I think one of the obstacles with any hobby is the barrier to entry. How difficult is it to get started? I don’t mean on your first attempt. But if you want to sit down and do X, what is involved to actually begin? Do you have to clear off a surface? Do you have to dig the supplies out of a closet? Do you have to rack your brain as to where you even stored them?
Last year, in one of my first posts back after my hiatus, I revealed my Study-Turned-Art-Space HERE. My thought being if it’s there in the open, I’ll use it. It took a few months, but as I’ve gotten into the art unit of my personal curriculum this year, I’ve used this space, and others, more and more.
I recognize not all lives and spaces allow for supplies to exist in the open, or areas/surfaces to be dedicated to a certain hobby. And somethings are just too big to leave out in the open. For me, in my life and space as it is now, I can get away with this most of the time. To limit that barrier to entry, I have made stations for my various artsy hobbies so that I can dip into them easily if and when the spirit moves me. Let’s take a look!
Home Office
Standing Desk
Journaling
I love me a notebook and I have quite a collection. I used to just keep them on a shelf, afraid to use them (lest I should I ruin them). The buying and collecting of notebooks was more of the hobby than actually using them for journaling (or other notebook related activities)! But recently I have taken to different forms of journaling: morning pages, gratitude journaling at night, taking curriculum notes, etc. I am considering getting into commonplace journaling since I read so much but don’t retain everything that I want to. I also keep my birthday card stash here as I try to send snail mail birthday cards to friends and family. I use half of my standing desk for journaling (I also journal in other places) and snail mail. Eventually I’d like to practice hand lettering here as well (already have the supplies—surprise!)
Jewelry Making/Remixing
The other half of of my standing desk is set up for jewelry making. I have wanted to try my hand at jewelry making, or more specifically, remixing old pieces of jewelry into something new and exciting, for years now. I haven’t actually tried it though. I am finally attempting it this month as a unit for my art course (it’s slow going so far), and hopefully it takes hold!
I repurposed a drawer unit I had gifted to my dad years ago for storing screws, nails, anchors, etc. He never used it so I took it back, spray painted it a bronzy color and stashed random beads, wire, elastic, earring backers and clasps that I’ve bought over the years. Most of this unit is actually empty but I hope that this hobby takes off and I can fill it up with supplies to make some beautiful pieces. Currently planned: coral beaded earrings!
Corner of Computer Desk
Planning
Is planning a hobby? It is to me! Is it a craft? I suppose it could be. Bullet journals can be works of art! I attempted that once a few years back, but for me it felt more like a chore than something I looked forward to doing. I actually do most of my planning digitally, but I have a small stack of planners that I would like to use up, so I dabble here and there.
The far left side of my computer desk is devoted to my color coordinated stationery supplies. Each of my goal categories has a color associated to it. I had a lot of fun going through my dot markers, felt tip pens, and mildliners to create sets for each goal category color.
Downstairs Studio Space
Desk/Art Cart
Sketchbooking
I really struggling with sketchbooking. I’m afraid I’m going to ruin them. But that doesn’t stop me from buying all sorts of shapes and sizes. Are we sensing a theme here? My main hobby is collecting the supplies for various art related activities.
In May, I focused my art ventures on mixed media mark making– I enjoyed it but still am trepidatious. I love watching YouTube videos on the topic though. I need to get into it again, I just bought a bundle of courses by Laura Horn and am excited to really do a deep dive and improve my techniques and start filling up my sketchbooks more!
Art Journaling
Technically I have not started this, though I did buy a dedicated sketchbook and decorated the cover. My plan is as I explore other art units (deeper dive into mark making, junk journaling, collage, anatomy drawing) that I can combine these different things into my art journal and document life and various musings and manifestations. I’ll report back!
Painting (on Easel, in theory)
In this same area, I have my easel. I have a collection of canvases (some with under paintings, others blank). On the shelves, tucked among the books and other decor, I have baskets with different art supplies: water color, gauche, acrylic paints and oils. I paint from time to time but definitely want to get into it more. I did share in my personal curriculum post HERE that I purchased a painting course that I want to take, just have yet to do it. The supplies are waiting for me when I do!
Dining Area
Dining Table & Chairs
Junk Journaling
I am obsessed! Luckily I rarely eat at my dining table, because it has recently become Junk Journal Central! I have two bins full of my collected supplies that I keep on two of my dining chairs, and I position myself in the middle of them and use the table as my work surface. The above pic was cleaned up for the purpose of this post. Normally it’s a mess (see below).
I’m currently doing Junk Journal July (using past prompts since @megjournals is not hosting the event anymore) and having this setup makes it easy to do a quick (or sometimes not so quick) page when I get home in the evening. I’m loving it! And when I need my dining table for ya know, dining, I can easily move the bins and we’re back in business!
I used to focus all my hobby efforts on reading, which can be done almost anywhere and with relative ease (I still read a lot, and the Kindle app helps my barrier to entry to do it almost everywhere). But living alone in a 3 BR house means I have extra room to dedicate spaces to what may be considered more frivolous functions… Having a spot to do hobbies that require more supplies and starting momentum has been helpful in getting started. I love having little spots ready for hobbying!
Do you have hobby spots tucked throughout your home?
