The arts and crafts of making

Nicolaus Myers fell in love with clay as a high school freshman, and working a pottery wheel is still a stress reliever for the University of Delaware sophomore.

"I find it very therapeutic throwing on the wheel," he said. "I don't really go into it with a mindset of what I want to create. I just let the clay go where it wants to."

An environmental engineering major with a minor in environmental sustainability, Myers pursues his passion as president of the UD Ceramics Club, one of the Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at UD that offer students a shared space to foster creativity and connection.

UD's active hobby-based clubs like ceramics, origami, knitting and crochet, and printmaking illustrate the growing popularity of "granny crafts" or "slow crafting," and how teens and young adults are rediscovering the mental and emotional benefits of mindful, hands-on creativity.

"Mental health research shows that fiber arts can boost well-being by fostering belonging, social connection, self-expression and a sense of accomplishment," said Brooke Kohler, associate clinician at the Center for Counseling and Student Development, which offers services to students.