Bring more (craft) love into your life 

Since February is the month of love — and one of our great loves is crafting — we have declared February to be Craft Love Month. People often say that love is a journey, and the same goes for crafting! Recently, I’ve been reflecting on my own crafting journey and the impact it has had on my life as well as others’ lives. Time and time again, I’ve seen and experienced how crafting changes lives for the better. Makes sense, right? When you discover something you love, it can bring you a lot of joy, peace, and happiness.

In fact, when I started our studio seven years ago, I knew that crafting had a positive effect beyond the creation of a beautiful project. There are even studies that show how creating can improve your health! It has always been my intention to show you that anyone can be creative — and remind you that what you create doesn’t have to be perfect. Even just the process of creating can be very rewarding. Here are just a few ways crafting is good for your physical, emotional, and mental well-being:

Crafting improves self-esteem and self-confidence. Creating brings a sense of accomplishment. With each successful project, you are motivated to do it again. This repetitive process allows you to tap into your state of flow, producing feelings of enjoyment and personal growth.

Along with accomplishment, we tune into the truth that we are all naturally creative beings. Making space and time for this brings us into alignment with our true selves — where our esteem naturally evolves. So, taking the time to create, appreciating the accomplishment, and repeating the process naturally boosts self-esteem. This, in turn, enhances good feelings about yourself and your abilities! 

Crafting increases happiness, reduces stress, and allows you to be more mindful. All of us experience challenging times, myself included! Last year I found myself in a difficult time, personally and emotionally. So I signed up for a drawing class and a pottery course. Although I am always in a DIY mindset at home and making paper flowers in the studio, I knew I needed to challenge myself in a new way.

Within a few weeks, I was learning and creating. And I felt my depression release as a state of flow re-entered my life. Using our hands to create allows the brain and body to relax by giving it one focus, enabling the left and right hemispheres of the brain to balance. Being in the moment like that allows us to be more present. It’s very meditative — with happiness being a key side effect!

Crafting fosters a greater sense of connection and community. With social media, smartphones, and smart devices, we now have more ways to connect than ever before. However, many of us feel more and more disconnected to others, as well as to our true selves. So we say, put the devices face down for a bit, turn your screens off, and take time to craft!

Craft projects are ideal for engaging and connecting people to their creativity and to each other. There are also many simple ways to support the rebalance of creativity, face-to-face interaction, and self-care. This could mean scheduling a craft night with your friends or children. Setting aside some time for yourself each week to pursue your passion or learn a new skill. Or arranging to attend or lead a crafting class. When you create, you are doing more than just making pretty things (even though, of course, we love the pretty things!). You are changing and improving your own life, as well as connecting, building community, and creating experiences with those around you.

With crafting helping to boost self-esteem, happiness, and your connection with others, what’s not to love? Here are 10 ways to get your craft love on:

  1. Join us on our social channels. It’s a #craftlove fest out there — so during February, check out our Instagram giveaway along with the projects we will be sharing to inspire your crafting journey.
  2. Create handmade gifts for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions.
  3. Become a Lia Griffith member (if you’re not already) and join our community of crafters around the world.
  4. Create a local craft club with your friends or start a community craft project.
  5. Share a crafting membership with someone special.
  6. Save your “My Loved Projects” in your Craft Room and make them all!
  7. Schedule a crafternoon with friends and family — our Blooming Heart Wreath Craft Box is a great project for all skill levels and a great gift for someone you love.
  8. Stock up on craft supplies and share a gift certificate with someone special.
  9. Take time to enjoy the fruits (and flowers and more!) of your labor.
  10. Share your creations with hashtag #craftlove and #madewithlia on Instagram and Facebook.

We’re so excited to be on this journey with you as you Craft Your Life and Craft Love!

xo,

Lia and team