Hello! I hope you had a great Christmas and a happy new year. We’re glad to see you back. It’s now January and we’ve all probably spent more than we needed to, and the high spirits of Christmas have unfortunately faded away for another year.
This always creates a slump in how we feel. But what is Blue Monday? And how can crafting help you find happiness and a feeling of content during this challenging time.
Where does Blue Monday come from?
Surprisingly, Blue Monday as a whole, was sprung from a bizarre math formula, created by a psychologist; Cliff Arnall, for a UK based travel company. This calculation was to determine the ‘Most Depressing Day of the Year,’ with the results being the third Monday in January.
Anyone can view the equation – if you are not a maths wizard, it is a little tricky to get the hang of, but once you study the equation, it may start to make sense. However, it is known as being scientifically informative.
Since the travel companies input, the trend has grown massively and moved away from the first purpose of trying to sell holidays. Instead, Blue Monday has edged towards positive thinking to keep your mental health on the incline after the realisation that the highs of Christmas are now replaced with lows of January.
Many brands and companies have flipped Blue Monday into a day where you are encouraged to do things that make you happy. Everyone has their own unique struggles, but it may help if they are reassured that they aren’t alone during these times, especially after the festive period.
How can crafting help you through Blue Monday?
Crafting is more than just cutting out, sticking, and making something– it is a way to express yourself openly, without anyone to judge. You know the saying not to bottle up your emotions, well, this is the perfect way to unscrew the cap and pour your feelings onto whatever you are crafting. As you’re pouring out your feelings, it’s a release from all of your worries that would make you feel anxious. In total, providing a stress-free, calm and pleasant experience.
Crafting is an escape from the real world. Each time you need to break the cycle, just pick up your favourite crafting item and craft the time away. Even if you only get five minutes of craft time, you will still feel the benefit of doing adding to your craft project. If you feel the time gets away from you, you could dedicate time each day to craft. Then you have something to look forward too.
After you have completed your project, it is guaranteed that you will feel a sense of self-achievement. That is brilliant! Let me tell you why. Self-achievement is the gateway of many more great feelings your brain can produce. For example, the two areas you’ll gain the benefits, instantly, are self-confidence and self-esteem because you have achieved something special. All that newly gained confidence in your crafts is not just isolated within your craft room, your confidence will grow overall, hopefully having a long-lasting positive impact on other parts of your life.
Which crafts can help you with the Blue Monday feeling?
Some crafts are better suited to offer a more calm and relaxing process than others. However, I have picked out a handful of crafts anyone can have a go at which will offer a zen like experience. You do not need to be an expert; you just need to be willing to give it a try!
Crochet
First on our Blue Monday craft list is Crochet, which is a type of needlecraft. The method is to create intricate designs by weaving your chosen material with a crochet hook to create lots of small, knot like stiches. You can use different materials in crochet, but acrylic yarn is most popular with crocheters. When it comes to making things, the options are open too. From items of clothing, like hats, scarfs and jumpers to blankets and other types of household décor items, the choice is in your hands. Whatever comes to mind, you could bring it to life using crochet.
You might be thinking, what is the difference between crochet and knitting? Both uses all the same materials. However, in crochet every stitch is completed before the next one begins. In knitting, many stitches are left open at the same time.
So, you’re looking for a kit to get started with? The TOFT Mini Fuchsia And Plant Pot Crochet Kit is great to introduce you to the world of crocheting your own soft creations. You will be able to bring your much loved flowers and plants to life! They can bloom and bring joy to your home all year round! There is no need for uncertainty either because you are given all the help and support to reach the finish line. With high-quality acrylic yarn, with easy-to-follow instructions, there won’t be anything stopping you from getting your crafty hands busy to complete this fantastic kit!
Once you have found your feet in the world of crochet, there’s a plethora of material to teach you how to combine the art of crochet with practical mindfulness techniques. From building up rhythmic skills and working with colourful repeating patterns, it can help you relax and encourage greater focus on the present. A great start to achieve mindfulness and mental wellbeing, especially during the tough times, being brought with the start of the year.
We also offer a book called The Crochet Therapy Book, that has a lot of helpful resources to get you rolling with your crochet therapy journey. All 20 projects, have a focus of calming a busy mind.
Browse our range of Crochet Kits here.
Embroidery
This is another traditional craft that uses yarn, but not limited to. You can incorporate other materials such as thread, pearls, beads and sequins too. Embroidery is one of the oldest forms of art, with early examples dating back to 300AD, making this a well-established art form. The process involves creating a motif by threading a needle through a piece of fabric supported with an embroidery hoop.
