織毛衣、畫畫、做木工……親手制作工藝品很有滿足感。不少人都以做手工為業(yè)余愛好，一方面可以鍛煉動手能力、激發(fā)創(chuàng)造力并增添生活樂趣，另一方面也可以改善心理健康。本期 “隨身英語” 節(jié)目探討做手工有哪些好處。

詞匯：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.

詞匯表

good with your hands 手巧
crafting 手工制作
hobby 興趣愛好
creative 創(chuàng)造性的，創(chuàng)意的
craft making 做手工
knitting 針織
crocheting 鉤織
pottery 陶藝
painting 繪畫
revival 再度流行
arts and crafts 美術與工藝
pastime 消遣活動
handmade 手工制作的
satisfaction 滿足感
carpentry 木匠活，木工
weaving 編織
craft kit 工藝套裝
candle making 制作蠟燭
macrame 編繩，編結
from scratch 從零開始

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

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. 選擇意思恰當?shù)膯卧~或詞組來完成下列句子。

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. 閱讀課文并回答問題。

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.  選擇意思恰當?shù)膯卧~或詞組來完成下列句子。

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.