It’s a new year, and that means it’s the perfect time for new year’s resolutions! One of my bigger resolutions is that I would really like to make time for myself and start a new hobby. As a mom of three small boys I have been craving that quiet, peaceful, me time (especially after 2 weeks of winter break at home with everyone!)
The problem is, I’m not sure where to start in picking a new hobby, or how to really dive in when I find one. So many things like crocheting, cross stitching, scrapbooking; they all seem overwhelming when browsing the perfectly curated Instagram feeds of professional hobbyists. While thinking about it over the holiday break I could feel myself getting a little discouraged, but then I remembered the Bell Library has a hidden gem on our database list!!
One of the EBSCO databases we subscribe to is Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center! It is filled to the brim with ideas and how-tos on every possible hobby or crafting idea you can imagine! There are your basic arts and crafts categories like beading or scrapbooking, but this database has so much more!
Included are sections on board games, video games, outdoor recreation, and even performing arts skills like juggling! There is also a big section on crafts for kids, which is awesome for parents!!! I’ve already printed out several small felt projects and drawing inspirations for a rainy-day box for my little ones!
Everything is laid out in a very user-friendly interface where you can quickly and easily see the various categories and navigate to the exact kind of craft you would like to learn more about. When searching for anything in Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center, you have access to the full text from more than 1,500 leading hobby books and craft magazines. If you already know a specific magazine you would like to look through you can navigate to the publication that way.
As far as my resolution? I think I’m going to start gardening. There is a plethora of articles on how to get started and I don’t feel as overwhelmed when I think about starting in the Spring as I did before!
-Rachel Bennett
