How to Make More Crafty Friends (Without Feeling Awkward)
Creative friendships start with small acts of sharing. Here’s how to do it.
Hi friends,
It started with a list.
Back in the early 2010s, I joined a journaling project1. It was a simple challenge—just fill out a list every day based on a prompt. No overthinking, no pressure, just a fun way to document life.
I didn’t expect much beyond that.
But then I met Megan. Within days, we went from commenting on each other’s posts to having deep conversations in DMs. Soon, we were texting regularly. A few years later, Megan and her husband came to stay with us before we moved from NJ to Michigan. We explored NYC, visited the beach, and hit up some great diners. Since then, we’ve supported each other through some of life’s hardest moments.
Then there’s Kam & Amy, the brilliant minds behind that journaling project I was talking about, 30 Days of Lists. As the project grew, we started a mini-mastermind group (with Meg) to talk about creativity and business. More than a decade later, we’re still helping each other navigate life. Seeing them in person this past summer at Awesome Ladies Live was a reminder that creative friendships—whether online or IRL—stick.
And of course, The Awesome Ladies Project has connected me with incredible people from all over the world. We’ve made art together, swapped stories, and even traveled across oceans to meet.
None of this would’ve happened if we hadn’t started sharing our creativity.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this email:
Why sharing your creativity leads to stronger friendships.
Simple ways to connect with crafty people (without feeling awkward).
How to use the Currently List to start meaningful creative conversations.
Let’s break it down.
Creative friendships don’t happen by accident.
They start with small moments of sharing—posting a journal entry, commenting on someone’s project, showing up for a creative challenge.
Most of us assume that finding “our people” requires a big, coordinated effort. But in reality, connection comes from consistency, not perfection. When you put your creativity out there, even in small ways, you open the door for real friendships to form.
It’s not about having the most polished work or the best ideas. It’s about showing up, sharing, and making space for others to do the same.
Creativity makes people real to each other.
When you create something, you’re revealing a part of yourself. That vulnerability—whether through words, colors, or messy art journals—makes space for true connection.
That’s why creative friendships feel different from other relationships. They’re built on shared storytelling, curiosity, and the simple joy of making things.
And you don’t have to be in the same room to experience it. I see it happen in Daily Pages Live all the time—people who’ve never met in person but have formed deep, supportive friendships just by showing up and making art together.
Small Ways to Stay Connected Through Creativity
You don’t need a huge online presence to make creative connections. You just need small, repeatable habits. Here are a few ideas:
Creative Challenges – Participating in the same challenge (like Daily Pages, Currently List, or Book of Me) is a fun, low-pressure way to stay connected.
Art/ATC Swaps – Mini trading cards are a great way to share a little piece of your creativity with others. We’ve got a Women’s History Month swap coming up—sign up here!
Join an Art Class – Either online or in person. Either live or asynchronous. Learn a new technique and share it wherever the other students are hanging out.
Sharing Works-in-Progress – Instead of waiting to post a finished project, share a peek at what you’re working on. It sparks conversations and invites collaboration.
✨ Pick one and try it this week!
Using the Currently List to Make Creative Connections
The Currently List is one of the easiest ways to connect with people creatively. It’s simple, structured, and repeatable—making it a perfect friendship check-in.
This simple, 7-prompt journaling challenge (that I’ve been using for the last 15+ years) helps you document what’s happening in your life right now. It’s an easy, structured way to check in creatively—both with yourself and with others.
I use it every week in my both my Daily Pages notebook and my email to spark conversations and reflect on what’s happening in my world. And you can do the same:
✔ Fill out a Currently List and text it to a friend.
✔ Swap your lists every Monday as a creative check-in.
✔ Turn it into a journaling habit, scrapbook page, or art journal entry.
If you’ve been looking for a low-pressure way to connect with other creative humans, this is it.
✨ Grab the brand new Currently Printable Zine here!
Weekly Resource List:
The Currently Printable Zine (Free Download) → A simple, structured way to document what’s happening in your life right now—great for creative check-ins with friends. Download here.
The Currently List Journaling Challenge (Free + Paid Resources) → More about this journaling challenge that I created 15+ years ago. Check it out here.
How Do I Make Friends (Reading Time: 9 min) Mari Andrew lets us know how to make friends as a grown-up in this world. Read here.
Show Your Work (Non-Fiction Book) Austin Kleon book all about how to get yourself out there and show what you’re making. Learn more here.
Awesome Ladies Project Community (Join for free) → A creative space for women & non-binary people to share their work and make connections. Check it out.
ATC Card Swap for Women’s History Month (Learn more now) → A fun way to connect through creative exchange. Let me know you’re interested in the swap.
Sponsored by: Currently List
If you’ve ever struggled to make time for journaling, the Currently List makes it easy.
Every week, you get 7 simple prompts to capture what’s happening in your life right now—no pressure, no overthinking. It’s the perfect tool to build a journaling habit and spark conversations with fellow creatives.
💡 Grab the free Currently Printable Zine and start your creative check-in today!
Here’s what we covered today:
Sharing your creativity helps you find your people. It doesn’t have to be big or perfect—just putting something out there opens doors.
Small creative habits strengthen friendships. Whether it’s a weekly check-in, a swap, or sharing work-in-progress, consistency matters.
The Currently List is an easy way to start. Use it to check in with a friend, document your life, and start meaningful creative conversations.
Action step: Download the Currently Printable Zine, fill it out, and share it with someone. You never know where a simple list might lead.
Talk to you next week!
xoxo,
Kristin
P.S. If you’re enjoying these newsletters, please consider sharing this edition with a friend who might need a little creative boost today.
And for those of you who are new (or newly ready), here are 3 easy ways I can help you build your creative practice:
Upgrade your Substack subscription and join me Monday-Friday at Noon ET for my Daily Pages creative time (bring any project you’re working on). And—join us on the first Saturday of the month. for our live masterclasses, a new topic each month on building and sustaining your creative habit. See the full archive here.
Check out the free Awesome Ladies Project community + app and join us for weekly challenges, free stickers, and amazing friendships!
I really enjoyed this article. Thank you.
I have taken up knitting again in my late 50s and didn't know anyone else locally or in my friend/colleague groups that knit. There were groups I found but they only met up during week-days which didn't work for me as I work.
With Instagram, I am not a prolific user or poster of pictures. IG has introduced me to a wonderful & diverse group of local people who knit and we catch up regularly. We have even been on a retreat together - it's so lovely and rewarding to have friends where your similar interest binds you.
Julie- Perth, Western Australia
Hi Julie,
Thank you so much for sharing this! I absolutely love hearing how your knitting journey has blossomed into real-life connections. There’s something so special about finding people who “get it,” especially when our shared interest grows into actually meaningful friendships. Your knitting retreat sounds like an absolute dream; what an amazing reminder of how creativity brings us together in the most unexpected and rewarding ways.
So glad you enjoyed the article!
Kristin