Women in Craft: Spaces for women and the journey to betterment

How have women found sanctuary and connection through smaller socials clubs?

Safe places are not always a given today. People struggle to find third spaces to divide their work selves, from their home selves. Often work comes home with them and social lives are limited, causing blurred lines of what was supposed to be a place of relaxation.  

Gabby, Girls Craft Club Founder.

Gabby, the founder of Girls Craft Club especially recognises this. After leaving her job in support work she took time off sick to prioritise her health. One month turned to two, then three and onwards. This break from work allowed her to deal with the difficulties of her own mental health, after pursuing a diagnosis privately, she discovered she suffered with ADHD. Following this, she took further time off work despite her feelings of uneasiness given the possible stigmas of today.  

“The last three (months) were me making a conscious decision to start to enjoy life before I went back, because there's often this stigma that you have to get well really soon. But you're allowed to get well and also be in that space of being well before you go back to a busy 9-5 modern world” 

It was this time off that set the phenomenon of the Girls Craft Club ablaze. Gabby asked herself many things. How can I see my friends? How can I bring joy back into my life? 

She acknowledged the different circumstances of adult lives. Some are pursuing careers, some are single parents, and some are in and out of employment.  

This trend of community groups has sparked over these past few years surrounding the high use of social media and the even higher issue of loneliness in adults. Gabby has targeted a niche demand in the market for crafts, thereby filling a hole where people can meet while participating in an activity they love. The first of which was hosted around her dining room table, making jewellery and confiding in each other. Simple questions opened an air of vulnerability for these women who had just met. Friends meet friends, and all of a sudden, a community is built.

“It started out as a place of need, and I have gained just as much as everyone else has from coming along.” 

The groups are small, intimate gatherings and are kept that way despite the fast growing numbers of the social club. Only since July has Girls Craft Club skyrocketed to over 8,000 followers. However, connection is key for these women only spaces.  Empowerment of women, education and learned skills are some of the main values of this group.

“I see a growing number of women who have the need to escape. More so recently mothers. Mothers who have children and need a place that works around them, for them to get back to girlhood. So, in my heart, I would love to follow that need because it's something I see requested from the community” 

Familiarity allows members to unmask. Empathy from other women makes this space less daunting to enter. Knowing that you can come and meet someone facing the same issues, such as motherhood or women's health, fills a little bit of that pit in your stomach.  

For Gabby it's not the separation of men, but the congregation of women. These members struggle with things that may feel so specific and isolating, they feel no one can understand. Yet, these events contain multitudes of strong women fighting unseen battles. Neurodivergence, anxiety and physical health issues are just a few. Gabby's own experience with depression, and the lack of seriousness that was taken during this time fuels these groups. Similar to other women's experience with their own treatments of health, she was asked if she had consulted google, prescribed something that wasn't appropriate for her and was let down.

“I find that a lot of the girls that come to the craft club are neurodivergent, and they either have ADHD or Autism or both! PCOS, endometriosis you name it, it's all there because that is what our society actually looks like, and these things don't get talked about enough and we are gaslight as women. Often, it's just your hormones or your age, or you're being whatever... too much” 

Connection is the reason for the club, whether that be with yourself re-establishing your passions and pushing yourself to new uncomfortable spaces. Or, you're looking to connect with other like-minded people. 

"So yeh, simple things like talking, being honest, having a place that you don't have to and you can craft in. Having a community at your fingertips at any time to be like "Actually can someone give me advice? Does anyone want to go co-working?" That's a good place to start and that is within our hands. We are not professionals, but I feel it is just as effective as anything else."

Currently, a key issue with the social lives of young women is affordability. Not everyone can afford a night out, not everyone can afford a café trip 4 times a week. Accessibility is imperative for the plans of those struggling and in a state of mind that prevents them from easily leaving the house. Part of the club's idea of wellbeing allows them to skill share amongst many people at different levels. Not only does this allow ambitious and talented women to teach and share their passions, it also means that the prices for such events are affordable, some even being free.

Gabby and a local Café friend!

Finding a creative outlet is so important in having a break from the stress of real life, it is one of the most noteworthy aspects of selfcare. Putting feeling, time and concentration into a positive, tangible project keeps your mind at bay and sets a goal that is manageable and satisfactory. The Girls Craft Clubs helps to sustain that passion but also nurture connection.

“Some girls say to me, how can I join the club? I’m like you're in the club girl! You can sit with us it is fine” 

Visit the Girls Craft Club website here to book into an event...