A Few Tips For Starting a craft group
First check if there is one already running in your area. If there is a strong group already, check it out. It may be what you want or at least you can learn from it.
* Write down what the group's purpose is and let people know this. Consider how often and at what time you will meet. You can adjust these things as you go.
You can create a craft group or any interest group via www.Meetup.com and invite people in your area. That works well and if you don't know many people it draws on interested locals. It costs a fee every month. I am in a great Meetup group. It started out very small and now has 400 members with 2 dozen coming to each meeting.
Another way is through your local library or community centre. Ask if you can hold a craft group meeting there. Usually it's free. You will need to advertise in the library or centre that it's coming up, ask local craft stores, schools, universities, mum's groups etc to put a notice in their newsletters or display windows.
You can start with friends. Invite them and ask them to invite their crafty friends. Use word of mouth.
Think about the meeting's location. Where you are going to hold the meeting? In your home, cafe, restaurant, pub, craft store, library, church, community centre, local hall, etc? Investigate and ask permission. Find out if there is a fee or booking requirements.
Advertise the upcoming meeting on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, your blog or website, notice boards, forums and what ever social media you have access to. Ask friends to help. Use email for initial contact, do not give out your mobile number to the general public.
Remember to be on time to your meetings if you are the host! Introduce yourself. Make people feel welcome! (That is the number one thing in forming a group.)
Food and drink can always be helpful to get everyone socialising. It doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate, but at least tea, coffee and a snack. (You can ask people to bring something to share if it's not in a coffee shop.)
In the first meeting thank people for coming. Explain briefly why you want to start a craft group. Ask people to introduce themselves and their craft of choice. Ask people what they are working on. Be interested. Listen.
Toward the end of the meeting plan the next one. Discuss what works day and time-wise and location. Ensure you can contact people again directly via email, Facebook or Instagram for example to invite them again.
It takes time and effort to start a group and develop it, so have patience. The reward is new friendships and connection.
Good luck!
Jane
Aka Queen Babs, Fibre Art Friday host & Art of Craft member
* Write down what the group's purpose is and let people know this. Consider how often and at what time you will meet. You can adjust these things as you go.
You can create a craft group or any interest group via www.Meetup.com and invite people in your area. That works well and if you don't know many people it draws on interested locals. It costs a fee every month. I am in a great Meetup group. It started out very small and now has 400 members with 2 dozen coming to each meeting.
Another way is through your local library or community centre. Ask if you can hold a craft group meeting there. Usually it's free. You will need to advertise in the library or centre that it's coming up, ask local craft stores, schools, universities, mum's groups etc to put a notice in their newsletters or display windows.
You can start with friends. Invite them and ask them to invite their crafty friends. Use word of mouth.
Think about the meeting's location. Where you are going to hold the meeting? In your home, cafe, restaurant, pub, craft store, library, church, community centre, local hall, etc? Investigate and ask permission. Find out if there is a fee or booking requirements.
Advertise the upcoming meeting on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, your blog or website, notice boards, forums and what ever social media you have access to. Ask friends to help. Use email for initial contact, do not give out your mobile number to the general public.
Remember to be on time to your meetings if you are the host! Introduce yourself. Make people feel welcome! (That is the number one thing in forming a group.)
Food and drink can always be helpful to get everyone socialising. It doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate, but at least tea, coffee and a snack. (You can ask people to bring something to share if it's not in a coffee shop.)
In the first meeting thank people for coming. Explain briefly why you want to start a craft group. Ask people to introduce themselves and their craft of choice. Ask people what they are working on. Be interested. Listen.
Toward the end of the meeting plan the next one. Discuss what works day and time-wise and location. Ensure you can contact people again directly via email, Facebook or Instagram for example to invite them again.
It takes time and effort to start a group and develop it, so have patience. The reward is new friendships and connection.
Good luck!
Jane
Aka Queen Babs, Fibre Art Friday host & Art of Craft member
