A little while back I was reading a blog post (forgive me, I can’t remember who by!)about crafting and community, and how connecting with virtual friends can be a positive, supportive experience, especially when you work from home. With this in mind I decided to share with you a group which I am lucky enough to be part of – although I am not a very regular participant!

Over Christmas my cousin got in touch with me to say that she and a friend were starting a Facebook group of crafty folk – they had chosen to call it ‘Sirens’: “Sirens welcome likeminded inspirational people to join us on a journey of creativity. Along the way we will support each other, share ideas, discuss our processes, and more.” Well, what’s not to like?

The group chooses a monthly challenge from a list complied from everyone’s suggestions. Each challenge is undertaken in an individual’s own way – their own medium, their own time, their own interpretation. And there are, of course, many distractions and tangents.

There are cries for help, and a lot of discussion and advice. Most of us actually know only one or two of the other members in ‘real life’, but that doesn’t prevent conversations being carried on as though a coffee table and tea pot were all that was in the way, rather than hundreds or thousands of miles.

And there is no obligation – if you feel like taking part, you take part. If life gets in the way, or there is no inspiration, then so be it. You still get to watch what everyone else is up to.

The variety of work which has been produced in these last 3 months, and shared via photographs through the various stages to completion is, frankly, staggering. So many beautiful, beautiful creations.

It really is a lovely way to get together, when leaving the house or joining a physical group isn’t necessarily practical. And there is plenty of inspiration to try new things.

Lately, though, there seems to have been a bit of a crochet obsession developing amongst the ladies… I could devote an entire post and several hundred photos to this subject, but here are just a couple:

I hope you all find your own way to connect with a crafty community (or more than one!) and that you find as much support, encouragement and humour as the Sirens have!

* All photos reproduced by permission of the owners.