This part of our web guide discusses equipment, accessories, and supplies related to hobbies and crafts.
Hobbies and crafts are activities that people engage in during their free time, but they are not the same thing. Generally, a hobby is an activity that people engage in for enjoyment, relaxation, or pleasure, while a craft requires more skill and dedication to create things for sale or use.
It is not unusual for a craft to begin as a hobby.
Hobbies are activities that people pursue for pleasure and relaxation. Typically, they are non-professional and carried on primarily for enjoyment rather than financial gain. Examples of hobbies include gardening, reading, musical instruments, and collecting stamps.
Crafts, on the other hand, involve creating something tangible, usually with the intention of producing a useful or decorative product. Crafting requires a certain level of skill and attention to detail, and the products of crafts can be sold or used regularly. Examples of crafts include knitting, woodworking, pottery, and jewelry making. Keep in mind that these activities may also be pursued as hobbies.
The primary differences between hobbies and crafts is in their purpose and the level of skill involved. Hobbies are generally pursued for relaxation and enjoyment without the need of producing a marketable product. Hobbies don't usually require a high degree of skill, precision, or dedication, although there are certainly exceptions.
Crafts involve the creation of products that are either functional of decorative, in most cases. This is a process that requires greater skill, precision, and dedication. Crafint can also involve the pressure of producing items that meet certain quality standards, particularly if they are produced for sale.
Despite these differences, hobbies and crafts share several similarities. Both the hobbyist and the craftsperson dervive a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, in most cases. Engaging in hobbies and crafts can also serve as stress relief, or a way to unwind from everyday demands.
Hobbies sometimes develop into crafts, as hobbyists develop their skills and take their hobby to a more advanced level.
For example, many professional photographs initially pursued photography as a hobby. As the hobbyist photographer learns more about techniques, equipment, and editing, they sometimes find that their photographs are in demand, and they may start selling their photos or offering professional photography services. Artists often begin their artistic pursuits as a hobby yet, as they refine their techniques, they might find that their art can be sold or displayed in galleries.
A category for Crafts can be found in our Arts & Literature category which is designed to provide other resources for craftspeople, such as guides, tutorials, and links to crafts guilds, and other informational websites.
This category, located in our Shopping & eCommerce category is intended to provide resources for buying crafts supplies, such as manufacturers and retailers specializing in producing or selling crafts supplies.
Below, you will find online resources for equipment, accessories, supplies, or other products used by hobbyists and craftspeople.
Categories
Amateur RadioCollectingJewelry Design & BeadingKnitting & CrochetKnots | ModelsNeedlecraftScrapbookingSoap & Candlemaking |
Recommended Resources
Begun as a cooperative venture between two Pennsylvania Dutch Amish farm families looking for an outlet for the several acres of gourds they grow and dry each year, this website serves as a intermediary between the Amish growers and the hobbyists they serve. Since 2004, Amish Gourds has been supplying craft lovers with gourds for a variety of purposes. All of its gourds are shipped dried, cleaned, and ready to be turned into gourd birdhouses or to be used as crafting accessories.
https://www.amishgourds.com/
Maintained by Fahey Byrum III, who operates a certified organic cotton, sage, and hemp farm in northeastern North Carolina, the site offers a variety of products that include raw cotton, cotton bolls, cotton burs, cottonseed, fine cotton fibers, cotton plants, and hemp products, with an emphasis on sustainable farming practices and personalized service to customers. Its products are described and pictured, and a telephone number, email address, and hours are posted.
https://cottonman.com/
Located in Randolph, New Jersey, Cra-Z-Art is a manufacturer of classic toys, arts and crafts kits, puzzles, and school supplies. After selling his family's toy company, RoseArt, Lawrence Rosen started Cra-Z-Art in 2008, bought back his RoseArt company in 2021, and opened a sales office in England. Its online shopping site features a range of products, including classic art sets, school supplies, and activity sets, including its Cra-Z-Loom, Softee Dough, The Real Cotton Candy Maker, and others.
https://cra-z-art.com/
A Cricut machine is a versatile cutting tool used for a variety of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. It is particularly popular among crafters and hobbyists because it can precisely cut through different materials like paper, vinyl, fabric, and even thin wood. It is used in paper crafts to create intricate designs for cards, scrapbooking, or decorations, as well as for vinyl decals, fabric projects, and personalized gifts. It connects to a computer with Cricut's design software installed.
https://cricut.com/
Fire Mountain Gems & Beads is a reputable supplier of beading and jewelry-making supplies. They have been in business for more than thirty years and offer a wide range of products, from beads and findings to tools and packaging. They also provide free printed catalogs, tutorials, and a resource center to help both beginner and professionals with their jewelry-making projects. An online web store, special orders, pricing, and its Platinum Partner's program are highlighted.
https://www.firemountaingems.com/
With more than a thousand stores in 48 U.S. states, Hobby Lobby Stores is an American retailer of arts and crafts supplies. Based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the company's products are also available on its website. Its product catalog is sorted by department, with separate categories for home decor, seasonal items, and do-it-yourself products. Also included is a store directory, custom framing services, affiliated companies, career opportunities, gift cards, and contacts.
https://www.hobbylobby.com/
Headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, Horizon Hobby has additional facilities in California, the United Kingdom, Germany, and China. The well-known company specializes in hobby-grade radio-controlled (RC) models, including RC cars, airplanes, boats, and others. The company offers a wide range of products for hobbyists of varying skill levels. Its brands include ARRMA, Axial, Losi, and Eflite, among others. Its products, brands, new releases, and product registration are available.
https://www.horizonhobby.com/
Officially known as Joann Fabric and Craft Stores, the American fabric and crafts retail company is based in Hudson, Ohio. It operates the retail chains, "JOANN Fabrics and Crafts" and "Jo-Ann Etc.," with more than 800 stores in 49 stores. The company also sells its products through its web store. Its web catalog includes fabrics, sewing supplies, yarn, needle arts, home decor, and other items, including weekly discount ads and discounts for students, teachers, military, and healthcare workers.
https://www.joann.com/
Mega Hobby is a US-based online hobby shop offering a range of products that includes plastic model kits, model railroading, model rockets, educational models, wood models, model ships, and other models, as well as paints, paint-by-numbers, Pinewood Derby supplies, snap-together kits, supplies for building models, scenery, and other things from scratch. Customers may shop by product or by brand. Reviews are included, and contacts and gift certificates are available.
https://www.megahobby.com/
The UK-based dolls house miniature retailer and manufacturer offers over 8,000 products, many of which are made in the United Kingdom. The products offered include dolls houses, miniature food, ceramics, hand blown glass, accessories, carpets and rugs, flowers, shop displays, miniature reproduction labels, furniture and electric lights. Its products are ideal for dollhouse projects, miniature battlefields, and similar projects. Previews and a gallery of photographs are included.
https://www.mytinyworld.co.uk/
Founded in 1928 and online since 1995, Woodcraft offers woodworking tools, plans and supplies. Its website includes a product index, store locator, catalog request and quick order forms, sales flyers, rebates programs, product instructions, how-to videos, woodworking articles, free project plans, and an overview of its in-store classes at its eighty stores nationwide. A printed catalog is available on request, and its address, contacts, and store locator are provided.
https://www.woodcraft.com/
