clear Your Mind
Doing a craft project forces you to concentrate and focus on the task at hand. This is almost a form of meditation, and can really help quiet the anxious, stressed out voices in your head.
 
Spark Creativity
Crafting encourages outside-the-box thinking, which can carry over into other areas of your life and help make you a better problem-solver and a more innovative and open minded person all around.
 
Make Friends
another one of the benefits of art is that it’s a great way to meet new people who share similar interests. And what could be more fun than hanging out with someone that loves doing the same thing you do?
 
Save Money
Making it yourself can sometimes save you a lot of money. Particularly when it comes to things like furniture, home décor, clothes and jewelry where boutiques charge a premium for handmade items.
 
Quality Family Time
Art projects are a great way to spend some quality time with the kiddos! You’ll also be helping them develop their own creativity. Plus self expression build confidence.
 
Gives You an Outlet
Working with your hands gives you a way to disengage from a busy day at the office or the craziness of being a stay-at-home parent. It can soothe daily frustrations and put you back on the road to calm sanity.
 
Up Your Gift-Giving Game
And finally, one of the best parts of being a do-it-yourselfer is you can make personalized, handcrafted gifts for family and friends. Taking the time to make something special for someone really shows you care, and will be more memorable than any store bought item.

So what are you waiting for? There are hobbies and crafts out there to fit every budget and skill level.

If you don’t know where to begin, consider getting a tool to get you started like a Cricut smart cutting machine.

 

CricutMaker

 

This thing is great! Whether you’re new to crafting or an experienced do-it-yourselfer. Cricut lets you design and cut projects from scratch, or use one of thousands of pre-made project patterns.

You can cut fabric, vinyl, paper, balsa wood, leather…so many possibilities and fun ways to be creative. You should check it out!

Let that creative energy flow and start to enjoy the many benefits of art. You might be surprised at what you’re capable of.

No matter how it turns out, we know you’ll find some happiness along the way.