11 Ways to Celebrate National Craft Month

National Crafty Month was started by the Craft & Hobby Association in 1994. According to CHA, "The awareness-raising was meant to help individuals discover their hidden creativity and introduce Americans to outlets they hadn’t tried before, ranging from embroidery to candle-making to any number of other crafts. Over the years since, National Crafting Month has also come to signify a time for practiced crafters to start on a new project, try a new medium, or learn a skill they’ve always been curious about."

As a trendy crafty supplies company, we like to remind our fans and followers that everyone, even you (here's looking at you, if you think you don't have a crafty bone in your body) can have fun at DIY! 

We've compiled a list of our 11 favorite ways to get crafty this month. Take a peek and leave a comment letting us know which activity you're going to try!

1. Try a new craft (obvi, we know, but do it!)
Did you know that "new hobbies" is one of the top Pinterest searches? Proof that we're all looking to learn something new. So take that yearning and put it to good work by trying out a new craft!  May we suggest beading, macrame, upcycling clothes, scrapbooking, sewing, quilting, upholstering... the list could go on forever really.

2. Host a Virtual Crafting Night with friends
We could all use a little extra interaction this year. We recently hosted a wine tasting and jewelry making event, and it was so.much.fun! So plan a date, invite a few friends, plan an activity, and hop on Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime, and get crafty together. Here are some tips on how to host a virtual craft night!

Screenshot of our recent virtual wine & craft event

3. Make something seasonal that you would normally buy.
Yes, Easter and St. Patricks Day decorations are plentiful at Michael's, Target, and lots of other stores. But think about how much more fun and meaningful it would be if you made it yourself?! Here's a super easy and fun Pom Pom & Succulent wreath tutorial if you like the sounds of this idea!

DIY Pom Pom & Succulent Wreath

4. Invite a non-crafty friend to craft with you
(Masked, or at a safe distance, of course!) Sharing your creative skills with others lets your creative energy flow. And we can learn so much from, and take so much inspiration from, one another.

5. Start a group crafty project for a special someone.
Get a group of your friends together, and decide on a project that you can work on together, maybe even for a special someone. Maybe a collaborative embroidery project? Or a family quilt that you all sew on? How about a knockout necklace that you collaboratively choose the beads for. Mother's Day is around the corner; think how happy Mom would be to have a creation that was contributed to by all?

6. Take a creative class online.
There are so many ways to learn online now. Choose a topic that interests you, and google classes on it. From quick afternoon classes, to more intensive programs, websites like Skillshare and CreativeLive make it possible to learn almost anything virtually now. The Queen of Crafting, Martha Stewart, shared this article called The Best Crafting Classes You Can Take Online. Check here for resources!

Screenshot of some classes at Skillshare.com

7. Create some art and mail it to someone.
Snail mail, what?! How excited do you get when you randomly get something in the mail? Very?! Yes, we're all like that. Make someone's day by creating something by hand, and mailing it. You get the benefit of creating, and the recipient gets the joy of happy mail; it's a win-win!

8. Create a crafty Pinterest Board.
Sometimes just looking at your ideas can give you the impetus to start. Pin creative activities that you's like to try, inspiration, future projects, how-to's. Once you pin a few, the algorithm will start showing you more pins that are like the ones that you've pinned, and before you know it, you'll have a virtual wonderland of creative exploration! Here's our Get Crafty Pinterest board, if you want to follow along!

Our Get Crafty Pinterest Board

9. Great creative in the kitchen.
Mom was wrong about one thing: playing with your food is fun! Try a new recipe or turn your food into art. Life is so much more exciting when you try new things, and food is an area where it's so easy to get in a rut. Try choosing 4 new recipes that you want to cook throughout the month of March, and try a new one each week!

10. Get juvenile.
Do certain creative activities from your childhood stand out in your mind? Making friendship bracelets, dyeing eggs, coloring, growing crystals, beading, finger painting, wreath-making... the list could go on forever. Think back to the things that used to bring you joy, and do them again!  When we start with activities that feel familiar and comfortable, sometimes it's easier for the creative muse to visit. You never know where your childhood passions might take you as an adult.

Photo source: www.abcnews.go.com

11. Learn more about a creative muse, brand, icon, or location.
Obsessed with Picasso? Can't get enough of Missoni patterns? Intrigued by how O'Keeffe took inspiration from the world around her?Learn more! Read, watch, listen; immerse yourself in the ways and habits of the people and ideas that inspire you, and you will further encourage the muse.