A beginner's guide to: Craft

handicrafts, DIY projects, arts and crafts, craftanoon, crafting

Craft involves creating unique, handmade items using raw materials and simple techniques. It’s a rewarding experience that blends creativity and practicality.

In a hurry and don't have any questions?

  1. Check out our safety recommendations.

  2. Decide on the project you want to make.

  3. Gather your supplies.

  4. Find a place where you can set up and leave the project if you need to return to it later.

  5. Once you have everything, head to our Practice Guides and get started.

Need a hand getting started? Our app is packed with beginner-friendly Practice Instructions for every activity—and way more where that came from. Hit the button up top and get moving.

What is crafting?

Craft, also known as crafting, offers a way to create something tangible with your own hands. Whether it's making jewellery, crafting home décor, or designing a simple project, the popularity of these activities continues to grow. The appeal lies in stepping away from the digital world and engaging in something hands-on. As you work on a craft, you might find yourself deeply focused, enjoying the process of turning raw materials into something uniquely yours. The sense of accomplishment afterward is undeniable – there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of knowing you made something yourself. If you're curious and ready to dive in, there are many options you could try. Start by thinking about what you’re interested in making and let your creativity guide you from there.

Let us show you how!

Why crafting is good for you

Crafting sparks creativity and builds self-belief. Regular making enhances wellbeing, improves focus and helps you recover from stress.

Strong creative skill building

Focus area: Creativity (Impact rating: High)

Immediate mood lift

Focus area: Lightheartedness (Impact rating: High)

Stronger coping capacity

Focus area: Resilience (Impact rating: High)

Builds confidence and self-worth

Focus area: Identity & worth (Impact rating: High)

Mental reset and stress relief

Focus area: Recovery (Impact rating: Medium)

People who love to craft

Vivienne Westwood

Person

Emma Watson

Actor

Tom Daley

Sports

"The Great British Sewing Bee"

TV Show

Real people's experiences

Starting to craft? Read this first

You are probably keen to gather all your supplies and get going. But before you do, there are some important things to keep in mind. Crafting is safe and these helpful tips will make sure that your first crafting session is the first of many.

Common styles

Crafts offer various styles to explore and each style offers a distinct way to express creativity and develop new skills.

Textile crafts

Paper crafts

Woodcraft

Upcycling

Mixed media

Safety

⚠️

Use sharp tools carefully.

⚠️

Ensure proper ventilation when using materials that emit fumes.

⚠️

Wear protective gear like gloves and goggles when handling hazardous materials.

⚠️

Follow manufacturer instructions for safe and effective tool and material use.

What you might experience

🤔

"Measure twice, cut once?"

😊

"Ok, now just do that another 100 times!"

😬

"Wait, that didn’t turn out the way I expected!"

😌

"It’s nice to just focus on this."

😊

"I made this, and unique is a good word for it!"

What you need to know about crafting

Wondering whether you should start on your own, in a class or 1:1 with a teacher? Explore the table below and discover everything you need to know to get your practice started, right now.

Compare

Recommendation for first-timer

Availability

Average cost per session

Special equipment required

Potential for socialisation & community

Safety & skill building

Space or privacy required

Ease of scheduling

Setup time

Active practice time

Unexpected advantages

Ancestry, history, facts and other trivia

The show "Making It" on NBC, hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, celebrates all things crafting.

Knitting dates back to ancient Egypt, when a pair of socks were knitted in the 3rd to 5th century AD.

LEGO bricks are often used in DIY craft projects, with over 600 billion produced since 1949.

Quilting has been practiced for thousands of years, with one of the oldest quilts dating back to 3400 BCE.

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3 facts

Popular memes

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6 memes

Academic research we rate

How and When Leisure Crafting Enhances College Students’ Well-Being: A (Quantitative) Weekly Diary Study

Xue, Q., Yang, J., Wang, H., & Zhang, D. (2022). How and When Leisure Crafting Enhances College Students’ Well-Being: A (Quantitative) Weekly Diary Study. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, Volume 15, 273–290. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s344717

Crafting Well-Being: Meanings and Intentions of Stay-at-Home Mothers' Craft-Based Leisure Activity

Pöllänen, S., & Voutilainen, L. (2017). Crafting Well-Being: Meanings and Intentions of Stay-at-Home Mothers’ Craft-Based Leisure Activity. Leisure Sciences, 40(6), 617–633. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2017.1325801

Using Leisure Crafting to Reduce Emotional Exhaustion at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic Through Better Sleep and Not Thinking About the Pandemic

Chen, I. (2023). Using leisure crafting to reduce emotional exhaustion at home during the COVID‐19 pandemic through better sleep and not thinking about the pandemic. Stress and Health, 39(5), 1047–1057. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3243

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7 research pieces

Introduction guides from around the web

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