From threads to dresses, scribbles to masterpieces and the simple urge to create, Boise State’s crafting scene stitches itself onto the map as a rising popularity on campus. Whether you’ve got the sharp eye for a needle and thread or are a certified “junk collector”, there seems to be a niche for all creatives to dive into.
Popularized on social media, the crafting scene unfolds to enthusiasts like an open book: Broncos emphasized the unlimited opportunities within their hobbies. From junk-journaling to knitting, anyone can find their perfect fit.
Like many other craft-lovers, Clinical Assistant Professor Josie Derrick discovered her knack for crocheting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine left Derrick with two choices: watch Netflix for another hour or pick up a hook and yarn. Upon receiving a free subscription to Craftsy, a website that provides crochet and sewing tutorials, Derrick fell into the pattern immediately.
“I taught a class relating math to crochet patterns, and there were some students who also wanted to learn knitting,” Derrick said. “I told them I’d learn, and I picked it up over winter break that year. That’s how I got started. It really was just curiosity and time.”
Derrick found making her own wardrobe to be an irreplaceable skill and draws inspiration from other artists to further her creativity.
“I liked the idea of making my own clothes, because I could make them however I wanted,” Derrick said. “I remember seeing someone at Art in the Park who crocheted some crop tops, and I thought they were really cute. I was like ‘Oh, I wanna do that!’”
Derrick emphasized that turning a simple pile of yarn and threads into a beautiful piece of art is “unique” to the average experience, encouraging others to aim for handmade products over mass-produced.
Upcycling her wardrobe, fourth-year Marketing major Lauren Groshong reflected on her love for sewing and fashion design. Groshong has found endless possibilities in her adventures of repurposing “scraps” into handmade pieces.
“I learned how to sew over the pandemic and started making my own clothes,” Groshong said. “When I went back to school, I ended up making my own prom dress, which was my biggest project yet. Now, I even find ways to make pillow shams or tablecloths into shirts or purses.”
Groshong recently discovered her passion for junk journaling. The term speaks for itself: picking up “junk” from the day to glue into a memorable collage. Groshong finds customizing blank pages into beautiful collages is more than just another “memento” to look back on.
“I just did a giant piece from my study abroad experience, and kept everything I possibly could from there,” Groshong said. “I had all of these ticket stubs, stickers, letters and I put it all together. It’s a fun memory to look back on, instead of a material [item] I could’ve bought over there.”
Students believe customization and “the joy of making” is beginning to become a “lost art”. In a world of social media, creatives urge their peers to get offline and try something new.
“I will admit that I fall into the [routine] of doomscrolling,” Third-year Physics major Triston Price said. “Just setting my phone down for a while and picking up a craft is kind of grounding. It sets you in reality a little more, because being online constantly can be stressful.”
Individuality and self-expression glimmer through the idea of perfection as Broncos begin the creative process. As the legendary American painter Bob Ross says, there are no mistakes; only “happy little accidents”.
“The more you do it, the better you feel about doing it,” Third-year co-president of Boise State’s Zine Club Megan McCarthy said. “Mistakes are an opportunity to learn, and if I stop every time I feel stumped in a project, I’d never get anything done. You should really find the childlike whimsy in the craft, rather than it being a chore.”
