What about a new hobby?

[House Cat]

I have been trying to figure out some kind of hobby to do that is potent enough to saturate my brain long enough to take away thoughts of coronavirus for even a few minutes. It’s rough, my brain can race and race. I have to admit, I’ve only tried video games, the internet, and searching for new hobbies. Have any of you picked up any new hobbies during the quarantine that help to distract you from the pandemic? Old hobby suggestions are welcome too. Are you thinking of a new hobby that might help?

 

[missy]

I have been trying to figure out some kind of hobby to do that is potent enough to saturate my brain long enough to take away thoughts of coronavirus for even a few minutes. It’s rough, my brain can race and race. I have to admit, I’ve only tried video games, the internet, and searching for new hobbies. Have any of you picked up any new hobbies during the quarantine that help to distract you from the pandemic? Old hobby suggestions are welcome too. Are you thinking of a new hobby that might help?

I love this idea @House Cat and if I weren't so unmotivated right now I would learn how to sew or even cook. Maybe I will take this opportunity and ask my dh to teach me how to learn to cook a simple dish. I have to get off my butt and do a little cleaning here too. I have been pretty unmotivated lately.

 

[chrono]

Gamers unite! I have a huge backlog of games to complete.

 

[dk168]

I am going to take up cross stitching (I toyed with it when I was very young), and drew this pattern using Excel as I am not happy with the one I purchased, being too small and not properly centered on the chart (a mild OCD of mine).
I have purchased threads with a bit of shimmer in them, along with other bits and pieces and some other patterns.
If I were to finish just one pattern, this would be the one.



Together with making the major component of this year's Christmas card that involves a lot of manual work, that should do it for crafts to keep me occupied during the lockdown.

DK

 

[MarionC]

I have been trying to figure out some kind of hobby to do that is potent enough to saturate my brain long enough to take away thoughts of coronavirus for even a few minutes. It’s rough, my brain can race and race. I have to admit, I’ve only tried video games, the internet, and searching for new hobbies. Have any of you picked up any new hobbies during the quarantine that help to distract you from the pandemic? Old hobby suggestions are welcome too. Are you thinking of a new hobby that might help?

Collage is amazing. I do these “instant collages” for myself and for others as art therapy… You allow yourself five minutes to rip pictures out of a magazine, then you have 15 minutes to glue the the pictures on a piece of paper. Sometimes it’s amazing what turns out, and it’s fun. Both while ripping amd pasting you try not to think, just be intuitive.

Not that it’s a hobby per se, but it’s quite engaging and can lead to wanting to do more.

 

[missy]

Collage is amazing. I do these “instant collages” for myself and for others as art therapy… You allow yourself five minutes to rip pictures out of a magazine, then you have 15 minutes to glue the the pictures on a piece of paper. Sometimes it’s amazing what turns out, and it’s fun. Both while ripping amd pasting you try not to think, just be intuitive.

Not that it’s a hobby per se, but it’s quite engaging and can lead to wanting to do more.

Love this. I didn't even think of it as a hobby and you are so right!
I have only been doing computer collages so not as labor intensive as real life ripping out photos and pasting collages (which sounds like way more fun but we have no magazines anymore!)...

Some random collages I enjoyed creating.

 

[House Cat]

Collage is amazing. I do these “instant collages” for myself and for others as art therapy… You allow yourself five minutes to rip pictures out of a magazine, then you have 15 minutes to glue the the pictures on a piece of paper. Sometimes it’s amazing what turns out, and it’s fun. Both while ripping amd pasting you try not to think, just be intuitive.

Not that it’s a hobby per se, but it’s quite engaging and can lead to wanting to do more.

I tried to look up your idea on the internet, “torn paper collage.” This is in the first row!!


What??!!! When I was a kid, we just stuck a bunch of pictures together and called it good!

 

[elizat]

We are working full time remotely at home. That candidly makes for a long day.

Do you like audio books? I do and really enjoy those. My eyes get tired with a screen so I think they are really nice.

 

[missy]

We are working full time remotely at home. That candidly makes for a long day.

