25 ideas for a new hobby and 50 helpful resources

A large selection of sites and channels for those who are looking for a hobby to their liking.

1. Calligraphy - the art of beautiful writing

If you think that calligraphy is only hieroglyphs, then you are mistaken. Cyrillic, Arabic, and Hebrew can elevate alphabetic characters to the level of art. And it's always more than drawing. Calligraphy is pure creativity and zen.

Improve your calligraphy skills:

1. "Ultramarine" is an online magazine about graffiti, street art, design, art and street culture in Russia and abroad. A separate section is devoted to calligraphy.
2. Calligraffiti.nl is the website of one of the most popular calligraphers and street artists, Nils Möllmann, known as Shoe. He is considered the inventor of the calligraffiti style.

2. Doodling and zentangle - irrational painting

This activity is suitable for those who start scribbling as soon as they pick up a writing medium. This is how it is translated from English - “doodle”. This is an irrational drawing style that develops memory and creativity, as well as an independent form of modern art.

Get better at doodling and zentangle:

• Tanglepatterns.com is a well-known site with a huge number of patterns for creating zentangle tiles.
• Zendoodle is a large community for those who love doodling and zentangle.

3. Marbling - drawing on water

Have you ever looked for weird cloud shapes in the sky? Then this hobby is for you: using insoluble paints, a pattern is created on the surface of the water, and then transferred to paper, fabric or any surface. It turns out very unusual and beautiful, and the process is truly mesmerizing.

There are two main marbling techniques: Persian ebru and Japanese suminagashi. The first is dominated by abstract patterns, while the second is dominated by circular patterns.

Improve yourself in the art of marbling:

• Marbling.org is an international marbling community with a library, gallery and forum.
• Suminagashi.com - a site dedicated to suminagashi and other types of marbling.

4. Freezelight - frozen light

You may have already met strange young people who perform magic with flashlights in front of cameras. These are freezelighters. From the English freeze - “freeze” and light - “light”. The light really seems to freeze in the frosty air when it is shot at a long shutter speed. Using this technique, both beautiful abstractions and integral figurative compositions are created. The main thing is no computer processing.

Level up in freezelight:

• Lpwa.pro is a worldwide alliance of light painters.
• Freezelight.ru is an original Russian-language art project dedicated to painting with light. On the site you will find video tutorials and a gallery with cool works.

5. Mehendi - henna painting on the body

An ancient oriental tradition, which is again on the wave of popularity in the 21st century. There are more and more artists developing in mehendi, and if you are also looking for new forms, then be sure to try drawing henna on the body. Another form of mehendi hobby is photographing in images created on its basis, including in nude style.

Upgrade to mehendi:

• Mehendischool.ru - online training in henna painting.
• Nidhi’s MehndiART is the author’s YouTube channel with video mehendi tutorials for beginners.

6. Kanzashi - ribbon decorations

Kanzashi is a traditional Japanese hair ornament that women wear with their kimono. For us, this term has acquired a new sound - kanzashi - and a new meaning. Kanzashi is a needlework technique that is used to create beautiful hairpins, brooches and other jewelry. To try yourself in this direction, you will need several satin ribbons, a candle or lighter and a needle and thread.

Upgrade to Kanzashi:

• Kanzashi.club is a site where master classes and literature on kanzashi are collected.
• “Masters Fair” - in the section dedicated to kanzashi, there are many photo and video tutorials.

7. Felting - wool felting

Felting (filting) is a handicraft technique when three-dimensional drawings, toys, panels and other decorative elements are created from wool. There are several directions: dry, wet felting, nuno-felting. To work, you will need sheep wool, a special needle or soap solution. The hobby is ideal for women and children.

Improve your skills in felting:

• Woolwares.ru - a site about felting for beginners with videos and master classes.
• Club.osinka.ru - a forum section about felting on the most popular site about needlework.

8. Isographics - embroidery on cardboard

In our country this activity is also called thread graphics or simply isothread, and in English-speaking countries - embroidery on paper (“embroidery on paper”). All you need to create in this direction is thick paper and thread. Great for sharing creativity with children.

