I’m still not sure if the analog hobby craze has totally taken over or if I’m just believing everyone else is jumping onboard because that’s what my social algorithms show me. But, within the analog hobby arena, I have specifically fallen in love with creating and I don’t think I’ve ever been as crafty in my life as I am right now.
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More and more, I’ve noticed how much I look forward to these little analog pockets of creativity… the hands-on projects, the colorful schemes and details, the playful ideas, the individualized and custom creations things that make me want to carve out time just because they’re fun and satisfying with a feeling of accomplishment (not for anyone other than myself). In a world that can feel so digital and overstimulating, I’m believing that the growing popularity in stepping back in time into simple pleasures is here to stay. These creative outlets have become little reminders that making something (or styling something, or embellishing something, or simply playing with an idea) can be enough.
From crafty to practical, I’m going to share the 12 creative outlets currently scratching that creativity itch in the best possible way.
1. Watercolor Workbooks — I Doubted I Had It In Me
One of my favorite recent discoveries has been watercolor workbooks. I am a TERRIBLE painter but after seeing these adorable workbooks in store in a boutique, my mom gifted me a couple and I finally tried them. Officially addicted now.
I love that they scratch the painting itch without the pressure of staring at a blank page. And, it’s so relaxing. I’m not great at it yet, but even my less than stellar pages are decent (I think). And, there are a few I’m more than a little proud of 😉 THIS watercolor palette and brush set is perfect and I love the divided case I grabbed in Target for them!
These have become one of my favorite low-stakes creative outlets when I want to make something but don’t necessarily want to think too hard.
Watercolor Palette & Brush Set | Watercolor Workbooks (Woodland, Flower, Animal) |3-Compartment Storage Case (I Use for Watercolors)
I have several on my wishlist — like Seaside, Fruit, Bouquets, Tropical… etc. etc. etc. haha.
2. Coloring Books — Therapeutic Satisfaction
I tried adult coloring books and enjoyed them a while back, but it wasn’t until I discovered the thick lined, wide open space coloring books with alcohol markers that I became addicted. I LOVE all the Coco Wyo coloring books (HERE). Seriously, search on social media and you’ll be wanting to try all the techniques. I started with one marker set and quickly expanded that.
Girl Moments Coloring Book | Cozy Days Coloring Book | Alcohol Markers | Alcohol Marker Carousel Organizer
3. Diamond Art — Tiny Gems, Big Satisfaction
Another therapeutic activity, it’s mindless, repetitive in the best way, and scratches the same part of my brain that loves puzzles, organization, and little satisfying details.
There’s a rhythm to it that feels calming, but there’s still that visual payoff of seeing something colorful come together piece by piece. It’s become one of those creative outlets that feels both meditative and rewarding. Bonus — you can settle in with these while watching something you love or listening to an audiobook.
A lot of people have asked how/where I store my canvases that I finish. THIS portfolio fits them perfectly!
Large Diamond Art Portfolio | Bee Diamond Art | Landscape Diamond Art | Book Store Diamond Art
4. Customizing and Embellishing Bags — OBSESSED
Between the patches, chains, charms, tags, beads, accessories, and little embellishments, I’ve been loving turning ordinary bags into something a little more fun and personal.
It’s such an easy creative outlet because there’s no real “right” way to do it, just layering details until it feels right. I created pool purses (mini beach bags for essentials when you don’t need the full big deal) for both Eliza and myself and I’m in love with how they turned out. And BTW — the mini totes come in four colors HERE.
Mini Totes | Gold Carabiners | Available Embellishment Sources
Incredibly niche but I HAVE to have tissues on me at all times. This little zipper pouch — the PERFECT tissue size — from Hobby Lobby became my tissue case in just the minute it took to iron on the patches.
Eliza is trying cheer for the first time in the fall and I went ahead and prepped a game day mini bag for myself with the colors and mascot.