Do you like audio books? I do and really enjoy those. My eyes get tired with a screen so I think they are really nice.

When we were little my parents took us to NBC Rockefeller Center to take the haunted tour where we listened to the haunted radio hour live. It was the scariest and most thrilling experience and I still remember it. Nothing like listening attentively and hearing creaks and scary noises to make a haunted story that much scarier. I mean it held our attention for the full hour and was quite enjoyable. In a way reading or watching TV could never be. For me at least. I don't know if they still offer that. It was back in the 1970s. It was a haunting and wonderful experience.

 

[elizat]

When we were little my parents took us to NBC Rockefeller Center to take the haunted tour where we listened to the haunted radio hour live. It was the scariest and most thrilling experience and I still remember it. Nothing like listening attentively and hearing creaks and scary noises to make a haunted story that much scarier. I mean it held our attention for the full hour and was quite enjoyable. In a way reading or watching TV could never be. For me at least.

Yes! I agree. There are some super cool radio programs that are still like that. I like the listen better than the visual. I rarely watch TV because I find it to be too much. I have to do it in small doses.

 

[missy]

Yes! I agree. There are some super cool radio programs that are still like that. I like the listen better than the visual. I rarely watch TV because I find it to be too much. I have to do it in small doses.

I agree. I find that TV (whether watching a movie or a series) just doesn't hold my attention these days. I feel restless more than ever. I have never listened to a book on audio but my dh enjoys that so thanks for the suggestion....I think I will give it a go.

There is something about scary stories though that really lends itself well to just listening and using one's imagination. Nothing is scarier than what we can conjure up in our minds. I think though Covid 19 is pushing those limits...

 

[Jadeite_101]

Old hobby alert: I collect Philippine Art, Italian Glass Masters of the World War eras, Crystals\Minerals... of course collecting these days is about next to impossible. But what keeps me preoccupied is reading about them. The Artists’ lives and works. Also a believer in crystal healing so reading up on that too. Also reading up on Jade Jadeite. I barely if ever watch TV or play games so reading is what keeps me sane, happy and productive these days. I’ve also taken to cataloguing my collections.

 

[elizat]

@missy

This is what I'm listening to now. It's a well done narration. It's a fun story.

a book review by Carol Katz: The Library of the Unwritten (A Novel from Hell's Library)

The Library of the Unwritten (A Novel from Hell's Library) by A. J. Hackwith book review. Click to read the full review of The Library of the Unwritten (A Novel from Hell's Library) in New York Journal of Books. Review written by Carol Katz.

www.nyjournalofbooks.com

 

[Niffler75]

If anyone is interested in an unusual hobby I have discovered needle felting about 3 years ago! You can buy kits online and it is quite addictive! Below is a teddy and a gnome that I made!

 

[kenny]

Great thread idea, HouseCat.

Learn to play an instrument.
Ukulele, guitar, and piano are relatively easy to get started on.
Unlike the tuba, clarinet or violin, they can play chords, or more than two notes at a time ... so playing solo can sound pretty good.
This makes them versatile, complete sounding, and ideal for accompanying singing.

If piano might be your thing you must buy this book before shopping ...

The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano: Larry Fine, Keith Jarrett: 9781929145010: Amazon.com: Books

The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano [Larry Fine, Keith Jarrett] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano

www.amazon.com

But make sure you pick the 4th edition, with the red cover; older editions have covers with other colors.
It is absolutely the bible of pianodom.
Buying a piano without this book is like buying a diamond without PS.

If you thought used cars are a buyer-beware product, pianos are 10 times worse.
Old pianos are usually dead or near death, sound like crap and play like crap.
But there are some treasures out there and this book tells you how recognize and evaluate them.
Avoid college sales, and piano stores, the book will tell you why.
IMO buying from a private party via Craigslist is best, that is, after getting piano-edjumacated.

There is a glut pianos flooding the market these days.
100 years ago most homes had a piano, but then came radio, TV, computers, video games, and smartphones.
Kids expect instant gratification these days and learning to play an instrument takes time and work.
Hence a zillion pianos are offered free or nearly free, though hiring a professional insured mover will set you back at least $100.

