Archive for local hobby shop
Are Hobbies for Men and Crafts for Women?
Posted by: | CommentsWhat’s the difference between a craft and a hobby? According to Webster’s Dictionary, a craft is a special skill, art, or dexterity. A craftsperson is a worker in a skilled trade, an artisan or an artist. A hobby is something that one likes to do or study in one’s spare time; a favorite pastime or avocation.
The crossover is unmistakable, yet we find that the hobby industry is particularly geared toward men, while the craft industry focuses on women. My husband is a scale model builder, and is by industry definition, a hobbyist. I believe his work says otherwise … it requires a special skill, artistic creativity, and a high amount of dexterity. Don’t make the mistake of referring to model building as a craft, however. Somehow these terms have morphed into gender specific activities.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not pushing the idea that every woman needs to get into scale modeling or that every man pick up knitting, but I am questioning the artificial separation of the two industries. Generally speaking, craft stores are for women; hobby stores are for men. If this was working for the retailer, I’d say great! But many craft stores and hobby stores are struggling to survive. Likewise, especially in our current economy, hobby and craft manufacturers are feeling the pinch.
Craft and hobby manufacturers and retail store owners would do well to take note of the other half of the population, giving serious thought as to how to reach across gender lines in product lines and marketing efforts. Hobby store owners, do your product line, store layout, and marketing materials appeal to both men and women? In many households, moms are responsible for the lion’s share of purchasing decisions. In single parent families, moms make all the purchasing decisions, and many would be highly interested in hobbies that offer educational value for their children.
Craft store owners, do your product line, store layout, and marketing materials exclude men?
So, what do you think? Are hobbies for men and crafts for women? Should the craft and hobby industries remain distinct and separate? Why or why not?
Rocket Launching 101 – A Mom’s Guide
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Fun with a Stomp Rocket
by Nabeel H on flickr
If you’re into educational hobbies and practice the fine art of promoting your kids’ educational awareness, then I’m sure at some point your kids have wondered how to make a rocket. Most moms would say, “Dad will be home soon, he’ll help you,” but not you. You’re not “most moms” and you’re going to figure this puppy out! I’ve been there. I can help.
First of all, you’ll be glad to know, you don’t have to make a rocket from scratch. You can find rockets and rocket kits for every age group and skill level at your local hobby shop or online hobby retailer.
I recommend you start easy and small with your very young ones. Stomp rockets can entertain your five-year old safely with rockets that only go 100 feet in the air and are made of foam. The concept is, you step on the air-filled paddle that is attached to a small hose and it pushes air with pressure to launch the foam rocket into the sky. You’re looking at around $5.00 – $10.00, maybe a little more, but not much.
But if your little darling wants one NOW, here’s an idea:
How to make a rocket
Don’t get intimidated learning how to make a rocket; NASA has this all figured out. I would try this with my elementary-age child. You’ll know your child’s attention span well enough to know if he or she is ready.
I will say this. Don’t wait for a “better time.” Two of my children have graduated; Two more graduate this year and my youngest is starting high school. I can tell you there is no better time to interest them in science than right now. If you don’t endorse educational hobbies as a parent early on, you will not get the chance later because they simply won’t care. And this isn’t just for the boys! If you have a daughter, she absolutely needs to get a thrill from science. Science teaches children how to think for themselves and problem solve.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 liter plastic soda bottle
- 2 drinking straws, one larger than the other
- small amount of modeling clay
- two strips of paper: 5 x 1 inch and 3 x 1 inch
- tape
Take the lid and label off the soda bottle. Stop up the top with some of the clay. Stick the small straw through it so you can see it inside.
Take the strips of paper and form them into two cones around each end of the larger straw. The small cone becomes the rocket tip and the larger becomes its tail section. Stop up the rocket tip with a small ball of modeling clay.
Now, slip the “rocket” onto the smaller straw inside the soda bottle. Stand up the soda bottle, and squeeze! Voila! Just some simple air rocketry, folks. Nobody gets hurt.
Learn more safe rocket making ideas on the NASA site, The Space Place.
