License to be rude? Social media can be a fantastic tool for crafters, but it can also be one of the scariest (and emotionally draining) experiences. Society today seems to have forgotten what kindness is and how to implement it when on social media platforms. Crafters can be some of the worst offenders when it comes to tearing others down. I know that seems like a broad, sweeping statement, and if you are a crafter, you are probably sitting up straighter and feeling offended by that remark.
However, let’s be honest here. How many times have you seen a post on social media of a crafter’s project and did not like it, laughed at the “interesting” design or color pattern, or just flat out said “yuck”? Now, ask yourself, was I one of the negative Nellys who posted a rude comment or gave the post a laughing emoji or in some other way made that crafter feel bad about their project? Did I feel like I had a License to be rude?
In the world of wreath-making, social media can quickly become a war zone as the smaller wreath makers and newbies learn to dodge the insults and hateful sneers from the bigger wreath makers or the ones with more followers. Don’t get me wrong, not every crafter out there is set on tearing down the competition. There are plenty willing to offer advice and encouragement, but many times, it is the rude ones that garner the most attention and make the social media crafting community unbearable at times, feeling like they have a License to be rude hiding behind their keyboards.
Many crafters will post a project and ask for constructive feedback. This is not a License to be rude and tell that crafter everything you hate about the project, their previous work, or their appearance. Instead, take the opportunity to reach out and lift up a fellow crafter. If you love their item, let them know what you love about it. If you hate it, either scroll past or give some constructive criticism and soften it with one or two things you did like about the item.
Too many times, new crafters are belittled and made to feel inferior when all they need is a kind word of encouragement, a few pointers, and a friend to come alongside them and say, “You’ve got this!”. So, next time you see a social media post of a craft item that may not be your style, take a minute and type a quick, encouraging comment such as “love that color” or “great idea”. We all started somewhere, and we all needed kindness and encouragement. pay it forward and encourage the next generation of crafters.
Views: 13