Guitar? A very decent starter guitar is the Yamaha FG-800 at $200.
If your budget is higher I can make recommendations of good values at all budget levels.

Yamaha FG800J Acoustic Guitar - Natural

6-string Acoustic Guitar with Spruce Top, Nato/Mahogany Back and Sides, Nato Neck, and Rosewood Fingerboard - Natural

www.sweetwater.com

Ukes? You're on your own.

Lessons?
Of course private one on one lessons in person is ideal.
But in our COVID-19 era, we have the Internet.
Justin is an excellent online guitar teacher and he's free.
He's also upbeat, with a great attitude and personality.

Go for it, people.

JustinGuitar

Justin Sandercoe is one of the world’s leading guitar teachers. His website, JustinGuitar.com - home to over 1,300 free video guitar lessons - has helped mil...

www.youtube.com

 

[Bron357]

Dangles. I love making dangles. The are supposed to be for dog collars (we have Salukis and it’s sort of middle eastern tradition as these dogs are so esteemed to have beautiful collars).
Otherwise the dangles can go on key rings or handbags.

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

Great thread idea, HouseCat.

Learn to play an instrument. Ukulele, guitar, and piano are relatively easy to get started on....

If you thought used cars are a buyer-beware product, pianos are 10 times worse. Old pianos are usually dead or near death, sound like crap and play like crap. But there are some treasures out there and this book tells you how recognize and evaluate them. Avoid college sales, and piano stores, the book will tell you why. IMO buying from a private party via Craigslist is best, that is, after getting piano-edjumacated.

There is a glut pianos flooding the market these days. 100 years ago most homes had a piano, but then came radio, TV, computers, video games, and smartphones. Kids expect instant gratification these days and learning to play an instrument takes time and work. Hence a zillion pianos are offered free or nearly free, though hiring a professional insured mover will set you back at least $100.

Great thinking Kenny! That's exactly what I did - I bought a piano and have been playing with it since I picked it up in mid-March. I didn't buy the book you recommended, but I did a couple of weeks worth of internet research and looked at a few pianos. Some people don't know what they have and I ended up visiting a couple of spinets, which I did not want. I found mine on NextDoor and asked for lots of pictures of the interior before I visited. I rented a U-Haul box truck and moved it with DH's help in just a couple of hours.

The piano tuner said the piano is basically unplayed and the hammers are all brand new, and overall in excellent condition. He said I basically stole it for the price I paid. I guess I was in the right place at the right time with a motivated seller. It's not a fancy Yamaha or Steinway, but perfect for a beginner. My husband says if I get good in a few years, he'll buy me a high quality baby grand to play on (which is what I learned on many years ago). And there are PLENTY of those on the second-hand market as well.

I was actually VERY surprised when I picked up the truck at U-Haul that I was one of 6 people they had coming in that day picking up trucks for piano moving.....I guess a lot of us had the good idea to learn piano amidst the quarantine. I posted the picture before, but here it is again.

 

[OboeGal]

Great thread idea, HouseCat.

Learn to play an instrument.
Ukulele, guitar, and piano are relatively easy to get started on.
Unlike the tuba, clarinet or violin, they can play chords, or more than two notes at a time ... so playing solo can sound pretty good.
This makes them versatile, complete sounding, and ideal for accompanying singing.

If piano might be your thing you must buy this book before shopping ...

The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano: Larry Fine, Keith Jarrett: 9781929145010: Amazon.com: Books

The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano [Larry Fine, Keith Jarrett] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano

www.amazon.com

But make sure you pick the 4th edition, with the red cover; older editions have covers with other colors.
It is absolutely the bible of pianodom.
Buying a piano without this book is like buying a diamond without PS.

If you thought used cars are a buyer-beware product, pianos are 10 times worse.
Old pianos are usually dead or near death, sound like crap and play like crap.
But there are some treasures out there and this book tells you how recognize and evaluate them.
Avoid college sales, and piano stores, the book will tell you why.
IMO buying from a private party via Craigslist is best, that is, after getting piano-edjumacated.

