Until I saw a giveaway drawing earlier today, offered at Craftsy, I didn’t realize that March is National Craft Month. Who started this, and how is it being celebrated? The anwer is that you need look no further than the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Craft & Hobby Association, a not-for-profit trade association. CHA Foundation’s purpose is “to serve as a catalyst for enhancing life through creative expression throughout the world.” It does so by encouraging people to get involved in the CRE8TIME Movement during National Craft Month (or anytime).
CRE8TIME is an initiative that is all about reclaiming a few minutes every day or every week to be creative in some way, whether you write, compose music, craft floral arrangements, knit, sew, paint, design jewelry, weave baskets, or anything else. The folks at CRE8TIME.org tell you that “CRE8TIME is a movement to raise awareness for the need to devote more time for creative expression, and provide a forum for you to share your experiences–the joys, lessons, and results—with the creative community at large.” If you do something creative, for example, share it with one of your favorite social networks (such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram) using this hashtag: #Cre8Time. Not sure where to start? You can download a monthly calendar filled with ideas for every day of the month: CRE8TIME Monthly Calendar. You can help advance the cause of the CRE8TIME movement by visiting the Join the Movement page of CRE8TIME, and subscribing to its mailing list.
So, what’s going on in the Web world in recognition of National Craft Month?
Visit the CRE8TIME page on Facebook, first of all, and begin following it. Then, “Craft your passion for National Craft Month and enter to win!” Make something you feel passionate about, take a picture of it, and upload it to the #CRE8TIME Facebook contest app (www.facebook.com/cre8time) or on Instagram (www.instagram.com/cre8time). Don’t forget to add the #CRE8TIME hashtag. Explain what your entry is about in the photo description area. Click here to enter: http://bit.ly/1d20UTW.
Craftsy is kicking off National Craft Month with a free class giveaway for three people. All you have to do is join the Craftsy site, if you have not already done so, and then click on the giveaway link. Joining costs you nothing, and there are free patterns and free mini classes you can enjoy anytime. You can click on either the photo below or this link to enter the drawing: http://bit.ly/1bTilrJ. The deadline to enter is March 31st, 2014, at 11:59 pm MST. The winner will be notified by e-mail on April 1st, 2014.
Interweave’s Knitting Daily community is selecting 10 winners to receive prizes from its partners. Each prize is worth at least $25. To enter Knitting Daily’s random drawing, click on National Craft Month Giveaway and scroll to the entry form at the bottom of the page. You must enter by Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. PST. The winners will be announced on Monday, March 10. The sponsoring partners include:
- The Musk Ox Farm of Palmer, Alaska sells hand-combed Qiviut yarns. It is offering its own giveaway. To get a free pattern and a discount for National Craft Month, and to enter the giveway, click on this link: http://muskoxfarm.org/giveaway-2/
- Go-Organize sells modular furniture for craft supplies storage needs.
- Red Heart Reflective Yarn. Check out Red Heart’s free yarn patterns HERE.
- Skacel Collection, Inc. features Simplinatural, HiKoo’s newest luxury six-ply fiber that combines wool, alpaca and silk.
- Classic Elite Yarns offers a free weekly newsletter where you can find free patterns.
- Chicken Boots sells organizers for your knitting and crochet tools and yarns.
- Yarn Pop Top Shelf Totes are adorable zipper bags to keep you organized while you’re on-the-go.
- Della Q sells bags and needlecases for knitters.
- Imperial Yarn sells premium yarns such as Tracie too sport weight yarn. Take advantage of their free patterns HERE.
- Harrisville Designs features Shetland and Highland wool yarns.
Fusion Beads is challenging beaders everywhere to join in a 30-day challenge for National Craft Month. Download their 30-day calendar HERE, and share photos of your finished creations on the Fusion Beads Facebook page. You can also blog about your creations. You’ll find the challenge here: http://www.fusionbeads.com/Beading-Q-and-A/30-Day-March-2014
Besides offering discounts during the entire month of March that are tied in with National Craft Month, Jo-Ann Fabrics is sponsoring the Big Craft Challenge on Instagram. Here how it works: every day a new challenge will be posted. Take a photo of your solution or answer, and post it on Instagram using the hashtag, #BIGCRAFTCHALLENGE. On April 4, 2014, 5 winners will be announced via Jo-Ann Instagram who will receive a $250 gift card to Jo-Ann Fabrics and Craft Stores. You’ll find all of the challenges for the month on Instagram HERE, or visit Jo-Ann Instagram.
There are many other retailers from the craft and hobby industry who are participating in National Craft Month. Visit these links to learn more:
- March National Craft Month giveaways, contests, freebies and deals
- National Craft Month on Pinterest
If you learn about other activities, challenges or giveaways related to National Craft Month 2014, please share them in the comments below. This annual month-long event is all about celebrating the things you make with your hands. Share your passion through your favorite social networks, blog about something you’ve made, or teach someone else what you’re passionate about.
© 2014 Judy Nolan. All rights reserved
Best month of the year 🙂 Great list of sites to get fun crafty info!
Wow, Judy! Thank you for compiling all of those great Craft Month promotions! I didn’t even realize it WAS National Craft Month! You’ve enlightened me.
I’ve known about National Craft Month for some time but never really paid much attention to it. Thanks for all the info and links!