Inject some fresh creative energy into your WFH schedule by starting a small crafting project. Studies have shown that taking micro-breaks whilst tackling a larger task can improve your concentration and help reduce burnout — the ever-popular Pomodoro Method is a great way of keeping track of your habits.
These marvellous little makes are easy to learn and don’t take up much space, so you can chip away at them in small doses no matter where you’re working — yes, even from the sofa! Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
1. Crochet yourself some calm
Crochet is a great option for a perfectly portable craft, making it ideal to work on any time you have a spare moment. It requires only a small amount of space, a handful of materials and can be done basically anywhere – from a bench at the park to the back of the bus to, yes, your desk. The repetitive motions help clear your mind and ease anxiety, and you can make anything from a cute coaster that’ll brighten up your desk space for those essential tea breaks, to a full-sized blanket (this one might take quite a few five-minute breaks but the sense of achievement will be epic!).
While materials are easy to come by at most local or online craft shops — or even as an all-in-one starter kit — it's important to select a hook that's comfortable to hold for the size of yarn you're using — you don't want to strain those all-important typing hands!
Even if you've never tried it before, there are plenty of easy patterns available online, or you can just start with a simple granny square, which gives you a feel for the essential stitches and can quickly grow into a coaster, patchwork lap blanket or a boho embellishment for whatever you fancy. Whichever route you choose, you'll have a lovely new make in no time.
2. Open your heart to art with watercolour painting
Whether you want to express yourself on paper or give those lovely desk plants and succulents the portraits they deserve, watercolour painting ticks all the boxes for a desk-friendly craft. It’s compact, portable and you can make gorgeously hazy works of art, even on A5 or postcard-sized paper — pretty soon you’ll be turning your desk into your own miniature gallery.
All you need is a palette, a handful of brushes and some watercolour paints — these are all quite easy to come by at craft shops or as part of a kit. Then all you have to do is find a subject for your mini-masterpiece — refresh your perspective and take in the view from your window with an artist’s eye.
3. Enjoy five minutes of play with some clay sculpting
If you’re looking for something to keep your hands busy that needs no special materials or tools, clay sculpting is a great option. It only requires a few materials and provides a brief, therapeutic moment for you to do something soothing and creative with your hands — exactly what the doctor ordered on a Wednesday afternoon.
All you need is some air-dry clay and your hands. You can sculpt anything you can imagine, from simple figurines and creative shapes to small bowls or other vessels — you can easily make a little trinket tray to make all your desk clutter look purposeful. This virtual clay sculpting class should give you plenty of inspiration.
While the results might be a little more rustic than those you’ve seen online — smooth sculpting demands wet hands, and that’s not ideal when space is limited — your work will have its own charm, and you can always sand down the rough edges later if that’s your thing. And if you find yourself wanting to move on to a bigger project, there are loads of clay sculpting classes in London and all across the UK that are ideal for learning the fundamentals.
Refresh your mindset and uplift your mood
No matter which small craft catches your fancy, the important thing is to take brief, frequent breaks from your screen, give your brain a bit of time to decompress, and focus your mind on something creative.
For more inspiration for compact crafts, have a look at our craft boxes and kits!