There is a glut pianos flooding the market these days.
100 years ago most homes had a piano, but then came radio, TV, computers, video games, and smartphones.
Kids expect instant gratification these days and learning to play an instrument takes time and work.
Hence a zillion pianos are offered free or nearly free, though hiring a professional insured mover will set you back at least $100.

Guitar? A very decent starter guitar is the Yamaha FG-800 at $200.
If your budget is higher I can make recommendations of good values at all budget levels.

Yamaha FG800J Acoustic Guitar - Natural

6-string Acoustic Guitar with Spruce Top, Nato/Mahogany Back and Sides, Nato Neck, and Rosewood Fingerboard - Natural

www.sweetwater.com

Ukes? You're on your own.

Lessons?
Of course private one on one lessons in person is ideal.
But in our COVID-19 era, we have the Internet.
Justin is an excellent online guitar teacher and he's free.
He's also upbeat, with a great attitude and personality.

Go for it, people.

JustinGuitar

Justin Sandercoe is one of the world’s leading guitar teachers. His website, JustinGuitar.com - home to over 1,300 free video guitar lessons - has helped mil...

www.youtube.com

I've always wanted to do more with guitar and piano for that very reason - I can get the full harmonization - but alas, the itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny hands I've been "blessed" with - which are the bane of my existence as a professional woodwind player - have always made it impossible to get very far. I am determined, though, to take up ukulele some day and do with it all the things I've wanted to do on guitar!

For now, though, my hands are full with keeping up on my saxes, clarinet, oboe, and English horn, and working on adding flute to my gigging arsenal.

 

[Austina]

I’ve got boxes and boxes of findings, gem beads (agates, jaspers, amethyst, smokey quartz and too many others to mention, pliers, monofilament, tiger tail wire, everything I need, except the motivation to get them out and actually make something.

 

[kenny]

I've always wanted to do more with guitar and piano for that very reason - I can get the full harmonization - but alas, the itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny hands I've been "blessed" with - which are the bane of my existence as a professional woodwind player - have always made it impossible to get very far. I am determined, though, to take up ukulele some day and do with it all the things I've wanted to do on guitar!

For now, though, my hands are full with keeping up on my saxes, clarinet, oboe, and English horn, and working on adding flute to my gigging arsenal.

I have a suggestion for your "itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny hands" ... one of the smaller "travel" guitars.
There are lots of Youtube videos comparing other travel guitars, but here's one comparing two good candidates.

FWIW, Yamaha is the third brand I'd consider after Taylor and Martin.

There are two separate, and not necessarily related, guitar size things to understand.
1. Scale, or length of the vibrating portion of the strings.
25.5" is the standard full scale length.
The shorter the scale the closer together the frets are, which is less of a stretch for smaller hands.
The scale length of travel guitars is usually around 23".

2. Body size: the bigger the body the better the tone, but large bodies can be uncomfortable for kids and smaller adults.

IMO the Taylor GS-Mini is by far the best sounding and highest quality of all travel guitars, but the most pricey with an advertised price of $499 though better deals are available from certain dealers if you say certain things.
Call up Ted at LA Guitar Sales and tell him you read on The Acoustic Guitar Forum that he can offer the lowest prices.

Taylor Guitars - Guitars - Products

Located on the World Famous Sunset Strip, LA Guitar Sales is an authorized dealer for Bedell, Blackbird, Breedlove, Cordoba, Eastman, Journey, Larrivee, Martin, Rainsong, Taylor and more with their full line available.

www.laguitarsales.com

Instead of a travel guitar you could also consider just using a full-scale guitar but put a capo on the second or third fret.
Then you're playing where the frets are closer together.
There are lots of full-scale guitars with smaller bodies.

 

[kenny]

Great thinking Kenny! That's exactly what I did - I bought a piano and have been playing with it since I picked it up in mid-March. I didn't buy the book you recommended, but I did a couple of weeks worth of internet research and looked at a few pianos. Some people don't know what they have and I ended up visiting a couple of spinets, which I did not want. I found mine on NextDoor and asked for lots of pictures of the interior before I visited. I rented a U-Haul box truck and moved it with DH's help in just a couple of hours.

