what crafts/hobbies can a person who has Arthritis do?
I just got hired on at a JoAn”s fabric and craft store, and most of the ladies that come in have comented that they have some form of Arthritis and can’t do the crafts/hobbies that they once did…..
And if I knew of another craft that they could start doing.
Please if you have a friend or family member that has Arthritis, what do they do for a craft or hobby??
Thank You…..
SJ
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I have painful arthritis in my fingers, but am still able to do counted cross stitch. It helps to keep fingers from stiffening up completely. You are very kind to want to help.
my mum does the rubiks cube
I’d recommend either singing, or writing stories and poetry. It doesn’t involve much physical movement, and having a condition like arthritis can be something to write about that’s inspirational and tear-jerking.
Good luck.
watercolor painting is easy on the hands. much easier than thicker paints like oils. acrylics would be okay as well and they can be diluted with water just like watercolors.
or even fabric painting.
I myself have it and still do knitting and cardmaking also do sewing
Hi! How thoughtful of you to be so considerate of your customers – I’m sure they will appreciate your efforts! My mother had severe arthritis in her hands, and she used crocheting to help relieve the pain and stiffness. She made the most beautiful “Granny Square” afghans ! Crocheting really helped keep her hands limber and flexible for many, many years. She said crocheting actually helped her remain independent as she grew older. Hope this helps!
some women still use crocheting as an aid to help limber up their fingers. they usually use a larger hook
Here are some helpful tips:
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52384
I was diagnosed severe with R.A. in 1992 in all joints of my fingers. I have continued to crochet, hand piece quilts, knit, and work at a keyboard of a computer 8 hours a day. My doctor says that by using my fingers I keep them from stiffening. He has another patient who does pencil drawings that are fine enough to hang in a museum! As for the pain, it never goes away, it just get better and worse depending on changes in weather. Swimming is very good for people with Arthritis. Strangely it doesn’t matter if the water is warm or cold. They only know that it helps with the pain and I have proven it by swimming in heated pools and scuba diving in the winter when the water is close to freezing.
If your customers are still able to use scissors and a glue stick, scrap-booking could be the answer. If they still have the ability for fine finger motion, sewing on a machine could be a possibility. If their finger mobility is not too great they can do needlepoint on plastic grids. Good luck and keep up the good work.
Virtually any craft requires manual dexterity which arthritis affects. I started machine embroidery because of it. Sewing, embroidery, quilting machines, or combos, are expensive, however. Suggest customers consider painting (canvas, wood, fabric, etc.), wood-burning, decoupage, beading, foam crafts, or applique embroidery, if they have a sewing machine. Direct them to craft magazines or even craft forums on the internet for ideas. Yahoo Groups surely ought to have a forum for crafty authritics!
You might want to check out the “Disabilities” page at my online polymer clay encyclopedia site for some ideas about doing clay (or other crafts) with physical problems, as well as some links to other potentially helpful sites.
http://glassattic.com/polymer/disabilities.htm
(there are several categories on that page you might be interested in checking out)
Most crafts can still be done with arthritis, but sometimes they may have to change in some way… whether that’s the way they’re done, new tools to use, ways to make smaller things or break up the work into smaller portions, or whaetever. etc., etc.
Diane B.
I have arthritis in my hands. {Elsewhere too}I crochet, knit do all types of needlework, miniature making, hand sewing. If they have never done these start slow. Knit / crochet with bigger hooks/needles. I have to keep them as limber as possible as my job has me on computers at least 6 of an 8 hr day.