Benefits of Arts and Crafts for Students

You probably remember getting excited about doing arts and crafts in school as a child, but how long has it been since you’ve done something creative since starting college? If you’re ‘not the creative type’, there’s no need to miss out on all of the great benefits that making your own things by hand can provide. And, if you are artistic, then making arts and crafts a main hobby is a fun way to learn and develop new skills. We’ve listed some of the main benefits of getting involved in crafting.

Save Money

One of the main reasons that people learn to make their own things is in order to save money. Even if you’re not very artistic when it comes to things such as drawing and painting, you can learn new practical skills such as sewing, knitting, and restoring furniture, which will allow you to save money on decorating your home. You could even learn how to make your own clothes! For the more artistic, handmade gifts can be a lovely touch for a birthday or the holidays, and handmade greetings cards are simple and cheap to make, too.

Make Money

Students might not think that arts and crafts is going to help them find careers with an MBA after graduating from Villanova University, but handmade items can actually make some of the best business ideas. With more customers looking for personalized, unique gift ideas for the special people in their lives, handmade products of all kinds certainly fit the bill and often sell well. Once you’ve found something that you enjoy making and believe others will enjoy using or giving, you can get started right away with an e-commerce store.

De-stress

As a student, you’re probably left wondering ‘is an MBA worth it?’ at times when you’re really stressed out. Completing assignments and studying finals can take it out of even the best students, especially if you’re juggling your studies with other commitments. Art therapy is becoming a popular activity in a range of colleges, as many people find that arts and crafts are a very therapeutic activity that helps them to destress.

Make New Friends

Whether you’re at college or recently graduated, joining an arts or crafting class can be a fun way to meet new people and make friends who have something in common with you. At college, students can often find a range of student-led groups, clubs, societies and activities, and if there’s nothing available for crafters or artistic people, you might even be able to start one yourself with like-minded students from your campus.

Learn New Things

Even if art has never been your strongest point, with some practice you’ll quickly start seeing improvements. Taking part in arts and crafts is a fun way to learn new skills and improve your creative flow.


As kids, we’re huge fans of arts and crafts, but not many of us go on to take it seriously as adults. Whether you feel you’re an artist or not, getting crafty has tons of benefits.

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Simple Felt Crafts To Do

Felt is one of my daughter's favorite craft material to work on. She loves stitching chibi dolls and keychains. So, there are plenty of felt materials in our craft stash that can be made to more beautiful crafty projects.

Here are some photos I got from BHG.com which are great felt projects you can make. They are simple and yet colorful and easy to make. You can hand stitch them or sew by machine. It does not matter how you tackle the project because the result will be fabulous!

pin cushion

framed felt leaves

owl pen holder

felt coasters

tablet case

(all photos from bhg.com)

More Arts & Craft Supplies Arrived From The Mail

I am on a roll! I love my craft supplies from Etsy! I just got two parcels over the weekend from the 2 shops in Etsy and they are adorable.

I bought some cute and tiny charms to use for my cards from Mondopuro. The rose cabochons, cameos and organza flowers are from jqloveh. These two sellers in Etsy are really prompt and their shipping charges are fairly reasonable too. Aside from that, they gave me discount vouchers for my next purchase and that's really so nice of them. So, if you're into crafts, I do recommend that you pay them a visit at Etsy and you'll find throve of trinkets and cabochons you can use.

Also, I got my 6th batch of supplies from my daughter who bought all the nice french laces, antique looking buttons, ribbons, tulle and Victorian-esque colors of satin fabric. I know what to do with them so I'm just waiting for my daughter to come back so she can help me sew small flowers out of the satin fabric.

I also have my ephemera and other Victorian era images taken from the public domain which I can incorporate in some of my shabby chic/Victorian inspired cards. In fact, I was too excited that I already made one card the other night.

Lastly, my very supportive hubby ordered a customized rubber stamp of my very own "logo" with my new email for my handmade cards and party supplies mini-business which I hope to launch before the holiday season. I'm just running the logistics and other legalities as I need to respect the commercial license of some of the images, shapes and stamps I wish to use in my designs. I hope I get everything sorted out including the shipping rates so I can finally open  my small business.

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More Art Stash! More Creative Projects!

Oh, I can't wait to get my hands on the art supplies I got today! I wish the weekend is longer as I have plenty of stuff in my head and the creative juice seems to be flowing freely lately. Thank you Lord for that. I thought I'll never be able to create stuff anymore after that long sabbatical.

I made a grunge/Victorian/Shabby inspired tag last night. I'm starting to get the hang of making shabby chic projects. I have yet to learn the tips and tricks of masking, embossing, distressing and mixing inks to have that old look and feel. I'll get to that. Meanwhile, I need to sort my arts supplies and better find a bigger table to accommodate my expanding tools.

I bought a heating tool for embossing, some dye/pigment based inks for stamping, some patterned papers and card stocks and finally got my much awaited cutting tool - Silhouette Cameo! And all these were purchased from the fruits of my blogging earning. I'm so happy and blessed to be able to follow my dreams and actually live it.

I hope it's always weekend! I have so many projects to do and so little time!

My Daughter's Paper Children Drawn Art

Say what? I thought, when my daughter told me she wanted to take pictures of her paper children, she was referring to those cutout of papers in the shape of a boy or girl that I used to do when I was young. She corrected me and showed me her piece of "drawn art" with little and cute kids in various poses. The artistic concept of this paper child or children started from Japan (what's new?).

She drew several small paper kids, about 1 1/2 inches tall and posed them with real objects she found interesting around the house. It was like art imitating life or the other way around. One thing I can say is, my daughter's drawing is so awesome! I'm a fan!!!

You may download or save the pics but please do not take credit for the art my daughter has painstakingly done. If you want to feature her work, please feel free to leave me a message. Thanks!

Busy Making Cards

I didn't feel the long weekend at all. It's already Saturday and I'm back to work tomorrow when I still have plenty of things to do in my craft zone. I have been busy making cards.

I started making cards but not in full swing as I don't have that much materials. I have to buy more flowers, ribbons, laces and other patterned papers with shabby and vintage designs. I'm getting my hands on making shabby inspired and vintage looking handmade cards with lots of paper distressing to give it that old feel. I'm still learning the process and I have made 3 cards this week. It took me approximately 1 - 2 hours for each project only because I didn't want to force my brain to think hard. I didn't want my project to turn out "forced." I am happy I took my time developing the design in my head and executing it longer than usual. Hey, my creative mojo has been gone for more than a year so it's hard cranking up this rusty engine.

I am starting from square one again. I kept my old notebook of inspirations and started with a fresh one for 2013.  I have also been learning some tips and techniques to better my craft as I really intend to sell them. I want someone to have the cards I made with love. Isn't that a great thing to give to someone special?

Anyway, I wish the days are longer when I am at home so I can achieve so much. I am looking into sewing as well. I am keen to do this small online business on handmade stuff and promote everything handmade. It's like being organic - in a material way.

So, I hope next week, I'll be able to make few cards again and build up my stock until my Silhouette Cameo arrives. I want to make at least 50 cards before I decide to open my small handmade cards business. I also need to buy commercial license from other designers because I plan to incorporate their designs in my limited number of handmade cards.

 This is me, following my dream. I know one cannot make mega millions just by making handmade cards but the feeling of seeing something I created out of love is I think and feel, worth more than a million.