Upgrade in isographics:

• “Country of Masters” - this site contains many master classes and examples of finished works, including those using the thread graphics technique.
• “Favorite Lesson” - a series of master classes on isothread.

9. Patchwork - patchwork sewing

A type of applied art with centuries-old traditions, when scattered scraps of fabric are transformed into a solid mosaic canvas. Using the patchwork technique (quilting, quilting), you can sew not only a blanket, but a bag or, for example, a toy.

Level up in patchwork:

• Jacquelynnesteves.com is the blog of Jacqueline Steeves, who simply loves quilting.
• Loskut.handmadecrafts.ru - patchwork workshop with materials from the paper magazine of the same name.

Hobbies for those who love to cook and draw. This can be done at the same time if you paint gingerbread cookies with icing (special sugar glaze). If you really get carried away and get good at it, you can even make money from it.

Get into gingerbread painting:

• “Masters' Fair” is the most famous trading platform in RuNet for handmade goods, where, among other things, master classes on baking and decorating gingerbread are collected.
• Julia Mylle - author's YouTube channel on gingerbread painting.

11. Brewing - preparing a foamy drink at home

This is a whole science. And many successfully master it right in their kitchens. At first, the result is encouraging: you won’t find tasty beer during the day. But then the process itself drags on.

Improve your brewing skills:

• “Guide to Brewing Home Beer” - a detailed guide for beginners.
• “Russian Wikipedia about home brewing” - all about how to brew a drink from malt and hops on your own.

Recycle translated from English means “reusing things”. This is the name of the environmental direction, which implies waste separation, responsible consumption and energy saving, as well as the direction of applied creativity. Why throw away grandma's old chest of drawers, plastic bottles or, if they can be given a second life? Just use your imagination.

Upgrade to recycle:

• Recyclemag.ru is an online publication about an eco-friendly lifestyle. The site contains news, articles and tips on how to take care of the planet and live in accordance with the philosophy of minimalism.
• Pinterest.com - on the most creative of all social networks you will find many master classes on repurposing and decorating old things. Request - DIY recycle.

13. Customizing - from jeans to bikes

Customizing is the alteration of clothing. Customizers turn skirts, shirts into dresses, and ordinary T-shirts are turned into designer ones. A hobby for those who always want to be in style, but are not ready to spend a lot of money on clothes.

For men, customization is often expressed in the transformation of motorcycles and cars. Custom bikes are real works of art, and their creators are usually literally passionate about their passion.

Get better at customizing:

• “Second Street” is a website and community of the same name, where thousands of craftsmen post their work on remaking things and are inspired by each other’s ideas.
• Customoto.com is a site where there is everything about creating exclusive motorcycles.

14. Modding - transforming equipment outside and inside

The term “modding”, that is, modification, change, is traditionally used in relation to the alteration of computers. The peak of fashion for this hobby came in the mid-2000s. Now smartphones and tablets rule, so they, as well as other gadgets, are being modified. For modern modders, not only the appearance, but also the performance of the devices is important.

Level up in modding:

• Modding.ru is a large portal about modding with a forum.
• Topmods.net is one of the oldest Russian-language sites about this hobby.

A beautiful and unusual hobby for biologists and romantics. In addition to special knowledge, you will need an insectarium, a humidifier, a thermometer and other devices to make the fluttering beauties feel good. But if everything works out, breeding tropical butterflies can become a profitable side hustle.

Get better at raising butterflies:

• Wikihow.com - a detailed tutorial on creating beauty from a cocoon.
• Raisingbutterflies.org is an English-language blog from a man who has been raising butterflies for over 30 years.

16. Contemporary - self-expression through dance

This is a dance style that combines classical, jazz-modern and oriental art of movement (qigong, yoga and tai chi). There are no clear boundaries in it, the main thing is self-expression. Contemporary art teaches you to understand your body, control it and express your inner world through movements.

Level up at the same pace:

• "" - a site about the history, theory and practice of contempo. Lots of useful information about movements, methods and techniques.
• Contemporary-dance.org is a large English-language website about contemporary dance.

