Meet the “disorganisers” of Craft Swap Sheffield - an inclusive, friendly community
The organisers were originally introduced to each other through a mutual friend
An online Sheffield community is aiming to reduce waste and create an inclusive, friendly community.
Craft Swap Sheffield was founded in 2019 by Laura and Anna. Since then, they have hosted four craft swap events a year in a variety of venues across the city.
The organisers were originally introduced to each other through a mutual friend.
Outside of the group, Laura suffers with Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) which means she is mostly housebound. She volunteers with a variety of charities and community organisations, specifically as a disability advocate. She has always enjoyed crafting and frequently crafts online with her sister who lives in America.
She said: “It's such a nice way to be able to keep in touch with friends and family and stuff like that and obviously look after the craft swap group and disabled and Sheffield.”
Her fellow “disorganiser” Anna works part time in customer service and cares for her husband. Her craft of choice is sewing, particularly creating patchwork quilts and tapestries, which she frequently donates to charities. Anna also donates her crafts to local cat shelters, making beds, padding and covers for cat carriers.
When asked about their inspiration behind creating the group, Laura said: “There's a lot of craft materials going to waste because people start things and then they get bored or they can't do it or they move on to the next craft thing. I hate to see it all constantly go into landfill and then also lots of people can't afford craft things because they're so very expensive.”
The group first started as a Facebook group where anyone could join and advertise any craft material to swap or give away for free, alongside members sharing their current crafting projects and ask for any advice. Now, the Facebook group has over 3,200 members and sees multiple posts every day.
In the first year of Craft Swap’s existence, COVID hit, however it strengthened this community rather than eradicated it. Anna said: "It was really beautiful. People were running throughout Sheffield, leaving things on each other's doorsteps. And in bags attached to door handles and then running away. So we still managed to keep this trade of this walking of craft material. A real community spirit built up.”
Shortly after the lockdown was lifted, the quarterly Craft Swap events continued. The group have used a variety of venues with favourites being Firth Hall and Crookes Social Club. Currently looking for new venues to host swaps in.
Anna commented that the priority is to make sure “events are accessible and have enough space to move around in”. They require at least two large tables to display the crafting materials on offer whilst guaranteeing those that attend use wheelchairs or other mobility aids can still circle all the tables and meet everyone.
Alongside their community events, Craft Swap raises money for charities where they can. Local charities such as The Snowdrop Project have attended events and the group aims to donate to charity after every other swap, with money raised from members paying a £3 optional donation at events. The next charity they plan to donate to is St Luke’s Hospice. Previously, when spare material has been left over after a swap, Anna has offered it to charity shops and local craft organisations to further reduce any waste.
The next Craft Swap will be on Saturday, November 14 at Crookes Social Club, starting at 12:30pm.
They are always looking for new attendees, as after most events, Anna is left with a “nest of fabric” that could go to new homes. They want any prospective attendees to know that “it's really, really welcoming."
Both Laura and Anna believe they have formed a strong, tight-knit community amongst crafters in Sheffield.
Laura said: “I really feel that we've got it to the point where if we were unable to continue for whatever reason, the baton would be taken by plenty of others and it would continue. And that's all that we want, the community can continue to thrive. It doesn't need any specific people to push it along.”
Both Anna and Laura’s favourite thing about the community they’ve built is that “everyone knows that we are inclusive and supportive, they feel more comfortable coming to the swaps because they know that they'll be accepted and supported. We’d like to think so. That was always the plan.”