Meetup Groups For DIYers

Filed under: Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

Looking for a group of friends to sew with? Decoupage with? Or just swap renovation tips over pizza? We've got the best DIY-themed community activities all over the country.

Etsy Labs

Even if you love your friends, chances are they don't share 100% of your interests. So why not seek out a new group of people to craft/build/create with? I tried it this week at the Brooklyn-based Etsy Labs. As subway trains rumbled across the Manhattan Bridge outside Etsy's window, I stitched together a DIY wallet with 50 new friends. Jealous?

My wallet, in all its glory. Photo: Nikki Pepper.

My newfound discovery got me thinking. If Meetup lead me to Etsy Labs, what else is out there for DIYers? Here's my findings, broken down by region, to help you DIYers find your own meetup. Whether you're a scrapbooker or a stamper, there's a group for you.

Northeast Meetups
- Long Islanders can cook and craft as part of the group All Fired Up! Join these women -- ages 25-35 -- for some yummy, crafty fun.
- If you're in the NYC area, be sure to check out Etsy Labs, a group with over 3,000 members that turn up for weekly free craft events. Be sure to sign up ahead of time though!

Past Etsy Labs crafts Photo: Etsy Labs Meetups

Southeast Meetups
- Join crafters in Georgia for weekly "crafty Tuesdays." True to their name -- Screen Printing & Mixed Media & Crafting for Everyone! -- this group covers a range of creative forms. Upcoming events include book making and a yarn swap.
- DIY and contribute to your community at the same time through D.I.Y.Home Projects & KY TimeBank Service Exchange. Spend an hour helping someone fix their roof or paint their house and they'll owe you an hour of DIY time on your house.

Mid-West Meetups
- Leather bracelets and bird mobiles are on the list of upcoming events for The Chicago Rebel Craft League. Join the existing 255 "crafty souls" to complete projects for all experience levels.
- Join Stampers Anonymous to satiate all your papercraft urges. Every month they host a Ladies' Night, along with various other crafting events. Past meetups include Cards & Coffee and open workshops where you can bring any current projects you're working on.

West Coast Meetups
- DIYers of California should check out Fixer-Upper DIY Homeowners Salon & Social Club. This meetup is support-group style with members swapping renovation tips and stories over beer and pizza. Now that's our kind of social scene!
- The Art of Crafts is a Seattle, Washington-based group that provides a wide variety of projects. Members have made soaps and placemats in previous classes. Coming up: Decoupage Easter eggs.

Find a meetup close to your home, and let us know what your group does! And if you're looking for crafty projects to complete on your own, check out...
Apartment Gardening: Turn a Filing Cabinet Into a Planter
Silverware Crafts for your Home
Illuminate Old-School Photo Negatives

 

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Source: http://www.diylife.com/2011/04/14/meetup-group-diy/

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