It’s time to get crafty and party! While some people might not put crafting and partying together, a get-together like this can be a great idea for your next celebration if you like taking part in creative activities whenever you can. Everyone, or at least the creatives at heart, can appreciate a craft party because it’s a great bonding exercise that allows you to learn a new technique or just simply spend time together doing something you love with other people who share the same passion. It can be a space where people can interact with each other to share a few laughs, compliment the progress made on a project, or give a little hint in between. Why should the kid’s parties have all the fun when there are plenty of adults who love crafting in their spare time and know how to make a decent party out of it?
Photo by Rachael Gorjestani on Unsplash
So, you like crafting and you want to plan your next event around a DIY project your guests will love? You shouldn’t have a hard time organising this if you follow some of the guidance provided in this article. Here are easy-to-follow steps to throw a craft-themed party with some extra tips in between!
Step 1: Brainstorm and plan
This is probably one of the hardest parts of throwing a party, but also one of the most enjoyable parts (of course, attending the party takes the cake!). Time to start thinking about who you will invite and what type of project you will take on! Guests will love making something that can be used in their homes like a painted vase, something that can be given as a gift like a personalised mini scrapbook album, or something they can make for themselves like jewellery or a cute tote bag. You can always choose a mix of different crafts relevant to what your friends like doing, but keep their creative skill levels in mind, especially if you have invited a first-time crafter. In any case, it’s never too late (or too early) to learn something new. If you have a few extra projects set up, you can help a friend fall in love with something new they’ve never tried before.
The when and where of the party are also some of the most important factors. Natural light is often best when crafting but if you decide to do it at night, make sure there is sufficient lighting available. Your party guests will thank you for it! Choose a space that is big enough for the number of guests you want to invite with enough working space for everyone to do their thing without getting in each other’s way. Start mapping out your area and getting all the important bits of information on paper so that you can refer back to it later on.
Step 2: Gather supplies
Now that you have a better idea of what you are doing, you are ready to go shopping! Make a list of anything you might not have at home already and stick to that list. If it turns out that the items you need are hard to find or too expensive for your budget, you know that it is time to go back to the drawing board. Of course, one or two exceptions are not the worst thing, but there should always be a limit. One of the best parts about craft time for adults is that you can get the good stuff (i.e. not just anything colourful or shiny as you would usually do with kids). Look out for the things you know you and your friends will love working with. Depending on the personalities and theme, you can choose more classic colours or allow the colours to de determined by a theme.
Don’t hesitate to ask your friends to bring their own supplies and tools if you know they might already have something to use. Make the process as convenient as possible for them by supplying them with a list of what they need. If they have to purchase something, keep the quantity and the price to a minimum and provide them with details like what to get and where to find it.
Step 3: Test it out
If you have a very specific project in mind, it is best to test it out if you have never done it before. A flop of a project might bring a few giggles to the party but it can also cause a lot of disappointment for some of the party guests. If you are not confident in your craft abilities or you are eager to learn something new, you can consider organising someone to demonstrate a new craft type or present a new technique. But if you want to do this all by yourself, be sure to have a look at Creative Fabrica’s crafts section to get the resources you need like templates and the easy-to-follow steps that accompany them!
Photo by Andrew Valdivia on Unsplash
Step 4: Make preparations
A little hard work before the party will ensure that everything runs smoothly when the day comes. Overcome all obstacles by being prepared! Print out instructions so that even the friends who claim they don’t know how to be creative can join in and have a guideline to follow. Keep in mind that one person won’t be using the entire roll of ribbon, the full-sized container of paint, or the whole sheet of stickers. To avoid having to purchase more than what’s needed, divide the supplies where possible by pouring them into different containers or cutting them into smaller pieces so that they can be divided and placed at strategic positions close to the working spaces of the party guests. This will also ensure that guests don’t have to lean over each other or get up every few minutes to get to something.
