My mother was a Handarbeits Leherin (handicrafts teacher) in Germany and a learned seamstress. She would have been 100 years old this past January. She learned crafts from her mother and she taught me when I was young. I never reached her expertise in sewing but she taught me crocheting and knitting and she always commented on my “nimble fingers” which later, in my teens, set me on my career path in music.

I have a room filled with all kinds of crafts material: yarn for knitting, crocheting and looming (I have a rigid heddle loom); paper strips for making stars and quilling; fabric for sewing (I have 3 sewing machines); paper sheets for card making and Origami (I have a Sizzix dye cutter, a Cricut Joy and a big one my son-in-law gifted me); and of course beads, beads, glorious beads!!! All this stuff and more, collected over decades. I will never be bored, ever. As long as my hands and my mind will hold out, I’ll be busy crafting after, and before I retire.

And that brings me to the gist of the matter of my little write-up. I was in a bad spot in my life, oh, about 20 years ago, and I took up making necklaces and bracelets. I have four daughters, and my hopes were that I could share this new passion with them. Nope, no interest. But what I experienced was that diversion was just what I needed to put my mind at ease. It was cheaper than paying for therapy. It lowered my stress level and relaxed my mind. Plug in a good audio or music and get lost in the design, layout and assembly of a chosen pattern or piece.

That was 20 years ago. Now that I’ve grown that much older I value my activities even more. A senior piano player once told me to keep playing, even when the fingers don’t want to work so well anymore. Even when arthritis makes your hands ache. Frankie played into his 80s and he was still amazing. My friend Karen has RA and she beads through the pain because it brings her joy and engages her mind. And that’s the other thing. The mind, your brain, the process of creating, following a pattern, making something original or simply making and enjoying it.

There are many articles published that speak of the benefits of crafting. You can research all you want. I’m just voicing my 2 cents worth from my experiences. Weather you work in solitude or in a group setting, it is fun, relaxing and enjoyable. I always have fun at our beading classes or sessions.

Feel free to comment below, or share your insights and add your 2 cents worth.