Dabbler: One new hobby, each and every month

November 25, 2012 10:58 AM

Dabbler: One new hobby, each and every month
Ever wanted to learn how to pickle? Or stargaze? Or build kites, read tarot, make cheese, or bind books? It's always fun to learn something new, but sometimes you need a tiny nudge. Dabbler picks a topic every month and sends a little package to your inbox: notes, links, book recommendations, and everything else to help get you on your way.

We've been teaching classes for about three years, and it turns out everyone really loves hobbies. Nothing you're going to do every day for the rest of your life or anything, just something to do when it's a little too cold out, or to broaden your horizons a smidge, or maybe just to impress your friends a bit.

So! We made Dabbler, where you'll pick up a new hobby, gain a new skill, or do a fun project each and every month. It's two dollars a month (maybe even cheaper than a cup of coffee), and probably the most fun self-investment ever ever ever in the history of the planet. Probably.

And the URL is really cute, I think.

Role: co-creator

posted by soma lkzx (5 comments total)

This is exactly the sort of thing I like, and hence I have signed up.
I'm concerned about US-centricity though.

Is this something you've thought about?
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 6:38 AM on November 27, 2012

Thanks for signing up!

And yup, US-centricity (and even NYC-centricity) is definitely something we've thought about. There's a good chance of some location-specific content - e.g., more specific stargazing instructions for the Northern hemisphere as opposed to the Southern, historical perspectives probably being a little US-based - but we'll be trying our best to keep everything as accessible as possible.

If something does turn out to be not applicable to The Rest Of The World, I hope people will let us know. In that case I'd be fine redoing the month so everyone could participate.
posted by soma lkzx at 9:30 AM on November 27, 2012

I like the sound of this! Do you have an example of a previous months content? Can you make this giftable somehow (before Christmas please)! I think this could be totally a thing I and my friends would love!
posted by Iteki at 5:36 AM on December 8, 2012

I see there are already 1-year gift subscriptions, and don't tell anyone but I might give out more than one of those... One thing: is there any way to make it so that if the initial email goes out on a day other than the 15th, it includes the last Dabbler? e.g. Dec 25th would include the package from Dec 15th. This would add just enough immediacy to it.
posted by pahalial at 9:23 AM on December 8, 2012

Can you make this giftable somehow (before Christmas please)!

Yup, just added it today - one month gift subscriptions.

One thing: is there any way to make it so that if the initial email goes out on a day other than the 15th, it includes the last Dabbler?

Y'know, that's a great great idea, but due to Technical Reasons I doubt that we'll end up implementing it. Really good idea, though - if I think of an easyish way to put it together I'll be sure to hop on it!
posted by soma lkzx at 5:51 PM on December 8, 2012