10 new skills to learn at home
Taking care of our health, supporting vulnerable neighbours and celebrating key workers are things we can all do to help as many of us continue to stay home. But what about making the most of this time to learn something new?
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If you’ve ever wished for the chance to be more creative, now’s the perfect opportunity. Here are ten of our favourite ideas - new skills to learn from the safety of your own sofa.
1: Learn how to sew
Product shown: Sew Let's Stich travel kit, £4.95
According to Claire-Louise Hardie, sewing is a fantastic way to switch off from modern life. She says: “It’s a very mindful process, you can’t multitask when sewing so it really does give your brain a holiday from the overload of our 21st century lifestyles.”
As the mastermind and former sewing producer behind BBC One’s The Great British Sewing Bee, Claire-Louise knows her stuff! Check out her blog, The Thrifty Stitcher for beginner’s guides, step-by-step videos and sewing patterns to get you started.
2: Use your loaf
The staff of life
Image: Jude Infantini/Shutterstock.com
There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh, homemade bread. And the beautiful rhythm of measuring, kneading, proving and baking is good for the soul too. What’s more, it’s a great way to avoid additives or allergens - from sourdough to focaccia there are dozens of recipes to try.
Get started by joining Rhiannon over at The Epsom Bakery for a free course. She also sends daily emails with tips and tricks.
3: Perfect the art of watercolours
You don’t have to paint like Van Gogh to enjoy watercolours
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Flood paper with paint, and turn the results into beautifully coloured and textured cards to send to family and friends. Watercolour painting requires only a few basic supplies, and there’s a style to suit everyone.
You can find plenty of free online tutorials on YouTube, or if you want to make a more formal commitment, sign up to an online watercolour course for beginners with an artist like Jane Ward who is based in the Lake District.
4: Teach yourself to knit
Product shown: Knitting mushroom, £6.95
Knitting is an ancient craft that lowers the heart rate and reduces blood pressure by inducing a relaxation response. The best bit? You’ll have something gorgeous to show for your time when you’ve finished! Knit with Hannah has online courses that are perfect for beginners. With plenty of projects and inspirational tips, Hannah’s blog is definitely one to bookmark.
Traditional knitting not really your thing? Why not have a go at arm knitting – make gorgeous blankets and cushions without any equipment other than wool.
5: Grow heavenly houseplants
Be a good plant parent
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There are so many health and wellbeing benefits to keeping indoor plants, it’s the least we can do to look after them really well! Freddie and friends at Patch have created a brilliant series of videos teaching you how to get the best from your indoor plants. Not everyone has a garden, but we can all find a shelf to fit a leafy pot.
6: Take a mixed media art course
Create journal pages gorgeous enough to frame
Image: Rex London
Get your creative juices flowing and start an ‘art journal’ using a variety of mixed media techniques. “I learnt that real art is self-expression, a story, and an honest experience,” says Kasia Avery over at Everything Art, where you can learn everything from encaustic collage to waxed and soldered layers. Intrigued? There are several free courses to help get you started.
7: Design jewellery
Product shown: Brass trinket box, £24.95
From creating fingerprint keepsakes to making rings and pendants, there’s so much you can do with silver clay. You could make gifts for friends and family or even launch your own Etsy shop or craft market stall. With a little guidance it makes a great project for older children too.
Emma Gordon runs a selection of online courses from her Scottish workshop, the Silver Clay School. Sign up for single project modules or enrol on a 12-month beginner’s course.
8: Make your own spa products
Beautiful handmade products are good for your skin and the environment
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With plenty of online tutorials on how to make your own organic beauty products, why not create a mini spa for your family at home? It’s easy to whip up a hand treatment or hair mask from ingredients you already have in your kitchen cupboards.
If you want to take it a step further, visit Lovely Greens where Tanya will teach you how to make your own soap and skincare products. If you really get the bug, she’ll even show you how to grow your own flowers with which to infuse your handmade products!
9: Practise pilates
Pilates can help you to stay fit for life
Image: Pereslavtseva Katerina/Shutterstock.com
Pilates is a fun and approachable form of exercise that helps you get stronger and more flexible. All you need to get started is a mat to practise on and some perseverance!
There are lots of online videos and classes to choose from, but it’s a good idea to make sure your teacher is well qualified, such as Jo Day from Herts Osteopathy who has been teaching for 20 years.
10: Train to be an interior designer
Make the most of your favourite things
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Freshen up your living room by grouping your favourite objects to create a new and harmonious feel. Whether you’re looking for tips to jazz up your own home or you’re considering a career in interior design, there are some fantastic online resources to help you plan show-stopping interiors.
Oxford Home Study has several free interior design courses to get you started. Or you could take a look at Sophie Robinson’s website for inspiration, tips and online courses. As the former presenter of BBC Two’s ‘The Great Interior Design Challenge’, Sophie will tempt you out of your comfort zone as she ‘bans the beige’!
So there we have it, plenty of ideas to inspire you to get creative and discover something new. We’ll all remember this summer for the obvious reasons, but wouldn’t it be great to look back on it as a time when we learnt something positive that stayed with us for the rest of our days?
