Building Models as a Hobby or Art and Craft Interest

Grandfather's model was the an airplane made from balsa wood. Today's model makers enjoy plastic replicas of modern air machines.

Childhood memories inspire our favorite pastimes to become our future hobbies or interests. These memories give us pleasure or reward us with relaxation, therapy, or income opportunities. A popular hobby from our childhood which may continue into our adulthood is model building.

As adults our models reflect an interest which we enjoy or satisfy our wishful thinking. We may not be able to afford a space ship, but we can afford to assemble a factory made plastic model of our favorite star ship. Building models can be done by anyone at any age. Men, women, and children enjoy this activity.​. . ​

Robots are very popular models and toys to be constructed and enjoyed.

Types of Models:

Animals
Accessories which support the main project
Residential and commercial buildings 
Communities – model train platforms are popular
Entertainment characters from books, comics, movies, and television
Flora and landscaping
Machinery and mechanical devices
Natural wonders – volcanoes, mountains, canyons
People
Robots
Toys
Vehicles – cars, trucks, boats, ships, rockets, space ships, military vehicles

---

Constructing paper models of homes, commercial buildings, and dream castles are available for any age group.

​What is model building?

 would define model building as constructing a replica of a real item but in a smaller form. There are many different types of materials which may be used. *Models are made with wood, plastics, metal, clay, paper products, foam, and other articles which become a part of or support the project. 

Examples:
​

• Balsa wood for building airplanes 
• Melted plastic solutions poured into rubber molds
• Metals can be cut and welded or melted into molds
• Clay and paper mache are used for molding figurines, animals, plants and flowers, and décor items
• Paper products and foam may be cut and glued to create buildings and other objects

The object which you are duplicating may be made with one or several types of materials from assorted resources. This hobby can be done in a stationary setting or it can be portable. It does not require a lot of room. These models are miniatures of the real item. You will probably experiment with different types of mediums before deciding on your favorite

---

Many women and girls are enjoying the hobby of model building. Women have their personal interests as well as helping children with their hobby or school assignment projects.

​Skills:

You may be wondering what types of skills may be required. Assembly may be as simple as gluing the pieces, or fastening interlocking pieces.

• Knowledge and familiarity with the craft
• Research
• Creativity and imagination
• Patience
• Time
• Detail oriented
• Photos and drawings of projects
• Engineering abilities
• Knowing how to work required tools
• Finishing applications

Building models become more complicated or difficult if you choose to design your own line of products or you select a more precise type of medium. Examples of this would be melting plastics or metals and pouring them into rubber molds. This advancement level would require particular skills of artisans and craftsmen. ​

Click here for more information

---