Learn about Erin’s crafting hobbies
I’m excited to talk to Erin about her acrylic painting and DIY projects and can’t wait to show you all of the crafts. You’ll love to hear how she dabbles in all the things, learning, and creating as she goes. She lives in Haddam, Connecticut, United States.
Coachable Heart: How do you describe your hobby?
Erin: I dabble in all sorts of crafts. I started with a DIY project during the pandemic and it just sort of took off from there. I see something that looks fun, I research how to do it and then I make it my own. I also dabble in acrylic painting. I take local and online classes to learn how to make things and how to paint.
Coachable Heart: What is your favorite part of your hobby?
Erin: My favorite part of anything is buying the materials or paints to start the project and then seeing the completed piece. There is just something about seeing it all come together that is just so satisfying.
Coachable Heart: How did that become your hobby?
Erin: My grandfather started painting at the age of 80 and this inspired me to try and start to paint to relieve stress and anxiety in my life. Painting and crafting give me something to focus on rather than my anxiety. I figure if my grandfather can learn a new skill at 80, I can certainly learn something new at 47.
The skills or qualities that I personally have developed are patience and listening. I’ve also learned to listen and believe in myself. Since starting this journey, I have tried so many new things that I never would’ve even considered trying before. You just have to trust in yourself and go for it.
Coachable Heart: What other hobbies do you have or have you had in the past?
Erin: I am into photography and scrapbooking.
Coachable Heart: How much time do you spend on your hobby? How do you find or make the time?
Erin: I am a school nurse, so usually in the evening or on the weekend, is when I try to sit down and work on a painting or project. I am currently working on trying to make an antique key wind chime with keys and beads.
Coachable Heart: How long has this been your hobby? How did you get started?
Erin: I started all this during the pandemic to help with boredom and help with my anxiety. There are tons of free classes online and I look for items at tag sales or flea markets. Facebook marketplace is another great place for cheap items. My husband works at Home Depot and brings home pallets, so we have been researching projects involving pallets. My husband makes the projects and my daughter and I paint them.
Coachable Heart: Is your hobby a solitary activity or do you spend time with others while doing your hobby?
Erin: Ironically my husband likes to try and find the items that I am searching for and my 16-year-old daughter likes to come and craft with me. She started her own crafts and does glass painting and makes shirts with the Cricut machine (I cannot figure out how to work that machine lol). So crafting and painting have become a family thing.
Coachable Heart: What skills or qualities have you developed while practicing your hobby?
Erin: Patience and acceptance. Patience because paint takes time to dry and projects take time. Life is not always about hurrying up and moving to the next thing. Sometimes we need to stop and pause and enjoy the moment that we are in. I wish that I had stopped and paused and enjoyed more of life’s moments when I was younger and the kids were younger.
Coachable Heart: What is the most memorable opportunity you’ve had to use your hobby skillset?
Erin: I recently made a dragonfly out of 4 fan blades and a stair banister and posted it on our local town page -thanking the family that sold me the fan blades. The positive feedback the requests that I received was overwhelming. I did not think that my simple dragonfly was that spectacular but people contacted me and requested one.
Selected works from Erin
Thank you Erin for sharing your story with us. I love how Erin’s hobby allows her curiosity to guide what she wants to do and that she just jumps into it with a willing heart.
Let’s remember
You can start now. You can start anything. You can start anytime.
Are you a hobbyist? Get in touch on Instagram or leave a note in the comments section if you’d like to be interviewed!
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