Creative hobby that does't take up much space?

[WTF0ver]

I feel like I'd like to make time to be creative in some way, to get some creative juices flowing (lol) and be a way to relax and refocus.

Years ago I used to draw/paint a bit, I was quite good at art in high school but then it just stopped (I think seeing amazing talented artists online put me off as I was nowhere near as good. I know art is subjective but I just lost the will to try.

But I feel like I'd like to try something that a) isn't expensive to do and b) doesn't leave loads of materials lying around because I'm trying to be good and have less mess, which can be an uphill battle at times.

I'm not good at languages so that is out, also not good at things like knitting or cooking/baking. Art seems to be the one thing I was decent at and I have a space I could do it in but don't want loads of stuff lying around.

Any ideas? What creative hobbies do you do yourself? Thanks.

What about paper cutting? It’s addictive. You don’t need much stuff, and there are plenty of beginners books and tutorials on YouTube.

Have you considered bullet journalling? If you look it up you'll find loads of ideas - just needs a notebook and pen(s).

You could try hand embroidery. Charity shops carry lots of wool, floss etc and you can find everything you need to get started, patterns etc for free online.

www.dmc.com/uk/free-patterns-5041/free-patterns-5042/free-embroidery-patterns-5043.html

If you can trace a picture you can use any fabric.

You'll need

A hoop
Needles
Thread
Fabric

Most of which are really cheap and/or often found in charity shops.

When you get into it you could mix your painting with the embroidery!

@ThreeKneeRepeater that looks amazing! Did you make it yourself?

My mum and I have a tradition of buying paper cut birthday cards because they look so beautiful. Maybe 🤔 a new hobby for me too.

What about digital art?

Cross stitch: pick up some bits on Amazon, lots of cheap kits to get started.

Like embroidery but way easier!

I have 4 projects on the go and a bunch of threads & fabrics that all live in an old shoulder bag.

Really soothing & reduces the doom scrolling!

Cross stitch doesn't take up much space, unless you buy 47,000 kits.

@mynameisnotmichaelcaine

Cross stitch doesn't take up much space, unless you buy 47,000 kits.

Which can and does happen 😆

What about doing a creative writing course?

Or an acting course. Or improv if acting feels too much. No equipment needed.

Embroidery and felting are mine at the moment

There are an awful lot of hobbies that can take up a handbag size or an entire room depending on your approach…

How about going back to art but focusing on something like pen and ink drawing that doesn’t need a lot of materials?

Plant propagation.

The activity itself is not really creative but its cathartic in the same kind of way.

The creative part is when you design your plant palettes for sowing, and then you get a nice garden out of it.

Writing? Notebook and pen, and can be done anywhere - coffeeshop, park, beach, train. Doesn't matter if you spill coffee or wine on it, as it would with art or needlework.

Jewellery making? All the tools and fixings are really little so you can have it all easily packed up in a craft (fishing tackle type) box when not in use

If you want something creative then why not go and look around somewhere like hobby craft and see what you fancy.

It’s another vote for cross stitch from me

creative writing - creates no mess (except in your head )
cooking - messy but only in an area of the house designed for that mess

@ThreeKneeRepeater

What about paper cutting? It’s addictive. You don’t need much stuff, and there are plenty of beginners books and tutorials on YouTube.

Hi, did you design this yourself? it is lovely

Needlepoint/embroidery is one to consider. I used to do alot of painting, exhibiting and even selling some pieces. However, since downsizing, and living with a DH who has a serious amount of stuff, I have had to reduce the amount of space I take up.

I create pictures from drawings I make. I use different needlepoint stitches in order to create different effects. It is relaxing, and the results can be stunning.

Mandela stone painting? Won’t take up too much room as your work can be left outside!

colorful-crafts.com/mandala-stones-picture-gallery/

[quote Lessthanaballpark]@ThreeKneeRepeater that looks amazing! Did you make it yourself?

My mum and I have a tradition of buying paper cut birthday cards because they look so beautiful. Maybe 🤔 a new hobby for me too.[/quote]
And Fhdfig, sadly no. It’s from google images.
I’m a mere beginner.

[quote Mariell]Mandela stone painting? Won’t take up too much room as your work can be left outside!

colorful-crafts.com/mandala-stones-picture-gallery/[/quote]
This looks like the kind of thing I would love to do. The end result looks amazing

Colouring? Just need a book and a good few colouring pencils. I love it!

If you like painting, what about just working in colored pencil or marker?

If you want to give marker a try cheaply, check out the Ohuhu brand alcohol markers. They are Copic knockoffs. They aren’t as good, but they really aren’t bad either and for the price they are amazing.

For colored pencil, spring for a set of 24 Prismacolor.

Add a decent carrying case or get some storage trays and you are good to go. I have my dd set up with the Spectrum Noir trays. Compact, but keep everything very reachable and organized.

Inspiration here -

facebook.com/ISassiDelladriatico

Thanks everyone! Lots of good ideas. I love the painted stones! Would be nice to start with that and add some to the garden to make it pretty :) I don't know if I'd be any good at things like embroidery, lots of room to mess things up for me haha. But using paints is quite therapeutic, I'll have a read of the other ideas, will be fun to start trying different things.