Crafting Social Connection with Needle Felting

Have you ever noticed that, as we age, it becomes increasingly difficult to make new friends? It seemed like we made new friends every day in college, and there is invariably someone new to form a connection with at a new job, but once you’ve settled into a pattern in life, our social circles don’t really expand.

This isn’t so much of a problem when we’re younger, but the older we get, the more our social circle moves away, or gets busy with life or, in some cases, begins passing away. This can lead to more and more social isolation and loneliness, which is bad for our mental health.

I was thinking the other day about how, especially as women, crafting used to bring us together. There’d be quilting groups, and sewing circles, and women would pass on their embroidery skills to their children. Nowadays, we tend to craft in isolation. But what if that didn’t have to be the case?

Needle Felting Groups

If you’re looking for a little more social connection in your life, why not start a needle felting group? Imagine if groups of people could get together, socialize, and create something beautiful. We could call them “Felting Families” or “Felting Flocks” or something else as delightfully alliterative.

Imagine: come Christmas, a church group could get together, and each member could felt a figurine for a felt nativity. Or a pair of animals for Noah’s Ark. Groups could have monthly themes, like Star Wars, or sports teams, or Halloween.

Maybe the entire group could work on the same project, like a book club. I have lots of kits available for purchase that would be appropriate for felters of all levels of experience. Imagine looking at a sweet flock of penguins at the end of an evening!

People of all ages could come together. Those of a more advanced skill level could pass on their techniques to the newer members. There could be snacks, and beverages, and a pile of various colors of wool. Everyone would find a place to belong, and a sense of accomplishment at the end of a project.

Are you looking to start a group! I’ve got lots of video courses to help you get started in my Needle Felting Academy. These videos will help you learn the techniques you need, and create the detail you’re looking for in any project. In addition, you’ll be granted admission to our Felting Forums, where members around the world connect, share tips, and even their felting fails.

Start crafting your social connections here, then take them to the real world! I can’t wait to see what you come up with.