I have enjoyed crocheting for many years now. I am self taught and have really gotten good on the items I can do. I also love writing, and painting. I don't paint too often anymore and also love photography when I have a working camera.

But mostly to relax and yes, to make money, I crochet. I am tickled pink others appreciate my work and want to own one of my one of a kind creations...

What are some of your hobbies or fun ways to relax?

Chatty, isn't crocheting fun? My grandmother was an accomplished person when it came to anything like that. She taught me to knit, crochet, embroider, do tapestry work and tatting. I taught myself crewel and macrame as well as hand-smocking and dressmaking. I write prose and poetry and my partner and I both have digital SLRs so from autumn to spring we're out and about taking pictures. I love researching just about anything; mentoring others in everything from art to zoology; and on and on. There are so many things to learn and do; not enough time to do it all. Now if I were rich instead of gorgeous and didn't have to work for a living I could really have fun! LOL

Ain't it the truth Jonuh, you gorgeous creature...LOL!

I admire you, gorgeous ladies. I never learned to do all that handiwork!

I love your crochet work! Reading, playing the piano, even playing a sport relaxes me. And hanging with my family and friends.

Counted crosstitch was my #1 hobby for years but I'm getting away from that these days. Have gotten into quilting, and making tote bags and little bags like you'd use for make-up or jewelry when your travel. I am working on a crosstitch project at the moment because I'm laid up recovering from surgery and it's easier to deal with. Once in a while I paint ceramic pieces. I also like making my own greeting cards. I also like making fleece blankets.
I've made some quilts for friends (only charging them for the materials) but have never tried making money off my stuff. Everybody says I should but somehow I just haven't gotten there. Maybe one of these days.

Cross...a friend of mine makes the fleece blankets. I just love them. I use to do ceramics, too. And I cross stiched everything that was standing still. My Ex used to laugh and say to the kids, keep moving or you'll find an X on you! (He must have stopped, bawhahahah....ahem). I love crocheting and knitting...but I'm not as good as Chatty.

Now making the greeting cards...THAT is something I would love to jump into. I mean it. I would love the creative license it would allow. Do you use any particular program? I've been making my own tags for gifts but I just use whatever artwork I want and do a "set up" in WORD...for now. Oh to have a MAC for something like this!

Quilting...no thanks...I'm more into instant gratification.

PS--I'm not prying, but I hope that the results of the surgery having you feeling better, whatever it was, and that it was 100% successful! I miss you when you're not around, girl!

Cross,
Here's praying for a speedy recovery!

I have some greeting card programs, but don't use them anymore. I like making three dimensional cards........I use lots of neat little stuff like scrapbookerers use. I save all greeting cards I get and sometimes cut stuff off of them to use when making new cards.
JawJaw, the surgery was for a bunion, caused by a bone spur. Not as nasty as most bunion surgery, but still has me not able to get around all that well. Doc took stitches out today, but I'm still on limited activiy. Working on recovery though!
Thanks for the good wishes!

When I'm motivated, painting has been an area I dabbled and took courses here and there over the last few decades. I have a pile of art supplies and canvasses I should use...

I used to design my own greeting cards by using a combination of hand calligraphy and pen & ink cartoon drawings in per card design, for Christmas. I made the master designs and had card copies printed off to give to friends and families.

I used to sew alot of my own clothing ..for many years before that interest got supplanted by regular cycling.

loved using my SLR Nikon camera for a number of years. I did do photo shoots for weddings of several friends and relatives. Now with digital, I see it more as a tool to record pictures to inspire me to do other artwork..when I get around to it.

For now it's cycling, reading. Am procrastinating on other other stuff/not terribly motivated.

HMMM...do hobbies includes activities that one "should" do?

Ladies, I have a question for you-all, related to 'hobbies'....

Does anyone do the flea market (or swap meet as it's known outwest) thing? What I mean is, does anyone scrounge and buy at garage/yard sales, and auctions, then use your 'finds' as inventory for setting up your own booth at a flea market? The reason I ask is I'm Interested in starting in with such an endeavor, but don't want to jump in whole-hog at this point, only put my toe in. So, I thought, if anyone already does this, as their hobby (that might bring in some extra moolah too) I'd welcome any pointers, do's and don't, etc., if I get started down that path. I should have posted this under Entreprenure (spelling?), but, don't know if "junking" qualifies as an actual business (LOL).

