A student started a crafting club for those looking to express their artistic skills.
Sierra Paul, theater and performance/education junior, started the club at the beginning of the academic year.
“I’ve always wanted to get into embroidery, so this summer I bought a kit. I really enjoyed it, so it got me thinking,” Paul said. “I knew some of my other friends do crafty things like knitting and crocheting, so I thought, ‘I should start a club and make some new friends that also like to do old lady stuff.’”
The crafting club is a space for people to work on personal projects and be surrounded by others who like to do the same kind of thing, she said.
“Everyone does their own kind of discipline. There’s knitting, crocheting, painting, we’ve even had people come and build model airplanes,” she said. “We’re really open to anything.”
The club does not receive funding from OCU, Paul said.
“I didn’t ask for any funding because I didn’t want the school to have to fund stuff that I want to make for people’s gifts or to sell,” she said. “It’s just not ethical, in my opinion.”
The club meets from 6-7 p.m. every Monday in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.
All students bring their own supplies, and those painting are required to bring newspaper to put on the table.
“We aren’t really a tutorial group, but if someone brings a starter kit, I’m sure people will be willing to help them, but it’s not really the purpose of the club,” she said.
Paul said the club is casual, and anyone is welcome to join.
“It’s basically an outlet for crafty people to get together and do what they love,” she said. “We have a lot of fun.”
Paul said the mission statement for the club is, “The OCU Crafting Club is open to all students of any crafting ability and strives to provide a fun, low-key environment for crafters to work on personal projects and make new friends in a casual setting.”
Lysa Engle, film senior, said joining the club has been productive.
“That gives me a structured time to do any and all crafts I have, like sorority stuff or stuff for my film capstone,” she said. “It’s been super fun so far.”
Matthew Lavery, acting sophomore, said the crafting club provides students with time aside from busy schedules to do crafts.
“It was a goal of mine to start some small crafting project, but I could never find the time. So far, I have been having a blast going and working on little projects each time,” Lavery said. “It gives me a sense of grounding this week.”
Marty Gibson, art junior, helped Paul start the club. She said she hopes more people will attend meetings.
“So far, it’s been great, but I think we definitely need more people showing up to meetings,” Gibson said. “It’s super informal and really just a time to focus on making personal stuff.”
Students may email Sierra Paul at sjpaul@my.okcu.edu or message the “OCU Crafters” Facebook page for more information about the club.
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