Ever wondered what digital crafts are all about? Well, it's pretty simple – think about any type of Arts & Crafts hobby, and find out if it's possible to make it digital. Some examples of digital crafting hobbies are scrapbooking, drawing, card making, painting, and journaling, but all in the digital realm.
There are many reasons why digital crafting could be a good place to start if you are looking for a new creative outlet. In this blog post, I'll share eight reasons why you should consider diving headfirst into the world of digital crafting.
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I started doing digital crafts in 2020. Yup, the good old pandemic year, that gave people the time to stay more at home and therefore also get some new hobbies. I longed to use colors and be creative, but I can't paint or draw. And that's how I ended up creating digital stickers (clipart) and textures (also called digital papers). These items are design assets that people with different digital crafting hobbies use, for example for card making, journaling or scrapbooking. But there are so many different ways of doing digital crafts! Let's get on to the list!
Eight reasons why you should start a digital crafting hobby
1. Less Mess, More Magic: One of the most significant advantages of digital crafting is the absence of mess. No more spilled ink, scattered paper scraps, a cluttered workspace, or glitter ending up in the most peculiar places. Instead, you can create your masterpieces without worrying about tidying up afterwards. It's a clean and organized way to let your creativity flow.
2. Space-Saving Sensation: Say goodbye to storage woes! Digital crafting eliminates the need for bulky stacks of paper, numerous art supplies, and overflowing storage cabinets. Everything you create can be stored neatly on your computer or tablet, taking up no physical space at all. Pretty neat, right?
3. Creativity on the Go: Imagine being able to take your hobby with you wherever you go. With digital crafting, all you need is your trusty laptop, and you can dive into your projects at any time, whether you're at home, traveling, or sipping cocoa at a cafe. It's a world of creativity at your fingertips. Of course there are plenty of accessories out there you might want to get depending on your hobby. If you want to draw digitally for example, you might want to get a drawing board, or an iPad with a pen, if you want a more versatile tool, but in most cases, this won't be necessary at all.
4. Reusable Resources: Unlike traditional crafting supplies that get used up, digital tools and programs can be used over and over again. Invest in quality software and resources, and you'll have an endless supply of digital materials at your disposal. No need to restock or replace items.
5. Not costly: As long as you already have a computer or an iPad with a stylus pen, getting started is not expensive. You might already have a program on your computer which allows you to do digital crafts, or if you want to buy a new software, you typically pay a monthly fee. Not like 15 years ago when programs like Photoshop costed a fortune, and you had to pay up front. Nope! You can often get free 30 day trials on many different softwares, so you can experiment before you decide. After that it's possible to go for a monthly payment, which usually are around 10-20 dollars.
Other than software, you might want assets like digital textures, clipart or software brushes – depending on what you create. These assets are fairly inexpensive, especially if you get a subscription on CF, which I think is the best option on the market for creators. At 4.99 a month, it's a steal!
6. Instant gratification:
What I think is the best part of having a digital crafting hobby, is that you can get everything you need right now. You can download beautiful products instantly and start using them right away, you don't need to wait a week for the courier to deliver your package.
7. A World of Possibilities:
Digital crafting opens up new possibilities and techniques. Explore endless color palettes, experiment with layers, and even undo mistakes with ease. You can bring your crafting to a whole new level of precision and creativity.
8. It's easy to find likeminded people:
Since the crafts are digital, you can bet your fellow crafters hang out online! Connect with fellow digital crafters on places like Reddit, Etsy or Facebook. Share your work, get inspired, and learn new techniques. It's a great way to be part of a supportive and creative community.
So, if you're a creative soul looking to embrace a cleaner, more flexible, and portable crafty world, consider making the transition from traditional crafts to digital crafting. Whether you're into digital planners, scrapbooking, or any other form of digital art, the possibilities are endless. With less mess, more portability, and reusable resources, digital crafting is ready to take your creativity to new heights. I've previously written a post about making digital planners/journals, so I suggest you check out that post!
It's time to go digital, and let your imagination run wild! Happy crafting!