Browse around your local art supplies store and you'll find much more than just paints and paper. You'll be presented with an Aladdin's Cave of art supplies and materials and all kinds of specialist gadgets to turn your spare bedroom or shed into a little workshop. One of the more enjoyable things about taking up a new hobby is that art shops really can take you from being a fresh beginner to a professional thanks to their stocks of products for all levels.

The best way to learn a brand new hobby is to use a kit of some kind. These can be quite cheap and will usually include all the materials you need to make a complete item and see if a particular hobby is enjoyable. As a suggestion, a simple candle-making set might include moulds, wax, stearin, colourings, wicks and perhaps even a sample fragrance. If you had to purchase all these materials individually the cost would be much more.

As you become more skillful, you'll quickly grow out of using kits and want to start developing your own designs. You'll then be ready to start buying individual craft materials and tools, building up your collection and replenishing consumables as you go. Once you've mastered your candle making kit, for example, and got to grips with the science and the techniques, you might want to start making your own moulds, and buying individual bags of wax and trying out new decorative techniques and aromas.

Perhaps you have some genuine skill and manage to create items that find favour with people. That's when your hobby could earn you some cash too. Local craft fairs are great way of showing off your creations and to judge public opinion; family members and close friends are not the best critics. Fairs often take place in school halls, at local libraries and during civic celebrations, and others are regular, monthly or seasonal events. If you make the effort to create an pleasing store front and make a real effort to chat with potential customers, the way you are received make exceed your expectations - so make sure you take a good stock of product. And remember to get some business cards or flyers printed as people might want to buy from your website or contact you afterwards.

Another route into the art sector is to offer your products to a local gift shop. If you offer to take back unsold items, there will be no risk to the retailer, and if the shop is able to take a healthy margin, you might find the store owner calling you for more product sooner than you'd thought possible.

With a little more cash behind you, you could even set up an internet store and really make your hobby pay. Even better, try all three options to really get yourself known.

So whether you like to draw, model, make pottery or ornaments or want to try making an idea that has been buzzing around your head for ages, just walk around a local art supplies outlet and get imaginative - it might just transform your life!