2019 Maker Finish-Along ~ Make a Crafty Friend

It’s time for the next challenge in the 2019 Maker Finish-Along! In October we worked on donations. Sharing your craft with those in need is always a rewarding experience. As usual, we picked another UFO to focus on to help move them on out of our space. For November our challenge is to make a crafty friend. I don’t mean to make one out of clay or fabric, I mean to make friends with a crafty person, ha ha! Having a friend that’s a maker is great because they get your need to make. I have a fun activity to go along with this month’s challenge, so keep reading!

By the way, a UFO is an “UnFinished Object”, in case y’all didn’t know. It’s usually used by quilters or crocheters or knitters, but it applies to projects of all kinds. Since this is a Maker Finish-Along, it’s open to makers of all kinds. No matter what fuels your maker mojo, you can join in the fun!

Here are links to the previous challenges >

You’ll also find a printable schedule & UFO list in the Facebook group.

Make a Crafty Friend

I’ve always liked to make things ever since I could remember. As a small child, I had my Memaw Teadoddles to imagine & create with. In grade school, I had a best friend that shared my creative endeavors with. There were a few in high school that liked to create, but they didn’t really get as excited about it as I did.

Then came adulthood & all the responsibilities that come along with “adulting”. Occasionally I would meet someone who liked making, but it was usually short lived because of all the adulting going on. I did enjoy making costumes for the kids, creating themed birthday parties, & doing crafts with the kids. Although those things usually led to more cleaning for me!

As the kids got older & have now moved on to college, I found myself with much more “free” time. My son used to talk to people online all the time & that’s where his friends were. I used to think there was no way to make friends with someone online.

Then I started a blog & started a YouTube channel & got on social media & realized how wrong I was!

I’ve met so many amazing makers! It’s hard to find someone close by that shares my love of making. I live in a rural area & we don’t have quilt guilds, knit night, or any such things. Being online helped me find my people!

As makers we sometimes just want to hide away in our maker space &, well, make stuff. It can be a bit of lonely life if you let it. Making is awesome, but connecting with other makers is even more awesome. It’s inspiring, encouraging, & fills me with such wonderful joy to see what people make. That’s why we all need to make a crafty friend or 2 or 3!

November’s Maker Challenge

This month’s challenge is to make a crafty friend. Not from paper & paste but in real or virtual life! There are many ways to do this, you can ~>

• Check your town for local guilds & other crafty groups. Most of them are always looking to add another maker!
• Find an online social group where you can meet other crafty people. The Teadoddles Makers Facebook group is a great place for this – I’m just sayin’! : D
• Talk to people you meet in the craft stores. I meet new makers this way all the time! Most people love to have someone share their maker enthusiasm.
• Go to craft fairs & talk to the makers there. They are always excited to talk about their makes!
• Participate in maker swaps. It’s a great way to meet another maker, make a connection, & get to send/receive happy mail!

That last one is important because I’ve decided to host a maker swap in the Facebook group! I thought it would be really neat to swap gifts with makers that have a different craft than you do. I’ve seen some in the group do this already, so that’s what gave me the idea.

I’ll be posting a Google form to fill out in the group later this evening. It will ask about what you’d like to make & what you’d like to receive. Be sure to fill it out if you’re interested & I’ll have more information in the group this evening.

Don’t forget to share your makes in the Teadoddles Makers Facebook group! Then you’ll have a chance to win the $20 Amazon gift card I give out each month. You can also use #tmfal2019 on Instagram if you prefer sharing there. Hope y’all have a great week filled with making!