The piano tuner said the piano is basically unplayed and the hammers are all brand new, and overall in excellent condition. He said I basically stole it for the price I paid. I guess I was in the right place at the right time with a motivated seller. It's not a fancy Yamaha or Steinway, but perfect for a beginner. My husband says if I get good in a few years, he'll buy me a high quality baby grand to play on (which is what I learned on many years ago). And there are PLENTY of those on the second-hand market as well.

I was actually VERY surprised when I picked up the truck at U-Haul that I was one of 6 people they had coming in that day picking up trucks for piano moving.....I guess a lot of us had the good idea to learn piano amidst the quarantine. I posted the picture before, but here it is again.

Kudos to you for doing your homework, and your great score!

 

[qubitasaurus]

If you are having any success with video games, then try world of warcraft. Its got a social element as well as the computer gaming. Better if someone else also signs up with you so you can play together. But even if they dont you'll meet plenty of other players online.

You could also look at twitch --might spot something you are interested in playing there.

Otherwise I dont mean to sound trite but have you considered things like yoga? It's much more calming and ultimately resets my mind better than randomly hacking at something on a screen.

Baking also seems very calming.

 

[OboeGal]

I have a suggestion for your "itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny hands" ... one of the smaller "travel" guitars.
There are lots of Youtube videos comparing other travel guitars, but here's one comparing two good candidates.

FWIW, Yamaha is the third brand I'd consider after Taylor and Martin.

There are two separate, and not necessarily related, guitar size things to understand.
1. Scale, or length of the vibrating portion of the strings.
25.5" is the standard full scale length.
The shorter the scale the closer together the frets are, which is less of a stretch for smaller hands.
The scale length of travel guitars is usually around 23".

2. Body size: the bigger the body the better the tone, but large bodies can be uncomfortable for kids and smaller adults.

IMO the Taylor GS-Mini is by far the best sounding and highest quality of all travel guitars, but the most pricey with an advertised price of $499 though better deals are available from certain dealers if you say certain things.
Call up Ted at LA Guitar Sales and tell him you read on The Acoustic Guitar Forum that he can offer the lowest prices.

Taylor Guitars - Guitars - Products

Located on the World Famous Sunset Strip, LA Guitar Sales is an authorized dealer for Bedell, Blackbird, Breedlove, Cordoba, Eastman, Journey, Larrivee, Martin, Rainsong, Taylor and more with their full line available.

www.laguitarsales.com

Instead of a travel guitar you could also consider just using a full-scale guitar but put a capo on the second or third fret.
Then you're playing where the frets are closer together.
There are lots of full-scale guitars with smaller bodies.

Thank you so much!

 

[hedgehog93]

Photography is something I’ve gotten into - and it’s going to be of great help photographing future jewellery and future puppy (win win!)

I’ve never understood how much there is to it, I always thought my iPhone and filters were enough. It’s a whole new world!

 

[PintoBean]

With more time on your hands, how about finding me a man?

I've been watching a lot of netflix, prime and hulu. Working from home and I find myself even busier with no interruptions or commute time or go out to lunch breaks. I'm also giving my oldest cat palliative care.

I got some yarn and a crochet hook in the post today.

 

[Jadeite_101]

Photography is something I’ve gotten into - and it’s going to be of great help photographing future jewellery and future puppy (win win!)

I’ve never understood how much there is to it, I always thought my iPhone and filters were enough. It’s a whole new world!

Same I’ve gotten a new appreciation and perspective on photography ever since I had joined PS and taken to posting pictures. There’s a big difference from the 1st pictures I took and the latest ones. I’ve even positioned two spotlights on a table top just so as I could take jewelry photographs. only thing that still escapes my new found skills is photographing Jadeite. Still can’t capture The Look. Haha

 

[arkieb1]

I'm using some of my time trying to sort out stuff children have grown out of, no longer play with, and old clothing to donate to charity. Sort out which gemstones I want to keep and which ones I could sell. Which jewellery pieces I really like and wear and things I don't. Take photos of stuff..... and write listings, these have all been good things to occupy the brain....