Step 5: Set it up
You now have everything you need ready to be placed in its rightful place. Try to set up everything before the party so that you don’t have to run around during the party when you should be crafting and making memories. Ask a friend to help you set things up if you feel overwhelmed by the tasks or just need some company while doing it. Make sure each guest has a working space with the basics they will need, whether it be paintbrushes, measuring tape, or craft knives. Items that will be shared can be placed in the middle or on a separate table where guests can have easy access to pick out what they need.
Some rules to follow:
- Keep it organised.
Kids don’t mind a big mess but a lot of adults struggle to focus when things are out of place. There is a balance between not being too uptight about it and making sure things don’t get out of hand. An easy way to resolve this is by supplying containers for each item to be placed in after use. Don’t forget the waste bins! If everything has a place, there’s a much bigger chance that they will end up where they are supposed to and not get in the way. - Keep it clean.
If you are dealing with a messy craft, ask everyone to bring an apron to protect their clothes or supply them with ones that they can put on once they start working. Consider covering the tables with newspapers or something that will protect them from any disastrous messes. Do what you can to keep the post-party cleaning to a minimum! - Keep it affordable.
Again, stick to your budget because you decided on one for a reason. Don’t be wasteful and try to be thrifty where possible. Reuse the scraps of paper, fabric and other materials if you can. Some of the most enjoyable crafts require only a few affordable items that allow crafters to create a creative masterpiece!
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash - Keep it realistic.
You might have big ideas for this party, but will they actually work? Think about it for a second. Will everyone’s sewing machine setups fit on your small dining room table? Or will you be okay with a few drops of paint on the carpet in your lounge? Your safest bet is to stick to crafts that require minimal supplies and make use of areas that allow you to have the freedom to be creative without the stress. Don’t inconvenience yourself or your guests with an unrealistic plan that will bring about more worry than fun. - Keep it fun.
When the party starts, it is time to stop worrying about the small stuff and enjoy the moment. Resist the urge to control what your guests make and how they do it. Allow everyone to be as creative as they can be and make sure everyone has an opportunity to show off their fine work!
Other party notes
- Music
It might be best to choose relaxing music for knitting, crocheting or crafts that require more concentration. Crafting is generally more relaxing, but you can always opt for more upbeat music for the happy-go-lucky crafters who are kicking it Pollock-style.
Photo by Rebecca Grant on Unsplash - Food and drinks
Set up a drinks station where guests can refill their drinks so that you don’t have to get up to assist them. Try to keep food and drinks separate so that they don’t mix with the craft projects. Have a proper break away from the crafts if you want to enjoy a full meal, or opt for finger foods that can be enjoyed throughout the day. Remember to supply serviettes or wet wipes if you don’t have a washbasin nearby so that guests can keep their hands clean while working on their craft projects. - Decorations
The DIY fun can already start when you make your own decorations for the party! Decorate each guest’s space by adding a card with their name on it to make them feel welcome and excited to start crafting in their own little designated space. There are plenty of cute themes that you can use to inspire the decorations of the party, like a classic café theme or an over-the-top vintage theme. An array of creative ideas is an internet search away!
What else?
Take a moment to think of the smaller details. Are any of your guests allergic to something? Are there any special needs to take care of? If you have invited any parents, consider creating a craft space for the adults who bring their kids along and supply this area with crayons and colouring pages. Fair warning: the vibe might be so nice that some people won’t finish their projects because they spent too much time chatting and admiring what other people are making. Provide them with something that they can use to protect the project when they take it home, like a plastic sleeve for paper projects or a small box for a decorated cupcake. If you want to add a party favour for your guests, you can consider giving them small craft supplies like ribbons, decorative tape, buttons, and other embellishments that can be used in various crafts. And if people are unsure what to give you as a present, you can suggest that they stick with the theme and bring craft supplies to keep your stocks full!
A craft-themed party for adults is a great choice for your next event because it’s something different but it’s also something intimate to enjoy with your loved ones or people you might want to get to know better. Guests will leave showing off a smile on their faces and a creative craft in their hands. Now, that sounds like a great time fit for all creatives!
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