We had the good fortune of connecting with Candice Craft || Cheech and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Candice, how does your business help the community?
The Crafters Clique builds local connection by making room for creativity — at weekly meetups — sharing resources, and promoting artists works/and growth. Our social impact is in building a creative network of makers and doers. We draw new residents and established locals alike — longing to tap into their creativity, as well as connect with neighbors. Other goals of our clique include: for locals to develop confidence, to grow skills and commercial avenues if they so choose, and to promote the arts-related vitality of the region.

A bit about our backstory:

On a cold night in mid-February, 2023, we sipped hot tea in a local library community room, making cards and scrapbook pages, coloring and doodling, and sharing stories about the women who shaped our lives. Galentine’s Day is a fictional holiday from a television show called Parks & Recreation. But celebrating female friendship and women’s empowerment is a solid enough reason, in my mind, to get together and do some crafting.

It was a great evening and someone asked, “when is the next one?” We had shared a sense of connection, and we wanted to keep the crafting party going! From this event, and noting other ongoing creative meetups in the area, there was a thought to initiate a *network* dedicated to makers, creatives, and artists in the Pikes Peak Region. As an online and in-person space for local crafters to socialize and meet away from the noise of the other social media outlets, we are a dedicated membership website growing in real-time.

 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My day-gig is in office work, processing orders at a local manufacturing firm. I love the job–but the role leaves much to be desired re: creative expression. It pays the bills and stress levels are manageable.

Somewhere along the way in life, I equated my productivity and career outputs with my intrinsic value. This proved detrimental when I lost my job [due to poor life choices and alcohol addiction/abuse]. Who even was I without work!? Back on my feet some years later, it is only recently that I re-discovered the healing power of artistic expression. I am thankful for the places and hosts who allow us to craft and create without judgment and few rules.

I decided to compliment my 9-5 job with a side-gig that allows me to meet others and leave plenty of room for artistic expression both virtually, and in evening times/ on weekends. At the moment, this side-gig is a labor of love and fueled with donated supplies and time. There will be many lessons learned as we look to monetize and establish a business model. I hope we can handle challenges with grace, and one day dote on our successes. But in the meantime we are establishing routine, building a robust website, and finding our footing in the local arts space.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Must check out the Garden of the Gods, and any other of our great parks. Roller blading or jogging around Prospect Lake (at Memorial Park) has beautiful views.

Definitely hangout with the Crafters Clique on Saturday afternoons at the Next Us — a relaxing, co-working space just north of downtown — where we make crafts and artwork together; there are all sorts of interesting people who drop by!

If you love crafting so much, also stop by Who Gives a Scrap, a local used art-supply and thrift store with so many treasures and a great mission non-organization!.

A toasty Reuben sandwich and fries from Alchemy – Irish Pub – is sure to impress, and be sure to top it off with a homemade scoop of ice cream from Colorado City Creamery.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A loving, supportive husband who encourages me to keep crafting, meeting people, and expanding my comfort zone in life.

Newfound friends John and Michelle, who helped inspire me in hosting their own monthly meetup, and for teaching me a new form of art – Artist Trading Cards!

For the members at the Next Us, who facilitate healing and celebrate the arts. To the leaders who create room for art and personal expression.

Website: https://craftclique.mn.co

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftclique

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CraftersClique

Image Credits
photos by self / Candice Craft

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