BlogHer - Crafting a Life: Building a Crafty Online Community - Comments

Fisk-a-teers

Angela Daniels — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:36:51 -0500

I'm one of the "Lead" Fisk-a-teers at the online community that Fiskars developed for it's consumers. I was happily involved with the community for 2 years before I became a "lead"- its all of those things- passion, good community, good people. It's truly the most positive message board I've been involved with. Everyone seems to self-moderate to keep the emphasis on sharing their passion for crafting. You can peek at it here: http://www.fiskateers.com/

Very nice article

themommy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:36:16 -0500

I've not heard of those websites, so I'll have to check them out. I love crafting communities...but I'm also a bit fickle. My favorite site has always been Craftster.

My Blog: Your Impact matters
http://www.yourimpactmatters.com

If it's Saturday.. there must be a column...

debra roby — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 10:52:11 -0500

Sho' 'nough, MizFit, I'm putting the spit and polish (and checking links and spelling and punctuation and making sure I haven't missed anything) on the column today.

Geez, I have until midnight PT to do so!

(some fans are just so demanding!)

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Weight for Deb

long time reader first time caller :)

MizFit — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 10:46:57 -0500

do we get a new post today?

http://www.MizFitOnline.com

...because at the core, we're all the same.

I totally agree...

flamyngo — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:23:15 -0500

I agree about those sites, and that is just so so important. Sometimes you can be really into a craft, and then before you know it you aren't interested in it at all! I think that is what makes a website... if you aren't personally passionate about it, then your site will never seem 'real' ya know :)

The multiplicity of these sites...

debra roby — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:29:34 -0500

flamyngo,

What I like about the two sites I mentioned is that there is a huge multiplicity on the sites. One can be into quilting, switch to knitting, add quilling and both of these sites will be accommodating. They look like they are built to adjust to the whims of the hobby crafter.

The two founding teams (Taunton press and craftynation tv) both have been a presence in the field already. Taunton's is stronger, but their website is also a bit more controlled. No forums for the bloodying of noses.

Thanks for the thoughtful analysis.

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Weight for Deb

Having built a crafty community...

flamyngo — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:33:42 -0500

I have built a sucessful crafty community in the past, and I think this article is a good one, but I have a couple of other things to say about it.

First off, it is important to remember that the crafting community is fickle and full of fads... sometimes people are really into scrapbooking, and then two months later they are totally into knitting. This is just the way the crafting community has always worked, and you should remember that if you are really in it for the long haul.

The next thing, and I can't stress this enough... use a GOOD piece of software when setting up your message boards. When I first started, I used the first free thing I found, and then ended up losing a lot of my board when I converted over to a more user friendly, paid message board software.

Another important thing to remember is the value of a good gallery on your site. When people are crafting, they want to be able to post pics of their work! They are proud of it! And LET THEM... but remember this takes up a LOT of space... so watch your data plan from your webhost. I once started using WAY too many resources and got into a whole heap of trouble. :)

And finally, please PLEASE don't start a crafting community unless you are passionate about your craft! Don't say to yourself "Well, I had a brother's sister's friend who is really into sewing, so that must be the it craft right now... I better get on this bandwagon." If you do this, then you are wasting yor time, and you are wasting the time of anyone who accidentally stumbles upon your crappy site.

And, finally... (I think this is the most important one, so if you are still reading my comment, GOOD) Remember that women are catt bitches that will turn on each other in the blink of an eye without so much as a shred of guilt. They will fight, yell, call each other names, and just be plain ugly. Be prepared to moderate this. If left to their own accord it will end up like Lord of the Flies, mommy style.

I hope that helps anyone looking to start an online crafting community!

~Jamie

totallythebomb.com

Follow me on Twitter

Crafty Nation

newmediajim — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:37:38 -0500

Eek! actually Crafty Nation is in PRE-LAUNCH beta, but what the heck. Enjoy! Thank your for the very kind mention! :)

Crafting a Life: Building a Crafty Online Community

debra roby — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:08:51 -0500

This year, when you talk to a knitter with any kind of online presence, they mention Ravelry. I can't remember a time when an online community developed such strength and following as quickly. I've talked with a number of crafters who speak wistfully about the hope of building a similar community that might include other activities. A site like Ravelry for quilters, jewelry makers or all those paper crafts.

While I cannot suggest an exact duplicate, I have found two crafting communities for you to explore that might satisfy your community seeking: CraftStylish or CraftyNation.

A Magazine With More Online

Craft Stylish is a quarterly "special edition" magazine from Taunton Press (the same people who publish Threads magazine and number of wonderful craft books). It is also a community site that brings all the crafting knowledge of the publisher online and invited each reader to get involved. The website provides the choice to discover which articles exist on the website, share your own projects through a photo gallery and the ability to create a profile and write your own posts for the site.

I found a number of wonderful how-to articles including Know Your Hand Sewing Needles. This article was written by Diane Gilleland, (aka Sister Diane from the Church of Craft) and will help you recognize your sharps from the straws and everything between.

The website currently running the The Tote-ally Crafty Bag Challenge (you have until 7/31/08 to enter). Looking through the gallery, there are a number of creative entries already.

This site is new, and while it does not let you share stash or search for patterns like Ravelry does, there is the beginning of a sense of community building and the opportunity to blog your projects there might make it more appealling to some of us who never find the time to photograph our entire yarn inventory.

An Internet TV Show Grows To A Community

Toni Lyn makes the web-tv show Crafty Nation and has expanded that show into an entire community. It has just come live in beta and is growing every day. Like CraftStylish, it offers you opportunity to blog on the site, sharing your creations, discoveries and tutorials with others.

Because this site is so very new, there isn't a whole lot of meat on it yet, but it's got great potential. And, look, one of the first groups started there: Twitter Knitters!

Why don't you go join, explore the site a bit and tell me what you think?

In other crafty news:

Vickie Howell is looking for crafters who'd like to Join the Craft Corps.

Debra Roby blogs her creative life at A Stitch in Time and her journey to fitness at Weight for Deb.