Five New Hobbies for the Creative Person

If you're creative, and want some ideas for some new hobbies then you should find these helpful.

Porcelain Painting

You can purchase plain white or clear plates, saucers, bowls, cups, tea pots, or vases and paint them with your own designs. There are several paints that don't require a kiln, but simply a home oven to set. One of these brands is Porcelaine Paint Markers. You can buy these individually or in a set. They cost roughly $40 for a set of nine.

You simply paint your designs on your dinnerware the same way you would a piece of paper. After painting your creation, simply bake in the oven following the directions on the packaging your markers came in. It's that simple. The dinnerware is safe to eat from after being baked, and make great gifts.

You can find your plates, etc., at almost any store that carries dinnerware, but two of my favorite places is the thrift store and yard sales. They sell for pennies on the dollar at these places.

Clay Working

You can create virtually anything from clay, and you don't need a lot to get started. There are clays on the market that can be oven baked or that air dry so that you don't have to use a kiln. My favorite brand of baking clay is Sculpey. It comes in several different colors (including natural), is inexpensive, and easy to find. You'll also need clay tools. Ceramic tools work great as well. They are also inexpensive and easy to find.

You can create so many different things: knobs, paperweights, checkers or chess pieces, miniature sculptures, light pulls, doll house furniture, jewelry, even dog tags. Truly, the list goes on. You can be as imaginative with what you are making as you are with how you make it.

There are also several books on the market (and at the library) that can help you come up with techniques and ideas.

Candle Making

You'll be amazed at how easy it is to make your own candles. All you need is some paraffin wax, a double boiler (you can make your own), candlewick, and several different colors of crayons.

To make your own double boiler you simply use two sauce pans, one large and one slightly smaller. Place the smaller pan inside the larger pan and fill the larger one with water. You will not want to use the same pans you cook with, because the pans become coated in wax.

Place some paraffin wax inside the smaller pan and turn on the heat. You don't want the wax to get anywhere near boiling point. You just want it to get hot enough to melt the wax.

Next, you add your crayons. Make sure you remove any paper from them. The crayons are to color the wax. Once you get the color you would like, you simply start dipping your candlewick into the pot.

If the colors aren't bright enough for your liking, you simply add more crayons. Keep dipping the candlewick into the wax until you get the size you like. Clip off the excess wick, set it aside to dry, and, presto, you have a new candle.

Rose Petal Beads

To do this you need a pan, a lot of rose petals, a pin or needle, lightweight cotton fabric, a food processor and some wire.

Grind your petals in a food processor until they are almost as small as cornmeal. Next, put the flower mixture in your pan and simmer for an hour. Allow to cool, then simmer for another hour. Do this about 4 or 5 times.

Using your cotton fabric as a sieve, drain all the water from your rose mash. You may want to press down on the mash to get as much water out as possible.

Once you've done this, you will be able to work with small pieces of it in much the same way that you would with clay. It sticks together quite well.

Form small bead-sized balls and set them aside for about a day. Now, go through and poke each bead through with your needle, and string it on a piece of wire (make sure it is wire that won't rust) and allow to hang in a warm, sunny spot until dry.

The beads retain the rose scent for quite a long period of time, especially if you store them in an airtight container. You can't get them wet, however, or they will fall apart.

Perfume

To make this all you need is a small spray bottle, purified or filtered water and a bottle of your favorite essential oil. Fill your spray bottle full of water, then add about 5 or 6 drops of essential oil, and shake well. That's it. That is honestly all there is to it. You can add more essential oil for a stronger scent, or less for a lighter one. You don't necessarily need purified water. Tap water will do, but I like knowing that the only thing in my bottle is what I put in it.

Make sure you shake the bottle well before you use it to get the oil and water to mix for an even scent.

Some excellent choices for scents are sandalwood, vanilla, lavender, rose, or orange. Pine needle, cypress, cedar wood, bay and clove oils are all excellent choices for men for their musky scents. These all also make excellent gifts.