The Need to Make

I have always been a crafty person. (You can interpret that however you prefer.)

After finishing my dissertation, I found hand embroidery and have spent a significant part of my life invested in needle arts since.

In recent years, I’ve realized that many, many academics find rest, renewal, and joy in creative endeavors of many kinds.

I’ve also found immense joy and connection in being a part of writing groups and crafting groups in the last several years.

This space, is just for academics who need a regular cadence to make space to make. Not plan a syllabus, or write a journal article, or prep for a conference. We need those spaces, too, but this one is to connect with others who get that and enjoy the peace and delight that comes with making something with your hands.

 

  • Open Studio (starting March 2026)

    2nd Thursday 10:00 a.m. to Noon Eastern | 4th Sunday 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern

    Online (link provided after you complete the join us form)

    Free!

  • Craftademics Open Studio is for academics (any stage/discipline) who crave creative community beyond traditional, academic spaces. It is for those who need permission to value making as much as scholarly work. Those looking for community connection with zero pressure or performance. Those who need protected time to make things.

  • Drop in when you can and bring whatever you’re working on (making only, no scholarship for these two hours!)

    • We are a smaller group so we can connect as humans.

    • Show up when you can, skip when you can’t.

    • Share what you’re making and learning. Ask others for advice. Celebrate small victories.

    Any kind of making is welcome, but if it’s noisy we’ll ask you to stay muted. My area of experience is embroidery, punch needle, sewing, quilting, etc.

    Bring your knitting, crocheting, painting, paper crafts, whatever makes you happy.

    You don’t need to be good at making things, you just need to wan to make them.

    • A class or workshop (though we might learn from each other)

    • Productivity-focused or goal-driven

    • Critique-heavy or competitive

    • Rigid about attendance or output

    • Another thing adding pressure to your life

    This is a space to breathe and make and connect. That's it.

    • 2nd Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

    • 4th Sunday 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

    Cancellations will be communicated and updated here.

    March: 12th & 22nd
    April: 9th & 26th
    May: 14th & 24th
    June: 11th & 28th
    July: 9th & 26th
    August: 13th & 23rd
    September: 10th & 27th
    October: 8th & 25th
    November: 12th & 22nd
    December: 10th & 27th