Actress Sarah Jessica Parker of Sex and the City fame enjoys knitting in between filming takes and singer Taylor Swift is reputed to be a dab hand at making snow globes and pieces of art. It’s fair to say crafting or home DIY is having a moment, and not just among the celebs, but us ordinary folk too.

Many people find getting out the crochet needle, the paintbrush, or making a piece of unique woodwork the best way to zone out after a hard day in the office or out on the farm. When you can’t get outside as easily at this time of year for physical activity, it’s a relatively inexpensive way of de-stressing without necessarily knowing you’re doing so in your own home.

Better still, others take the plunge and join or set up a group in their local area to enjoy the craft of quilting or sewing or making cards with others, and to revel in the camaraderie and banter of a group with a common interest. And the best thing is the results are beautiful, unique pieces of handiwork that cannot be bought on Amazon and are a joy both to give and receive.

Local enterprise

All of these thoughts came back into my head at the weekend after attending a Christmas market organised by Crinkill Tidy Villages in Co Offaly, one of many craft fairs happening up and down the country. It was a lovely atmosphere full of bonhomie, local enterprise, creativity, and community.

It was a browser’s paradise too, and everything on display was quirky, unique, and full of character. Beautiful lamps made from copper piping and bog oak caught the eye; there were handcrafted crochet angels for your tree, earrings inspired by nature, handmade scented wax melts, and personalised wooden Christmas decorations, to mention just a few.

The pride every maker took in their products was a delight to see. They were proud to show off their produce and enjoyed the feedback and questions, whether they led to a sale or not. When it did result in some cash or card changing hands, the gratitude and smiles were utterly genuine.

Maybe a hobby has turned into a sideline, or maybe this creative outlet has turned into a part-time or full-time job for these crafters. Either way, all of these people add colour and creativity to our local towns and villages and should be supported. Their proceeds will be spent locally and likely attract shoppers to go to other businesses too.

Some of my most treasured gifts have been handmade. If, like me, your crafting skills are a little bit rusty, well, there’s never been a better time to go out and support those who are putting their creativity in action.

UK research shows that people who engaged with creating art and crafts had greater ratings for happiness, life satisfaction, and feeling that life was worthwhile than those who did not. Perhaps January is a good time to put that theory into action and get started myself.