Online Class Notes (Vicki)

Vocabulary

resurgence – a rise again
i.e. We have been seeing a resurgence of COVID cases.

re – again 
restart – start again
rejoice – feel happy again

knitting – use strings to make a sweater
i.e. My mom is very good at knitting.

crocheting – use thicker strings to tie them together to make blankets or canvas
i.e. I love blanket crocheting.

pottery – use mud to make bowls or plates
i.e. We have pottery classes here at school.

revival – coming alive again
i.e. The art of pottery was dead for a while, but now there has been a revival of it.

carpentry – making of wood
i.e. Carpentry is the art of using woods to make items such as furnitures.

carve – to dig a hole in something
i.e. I like to carve wood and make art.

weaving – tie stripes together to make baskets
i.e. I like basket weaving very much.

macrame – use colorful strings to make decorations
i.e. I have recently discovered macrame and I think it is very interesting.

brief – short
briefest – shortest

self-esteem – self confidence
i.e. We should all have a good self-esteem.

Grammar

It makes me concentrated.

Are you good with your hands? Many of us like to make things which we can use or give as gifts. Crafting is certainly a hobby that’s seen a resurgence, and those who pursue it claim getting creative improves their mood.

The recent lockdowns caused by the Covid pandemic gave people time at home to try out new activities, which they’ve continued to enjoy. Many turned to hobbies such as craft making as a way to soothe their work-from-home burnout. Knitting, crocheting, pottery and painting are all crafts that have seen a revival, and many of them are being done by younger people.

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 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.