THE NEED FOR HANDCRAFT IN RETIREMENT
Handcraft in retirement is essential in order to enjoy a balanced and healthy life after leaving paid employment. No matter how busy we are in life; a time comes when we have to slow down so as to age gracefully.
Handcraft in retirement will keep you busy in a relaxed and fun way although you need to be interested and involved.
Handcraft is an exciting less strenuous activity for which we had little or no time to pursue while in active service. Retirement period affords us the opportunity to discover our untapped talents and deploy them.
Life in retirement can sometime become monotonous and boring but handcraft can be an inexpensive therapy that makes retirement fulfilling.
Age comes with some new challenges that may be unpleasant depending on the angle from which you are viewing it.
If there is nothing interesting to fill your time, you may actually not feel good about the challenges that come your way in retirement.
The new challenges could be:
- Physical: You may not be as strong as you used to be.
- Loneliness: Sometimes you are forced to be alone- children grow up and are busy with their own life, Home call of partner due to old age.
- Loss of job opportunities: Others have taken over the jobs that once kept us busy.
The list increases with each new day. However there are many fun activities we could undertake to replace what has been taken away from us. Life is not about making money only we also need to relax.
TYPES OF HANDCRAFT IN RETIREMENT AND HOW TO DISCOVER YOURS
As a retiree you can choose from wide range of handcrafts: these includes Sewing, Gardening, Carpentry, Baking, Beading, Drawing and lots more. You need to identify the craft that appeals to you.
We all have unique talents and abilities deposited in us. We can only discover our own unique talent if we create time to explore. You discover by DOING.
When you try your hands on various handicraft there will be one that appeals specially to you. It gives you a special sense of fulfillment. To you it is not something mundane but rather an hobby you cherish hence you are willing to give it your best shot.
WHY BEADCRAFT
Handcraft in retirement has made my life more fulfilling as I know within me that I am making good use of God’s gift to me.
You need to make use of yours too as God’s gift to you is not meant to be kept unused.
God has deposited skills in me and has blessed my hand to work creatively. I am quick to experiment fun activities that are trending. As a result I knit, crotchet, sew, bead, bake and love gardening.
Every handcraft requires time and devotion hence there is need to prioritize.
Lately I spend much time beading and I have found it beneficial in so many ways. This influenced my choice of Beading hobby as the first handcraft to be featured in my post.
BEADING: SIMPLE BUT FUN ACTIVITY
Beading is simple, fun and easy to start. What you can do with beads is limitless. You are only limited by your level of creative thinking and imagination.
BEADING KEEPS YOU ACTIVE
Beading keeps you occupied and active. Your hands and brain are at work. It challenges you to think creatively and makes you discover skills and abilities you never knew existed in you.
ELIMINATE BOREDOM
Boredom is a thing of the past if you develop passion for beading. 
There is always something beautiful to create like jewelry, toys , table mats, bags, key rings, flower vase, decorating your materials and headtie with beads. Beading requires focus;
The more time you spend beading the less time you have for unhealthy thinking.
BEADING: FUN AND EASY ACTIVITY TO TRY WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN
Children love handcraft but in this age of technology and busy parents; they lack guidance on handcraft. You can do something different with your grandkids by involving them in BEADING craft.
Your grandchildren will find Bead craft fascinating and you get to bond more with them when you are together doing an activity that requires their active physical participation.
Young children are happy when they can explore their ability to the fullest. In beading they use calculating skills, colour identification, combining and matching skills , designing and more. Your grandchildren will derive a sense of pride and confidence seeing the tangible things they are able to create with their own hands.
I have a small craft shop where I do my beading work and I am frequently visited by children that want to catch a glimpse of my work. They are so happy when I show them the simple things they can do.
GETTING STARTED WITH BEADING CRAFT
Beading is actually simpler than you ever imagined. All you need for a start are Beads, Fishing line and scissors. As you make progress you may gradually introduce other tools if you are daring enough to experiment with some classic project.
WIDE RANGE OF PROJECTS IN BEADING
There are wide range of beading projects to choose from. You could spend time beading toys and other home decorative accessories. You can advance to simple necklaces, bracelets and earrings. There is always a fun and useful project you can start with . Beaded handcraft are handy gift items suitable for different occasion and well appreciated by those that value the work of art.
Getting beading materials is easy as there is a bead craft shop in every neighbourhood. Beads are sold in packs, strands or measured small quantities for a beginner. With less than one thousand naira you are good to start.
I challenge you to start with this simple beautiful lamp shade keyholder.
I have written it out in such a way that a beginner can follow with ease.
Share your experience and pictures of your work.
Even in old age God expects you to still be fruitful.
Visit my beading site https://ybh.recipe4growth.com for free tutorial and simple fun projects.
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Please share this post with friends and I look forward to your comments and your personal experience with handcraft.
Thanks for sharing this ma.
God bless you.