It all started
Sadly, my elderly neighbor passed away recently. His heirs decided to auction off his belongings. Not a traditional “live” auction, but an online auction. My brother had a close personal relationship with him so I knew he would be interested in something. Hubby and I checked on him from time to time and included him in our Christmas thoughts. In participating in this auction, I developed a liking for the process and the reasonable money being spent. Before I knew it, I’ve taken up a new hobby!
My brother did, in fact want – and won – several things from our neighbors auction. Hubby wasn’t as into it as I was, but in bringing home the booty he found an interest. The thing that I wanted the most, and won, is a “drop leaf table” . I also won a stack of cupboards and other miscellaneous items.
The investigating
Perhaps the best part for me is the discovery. If you go to the inspection dates the opportunity for this literally disappears. Most of the time I don’t attend those dates; instead, I bid on what the pictures represent. Another thing that raises my serotonin levels is that I frequently look at things with others in mind.
I give out baskets every year and it gets challenging trying to fill them with personal touches. So when I look at an auction and see something that brings someone to mind, I try to win that item. I’ve taken up a new hobby but I apply it to an old hobby!
I get to share in all the fun with my hubby. However, his comfort zone gets breached from time to time. The value he sees, or puts on an item, is different than mine 9 times out of 10. He is also looking through miserly glasses. It makes him the yin to my yang in yet another aspect! None the less, he supports me as long as keep my little part time job to pay for it.
Funding the hobby
Supporting hobbies can be as easy and free or as hard and expensive as we want them to be. The skies the limit with hobbies, really. My husbands cousin married a guy who likes to fly remote control airplanes. Hubbies uncle lives down the road from where a bunch of RC (remote control) enthusiasts gather and race their respective hobby; be it on wheels or in the air.
Try to find a hobby that stays within your potential to fund it. Ask yourself:
- Foremost, how much can be spent?
- Is it for fun? (No return means more restricted funds)
- Do I want to sell items? Do I want the sales to support my hobby?
- How can I make it my own? If selling is an option, make it unique to other similar items for sale.
- Be flexible to change hobbies. Keep it enjoyable and financially do-able.
For a long period of time my friend and I attended ceramics almost every weekend. That can be expensive after awhile. The more intricate the piece, the more you pay. Besides ceramics I’ve made moccasins, dabbled in wood burning, attempted painting (my mom, who is an exceptional painter told me I need to learn light and dark), and am mediocre at drawing. I have sewn quilts, clothes, pillows and even covers for scrapbooks.
My cost have always out-weighed the profit. In selling, I was generous. In making, I had to be free to create. Being asked, or paid, to do something specific just isn’t my style. Seems like people are happier when the project is already completed; as opposed to it being initiated as a project.
See it try it!
That is my motto. I am can-do all the way. With so manty resources on how to tackle projects these days, there is no reason not to attempt something your interested in. My issue is that I have a short attention span. Once I conquer something I am ready to move on to something new. But that isn’t all bad!
Sticking with something you like can be rewarding, especially if selling is part of your hobby. Pintrest is a great place to start for motivation. With a wide range of searchable crafts, there is no limit to what can be discovered! Michaels and JoAnn’s are good supply resources, but don’t be afraid to look outside the traditional crafting places. Inspiration is all around us every day! I have found some pretty cool stuff in the oddest of places!
Plenty to do….
Since taking up a new hobby I have created plenty to do. There are so many things I have interest in that it is hard to fit them all in a day. I have been working on freeing up some of my time – that is a later topic.
Until next time, find something to enjoy, enjoy what you do and life will be rewarding as the outcome!
I have taken up a new hobby!