The art of shitty crafting: How Sam Reece built a global community

In the bustling heart of Brooklyn in 2019, comedian and writer Sam Reece had an idea. Burned out from constantly chasing perfection at work, she decided to organize a casual crafting event. Little did she know that this single gathering would spark a movement, evolving into the now-viral Shitty Craft Club - a community that celebrates creativity, imperfection, and the joy of making "shitty" art.

The first bead: Where shitty craft club's journey began

Reece's journey began when she realized her creative outlets had become overwhelmingly career-focused. "On a not-so-Virgo whim," she bought crafting supplies, found a community space, and invited friends to decorate sunglasses. No rules, no expectations - just pure fun.

From a one-off event to a regular gathering

The first event was a hit, with about 30 people attending. Reece discovered a profound truth: "There's no time to think: See bead! Grab bead! Glue bead!" She decided to make it a monthly occurrence, adamant that it wouldn't become a business - all the money made would go back into the next event. She had no idea how much it would grow.

Reece's mantra encapsulated the club's spirit: "I am a gorgeous and incredible artist! I allow myself to be silly! Everything I make is wonderful and never wrong or bad!"

Pandemic pivot and viral success

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Reece took Shitty Craft Club to TikTok. The move was transformative, gaining 10,000 followers within a week. Today, it boasts over 250,000 followers across platforms. Reece's blend of crafting and comedy found a perfect home, building a global community around embracing imperfection.

Patreon: Sustaining the shitty craft movement

• Recognizing the need to support her growing community, Reece turned to Patreon to help her
• Fund more elaborate craft projects
• Host virtual workshops
• Developing new content formats, like her visual podcast where she crafts while interviewing other comedians and artists

Through Patreon, Reece aims to balance community growth with preserving the club's original spirit of fun and imperfection.

Looking to the future

What started as a single crafting event has blossomed into a global phenomenon, a published book, and a vibrant community. As Reece often says, "Do the thing that makes you happy, even if it's dumb." And in doing so, she's created something truly beautiful.