By Kendra Roberts
Late Sunday morning at Swizzle, a cozy cafe and alcohol-free bottle shop in Jefferson Pointe, a small group gathers for a calming creative escape. From 10 a.m. to noon, the store’s Sunday Morning Solace: Quiet Crafting event provides attendees a perfect way to connect with the community and offers a great way to unwind and recharge for the week ahead.
The event, hosted by Jennifer Kent, master knitter and owner of Tactile Elements, happens every other Sunday. The next gathering is on Mar. 30.
With a focus on bringing people together through creativity, the event allows participants to bring their current projects, whether knitting, drawing, or other handmade crafts, to work in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.
A Fort Wayne resident for eight years, Kent recognized a gap in the local crafting community and saw an opportunity to create the gathering she felt was missing. She launched this recurring event last November.
“The space is just very welcoming, and the idea of community is the goal,” Kent said. For Kent, a passionate advocate for creativity and community, Swizzle provided the perfect venue to make that vision a reality.
The event’s simple yet powerful concept resonated with attendees. Not only does it offer a calm, creative space, but it also fosters connections among like-minded individuals. Kent’s goal is to build a community that can come together regularly through shared interest.
Kent observed that attendance to this event has been steady, with five to six participants regularly joining. However, she noted that last month, icy conditions lead to a smaller turnout.
“Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t cooperated too much,” she said smiling. She suggests that the snow and ice has prevented people from getting out, resulting in a small group number.
Living so close, the weather doesn’t discourage Kent from hosting, and she still encourages people to join if they can make it safely.
“You can either come or you can’t, but I’ll be here,” she said.
While the weather hasn’t stopped her from showing up, Kent also expressed her hopes that when the weather turns, there might be an increase in attendance.
“We’ve already had a few people stop in the store saying, ‘Oh we’ve been looking for a group!’” said Kent and better weather will hopefully increase this occurrence.
One of the key advantages of hosting the crafting event at Swizzle is its ability to welcome passersby into the group. The shop’s open atmosphere allows newcomers to feel comfortable, making it easy for them to join a session even if they haven’t attended.
Swizzle, which opened its doors in May 2024, has already become a beloved spot for local creatives and anyone looking for community-building activities.
This quiet crafting event is just one of many offerings at Swizzle, which also hosts book clubs, trivia nights, watercolor classes, and more. The store’s broader mission is to provide low-cost activities for people to gather, unwind, and connect.
Heather Grady, Swizzle’s store manager, shared, “Swizzle aims to be a welcoming spot for everyone to enjoy an alcohol-free cocktail, coffee, or tea and feel at home.”
The Sunday Morning Solace event aligns with the store’s mission to serve as a hub for both creativity and connection.
If you’re seeking a meaningful way to connect with crafters or simply find a way to calmly craft before a new week, Sunday Morning Solace at Swizzle offers a perfect place to begin.
For more information on the next Sunday Morning Solace: Quiet Crafting event or any other community events at Swizzle, check out their events page on their website or follow them on social media @swizzleafmarket.
You can also call the store at (260) 207-4587 or stop into the store located in Jefferson Pointe.
Hope to see you there!