Are you a DIYer or not? and... What are your other hobbies?

DIY'er here although I've not had time to do it seriously in quite some time. Sadly my huge collection of oils and absolutes are just sitting around, slowly going bad.

My other hobbies are programming and music (guitar) - I also like designing things, usually (semi) abstract systems. I've participated in an MMO game design and am currently designing a system that looks at music and music theory through a new lens.

Yes, very much so. I'm a seamstress, I make and/or adjust a large portion of the clothes I wear, I toy with beads and jewellery sometimes, I am about to (try to) re-upholster and restore my furniture, make lampshades and redecorate in general, I cook, I dabble in photography a little, I make stuff for various junkets I do with a group of friends in 20's to 50's outfits, I arrange excursions, picnics, parties and the like sometimes..

Haven't tried my hand at making my own fragrances yet. I suppose I will, sooner or later.

My summer project was making Christmas ornaments from yarn, paper, beads, fabric, ribbons. Now, I'm working on more ornaments to donate for sale in the church fall festival. I'm not a DIY'er in terms of house projects like painting rooms and building things, but I like to crochet and do artsy-craftsy things. I like to putter. I haven't made my own perfumes, but I'd like to make some herbal blends for stuffing sleep pillows and sachets. I'd also like to look into making my own soaps. My "to do" list is a mile long.

In terms of handicraft, no, I am not particularly good at manufacturing anything by myself

However, friends tell me I am pretty good and creative amateur cook, also, I think I would be very good at organizing the PR/managerial/entrepreneurial part behind any self-employed/home-grown business and/or activity

I still make plans, not just dream, about the day when I might launch my own (more or less DIY, or at least based on my designs, tastes, ideas) line of fragrance/cosmetics/delicatessen/other similar luxury products someday

Jack of all trades here. I fix my own cars, build and fix computers, do all sorts of house maintenance, etc etc. I can't remember the last time I needed to hire someone to do something for me. Both my grandfathers were mechanical engineers so it would seem I got some of those genes.

Right now I'm working on building up a DYI food prep repertoire. I envy my pastry-chef girlfriend's ability to make everything from scratch. We're getting together with some friends soon for an Oktoberfest themed dinner so i'm using this to learn how to make sausage and traditional German dishes. Too bad I don't know anyone who can translate all those German cookbooks from my grandmother.

That's how I feel. I have so many different interests that I have a very hard time managing my time.

Perfumery, singing, songwriting, piano, guitar, writing, sports, languages, etc...

Once, when I was a kid I wanted to design athletic shoes. I think someday, I'd like to make a cool pair of shoes for myself.

Unfortunately, I have one more hobby that eats up too much of my time-- I call it bartending.

I'm not a DIY perfumer, but I have thought about making my own bay rum since seeing a couple of recipes on art of manliness. My other major hobby is reading.

Isn't he just!


I read a lot, too, Dennard. You should give the bay rum a try. I want to make my own limoncello (for drinking, not wearing).

I tried making my own perfumes but nothing ever turned out nice enough for me to want to wear. I decided to stick to making candles, incense and body products of my favorite fragances. They're fun and super easy, and the fragrance oil dupes while not exact are just fine for home fragrance, lotions and shower gels. Oh, and melt & pour soaps. These smell great and look beautiful, but I haven't found a melt & pour base that I'd want to use on my body. They're fine for the kitchen sink, though.

I take a lot of classes - pottery, ballet, foreign language, etc. I also paint, make jewelry, cook and bake. Baking is my newest hobby. I made my own starter in October of 2008 and I haven't bought a loaf of sliced bread since! I haven't perfected a baguette though.

lilybelle - limoncello is so easy to make, it just takes a bit of patience...well, about a week's* worth, but it's completely worth it. And that time is going to pass anyway so you might as well have a big ol' batch of limoncello waiting for you! I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but it's very tasty too! Cherry Bounce and Peach Brandy are tradional holiday libations in my family, and almost all the ladies, myself included, "put up" jugs of these every spring.

I also read a lot, but I consider that a pastime rather than a hobby...but I collect 1st editions, and that's definitely a hobby. I share that with my fiancé and we have a lot of fun hunting down rare or vintage editions.


*eta - a week is needed for the quickest method, but some recipes call for six or more weeks.

I have a great recipe tucked away somewhere for Limoncello, I just need to get on with it. As you say, the time will pass anyway. I've never heard of Cherry Bounce.

Yes. I definitely did make my own perfumes, many decades back. And I often Do-It-Myself still, in many areas. Landscaping, home repair jobs, car repairs, and eventually sailboat construction. Personally, I think my desire to DIM stems from my being a complete and utter control freak.

I like DIYing and try not to miss an opportunity to learn how to do something useful for myself rather than hiring/buying premade, etc. Self-sufficiency is rewarding in so many ways, and it's fun to learn how to do stuff and be "that guy who knows how to do everything."

I'm a little hindered by my lack of working space or a garage, but I do what I can.

I actually think all interior designers are DIY types by nature, before we even enter the schooling.

I have always made everything... from my own curtains to bedspreads to picture frames. I can build furniture, wallpaper, upholster, you name it. Honestly, I'd feel perfectly confident at this point, running electric or plumbingall on my own. One day, I'd like to build my own home from scratch!

I don't consider myself a DIY'er but I consider myself curious.
at the point where I know enough to begin doing something professionally, I move on.
art is long, life is short.