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Keep Your Hands Busy with Crochet Macramé or Rattan

At-home hobbies are helping people stay active and engaged during the pandemic

Fly_dragonfly / getty images Most of the nation is spending a tremendous amount of time at home, and people are bored. They're looking to resurrect old hobbies — or start new ones. “I think we're in a general ‘makers movement,’ “ says Dayna Isom Johnson, trend expert for the e-commerce crafting site Etsy. "Younger people, older people — everyone wants to do something with their hands again. People are craving something special,” says Isom Johnson, who was a judge on the new NBC television show Making It, a competition series for makers that was hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. “They want something unique that can't be found anywhere else." Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. In fact, there has been an increase in demand for a variety of arts-and-crafts activities (as well as musical instruments and toys), since a greater number of people have entered self-isolation, according to NMPI, a digital marketing agency that studies these trends. And “arts-and-crafts retailers are considered more of an ‘essential’ during this time as they are able to ." Handmade (and handmade-looking) pieces can be purchased online or in stores; or you can learn these crafts yourself with the help of DIY kits and online tutorials. “People are craving that time when you could show off something you made and feel proud,” Isom Johnson adds. In fact, according to NMPI, “an increased number of news articles, blogs and YouTube videos are detailing crafts and hobbies to carry out at home, while people are , focusing on the positive impacts including stress and anxiety reduction." The has made it difficult to obtain the proper thread and yarn in some places. But Amazon can typically deliver in less than a week; crafts stores like Joann's Fabrics and Michael's sometimes offer same-day delivery, if there's a store near you. Here are some of today's hottest decor trends from the 1970s that have been brought back to life. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > The resurrected craft is popping up in all manner of home decor and furniture: swinging chairs, benches, table runners. You might even spot some at your child's or grandchild's wedding — draped over the backs of chairs, as photo booth backdrops, even as part of the altar regalia. The macramé of today has been reimagined beyond just beige or white: Think ombré effect (fading from one hue of a color to another) and bright, vibrant dyes. These days, materials are more varied than standard brown jute: There's packing twine, cotton rope, hemp or even the jersey used to make T-shirts. "I really enjoy making macramé and coming up with new designs and ideas to make them unique,” says Natasha Vahk, owner of Etsy's Creative Chic Shop, based in Spokane, Washington. “My newest wall hanging is on a piece of thick rubber pipe with artificial greens inside." The new take on this old craft is resonating. Compared with last year, Etsy has seen searches for macramé increase by 60 percent in the past three complete months. Those who are feeling nostalgic — or want to pick up the hobby for the first time — can find thousands of how-to videos on YouTube or order DIY kits from sites such as ModernMacrame.com or Etsy.

Rattan

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Terrazzo

Dating back centuries, marble-flecked terrazzo surfaces enjoyed great popularity as floors and backsplashes in schools and hospitals of the 1970s. Now the look is back. “In its revival, you find terrazzo has exploded across all categories,” Isom Johnson says. “The speckled effect is mimicked on wallpaper, journals and artwork of all kinds. It's gorgeous and really fresh." You can learn to make your own terrazzo-inspired products on sites like and YouTube. More on home-family AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS