Bored and looking for a hobby

VisualBrian said:
Yes, this is something I have considered numerous times but something about it after shopping online has held me back. That and I'm not sure about the painting part or what that would take to set up. It's still an interesting possibility. How are you set up to build and finish your models and do you find it expensive?
Click to expand...
It is not really that expensive ($15 to $30). Buy some glue and paint. Paint can get expensive, but I buy mine as I need it. Get a model, usually the paint colors needed are on the carton, if not look in the instructions. After doing 3-4 models your paints will be fairly well set. I'd guess maybe $50 to get you going on a model. Compared to most hobbies that's a deal for all the fun and time you can burn building your favorite car. And now days you can get everything you need on-line...
 
This isn't really a hobby, I suppose, but how about going to classic car shows? There are plenty around my neck of the woods during the summer months.
VisualBrian said:
Those are all good ideas. I made a few bird houses out of scrap wood when I moved here. They could use some improvement now.
Click to expand...
You could make them for owls or bats as well.

I know a fellow who likes pottery classes.
 
How about something in restoration? Since you want to buy an old guy and pretty it up, perhaps you could learn some techniques by restoring other things? Could be anything from old tools, to small engines, to pieces of furniture......... and what you learn would be transferable to when you got that car.
 
VaughanJB said:
How about something in restoration? Since you want to buy an old guy and pretty it up, perhaps you could learn some techniques by restoring other things? Could be anything from old tools, to small engines, to pieces of furniture......... and what you learn would be transferable to when you got that car.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. I'm going to the flea market this weekend to see what I can find. Hopefully, something will speak to me.
 
If you like taking photos, you might be able to go to some of the car shows and take pictures of the car and sell them to the owners. Or, if someone is selling their vehicle and needs good photos, you could do that, like real estate agents who take good quality photos of the home for sale.
Many people who are selling their classic car probably canā€™t take good quality photos that show the vehicle to its best advantage, and if you enjoy photography, this is something you might find interesting and also profitable to fund your own classic car project.
 
VisualBrian said:
Thanks, that's a good idea and seems easy and cheap to get into.
Click to expand...
Watercolor isn't so cheap if you use the the best supplies and it really does make a difference. I use Windsor & Newton paint which is about $6 for a small tube and about $16 for a larger one and you want lots of colors. The watercolor paper I use is Arches140 lb cold press at about $8. per sheet. I usually get 2 paintings per 22 by 30 sheet. Not to discourage you. You can start small and gradually add colors.
 
oldman said:
Short wave radio. Talk to people all over the world. Initially, you will spend some money but after that, you can add the accessories as you go along. Some good times bantering back and forth. Get yourself a good radio, microphone and antenna and then start communicating.

Talk to people in other countries around the world and even ships.
Click to expand...
I still do shortwave. Last year, I put up a new model of BNC antenna. I live a pretty private life in my neighborhood and I live at the end of a cul-de-sac with no neighbors within 30 yards of me. After I installed the new antenna, the one neighbor that I do communicate with said there was a rumor going around that I was some type of spy. I had a good laugh with that one.

I have 2 different styles of antennas, so I am guessing it probably looks obscure to everyone that doesn't understand shortwave. One neighbor said that my transmissions sometimes interferes with his TV signal, which isn't totally impossible. If he has cable, it's less likely to happen. I also have cameras outside my house, so maybe I look a little suspicious to them yet, no one has ever approached me to even say Good Morning or Hello.
 
I used to keep a scanner tuned to the local fire and police departments. I also had a CB Radio and license, which I don't think you need anymore. We were only allowed to go to 4 watts, but I had an illegal booster on my radio, which I bought from an aftermarket supplier in Tennessee. That pushed it to 15 watts. Strictly illegal, but I thought all that would happen if I got caught with it is that I would get a small fine. When I found out that it could include jail time and a huge fine, I disconnected the booster.

I was till in high school at the time. My parents wanted it gone because when I turned on the booster, it affected the TV at that time. They could hear my transmissions. Today, with cable TV, it most likely would not.
 
Alizerine said:
Watercolor isn't so cheap if you use the the best supplies and it really does make a difference. I use Windsor & Newton paint which is about $6 for a small tube and about $16 for a larger one and you want lots of colors. The watercolor paper I use is Arches140 lb cold press at about $8. per sheet. I usually get 2 paintings per 22 by 30 sheet. Not to discourage you. You can start small and gradually add colors.
Click to expand...
If I were beginning to paint, I would go to oil paints as they are more forgiving of mistakes. With watercolors once you touch the paper the color is transferred and cannot be covered up. On oils, you can, to some degree, correct errors without starting over...
 
VisualBrian said:
Good point.
Click to expand...
I speak from experience. I love working with oils, so one day I thought to avoid all the odors and clean up mess I would switch to watercolors. Did I learn lesson(s)! Once you touch the paper the color is transferred in the paper. Therefore, no removing it, no blending another color (you have to do that before you put it on the paper), if it is not correct you get to...start over!

I love the easy clean up with WCs, but you better be a very good painter, because you only get one shot on each stroke of each color or line...

Good luck...
 
Last edited:
VisualBrian said:
Just two weeks ago I went to Guitar Center and bought a used acoustical guitar. I used to play a bit when I was younger, and I thought I'd see if I could get back into it. Unfortunately, my arthritis said NO and I had to return it after a week. On the bright side, it's less painful this way. :)
Click to expand...
You may have given up too soon. It will take a while for your body to get used to playing again and keeping your fingers moving actually can be good for arthritis.

Did you sing when you played ? One thing you might enjoy is karaoke. There are some free karaoke apps that offer background music that you can legally use to do whatever you want. You can sing and record your own music and share it with others. I have done a hundred or so songs and shared some of them here. Itā€™s really fun.

Painting is also something I enjoy. You can buy books that offer stencils and give step by step instructions on how to do it.

You might want to start wood carving. Itā€™s fun making Christmas decorations from branches of wood.

Building model ships, cars, airplanes etc.
 
Since i got the Pigment app, I have been using that to paint and color with my ipad. I love doing it, and find it relaxing when I just need something enjoyable to do.
I donā€™t need any special equipment to do it, because it is all online.


IMG_6613.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top