For one thing, where crafting used to be largely fueled by small, independent stores, now a lot of the big chains are getting involved — and not just places like Michaels and Roberts. "With the growth in popularity, discounters, including Wal-Mart, are enlarging their craft sections. Jo-Ann Fabrics has changed its name to Jo-Ann Stores and offers much more than fabric," said Barlow.

Other trends he pointed out:

• Celebrities are taking up crafts in big numbers. Julia Roberts, Kristin Davis, David Arquette and Cameron Diaz are among the knitters. Katie Holmes and Lorraine Bracco paint pottery. Nicole Kidman and Elizabeth Hurley do their own sewing. Jennifer Love Hewitt paints hatboxes. Kate Hudson does mosaics. Tony Bennett, Donna Summer and John Cougar Mellencamp love to paint. There's a big carry-over effect.

• Crafts are appealing to a younger segment of the population. Barlow quoted Creative Leisure News' explanation that where "baby boomers grew up with strict fashion, style and behavior rules, Gen-Xers and echo boomers haven't just ignored the rules, they have developed their own new paradigm that focuses on, and values, creativity and individual expression. The young, hip crafting segments is all about individuality."

• Traditional crafts have resurfaced in new ways. Knitting is more popular than ever, in part because yarns that used to work for afghans have become funky fibers for scarves and other fashion accessories. Quilts are no longer just for beds. They have become "canvases" on many levels, as well as "memory-making" hobbies.

In addition, said Barlow, you can't discount the effect that doing something fun, something they like, has on people. "There's a lot of stress out there. In the next 25 years, there's going to be even more. Crafts and hobbies help people deal with it."

---

E-mail: carma@desnews.com