“A beautiful thing about it all is that crafting is a built-in icebreaker,” says Leah Smith, co-founder and strategic lead at Chicago Craft Club. “All you have to do is say: ‘What are you working on?’ And then the conversation just goes from there.” Unlike the typical crafting model, most of Chicago Craft Club’s programming is BYOC: Bring Your Own Craft. This provides a less structured environment, emphasizing connection and knowledge sharing more than skill development.
When the original Arts and Crafts movement emerged in late 19th-century Victorian England, society was at a similar inflection point regarding technology. Nearly 150 years ago, in response to the technological boom and effects of the industrial revolution, there was a desire for high-quality objects created by an artist’s hand. Now, one could argue that the current state of the world, with the increase of AI and mass production, has resulted in a renewed desire for handmade items and a higher value placed on these simple, old-fashioned crafts. The rising popularity of crafts and these types of spaces may be a response to this new type of over-industrialization.
Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Craft Club
Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Craft Club
“People are returning to individuality,” says Mellul. “And I think they’re excited to be able to be like, ‘I made this thing’ and not, ‘I got it on Amazon.’” That’s one of the reasons Craft Society focuses on functional crafts, not just things that add to clutter. This also increases confidence and competence among attendees who realize that the small, fun project they’re doing now is also a skill that can be developed. “One of my favorite phrases when window shopping is just going, like, ‘I can make that,’ which I do way more than I should,” adds Rieken.
At Happy Medium, this sentiment is echoed—and growing. Their “Build a Chair” workshop is already highly popular, but with the additional space at their Brooklyn location, there are plans for more home decor and furniture classes. “It’s only in the last 100 years that we’ve been able to afford mass-produced items. Those kinds of home ec. skills—like building your furniture, making your quilts, or repairing things in your home—have kind of disappeared. It’s not taught anymore,” says Carraway. “I think you get a lot of satisfaction when you make something and own it.”