A Few Occasions for a Tote (That Could Be Customized)
- Beach/Vacation Bag
- Car Snacks
- Activity Bag
- Ball Field Bag
- Kids Activity Bag
- Shopping Tote
- Road Trip Bag
- Work Tote
- Bible/Church Bag
- Hobby Bag
- Library Tote
- Farmer’s Market Bag
- Holiday Bag
- School/Room Mom Bag
- Errand Bag
- Gym Bag
- Carry-On Bag
A friend came over this past weekend for the specific purpose of making patriotic summer totes together. THIS canvas bag also comes in multiple colors.
Tote Bag | Gold Carabiners | Available Embellishment Links
Bonus points if you know where/why I tied in “Sparks Fly” 😉
I also pulled together a mini bus tote for Eliza’s bus driver — I made the charms, just as I did the others — but the pony bead bus charm is just darling to me.
Mini Totes | Gold Carabiners | Pony Beads
I haven’t made it yet, but one of my next bags will be an activity bag with favorites in the form of patches. Here are some I’ve collected so far…
Patches: Grand Teton | Italy | Glacier | Taylor Swift Patch Set (12 patches on clearance for $5 for the set!) | Be the Light | Lana Del Rey | Book Stack | Paint Palette | Waves | Great Smoky Mountains | Yellowstone | Music Notes (similar) | Vinyl Collector
5. Bag Charms, Pony Beads, and Tiny Accessories That Spark Joy
In the same vein as the bags — but as a joint project or on their own — I’m totally into bag charms. Specifically the carabiners that have taken over social media. But. between pony bead creations, bag charms, clips, carabiners, and little accessories that make things feel more personal, this has become such a fun and playful creative outlet lately.
It’s part craft, part styling, part nostalgia, and it’s impossible not to smile while making tiny colorful things that clustered together make you happy.
I made these bag charms for Eliza’s softball team in their team colors with a nod to their mascot, the cheetah.
Gold Carabiners | Pony Beads | Initial Charms | Leopard Heart Charms
Gold Carabiners | Pony Beads | Initial Charms | Leopard Heart Charms
And here’s a closer look at the bag charm I made for my cheer mom game day bag.
Gold Carabiners | Large Hole Beads
And one of Eliza’s favorite things — like a charm bracelet in bag charm form.
Gold Carabiners | Large Hole Beads
I’m also taking inventory of some of my purchased bag charms and including them in some of my custom charms. As a visual, here are the little leather designer fruit charms we grabbed last summer vs. the Amazon designer-inspired version. The designer blueberry is smaller than the others (and only holds an airtag/quarter or so), but here is a side by side. Can you believe that the Maison version is almost $80 while the alternative is under $10 HERE?! You can even get a set of two fruit zipper charms for under $15 (which is what I did, with the strawberry going as a gift to a friend and the blueberry going to Eliza.)
Blueberry Bag Charm (small left) | Blueberry Bag Charm (larger right)
And, I’ve totally stepped back in time with the pony bead animals in keychain/bag charm format. Eliza is loving making requests for her friends and I’m loving sourcing new patterns and even coming up with some of my own.
Mini Totes | Gold Carabiners | Pony Beads | Lobster Keychain Clasp
6. Party Prep as a Creative Outlet — Because Parties are Projects
We’re all in the throes of all the parties right now, right? Between Eliza’s class party, her upcoming birthday party, and her end of season softball party we just hosted, I’ve been keeping a running list of ideas for them all. And while having parties in May-cember isn’t my favorite on top of all the busy-ness and it’s fair that some of it just has to be “good enough” to stay in survival mode, I have enjoyed using it as an opportunity to try new things/stretch my mind for what I’m capable of DIYing (on a budget and within reason in terms of time investment.)
The biggest to-do I took on was the balloon garland I envisioned spanning the length of our retaining wall above the pool… just over 50′. I was ecstatic with the result but less ecstatic about the immediate popping under the hot Georgia sun. But, for the moment, it fulfilled my vision. We just won’t be doing that again, haha. I’m planning to come up with a different idea for Eliza’s party inside.
Here’s just a few of the balloons it took to create the garland…
And here it is not long after being set up.
