Back in the days when I was a store designer for an arts and crafts supply store I was also their tole painting instructor.
I held two tole painting classes a week one in the morning and another in the evening. Each class required multiple samples in various stages of completion and a completed sample to advertise the class. One of the benefits of having all these samples was that at the end of the class series my samples needed just a little more work to be completed and my craft show inventory increased easily.
The best part of the classes was meeting students eager to learn a new hobby and making new friends. I kept in touch with many of them through the years. Their reasons for trying this painting method varied. One student was in healthcare and painting turned out to be a wonderful form of stress relief for him.
Another student was in construction and attended with his wife as an activity that they could learn together. He said he could not believe his large hands that were used to hammers and large tools could actually manipulate small paint brushes and create these designs.
With another couple, the wife was more interested in painting and her husband liked wood working. He attended the classes to help him learn what type of projects his wife liked. He cut the wood for her project ideas. Teamwork for sure!
It was a very rewarding experience to see folks that thought they could not paint learn the process and continue to grow in their new hobby. Their excitement at discovering what they could do was an encouragement both to their fellow students and to me.
Have you tried a new hobby? You never know where doing so might lead.
I do know that a very long time ago I put it somewhere “safe”. In the meantime I will continue to keep the front door propped open with a copper planter that holds a few rocks.