Crafting for the Community
June 8, 2008 5:05 pm maria Craft Professionals
Every business is part of the community no matter how big or how small. Your business should be involved in your community to promote goodwill and to pass on the joy of art and craft. It may seem impossible to find the time to get involved with your community, but all it really takes is a few hours a month or to set aside a small budget for such activity. You’ll get more than just a good tax write off with this type of involvement; you’ll discover a world of new customers!
- Call your local school and volunteer to teach a class a craft. Children are the future generation of crafters so pass along your favorite craft to a classroom.
- Make a crafty favor for a nursing home. It doesn’t have to be expensive or too fancy. Just call and find out how many items are needed. This is a great activity for the family or friends to work together on. Great ideas include sachets for the closet, lap scrap quilts, small wall/door wreaths, or fun pins.
- Get involved with a scouting group. Offer to visit once a month or every other month to share crafting. Most leaders would be thrilled to have the help.
- Libraries often have display cases that need filling each month. Volunteer to show off some of your craft books or handwork in a display case in 1996.
- Each March the craft and art industries celebrate National Craft Month. Do something special during March to celebrate the crafts.
- Churches often have crafting guilds or groups. Join one. You may end up learning a new skill or technique. These groups usually have at least one annual craft fair or bazaar. Be brave and set-up a display.
- Senior Centers always need help. If you have a craft that is easy to make for the older generation, try sharing it. Keep in mind that many older citizens have limited hand flexibility and strength. I volunteer at my local center and now have over 85 loving “grandmas” who have shared their craft knowledge with me.
- Teenagers are often overlooked when it comes to crafting, but they are interested and so very creative. Call up a high school or Youth Center and get involved. This group of young adults will keep you current on the popular trends– for sure!
- You probably read about local charity auctions, bazaars, raffles, and so on in your newspaper so next time contact the group and offer to donate one of your crafts for the cause.
- Many groups can use your crafting skills. Offer to make a home decor decoration for a abuse center, make a few extra dolls or teddy bears and give them to an orphanage or hospital, or call your local hospice and donate a quilt to a shut in.
- Share the magic of crafting. It doesn’t matter where, who, or how. Just do it. Crafting can and is making a difference in communities all over the world. Look at the results of Warm Up American (mittens, scarves, and afghans for the homeless,) Creating for Life (raising funds for AIDS research,) and Great American Craft Bazaar (raising funds for feeding the hungry.) Be part of the crafting difference.
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