What is a #WipWednesday?

In the crafting world, a “WIP” stands for a “Work-In-Progress”. Sewing and weaving, knitting and crochet, polymer clay and resin works – Everything qualifies as a work in progress as long as you’re in the process of working on it!

The #WipWednesday that started it all!

The idea first came to me as I started knitting, and wanted to share some of my non-business-related projects without being overwhelming or overbearing to the people in our Facebook Group: Accessories by Antoinette/Adelaide. I started casting on a lot of projects, and I wasn’t doing as much work-related crafting because we were settling in after moving house.

At the time, I felt guilty. I felt like I was lacking in quality content to post, and as a result, I felt like I was letting down the social media side of the small business, particularly within our Facebook Group. I could manage finding things to post about on our Facebook page and Instagram account, but our Facebook Group was something that often went neglected. I wanted to change that!

As well as posting more, I also wanted to be able to engage with fellow crafters, see what everyone else is working on, and offer up a space for people to share ideas and inspiration and ask for advice.

A health day, this WipWednesday!

And so, #WipWednesday was born!

I wanted something with either a funny/punny name or alliteration, and wracked my brain for something catchy and easy to remember. We already had #ToeBeanTuesday and #Caturday, so an additional day felt easy to add to my regular posting schedule.

WipWednesday helped to give my posting some more purpose and substance to it, and it felt less like I was just posting for the sake of the algorithm and because I wanted to again - which is exactly how I want my social media experience to be (in both my personal and professional life).

Although I mainly hear WIP’s being used in the context of crafting alone, I like to be as lenient as possible. I wholeheartedly believe in living freely, especially in the world of crafting and creativity.

In the first post I made, I listed a variety of crafts that could be included, and reached out to people that they could share whatever they were working on, regardless of what it is! Since day one, I have never wanted to gatekeep what can and can't be included in our WipWednesday sharing. I think it's pointless to only allow certain hobbies and exclude others - especially when crafting and creativity is such a broad spectrum as a whole.

Working on my rainbow curtains!

I have even had my own mental and physical health days that have been a part of my own WipWednesdays, because working on ourselves means we can achieve more crafting in the future!

Anything and everything goes on a WipWednesday, as long as you feel comfortable to share!

Sketching, painting and drawing. Scrapbooking, embroidery and pottery. Laundry, cooking and market prep. Reading or writing a book? Feel free to share! Working on a photo album? Tell us about it! Staring at supplies, unsure where to start? Reach out for assistance and inspiration!

WipWednesdays have become such a fun part of my routine, and I really hope that everyone else has been enjoying them as well! I adore seeing what people have been working on, and seeing the progress that’s made on clothes, table runners and other projects.

Decorating my paint brush jar!

Since the very beginning, I have been so happy to see how supportive and friendly our Facebook group community has been. I have seen people come together to offer suggestions, ideas and support, especially when a project begins to feel unbearably overwhelming or intimidating. I like to think that no matter what the problem may be, the group will welcome crafters with a welcoming embrace and a friendly smile each Wednesday!

Have you been enjoying WipWednesdays as much as I have? I would love to know your thoughts, especially if you have any suggestions to make it a better experience for everyone involved!

Kimberley

Accessories by Antoinette