The most common complaint I hear is that someone “can’t do crafts.” For that reason, this badge program is designed to help you confront your challenging craft moments and realize that yes, you can!
Steps
1. Yes!
When we’re in school, we’re told we can’t do art and crafts . . . that we aren’t creative. It’s not based on what you do, it’s based on someone else’s perception of what creativity is . . . what art is.
Every time you solve a problem, you’re being creative. Every time you find a new way to earn a badge program, you’re being creative. You don’t realize it. Have confidence in yourself. You are creative. You can do this!
2. Interest.
What kind(s) of crafts do you want to learn or share? Make a list of the crafts you’re interested in. Then, ask yourself a few questions.
- Are the tools / materials you need easily available?
- What are you willing to spend?
- How much time do you have to invest?
- How much space do you have available for creating projects?
- How will these craft(s) fit with your programming / planning?
- Are you willing to get enough tools / materials to teach others? If so, what limit do you have?
- Do you have a location to do the craft by yourself or with others?
Some crafts, like stained glass, are very expensive. The other end of the spectrum are paper crafts, which tend to be not only less costly, but you can find materials everywhere. Getting a lathe for wood crafts requires a lot of space. It’s better to have an idea of what you’re looking for as well as your limitations. You don’t want to be so excited that you agree to start something that is impractical to do.
3. YouTube.
While YouTube is not the only site providing videos for crafting, it is the largest. Videos will provide you with more “how to” information for crafting than you can imagine. Choose a craft and do a search. Watch a video or two to see how these sites can help you. Subscribe to any providers that provide a great videos that fall within your interests.
4. Specific.
Online sites run the gamut of specific craft techniques to information on multiple crafts. Take the same craft you researched in the step above and google it. Bookmark a few of the sites you find that might be helpful to you in the future.
Connect with Local Adults
5. List.
You may not be fired up from what you find in your online searches. Perhaps you are a more hands-on crafter. Start a crafter contact list. Use it when you need crafting help. This list might include:
- Contact’s name
- Contact’s email
- Contact’s phone
- Craft(s) they do
- What they’re willing to teach
- Materials you need to provide
- Cost, if any
- Online presence
Add other fields if you wish. You can do this in a word processor, database, spreadsheet or even in your contact list on your phone.
6. Friends and family.
Friends and family are often willing to help you. Ask them if they craft. If so, find out what they enjoy and if they’d be willing to help show someone else how to do it. You can add them to your craft contact list. Be sure to note any limitations they bring up that you need to keep in mind as well.
7. Adults.
If you’re part of an organization, like Girl Scouts, see if other adults within the organization would be willing to visit your troop / group. You might want to trade off other leading tasks like camping or providing instruction on non-crafting skills. Alternatively, if you want to try crafting, ask them if they’d be willing to teach an adult workshop for specific projects.
8. Kids.
Asking older kids to help is a win-win situation. The older kids get experience while the younger kids are more motivated because they are “doing what the big kids are.” Do you have a group of kids willing to do service for you? If so, be sure to track it so they can use this information for scholarship applications and more.
9. Yours.
The kids you work with might have some experience crafting that they’d like to share. Don’t dismiss friendship bracelets, clothing decoration, hair accessories, scrapbooks and other crafts kids have learned from their family or each other. Kids are often excited about sharing with their peers. Work with your presenter before allowing them to stand in front of everyone. If they’ve got their craft project ready to present, they’ll be a lot less nervous. You might even want to try a dry run with them to give them experience presenting.
10. Groups.
Working with kids is very rewarding, so give the opportunity to do so with others. Don’t discount someone’s crafting help because of age, color, religion, etc. Retired people might be happy to help because it gets them out meeting new people and sharing what they enjoy. Crafting guilds and groups can also help, especially if they can share a craft they’ve based their group on. What groups do you have locally that might be able to help you?
NOTE: If you find a group online, it might have a local chapter that can help you. Check it out!
11. Teachers.
Art teachers are usually willing to come in and do a short program. Arts and crafts tend to work together, so this will allow your kids to be creative without you being in charge. Check with your school and see if you have any teachers you can add to your crafter contact list.
12. Artists.
Exposure is a good thing. Local artists might want to hand out flyers about their latest show or other information. In exchange, they might be willing to teach your kids. Be sure to discuss what they want to do before agreeing to anything. Get a feel for the person. Will he / she be able to connect with your kids? What kinds of art do they do that you might be able to pull into a meeting, trip or event?
13. Shows.
As you walk around a craft show or other venue where crafted items are displayed, pay attention to the items themselves. Is it something you can see yourself / your kids making? Do the materials look affordable? If you think the craft you see might be a good fit, start a conversation with the artist / crafter to learn more.
14. More.
Attend events, workshops and other activities in your area. You’ll find others you can visit to not only get ideas, but to help support you in your crafting endeavors.
Badge and Supplement Files
Member Level
- EP_Badge List_Craft Support_larajla — list of badge items
- SUPP_BPG_Craft Support_2in_12up_larajla — generic badge printable
- EP_Supp_List_Craft Support_larajla — list of supplements for the badge
- SUPP_Craft Support_Journal_larajla — badge journal
- SUPP_Craft Support_Planner_larajla — badge planner
Supplement Fun
- 0EP_SUPP0_Form Fun_Artist Contact List_MS2_larajla — artist contact list
Sites to Explore
- www.youtube.com
- www.vimeo.com
- www.allcrafts.net
- craftbits.com
- familycrafts.about.com
- www.instructables.com
- www.favecrafts.com
- www.cutoutandkeep.net
- www.bhg.com/crafts
- www.crafts-beautiful.com
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here