Craftology Offers Comfortable and Conversational Environment

A new business opened in Fair Oaks on Jan. 14 and has been building clientele based on the "quilting bee effect."

Diana Collins, owner of the new store named Craftology, said a "quilting bee" is a reference to when women used to come together in a circle, quilt and chat.

"Human beings have a need to socialize - besides just via technology - the old 'quilting bee' is a good example of that," Collins said. "It's a way of bonding and helping each other out."

Craftology is similar to a quilting bee because it offers a large, open and comfortable space for people to craft and converse.

There are a variety of classes offered at Craftology like knitting, crocheting, sewing, felting, quilting, doll-making and paper marbling. 

"It's ever-expanding, I want to be able to offer people as many opportunities to learn as possible," Collins said.

Besides classes, Collins allows individuals to come in and work independently on their own personal projects. This is called a studio/workspace rental, which costs $6 in the first hour, $5 in the second hour and $15 for the whole day.

"It is a light-filled and peaceful place with Diane as a professional source of advice in the background if you need her," said Eva Ginnell, a workspace user with Craftology. "Being surrounded by all kinds of books and craft materials, I feel inspired and supported. The building itself is beautiful, too, I am especially enchanted by the big windows."

Large glass windows run along the front side of the building from floor to ceiling, exposing natural light for the crafters.

Ginnell said at Craftology she has an uncluttered space, modern equipment and no distractions like phone, laundry, chores in the kitchen etc.

"While renting a studio space is quite a commitment on a month-to-month basis, especially if (you're) not making things to sell, a pay-as-you-go space is exactly the right thing," she said.

Ellie Lief, participant at Craftology, said for people who are already heavily into crafting, Craftology might be your last chance to see the top of your dining room table. 

Collins said the space that Craftology occupies is exactly what she envisioned and that she is glad it is located in the Fair Oaks Village.

"I have had the idea for Craftology for about 5 years - and it all started because I encountered a lot of people who wanted to make things and who wanted to work with their hands," Collins said.

Collins has been crafting since age 6.

"Many people say if you do what you love then the money will follow , so that's what I'm hoping for," she said. "I've been in the business world for a long time - in other capacities like business management and accounting - and for me there is just a void there."

Human beings need to be able to express themselves and work with their hands, Collins said.

"I believe that your hands are a connection to your soul and crafting is one way for you to open up to the world and to people," she said.

Jennifer Tan, teacher at Craftology, said she loves crafting because she likes preserving arts that her ancestors did.

"Craftology is great because it makes a lot of the expertise that kids today might get at school, or kids in generations past got from their grandmothers available to anyone," Lief said.