Cars, Yarn & Photos - Hobbies As A Passion MACOMB, IL (wium) - Just about everyone has a hobby. For some people, that hobby turns into a passion.

Those who stopped by downtown Macomb on June 5 got a chance to see how some people turn the passion for their hobby into something worth showing off.

One such hobby is the restoration of old cars. The inner square around the courthouse was filled for the June Park 'n' Cruise. Just about every parking spot was taken by one of the vehicles on display.

One car that gained a great deal of attention is an original steel body 1929 Ford Coupe owned by Steve Kreider of Bushnell. He spent more than four years restoring it. Now, it's a thing of beauty.

One of the characteristics that makes Kreider's car stand out is the paint job. Kreider says he used Kandy Apple Red by House of Kolor. It's glossy, yet has a depth to it.

Kreider's efforts to color the car with the Kandy paint is an example of the passion and skill people develop for their hobby. "It's just a hard paint to paint because it will move on you before it sets up," says Kreider. "And then you've got to have the same arm movement. The same control as far as your pressure while you're spraying it. The humidty - everything has to stay the same.

"Otherwise it will come out a different color. To re-do this car if I had a scratch or a bad dent in it somewhere, and to repaint it again with the original paint, it would come out a different color. Because it wasn't done under the same conditions as it was previously."




The Spinning Wheel

One block away, at the Western Illinois Museum, Barbara Brown of Macomb was also behind the wheel, although it's something completely different. In this case, it's a spinning wheel used to make yarn.

The museum's current exhibit features local artisans, such as bow and arrow makers and farriers. Brown's demonstration was part of the opening for the exhibit.

Brown developed a passion for her hobby as a child when her father built a spinning wheel for her. She says the craft is gaining in popularity - and for good reason.

"It is, simply, the very basic thread of everything that you wear because it's softer and it's more pliable," says Brown.

Picture This Hobby

On the east side of the square, the West Central Illinois Arts Center opened its new exhibit. It features the work of local photographers.

"Best In Show" was awarded to John Hemingway of Macomb. He started taking photos in high school but got away from the hobby after college. Now, for the past five years, he's started getting into it again.

"I call it a hobby. My wife calls it an obsession. She might be closer to the truth," says Hemingway.

Hemingway believes a key to the craft of taking a good photo is the thought that goes into it. "You need to understand your tools," says Hemingway. "I think what defines a craft is the relationship between the craftsperson and his or her tools. For example, in photography, what a particular lens will do in perspective, in compression, in depth-of-field."

All of those who displayed their handiwork on the same night in Macomb demonstrated a depth of knowledge about their craft. Their interests are much different, whether it be taking photographs, restoring cars, or spinning yarn. But they share a common thread: expertise combined with a passion for their hobby. © Copyright 2009, wium