17. Dancehall - music and dance from the heart of Jamaica

This is a music and dance style that grew out of reggae. Dancehall dance is especially popular now. Its dynamics and emancipation captivate you from the first seconds. If you're tired of your routine, need a burst of energy and want to compete in dance battles, this is the hobby for you.

Get pumped up in dancehall:

• Dancehallreggae.com.au is an Australian website dedicated to Jamaican culture. There is a lot of music, videos and news from the world of reggae and dancehall.
• Dancedb.ru is a site where video lessons and information on various dance styles, including dancehall, are collected.

18. Zumba - dance fitness

Born at the intersection of hip-hop, salsa, samba, merengue, mambo, flamenco and belly dance. This trend was invented by Colombian Alberto Perez in the late 1990s. Zumba uses the maximum number of muscles - it is not only a great pastime, but also an effective way to lose weight.

Pump up in Zumba:

• Zumba.com is the official website of the Zumba fitness brand.
• Zumba.pro - online poster of Zumba events. Here you will find like-minded people, information about parties and master classes.

19. Bookcarving - book carving

Bookcarving is the creation of three-dimensional compositions from multi-page paper manuscripts. Carving translated from English means “carving”, book means “book”. Book carving is popular all over the world, but it requires patience, hard work and accuracy. This is a hobby for diligent people with artistic thinking. The greatest heights in this art were achieved by Brian Dettmer, Nicholas Galanin, Guy Laramie, Kylie Stillman and Robert Te.

Level up in bookcarving:

• Briandettmer.com - Brian Dettmer's official website with photographs of the magnificent master's works and videos of his performances.
• Artifex.ru - a selection of articles about book carving in this creative almanac.

20. Bookcrossing - book exchange

Bookcrossing can be called one of the ways of beautiful. The essence is this: a person who has read a book leaves it in some public place (library, cafe, bookstore, subway, and so on). A random passerby picks it up, takes it for himself to read, and in return he “loses” another book somewhere. You can track the movement of books on the project website. Its mission is to popularize reading and respect for nature.

Level up in bookcrossing:

• Bookcrossing.com is an international bookcrossing website.
• Ballycumber.ru is a Russian-language website in support of the international book exchange movement.

21. Postcrossing - a postcard from a stranger

Postcrossing is a global project, the essence of which is the exchange of paper postcards. The system gives you a random address, you send a postcard to the person, and then receive it from someone else (one of the schemes). As of 2017, over 676 thousand people from all over the world are registered on the official postcrossing website. People exchanged more than 40 million cards. Postcrossing is very popular in Russia and Belarus, because it is romantic and helps to find new friends.

Level up in postcrossing:

• Postcrossing.com is the official website of the project.
• Postcross.ru is a Russian-language portal for postcrossing enthusiasts.

22. Geocaching - treasure hunt

This is an international tourism game, the essence of which is to find “treasure”. Some players make caches, while others use GPS to search for them. Over its almost twenty-year history, the game has gained millions of fans. The advantage is that you can do this hobby not alone, but with the whole family or a group of friends.

Zlikovec/Depositphotos.com massonforstock/Depositphotos.com

Do you want to feel like a brave Roman legionnaire or a Russian warrior fighting for a prince? Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of historical reconstruction. This is both science and artistic creativity. Some restore ancient equipment and armor, others organize performances. To recreate everything reliably requires deep knowledge and patience. Historical reconstruction has many fans, clubs are created, and various festivals are held.

Level up in historical reconstructions:

• Rushistory.org is the official website of the Russian Historical Society, a portal for professionals and history buffs.
• Reconlog.ru - a catalog of historical reconstruction clubs, as well as events related to them.

25. Volunteering - free assistance

Volunteer activities are multifaceted. This is not only work in national parks and at sports and cultural events, but also, for example, helping orphans or homeless animals. You can choose the area of ​​volunteering you like and every day through good deeds you can receive a portion of new knowledge, experience and love.

Level up your volunteering:

• "European Voluntary Service" is an international volunteer program.
• “Volunteersrossii.rf” is the main volunteer resource in Russia.

What are you interested in? Tell us about your unusual hobbies in the comments.