In an era defined by screen fatigue, impersonal technology, and burnout with our fast-paced way of life, a new cultural shift is underway — the return of social crafting. From embroidery circles to clay-and-wine evenings, crafting has evolved from a solitary hobby into an opportunity for vibrant social experiences.
The joy of making with your hands is certainly not a newfound pleasure, but it has tended to be associated with older generation. These days a shift seems to be occurring – a recent article from House & Garden notes that “the average age of those taking up traditional hobbies such as embroidery or quilting is dropping,” as the younger age group seek tactile, screen-free ways to spend time with others. According to CraftCourses.com, the popularity of craft is soaring across all demographics, as people become increasingly disillusioned with digital culture and hungry for real-world engagement. They are turning to crafts not only as way of promoting their wellbeing but also as a form of slow socialising, a concept where a connection is built through shared, meaningful experiences rather than superficial interaction.
When I evolved from a part-time weekend crafter to a full-time lampshade maker I was struck by the immediate benefits it offered me, and I quickly surrendered to its addictive and restorative force. Crafting offers something few modern activities can: mindfulness as an art form where no formal training or expensive tools are required. Whether it’s stitching a Christmas stocking, sitting at a pottery wheel or making a lampshade for the first time, crafting demands focus and rewards us with patience in a friendly and accessible fashion.
A creative workshop allows you to leave the distraction of daily life at the door and share in a wholesome and inclusive experience with new or existing friends. The greatly admired Michael Mosley, whose radio programme Just One Thing did so much to improve our health and wellbeing, concluded that crafting is a form of mindful activity, helping you to stay present and not worry about the past or future.
Making with your hands also offers an opportunity to spend time with like-minded companions in an often strikingly beautiful and memorable setting. It’s become part of how people choose to pamper themselves (think spa voucher, but for the hands) be it a day away from work, marking a special occasion, or even on holiday, immersing more deeply into local cultures through hands-on retreat like experiences.
Organisations such as The Great Craft Retreat and Creative Experiences are popping up to cater to this newfound demand for craft, offering dedicated holidays and trips where you can learn a new skill, meet interesting people, and enjoy delicious food. Isabelle Fish of Canadian craft collective Rue Pigalle has embraced the craft experience and thoughtfully elevated it, offering meticulously curated trips with rare access to masters from the world of fine craft. Her aim is to ‘empower’ her clients with new skills and a deeper understanding of how things are made.
And your relationship with the object you have crafted doesn’t end when the workshop does, it carries on when you take it home. It holds with it meaning, a memory and most of all something you have made with your very own hands.
