Whether you’re a hobbyist or have dreams of turning your passion for needle felting into a business, you can use the power of social media to take your crafts (or side hustle!) to the next level.
Think about it this way. Nearly two decades ago, you actually had to seek out information actively. If you wanted to learn how to pick up a new craft—and you weren’t fortunate enough to have a friend or loved one pass their knowledge down to you—you’d have to go to a class or pick up a magazine.
Today, you can crowdsource that information, making the barrier of entry virtually non-existent. Social media was originally designed for us to be…social! Talk, ask questions, answer questions, offer advice, and build connections. If you admire someone’s work, let them know! You have no idea where they are in their crafting journey and how much hearing words of encouragement might mean to them.
One common misconception I hear from budding creators is that they feel like they need to be on every single platform. You don’t! Find the platform that’s right for you. If you think that Instagram is draining and tends to give you a bit of anxiety, forget it! If you just can’t handle the constant bickering on your Facebook feed, deactivate! It’s not worth it.
Let’s take a look at the different social media platforms and how they might fit your needle felting needs!
Are you a visual learner? Type “#needlefelting” into the tag page of Instagram, and what do you see? There are rows upon rows of absolutely adorable figures, life-like animals, and creative pieces that will make you want to run to the next room to grab your needle felting tools.
If you’re someone who is looking for inspiration (…or looking to inspire!), Instagram is the place for you. You probably won’t find in-depth tutorials, but you will discover needle felted pieces that you would never even imagine could be possible.
By sharing your pictures using relevant, needle felting hashtags, you’ll attract other crafters who just might be the source of inspiration for your next project!
Youtube
Could you sit and watch the punching of the needle all day? Me too! I love how much the crafting community has blossomed on Youtube. With entire channels dedicated to needle felting, you can find just about any niche you want…and some you didn’t even know you wanted!
From time-lapse videos that take you through an entire project at lightning speed to step-by-step tutorials, Youtube is a wonderful platform to pick up some new skills. And when you’re in the mood to just sit and hear stories about how or why your favorite creator started crafting, you can do that too.
Any budding creator who wants to sell their crafts, whether it be on Etsy or their own website, should start building a platform on Youtube. You get to offer your viewers real value while building a community in the comment section!
Community is the foundation of crafting! To see a real example of this, all you have to do is look at countries such as Laos or Thailand where crafting is a part of the economy in many villages. You’ll see women in groups, chatting, sharing tips, working together, and creating.
However, you don’t have to travel all the way to Southeast Asia to see an example of a community in crafts. Right here in North Dakota, I gather with a group of gals every month. We talk sheep, learn from each other, knit, spin, dye, eat, share our projects, laugh, and have lots of fun. We call ourselves the Woolly Women!
That said, not everyone has a group of crafters built-into their community, and that’s where the internet comes in. If you are missing a little connection in your crafts, you’ll want to head to Facebook. Search through Facebook for groups relating to crafting or needle felting. Once you’re in, you’ll see just how powerful these communities can be in helping you reach your goals.
Got a burning question? Go to the group. Are you wondering where to buy a certain material for your next project? Ask the group. Whether you find groups that are local, national, or even international, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to make new connections!
If you’re ready to create connections, learn incredible, time-saving needle felting tricks, and find your own space on the internet with a fun-loving group of crafters, I’d love to invite you to join the Bear Creek Felting Academy!
Whether you are new to needle felting or have been felting for years, this academy is for YOU! Click here to learn more.
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Hi,
I have been needle felting for almost a year and have taken several classes but I am noticing that there is little information out there as to the actual application of the wool to the item being felted. What I mean, is how to get that finished even look. I am thinking there must be a method for actually applying the felting material. Do you teach that in your academy?
Thanks