In recent years, Atlanta has seen a remarkable resurgence in the crafting community, driven by locals seeking to combine their love for creativity with social interaction.
Among the key figures in this movement are Daisy Mijangos and her husband, David Jimenez, who co-founded Pastry Plug after relocating from New Jersey to Atlanta in 2021.
Mijangos, a trained cake decorator, found that the couple initially struggled to form connections in their new city.
To combat this loneliness, they began hosting workshops to teach others how to create faux food crafts, such as heart-shaped mirrors and jewelry boxes designed to look like ornately decorated cakes.
“We decided to make our own workshops for the community, to be able to make friends and meet people,” Mijangos shared.
Through these workshops, they have cultivated a vibrant community that they affectionately refer to as the Pastry Plug Club.
Mijangos describes the atmosphere of these events as reminiscent of the popular video game Animal Crossing, characterized by a low-pressure, cozy vibe.
“No prior crafting experience is needed,” she reassures potential attendees, drawing from her professional background in cake decorating to guide newcomers in crafting their own imaginative pieces.
Their next workshop is scheduled for June 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Supermarket, an event venue located in Poncey-Highland.
Atlanta has long been renowned for its arts and crafts scene, with various studios offering pottery, glassblowing, and other creative opportunities.
However, the emergence of craft clubs has transformed these activities, moving them out of traditional studio settings and into a variety of businesses throughout the city, such as breweries and boutiques.
For instance, Scraplanta, a nonprofit art supply store, offers craft workshops like T-shirt quilting at CreateATL, a coworking space in Adair Park, while Art Cafe at the Supermarket invites artisans to reserve tables and order supplies alongside snacks and beverages.
Craft enthusiasts like marketing director Jas Scarllo are discovering these craft clubs as an alternative to typical social venues like bars.
“I’m not a big ‘go out to the club and party’ person, but I also like to connect with other people,” Scarllo explained.
She and her wife, Bren, learned about Pastry Plug’s workshops through Mijangos at a Pride event.
After attending one of Mijangos’ workshops at the Supermarket, they enjoyed learning how to pipe fake frosting onto jewelry boxes while simultaneously making new friends.
“It was cool to see what other people were working on, and we ended up chatting with some of the other girls at our table,” Scarllo recalled.
In addition to Pastry Plug, other local businesses are amplifying the crafting community.
Meghna Davé, who opened a boutique called Maelu in Grant Park in September 2023, has embraced this trend by offering a diverse range of craft workshops.
These include ceramic painting, watercolors, and embroidery.
Davé also teaches block printing, a simplified technique inspired by her clothing line’s craftsmanship in India, where students can decorate tote bags using painted stamps.
“It’s really fun,” she noted. “People want a class that’s enjoyable and not stressful, where they can learn something new.”
The next block printing class is set for June 19, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own snacks and drinks for a relaxed environment.
Additionally, Lexi Bynum founded the Atlanta Craft Club with the intention of providing a space for creative expression in a community setting.
As a user experience designer, Bynum had previously enjoyed attending monthly craft nights at Elsewhere Brewing until it closed in October 2024.
Drawing from her passion, she posed a question on the social media app Threads, asking if anyone would be interested in a craft night in Atlanta.
To her surprise, about 60 enthusiastic responses followed.
Realizing the demand, Bynum organized her first craft night at Wild Heaven West End brewery in November.
Now, she hosts a standing monthly event known as “BYO Craft” night, allowing community members to gather, create, and bond over shared interests.
The next BYO Craft night is on June 26, and attendance is free.
Bynum also leads workshops focusing on specific crafts, such as junk journaling—an imaginative form of scrapbooking that utilizes everyday waste materials.
“I’ve heard so many people talk about the friendships that they make at the craft club, and how much easier it is because they start from a common interest,” Bynum explained.
Mijangos believes that the popularity of crafting events is a response to a broader societal need for connection.
“People are feeling anxious and isolated and don’t know what to do with their time, while also being used to a cycle of work and social media,” she said.
As a result, many are seeking experiences that are not just productive but also meaningful, allowing them to learn and create in a supportive environment.
As the crafting movement continues to grow in Atlanta, it fosters a sense of community and connectivity that many residents have been craving, offering a place where creativity and friendship flourish.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/2025/05/its-craft-time-but-now-for-adults/
