It’s never too late (or early) to pick up a new hobby and let your creativity loose — and the benefits go beyond just giving you something to do.
In a recent survey by the American Psychiatric Association, 46% of respondents shared that they use creative activities to relieve stress or anxiety. The survey also showed that “those who rate their mental health as very good or excellent tend to engage in creative activities more frequently than those who rate their mental health as fair or poor.”
Not sure where to start your creative journey? Check out this list of a few of our favorite Martha Stewart-approved hobbies and where you can participate in them around Swan City.
Knitting + crocheting
Learn the basics of these hobbies through a one-on-one class at Four Purls in Winter Haven. Each class is by appointment only and costs $25/hour.
Once you get the basics down, bring your projects to the Knit One, Crochet Too club at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, which meets every Wednesday, 5-6:55 p.m.
Painting
BYOB and head to Painting with a Twist for step-by-step instruction while sipping bevs and snacking on bites — each day offers a different picture, with classes starting at $29.
Want to go more in-depth? Sign up for a six-week course at the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art. Tuition begins at $215 for non-members + members receive a $50 discount.
Sewing + embroidery
Keep an eye on Fabric Warehouse’s calendar to attend classes like Basic Machine Operations and Learn to Sew before jumping into a project-based workshop. Classes start at just $5.
If you’re already sew in the know + want to bolster your skills, head to Winter Haven’s Heartfelt Quilting & Sewing for classes and clubs focused solely on embroidery.
