Local arts and crafts group encourages folks to get creative

WARNER ROBINS – Houston County Creative Arts and Crafts is a group for everyone to work on their ongoing projects or to make new friends. 

The group meets at Little Sweeties Cakery to get away from daily life and get creative juices flowing. Ashley Martin started the group back in December 2024 since she could not find a broad range art group in the area. She hopes to eventually make it a nonprofit organization.

Approximately 20 women get together and bring craft projects they’re working on. Martin shared they sit, chat about life and it’s a very diverse group. Members also teach each other crafts ranging from crochet, knitting, painting, drawing, quilting, beading, jewelry and Cricut.

Martin said her husband is deployed a lot; as someone new to town, she quickly realized there weren’t any craft groups and was trying to figure out a hobby to pass the time. 

She also shared she was depressed and had anxiety; the COVID-19 pandemic did not help her mental health and she realized other members felt the same.

So, she created the group, sharing it on multiple pages via Facebook. Martin said many people came out, brought their crafts and learned new ones. She said a member makes chunky blankets and now she is teaching other members how to make them. 

Those interested in attending are not required to bring supplies. Martin said she sometimes will supply kits and other members donate. Crafters can get items from the donation bin or watch. The group also goes shopping together at the Yarn Studio. 

“[We do] almost anything and everything that doesn’t require electricity,” she said.

After the group’s first meeting, she realized she wanted to be able to craft and sit with someone. She said it’s not fun to do things alone and saw how happy everyone was learning each other’s stories. 

Martin recalled a story of a woman with depression, the group providing support and companionship. She makes sure everyone feels welcome, whether they are experienced crafters or new to the hobby.

“If they’re new I usually sit with them because I don’t do cliques or anything like that. I usually sit with them and just talk with them so they feel welcomed because I don’t anybody feel like they’re left out in the corner,” she said.

Martin believes they are all kids at heart and need friends. She also thinks everybody needs something to do to get them out of the house to escape daily tasks.

“They need something different that’s not just routine that gets them creative and happy because when you create something it gives you some sort of accomplishment and happiness,” she said.

Wanting a diverse group, Martin said the group does not talk about politics or religion and they do not meet up at temples or churches, choosing a place where everyone can feel comfortable.

“We laugh, we chat about new ideas [and] things around town. It’s very calming; it just makes you happy and it’s like a refresher,” she said.

Anyone interested in joining the group is encouraged to attend any of their upcoming meetings.

“I’ll sit with you, I’ll talk to you and we’ll figure out a craft that you can become interested in or if you just want to sit and chat about crafts, that’s fine too,” she said.

Houston County Creative Arts and Crafts meets every Thursday starting at 6 p.m. Their upcoming meeting will be on April 10 at Little Sweetie’s Cakery, located at 585 Carl Vinson Parkway, Suite 400. 

To keep up with the group, visit their Facebook page.