织毛衣、画画、做木工……亲手制作工艺品很有满足感。不少人都以做手工为业余爱好，一方面可以锻炼动手能力、激发创造力并增添生活乐趣，另一方面也可以改善心理健康。 　　

　　词汇：craft 手工 　　

　　你是good with your hands吗？我们中的许多人喜欢制作可以使用或作为礼物赠送的东西。Crafting 无疑是一个复兴的hobby,那些追求它的人声称得到creative改善了他们的心情。 　　

　　最近由冠状病毒肺炎疫情引起的封锁给了人们在家尝试新活动的时间，他们一直很喜欢这些活动。许多人转向craft making等爱好，以此来缓解在家工作的疲惫。 　　

But even before the pandemic, people were turning to arts and crafts as an interesting pastime and even a way to make a bit of pocket money. Numerous websites, such as Etsy and Folksy, allowed people to sell their handmade goods. Richard Sennett, author of the Craftsman, told the BBC that: “A lot of people are finding their day jobs pretty empty, whereas learning a craft provides a real satisfaction. It’s a skill – things like carpentry and weaving are mentally and physically stimulating, and people get inherent pleasure out of that kind of work”.

The internet has also been the place to turn to to buy craft kits which help you get started with your craft-making projects, such as candle making or macrame. But many people are enjoying designing and making things from scratch and are doing it just for pleasure or to occupy their minds – and there’s evidence that it’s good for us as well. According to research commissioned by BBC Arts, even the briefest time spent on a creative pastime such as painting, pottery or playing the piano, has an impact on our wellbeing and emotions. The survey of around 50,000 people found being creative can help avoid stress, free up mind space and improve self-development, which helps build self-esteem.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect tonic for your stressed-out life, maybe now’s the time to get creative.

词汇表

good with your hands 手巧
crafting 手工制作
hobby 兴趣爱好
creative 创造性的，创意的
craft making 做手工
knitting 针织
crocheting 钩织
pottery 陶艺
painting 绘画
revival 再度流行
arts and crafts 美术与工艺
pastime 消遣活动
handmade 手工制作的
satisfaction 满足感
carpentry 木匠活，木工
weaving 编织
craft kit 工艺套装
candle making 制作蜡烛
macrame 编绳，编结
from scratch 从零开始