Crafting Parties

Crafting Parties

There's a craze sweeping the online community of crafters, and it's one that is brilliant to do no matter what craft you love to do, or what level of skill you're at.
The idea of a craft party is simple enough; in fact you've probably already had a crafting session that would count. All you have to go is get together with some friends and get making!
It doesn't sound much like a party so far does it? More like just your regular craft get-together. But make a few tweaks to your usual gathering and you can turn it into a party. Whether you're gathering at a friend's house, at a regular crafting club meeting, or want to celebrate something, it can all be a crafting party. Just hang up some bunting, lay on some snacks and treats and you're set to party.
Crafting parties are for any type of craft, and one of the aims is to hopefully open up a new world of crafting to you. So if you're a knitter, you can host a party and teach others some skills and share your passion, and then at another party, you might be introduced to the world of card-making, crocheting, scrapbooking – the list is endless and it all depends on who comes along. Try and get a good mixture of people so that you can have lots of gatherings, lots of crafts and lots of fun! It's also a great way to make new friends if everyone attending brings someone new, widening your circle of creative buddies.
So, you've had your parties, and learnt something new, perhaps even found a new hobby – now what? Well how about going into business together? If you all love a craft then club together and make things to sell at craft fairs, to friends or even online. Great crafts that you can sell include handmade cards, jewellery and knitted accessories. Scarfs are perhaps the simplest, but don't forget hats, gloves, and arm warmers and fingerless gloves are also fairly simple, and are quite popular. Sites such as eBay and Etsy mean that you can have a joint 'shop' to display all of your creations in one place. The great thing is you can make the things you sell as simple or as detailed as you want, and have a fun time doing it. You might even make some money from it!
If you don't fancy the idea of selling your creations, then how about working on a group project? Something like a patchwork quilt can take a while if you're making it alone, but get some help with it and you can get done much more quickly – meaning you can all have one and there are no fights over who gets the beautifully made bed spread or wall hanging.
You can even mix craft parties with celebrations. Is it fellow crafter's birthday? Then organise a craft party for them! If you want it to be a surprise then hold craft sessions in secret to make things for it: decorations, food, and especially presents – because handmade gifts are some of the best a loved one can receive. Or if you want the crafting to happen during the party, arrange to have the materials ready and get together with the birthday boy or girl to craft together.
Whatever the reason, and however you organise it, try hosting a craft party to put a new spin on your hobby and get more people interested in something you love, or find yourself a new pastime.