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Hobbies

Most every American has a hobby of some type. They find it important to engage in something in their leisure time that is different from their daily occupation. If you want to find your ideal hobby then you need to decide what interests you. Investigate different hobbies by talking to others, going to shows, reading books or trying out a few. Within a short time you will know whether what you have tried is right for you.

Hobbies take on many forms, from the traditional to the unusual. One person may find peace in needlework, collecting or arts and crafts while another wants the excitement of such things as white water rafting, sky- diving or mountain climbing. There are probably as many different hobbies as there are people in the United States. A list of some of the most common ones, enjoyed primarily by women, would be knitting, crocheting, counted cross-stitch, sewing, pottery and ceramics. Some common male hobbies would include auto, motorcycle and four-wheeler racing, restoring antique automobiles, and coin collecting. That doesn't mean that any of these are exclusive for one sex or the other as males or females may be found in any of those listed. Others that are definitely enjoyed by either gender are: jewelry making, woodworking, collecting (anything), and collecting and restoring antiques. Very few households can be found that don't have at least one person in it collecting something, whether it be baseball cards, stamps, coins, matchbook covers or limited edition books. There are also the more traditional hobbies of traveling, camping, reading, doing crossword puzzles, gardening, etc.

An industry has grown up around collecting. All over the United States one will find shows for the benefit of collectors. On any given Sunday somewhere in the US there is a coin show; a baseball card show; a Barbie Doll show; an antique show; a depression glass show or a Classic Car show to name only a few. At these events collectors bring the things from their collection they would like to sell. When they have a chance, they walk around the other vendor booths and find that certain item they would like to add to their collection. The public is invited so those not wanting to sell have a chance to look for that special thing they have been searching for for years. These events run from one to three days and are usually held on a weekend.

Many people turn their hobby into a way to make some extra money. This is especially true of the crafter hobbyist. They will find a craft show in their area and sell their wares. These craft shows will feature the amateur painter, woodcrafter, ceramics worker, fabric crafter, home clothing designer, jewelry maker and crafters of other media. Some will only sell in their home town, while others will travel to surrounding states.

Along the same line, a new venture is the craft mall. These are stores which are sectioned off into areas of different sizes and rented by crafters. The crafter will display his/her wares in these booths and not have the trouble of packing, unpacking, and setting up at shows. These have become popular with the buying public who is looking for that special hand-made item, either for themselves or as a gift.

Find what is right for you. Once you find the perfect hobby you may feel that it has taken you over rather than the other way around. Anyway, relax and have fun.

Learn more about this author, Annalou Mack.
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