My dad did this for years, as a sideline, and it ended up taking up a Lot of his weekends. But he loved it, so didn't matter. Unfortunately, I have no idea whether he ever broke even or even made a small profit. I'm guessing 'no'. In my case, I would want to at least be able to make some extra money (down the road, after set up costs), while having fun interacting with folks and etc.

Any advice or thoughts anyone? THX aheadatime.

Olgraymare, You're in luck as several of our women make livings at these merkets. Hopefully you'll get the answers you need. My advice would be to find someone doing the market and ask to share 1/4 or 1/2 their table/space for awhile, say a month and see how your stuff sells. That will give you an idea of what to do.

Interesting, Ol' Gray Mare. Just today Dad, who is 81+, and my stepmother told me about their 2-day yard sale they just had. One item Dad sold was a table/shelf thing that he found on the side of the road. He fixed it, painted etc. and sold it for $20. Amazing...he's always done stuff like that.

Years ago he and my step mom (My mother died in 1975) used to do Antique markets.....he would buy up old, well-built rocking chairs and re-cane, re-rush them, paint, stain etc and sell for good money.

I think it's a grand idea! Some time ago, I wanted to open a store with the theme of "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without". I LOVE refurbishing stuff.

Thx Chatty & Di; Matter of fact, I sort of thought of Chatty's idea of maybe trying to 'share' a space with someone already there. Could help out babysitting each others stuff that way, for pottie breaks, and a bit of shopping. There are a couple 'big deal' flea markets coming up, for the labor day weekend, that I plan to check out. So, might as well snoop into the business end of it, while I'm at it.

My grandmother made a pillow (embroidery) that had that 'use it up...' saying on it. I never understood it as a kid, but now, it really sinks in. Grandma & Grandpa were products of the depression era, but I don't think that matters. That philosophy is a good one, no matter who you are, or where you come from. Anyway, I'll look for other inputs and/or maybe you guys can direct me to a couple of folks who do this kind of thing.

Thx ladies. Will let you know if/when I put my toe in the water.

My favorite hobby besides crocheting and selling afghans of all sizes, and ponchos, is volunteering at the Humane Society or/and SPCA in Nevada. It is so rewarding to help the helpless.

I don't know if you would call this a hobby or not, but Jane has talked me into possibly doing some hiking later this week. It is something I used to enjoy a bazillion years ago. Does a hobby have to produce something tangible? If so, I suppose hiking wouldn't be considered a hobby, necessarily, but it will produce thinner hips!

Strange but I could swear I already posted this comment yesterday, oh, oh, brain drain...

What I was saying JJ was to be careful while out there hiking if in the woods because the rattlesnakes may be out hiking too. Now lets see if this disappears too...LOL!!!

I don't know if this is a hobby or not, but I like to collect inspirational quotations. I have them posted all over my wall. And, the ones that don't fit on the the wall, go in a folder.

I love quotes!

Vicki, I believe Edelweiss also collects quotes.

I too collect quotes, and antidotes. LOVE UM...and sometimes I collect useless sayings and phrases...coined or not. It's all good.

Chatty, rattlesnakes and their other buddies have all gone to sleep for now. Whew! Thank goodness.

I collect odd yarns. I love differewnt colors and fabrics. I have made some really unique afghans with them.

I also recently finished my gifts for the Christmas card exchange. It's hard to create something flat that fits into the cards. But I did it!!!

I am already on the lookout for something special I can make for next years Christmas Card exchange... Start early and leave out no one... Thats my motto!

Chatty...I, too, would love to make my own cards for next year's exchange...I'm guessing one can find all sorts of sites on the internet in which to do this, eh?

Just use that wonderful imagination of yours Dee. If we lived closer I bet we could make someting together that would blow their minds!

I wish i had time for hobbies. I am just too busy right now and need to make an afghan for a sick friend. I started it ten times now and still am no further along. Sigh!!!

My hobby is Floral Design and love doing it so much . I find even walking into Michaels the craft store is relaxing in itself . Just walking among the silk flowers that are all differant colors and arrangments make you just want to do a door wreath for a friend or just yourself .

Want to try my hand at a class at cake decorating now . Got to try that one .