You can decorate anything with embroidery. It is commonly used to decorate clothing, such as t-shirts, hats, and scarfs. However, you can stitch tableware, wall hangings, ornaments and cushions. So, whatever your style, you can express it in any way you like!
Due to the nature of embroidery, you need a level of commitment to complete a project. Smaller pieces could be completed in a matter of hours; however, some larger and more intricate pieces may take days to achieve the desired result. Even sticking out to complete a project shows signs of discipline and endurance. Those are useful life skills that will improve over time. Additionally, a sense of empathy can grow too, especially towards other people’s work. This is gained through the growing ability of overcoming hurdles to complete a project to the best possible standard.
Once of my favourite embroidery kit is the Rowandean Embroidery Cosmos & Snapdragons Kit. It is a delightful display of pastel-coloured flowers and foliage to fill your home, bringing the sense of spring and summer. This is a life-long addition to bring joy and hope during winter.
You don’t have be an embroider to start this project as everything you need is included, from the fabric and organza, to number organised thread, beads, sequins and chenille bead needles.
However, if you want to try are other kits you can find them all here.
Candle Making
Having a candle or two around, makes a house feel like a cozy home during the winter season. You can buy candles of all scents from most supermarkets, but where is the fun in that?
Crafting candles at home, not only gives you that relaxing feel during the process. It also gives you that zen feeling, when you have your candles lit, ultimately being the double whammy.
We have a kit that anyone can get started with – Bee & Bumble Natural Beeswax Candle Kit. Unlike your traditional paraffin candles that you get at supermarkets; beeswax is the best choice if you want a candle that burns cleanly without the risk of indoor air pollution.
Within this starter pack you will receive natural beeswax sheets, beeswax pellets, candle glasses, sustainer wicks, self-adhesive embellishments and detailed instructions to get you on your candle making journey.
Once you have got the essentials mastered, you can add extra additions to your candles. The materials that make up a candle like the waxes and candle wicks can be changed and altered. You could add in essential oils and fragrances to decide what aroma your candle will give off. Even for the aesthetic, the candle holders can be designed to suit the theme around your home. Making this finished craft the perfect companion to burn Blue Monday away, when you are wanting to read a book, have self-care time or simply watching television with the main light off.
Jewellery Making
The craft of jewellery making has been around for thousands of years, with traces in the Mediterranean and Asia. Over the course of its existence, a number of materials have been used to create someone’s prised possessions. Items such as shells, stone and precious metals like gold, silver and platinum have been key to creating pieces of jewellery over the centuries. Nowadays, you can create your own heirlooms without any prior knowledge or experience.
A notable example of a kit that you can get started with is the ldridge Crafts Bracelet and Keyring Kit. Within this kit you are given the components to make a glimmering bracelet with a matching keyring. Of course, each can be customized to your liking. You can create brilliant hues from colourful beads or follow a traditional look where you can see a glisten from the exposed metal.
Studies have shown that jewellery can boost your mood and increase feelings of well-being. I mean, when was the last time you didn’t smile to appreciate the beauty of a necklace you’re wearing. With the mood boost, your confidence increases too. It’s good to accessorise to add a new dimension to your individual style. When you look good, you feel good!
Explore our range of jewellery making kits here.
Origami
Like crochet, origami is a relaxing hobby that you can take part in. It allows you to just sit there, on your comfortable chair, grab a piece of paper and fold in your own tranquil space. Origami needs a good amount of focus and concentration to create quality creations. Again, like crochet, this act will take the focus off what worries you in life, forcing you to think presently, with the effect of relieving stress.
The history is vast. It is believed that origami was invented in the 6th century in Japan, however there isn’t an exact date because paper easily degrades. The most famous origami sculpture is the crane bird – if you saw a photo, you would recognise it. But the creations don’t stop there, people have been known to create origami stars, boxes, hearts plus more various 2D and 3D sculptures.
The best advantage to learning origami is that you already use the resources needed – paper. Of course, you can go up the ranks and get specialised origami paper, known as Kami paper. In all honesty, your typical A4 printer paper or any lightweight paper, is easy to fold and will do the trick whilst you’re learning the ropes.
Now armed with your paper, you’ll need to decide on what you want to create. As I’ve mentioned above, the possibilities are literally endless. We have the Encyclopaedia Of Origami Techniques, where there are 30 projects with step by step pictured instructions, so it is suited to all skill levels. Happy folding!
