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Two Raleigh locals are crafting a community of creatives through crafting studio Craft Habit.
Taylor Lee and Sarah Ferguson admittedly have hot glue running in their veins. As co-founders of Craft Habit, a local crafting studio that offers classes and more, the creative duo is intent on sharing their passion for all things crafting with other Raleighites.
For two locals who could have gone anywhere to start Craft Habit, it was the community that made Raleigh the ideal spot for their crafty clubhouse—a 2016-established pop-up-turned-brick-and-mortar that laid retail roots in Gateway Plaza in July 2018—not to mention there was a hole in the market after Cynthia Deis closed her locally loved bead and craft supply store Ornamentea (Deis later came on as a consultant for Craft Habit).
“People I knew from high school were starting businesses, and the business community was really welcoming,” says Ferguson. “Locals also want to support local businesses, so that inspired me. We knew the community was going to be there for us.”
Since then, Craft Habit has ingrained itself into Raleigh’s community via events held regularly that all Raleighites—whether they’re avid crafters or just want something fun and unique to do with their friends—are invited to attend.
Take the craft store’s Crafty Happy Hour for example, which pairs libations from Mordecai Beverage Co.—Craft Habit’s Gateway Plaza neighbor—with a simple craft (upcoming dates are Nov. 5 and Dec. 3). Or Community Crafternoons (Nov. 19 and Dec. 17), which invites the public to have a say in which crafts to make. And then there’s Craft Habit’s annual Handmade Gift Bonanza (Nov. 26–28), where a bevy of craft projects (soy candles are new this year!) will be available to make for holiday gift-giving—and who doesn’t love a sentimental handmade gift?!
These events are all part of Craft Habit’s core community vibe and Lee and Ferguson’s mission to introduce new crafts to locals. While they mostly offer introductory classes, they hope to build an audience for intermediate and advanced classes as well.
“Craft Habit is for people who are interested in crafting but who don’t feel crafty,” says Ferguson. “We want people to come in and nerd out about crafting, while making new friends.”
Lee and Ferguson are also involved in the Raleigh community outside of Craft Habit. For instance, they have held several sewing bees through the Sewing Acts of Kindness program to create items like reusable grocery bags for a Thanksgiving food pantry and cancer port pillows for local hospitals. So just like the community was there for them upon opening, now this couple of crafty creators is there for the Raleigh community.
While Craft Habit has grown leaps and bounds through word of mouth, Ferguson says that the location in Gateway Plaza has been one of the main draws for crowds. “Over the past three years, the whole center has changed,” she says. “Now there’s a co-working space, a bakery, a brewery and green space. As more businesses go in, we get more eyes on us.” Get your craft on at crafthabitraleigh.com.
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