Loungers (more than 50% off for a pair) | Umbrellas | In Pool Ledge Loungers & Table
Loungers (more than 50% off for a pair) | Umbrellas | In Pool Ledge Loungers & Table
Loungers (more than 50% off for a pair) | Umbrellas | In Pool Ledge Loungers & Table
7. Fairy GardenS & Whimsical World Building With My Daughter
This one might be equal parts creativity and memory-making. Fairy gardens from my youth were built solely on things found in nature, but I can’t resist picking up cute little additions when I see them for a good deal. Think Hobby Lobby, the Dollar Tree (seriously– for little fairy doors, bags of rocks, etc.). I love that Eliza has set up her little village in the back of our yard because it combines imagination, storytelling, tiny details, and outdoor play all in one.
Creative outlets don’t always have to be solo pursuits and I think watching Eliza and her whimsy has helped me focus in on playing more, myself.
8. Accessorizing Outfits Like a Creative Exercise
Getting dressed can be its own kind of creative outlet — especially in playing around with accessories. Mixing some of those statement pieces and granny-chic embellishments, trying new combinations, adding color, layering jewelry, changing up shoes or bags… it’s a small thing, but it scratches the same creative itch as a craft project sometimes. I especially love getting dressed for church now, and even had fun with adding a little prep and polish to my ball field outfits this spring.
Black Classic Jean Jacket | Jumpsuit | Sandals | Leather Tote | Necklace | Scarf | Resin Bangles
9. Designing an Outdoor Space — Perfect start to ThE Season
Home projects have always scratched the creativity itch for me — that’s how we started this whole thing. I haven’t had a full space makeover in a bit and I was stoked to take the start of the season to update our little 9’x9′ back deck sitting area. I want to go through it in a separate, fully dedicated post but in the meantime, here’s a look at what it’s officially looking like after installing the details this past weekend. It’s creativity with a practical payoff — which is one of my favorite kinds ;).
Outdoor Chairs | Outdoor Drum Coffee Table | Diamond Rug | Pillow Covers | 55″ TV
10. Trying Out Hairstyles — A Reinvigorated Effort
I’ve loved my time in the mornings with Eliza’s hair since she was a baby (remember THIS hairstyle ideas post?) And in recent months, I’ve been reinvigorated in coming up with cute ‘dos. Braids, knots, styles, little tweaks, trying something new, there’s a creativity to it that feels part beauty, part artistry, part trial-and-error. And when it works, it feels so satisfying. These cute (super fast and simple) little braid knots are my latest obsession.
11. Gift Wrapping — The Details Don’t End With the Present
Along with putting care into wrapping to show a recipient love, I have so enjoyed involving Eliza in the wrapping process during birthday season so she can take some ownership over how she wants to present to her friends. My favorite — especially kid-friendly gift wrap — is from Dollar Tree. That value can’t be beat. But, we love coordinating from our stash and even using her wax seal on the birthday card. It’s such a simple but unique thing, and it turns a gift into more of an experience.
Creative outlets often live in the details of the otherwise ordinary.
12. Next Up… Bedazzling
I’ve had a gem kit sitting and waiting for its moment for a while now, and I have a feeling bedazzling is about to become my next creative obsession. I’m planning to start small at first, but I know I want to give my Kindle cover some sparkle. It’s a little extra and totally unnecessary which IMO is the makings of a great creative outlet.
THIS kit comes with everything you need — 34,000 rhinestones, glue, tweezers, and is on sale for under $10 on Amazon HERE.
Creative Outlets Don’t Have to Be Serious to Matter
Creative outlets don’t have to be productive. They don’t have to be what may be considered to be “age appropriate.” They don’t have to become a business. They don’t have to be impressive. They don’t have to justify themselves. That’s the point. Escaping and satisfying an internal yearning/delight for the sake of enjoyment and growing your confidence in your own terms.
Sometimes they’re watercolor workbooks, sometimes they’re party favors, sometimes they’re pony bead animals and fairy gardens and bag charms and balloon garlands. Sometimes they’re just the little things that keep you looking forward to carving out time for something joyful. And that is more than enough. If you have a creative hobby or something you’re wanting to try, let us know in the comment section!
