In her Queens, New York, apartment, Helena Salarini is surrounded by alphabet beads, metal pliers, yarn and rolls of nylon cords purchased from Michaels and Amazon.com. The 62-year-old retired nanny dedicates much of her free time – and money, over US$1,000 (S$1,280) in a year – to creating trinkets she gives away at concerts.
Her pastime has become more expensive, but it’s worth it, she says. “That’s what really brings me joy.”
