Crafting as an Adult: Fostering Creativity at any Age
Written by Tanith Frazier
Photography by Tanith Frazier and Claire Boumstein
Modeled by Jack Nelson, Cole Vest, Edmund Albert-Rambo, and Jessi Kanak
One of my favorite pastimes is setting down a blanket in a quiet park and scattering a plethora of craft supplies, a few snacks, and a speaker to keep me and my friends company. Nothing compares to watching my visions come to life through homemade jewelry and painted trinket dishes while being brought closer to my friends through a social outing that helps us all explore our imaginations. This gathering is what me and my friends call a “craft picnic,” and the crafts I've made at these picnics have acted as a creative outlet to me for years.
Throughout the adult years of our lives, our schedules tend to get busier and personal expression often takes a backseat to priorities like school and work. It can be difficult to find opportunities to explore your personal hobbies and imagination in the hustle of everyday life. However, you’ll find that if you tap into the childlike wonder we harbor even as adults, you are able to explore creativity at any age through crafting and personalization.
Crafting plays a big role in the productivity and creativity of society, and while it has always been present through activities like sewing or drawing, it has recently become increasingly popular in our culture due to the popularity of social media apps like Pinterest and TikTok. Thanks to these apps you are given a glimpse into endless opportunities for personalization and creation at your fingertips, whether they’re created from scratch or picked up in a kit at a craft supply store. Individuals have even transformed it into a brand for themselves to promote crafting to a wider audience and inspire those looking for their next creation. There has also been an uptick of crafts being present at social events to promote making memories through long-lasting physical items to create connections with others through shared hobbies and interests.
The term “crafts” can be defined by anything you make with your own mind and resources, and crafts take on many forms. They can be anything from DIY projects to pre-made kits sold in stores, or junk journaling and making small personalizations to personal items like lighters, clothing, and bags. There are also limitless possibilities to utilize your own preferences in your creations like your favorite colors, symbols, artists, and overall the vibe you want to curate for your art. No matter the form or subtlety, crafting allows you to experiment and explore your own style especially during the busier stages of your life where that might not be a priority.
Creating art and crafting as an adult is plain and simple fun, but it also allows you to establish your personal style and escape from everyday chaos that might prevent you from exploring personalization. There are so many benefits to crafting at any age such as increased problem solving and improved mental health, but in adulthood it can especially act as a way to foster creativity and childlike wonder that is overshadowed by everyday routines and stress. Simply exercising your imagination through small things like coloring sheets and painting tote bags can lead to a more productive mental state and overall better sense of self and style.
What many people often refer to as “adulthood” can be quite menacing at some points and it can prove difficult to find joy in the everyday responsibilities of it. But when you are feeling the desire to explore the limitless possibilities of art and creativity, or simply catch a break from your obligations, consider diving into the world of crafting and personalization, for it might be not only your next stress reliever but a lifelong hobby.