织毛衣、画画、做木工……亲手制作工艺品很有满足感。不少人都以做手工为业余爱好，一方面可以锻炼动手能力、激发创造力并增添生活乐趣，另一方面也可以改善心理健康。本期 “随身英语” 节目探讨做手工有哪些好处。

词汇：craft 手工

Are you good with your hands? Many of us like to make things which we can use or give as gifts. Crafting is certainly a hobby that’s seen a resurgence, and those who pursue it claim getting creative improves their mood.

The recent lockdowns caused by the Covid pandemic gave people time at home to try out new activities, which they’ve continued to enjoy. Many turned to hobbies such as craft making as a way to soothe their work-from-home burnout. Knitting, crocheting, pottery and painting are all crafts that have seen a revival, and many of them are being done by younger people.

But even before the pandemic, people were turning to arts and crafts as an interesting pastime and even a way to make a bit of pocket money. Numerous websites, such as Etsy and Folksy, allowed people to sell their handmade goods. Richard Sennett, author of the Craftsman, told the BBC that: “A lot of people are finding their day jobs pretty empty, whereas learning a craft provides a real satisfaction. It’s a skill – things like carpentry and weaving are mentally and physically stimulating, and people get inherent pleasure out of that kind of work”.

The internet has also been the place to turn to to buy craft kits which help you get started with your craft-making projects, such as candle making or macrame. But many people are enjoying designing and making things from scratch and are doing it just for pleasure or to occupy their minds – and there’s evidence that it’s good for us as well. According to research commissioned by BBC Arts, even the briefest time spent on a creative pastime such as painting, pottery or playing the piano, has an impact on our wellbeing and emotions. The survey of around 50,000 people found being creative can help avoid stress, free up mind space and improve self-development, which helps build self-esteem.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect tonic for your stressed-out life, maybe now’s the time to get creative.

词汇表

good with your hands 手巧
crafting 手工制作
hobby 兴趣爱好
creative 创造性的，创意的
craft making 做手工
knitting 针织
crocheting 钩织
pottery 陶艺
painting 绘画
revival 再度流行
arts and crafts 美术与工艺
pastime 消遣活动
handmade 手工制作的
satisfaction 满足感
carpentry 木匠活，木工
weaving 编织
craft kit 工艺套装
candle making 制作蜡烛
macrame 编绳，编结
from scratch 从零开始

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Name a craft that has seen a revival.

2. Which two activities, according to Richard Sennett, are mentally and physically stimulating?

3. According to a BBC survey, what is doing craft good for?

4. Why have people recently had more time to pursue craft activities?

5. What might you make if you sell your homemade products on a website?

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. I find photography a very _______ pastime.

crafting                         revival                      creative                       satisfaction

2. I’m _______ a jumper for my mum – I hope she likes it!

painting                        pottery                      weaving                       knitting

3. My home-made sculpture was awful, so I’m going to make it again _______.

from scratched             from scratch              from scratching           from scratches

4. I’m studying _______ at an evening class because I want to make a wooden chair for our kitchen.

weaving                        carpentry                  pottery                         crocheting

5. My grandad was so _______, he could make almost anything in his workshop.

good with his hands                                       good of his hands     

good with hand                                              good hands

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Name a craft that has seen a revival.
Knitting, crocheting, pottery and painting are all crafts that have seen a revival.

2. Which two activities, according to Richard Sennett, are mentally and physically stimulating?
Things like carpentry and weaving are mentally and physically stimulating.

3. According to a BBC survey, what is doing craft good for?
The BBC Arts survey found that even the briefest time spent on a creative pastime such as painting, pottery or playing the piano, has an impact on our wellbeing and emotions.

4. Why have people recently had more time to pursue craft activities?
The recent lockdowns caused by the Covid pandemic gave people time at home to try out new activities.

5. What might you make if you sell your homemade products on a website?
Selling your crafts on a website might make you a bit of pocket money.

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. I find photography a very creative pastime.

2. I’m knitting a jumper for my mum – I hope she likes it!

3. My home-made sculpture was awful, so I’m going to make it again from scratch.

4. I’m studying carpentry at an evening class because I want to make a wooden chair for our kitchen.

5. My grandad was so good with his hands; he could make almost anything in his workshop.