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art of specialised letter forming on paper. Unlike your handwriting, where it is mostly about speed and ability to read; calligraphy is focused on taking your time to feel your way around the curvatures, sweeps and lines to produce beautifully elegant, uniform letters and numbers.
The history is rich with calligraphy, with the first pieces emerging from the Han dynasty in China thousands of years ago. Then artists produced the first calligraphy writing materials, some of which are still used today. Now, you might be thinking what else could I possibly need other than a pen, ink and paper? There is a large assortment of tools and must-haves to help bring your calligraphy skills to new hights.
To begin your calligraphy journey, smooth, thin paper will highly benefit you. Marker paper is also recommended to eliminate the chances of ink bleed on your paper, also known as feathering. It is important to also get hold of an ink brush pen so you can have a contrast between thick, bold strokes and intricate, thin lines for delicate designs. Once you have mastered the basics, you could even move up to a fountain pen for a desirable, authentic effect on your work.
With any new craft or hobby, a little guidance helps to get you started. The Manuscript Calligraphy Starter Kit is the perfect way to guide you to craft success. Within this kit, you’ll receive 2 pens, split between 4 nibs offering varied sizes for a versatile writing experience, A5 practice paper pad, plus 12 ink cartridges. Also included is a 20-page calligraphy manual to learn and implement the 3 basic styles of calligraphy including cursive, foundational hand and italic. With learning calligraphy you can use this skill to add on to other crafts such as cardmaking, scrapbooking, and memory books.
Diamond Painting
Diamond Painting is a newly formed craft, only coming to the spotlight in 2015, but continues to grow massively since. Instead of paint strokes with a brush, you’re painting a masterpiece using tiny, little rhinestones, known as diamonds.
The diamonds are typically the same size throughout; however, they are made in numerous colours. Depending on the design, there could be 10 shades of colour. As the size and the intricacy grows, this could easily grow to 200 shades and maybe more! Normally the canvas is an adhesive board, with a pre-printed design laid on top to welcome the diamonds in their colour schemes.
You will be spoilt for choice! You can choose from your favourite animals such as cats and dogs. As well as landscapes like trees and flowers. You can even get festive designs, so you can prepare for Christmas, Halloween, Easter or any other events throughout the year.
With diamond painting, it uses a lot of repetitive and rhythmic movements to make a design. The repetitive motion creates a soothing and meditative effect to help the mind enter a state of tranquillity.
To help you throughout winter, we stock Crystal Art, which is one of the top diamond painting brands. To help you get in the mood for Spring, they have created a great diamond art wreath, that features little chicks that are surrounded by easter eggs. With each diamond art kit, you’ll be given everything you need to complete the design. Brining a gentle reminder that Spring is around the corner.
Browse our range of diamond painting kits here.
Colouring
You might only think colouring is a fun activity for children at school, however colouring for adults has been popular since 2013 and doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. It has been known colouring is a great way to promote and practice mental health.
Unlike children’s colouring books, adult colouring book designs are more intricate, so you can take you time to carefully and precisely add your splash of colour to the page. Instead of colouring a farm animal for example, you’d be colouring a complex mandala pattern or perhaps an eye-catching flower.
Once you have sat down in a quiet spot, and grabbed your artist pencils, along with your chosen colouring book, you’d be closer to achieving mindfulness. Why is that? This is because you’ll be picking and choosing which colour you want to use, meaning your mind is taken off everything else, and only focused on the moment. This might not completely relieve stress and anxiety, but it would hopefully give you a little break from the day to day feeling.
A great recommendation for new artists, who wanting to break the ice within colouring is the Pentel Watercolour Pencil Collection. Within this collection, you are given a pack of 24 watercolour pencils, a colouring book and water brushes. The water brushes are great additions especially, being a gateway into shading, mixing and other aquarelle techniques. Overall, you are given everything you need to colour your worries away.
Browse our range of artist pencils here.
Now Banish Blue Monday
In conclusion, the art of crafting serves as a powerful antidote to the notorious Blue Monday feeling. Whether it’s the rhythmic dance of knitting needles, the vibrant strokes of a colouring pencil or the meticulous assembly of jewellery making, the act of crafting outdoes the mundane feelings and propels us all into a realm of joy and fulfilment. So, remember next time when your Blue Monday gets the best of you, just think of what you have read here today.