And it’s not just for fun. Research has shown that the repetition and mindfulness required to craft helps calm and de-stress the mind. For children, crafting can build problem-solving skills and improve mental health.
Here are some ways to celebrate and experience the joy of making.
Go to a local handmade event
Upcoming shows featuring locally made crafts and handmade items include:
- May 4: Finds on the Farm Spring Craft Show, Niederman’s Family Farm in Liberty Twp.
- May 5: Handmade Dayton and Eudora’s First Sunday Markets, Eudora Brewing Company, Kettering
- May 17-19: Spring Fest in the Burg; Veteran’s Park in Miamisburg
- June 8: Yellow Springs Street Fair, Yellow Springs
- June 8: Waynesville Street Faire, Waynesville
- June 22: Zinnia Days Craft and Vendor Show, Greene County Expo and Fairgrounds in Xenia
Make a craft
Here’s a fun craft from my friend and fellow Dayton maker Gail Dafler of Pop Cycle. Gail uses recycled items for her crafts, so chances are, you won’t need to buy any supplies for this make. It’s perfect for any age or skill level.
- Scrap paper gift bag and cards: For the gift bag, Gail cut dozens of small squares from cardboard consumer goods boxes. She glued the squares in a grid pattern on a recycled kraft paper gift bag. Inspired by Gail, I cut squares from used Christmas wrapping paper and glued them to blank cards.
- What you’ll need: Scissors, glue stick, cards or bags. If you have a square hole punch, the work will go faster, but scissors work fine. I cut my squares about 1-inch square.
Have a craft party
For more than a decade, I’ve been part of a fabulous group of crafty friends. We periodically met for dinner, but the pandemic derailed our social schedule. So last year, we got together for a special “crafternoon” to get the crafty band back together.
We invited new friends and old with a simple agenda — to share our latest makes and catch up on each other’s lives. If you want an afternoon of good-for-your-soul crafting, invite your favorite makers over for a crafternoon. We asked everyone to bring a craft to work on, plus I had supplies and tools out for anyone to use. I made snacks and a special crafty cocktail. You can get recipes and party ideas at my blog, http://www.mynanajana.com/.
Shop local
Today, most craft supplies are bought from chains or online. But there are still locally owned shops where supplies are carefully curated and sourced. Many offer classes and can provide expert advice that you won’t find at the chains.
Here are a few to try:
- Busy Beaver Arts and Crafts: Busy Beaver has been supplying the Miami Valley craft community since 1976. It specializes in stained glass, yarn and basket-making supplies. 3445 Dayton Xenia Road, Beavercreek
- F&S School Supply: This longtime Kettering store is a great resource for children’s craft supplies. 1012 E. Dorothy Lane, Kettering
- Heliotrope Art Studio: Heliotrope specializes in clay and beads. 3001 Catalpa Drive, Dayton.
- The Hobby Shop: An old-school hobby shop filled with supplies for model cars and airplanes. 153 N. Springboro Pike, Dayton
- Made: A Ceramic Art Studio: Adult clay workshops for all skill levels, plus a retail shop with curated goods made by owner Sarah Richard. 1619 E. Fifth St., Dayton
- Marco’s Paper and Crafts: Since 1971, Marco’s has sold paper, envelopes, cardstock and other paper-crafting supplies. 25 W. Whipp Road, Dayton
- Needle, Ink and Thread – A Modern Sewing School: Needle, Ink and Thread teaches sewing for all ages. 2290 Patterson Road, Kettering
- The Paper Cottage: This Beavercreek business serves the scrapbooking and paper-crafting community. 1490 N. Fairfield Road, Beavercreek
- Sew-A-Lot: Part of a small two-business chain, Sew-A-Lot sells fabric, sewing supplies and sewing machines. 232 N. Main St., Centerville
- Tracy’s Sewing Studio: Tracy’s offers sewing lessons and expertise. Rosewood Arts Centre, 2655 Olson Drive, Kettering
- Wooly Bully Yarn Co.: Features knitting and crochet supplies, including lush yarns spun from wool, mohair and other high-end fibers. 135 S. Main St., Springboro
Start trending
According to gathered.how, a crafting website, these are some of the top craft trends for 2024:
- Origami
- Air dry clay crafts
- Embroidery on clothing
- Crochet cardigans and bucket hats
- Tie dye
- Upcycling clothing
- Upcycling furniture
- DIY wall art
- Macrame
- Cyanotype printing
Jana Collier is a longtime area journalist. Her blog, myNanaJana.com, features nostalgic recipes, small-town travel and offbeat DIY projects.
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