tips on managing multiple hobbies??

Hello! I have multiple interests that include papercrafting, jewelry, felties, DIY skincare, homemade dog biscuits, among a few others. I do enjoy each hobby, but I have a problem in the decision process sometimes. When I get into my craft room, I find myself paralyzed by indecision on what to pursue and that entails a creative block. I have a ton of projects in my head that I'd like to one day get done, but when? Does anyone else have multiple hobbies and what do you do to help manage them so it doesn't become overwhelming? I think I need some kind of organizing technique or something. Thanks for any input!

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
8 replies since 24th February 2013 • Last reply 24th February 2013

Reply #1:

You could try this perhaps to help with the decision process:
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/craft_decision_dice
i have a lot of different crafting interests too, I wouldn't say I was organised in my approach to what I do though. I mostly use birthdays, holidays and swaps to dictate my crafting and make things for me in between. If I have a birthday as a deadline, I know I have to finish the item before then. I'll decide what to make based on the person and whatever craft I'm keen on at the moment, I try to vary it so that one person doesn't always get jewellry or handmade notebooks etc.

I also use the list feature on here and pinterest to organise things I want to make.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #2:

I'm a cold process soap maker, a mead brewer, seamstress, and have boxes of supplies for nearly every other hobby so I know where you're coming from.

My tips are to keep everything clearly labelled and organized, so that way when you don't know what you'd rather do, you can look at the boxes of supplies and equipment you have and think, "Hm, jewelry sounds fun, but felting sounds like even more fun right now." Also, always put your tools back in the right places when you're done with them so that each craft stays separate and easily accessible.

Hope that helps.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #3:

Yup, I have a lot of craft hobbies too, and how I manage them is by writting out a weekly craft to do list.
Example:
Mon: Knitting
Tue: Draw something
Wed: Whatever speaks to me in my craft area do

So far this system has worked for me pretty well and it helps cut down on the artist block.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #4:

I try first to go with what calls to me on that particular day. If that doesn’t work, tho (say, I don’t have any strong feelings but just want to make something), I sit down, pull out a few things (in my case I like to bead, sew, and stitch), and see if a good idea pops into my head. If I still feel stuck, I go into the living room, grab a notebook, and start making a list of all my ideas. Often at that point something will inspire me. At the very least, it tends to inspire me to gather materials for one or two of my ideas so I can easily start them.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #5:

I have lots of crafty hobbies and always quite a few on the go. I'm currently knitting a jumper, weaving a cushion, making a skirt, creating a necklace and probably a few others that have currently slipped my mind. I tend to just do whatever I feel inspired to at the time. This does mean I sometimes leave a project for a while and start a new one, but it's more fun to just go with what you fancy doing at the time.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #6:

Lots of spam has invaded this thread...

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #7:

I know, so sorry. We've added some new spam control so hopefully that's the end of them!

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #8:

I can never decide what to make neither, I have so many ideas but no idea where to start Sad

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam


Reply