How Crafting Builds Community: My Appearance on PHL17
Ray of Sunshine Crafting Co. Featured on PHL17's Positively Philly
When I started Ray of Sunshine Crafting Co., I never imagined I'd be sharing my story on live television.
Last week, I had the opportunity to appear on Positively Philly on PHL17 to talk about creativity, community, and why I believe anyone can craft.
What started as a love of making things with my hands has grown into something much bigger: a community built around connection, creativity, and helping people discover that they are more creative than they think.
Watch the Segment:
During the segment, I shared how Ray of Sunshine Crafting Co. got started, why I focus on beginner-friendly workshops, and how crafting has helped bring together people of all ages, from senior communities and team-building events to local wineries, cafés, and creative workshops throughout the Philadelphia and South Jersey area.
I had the incredible opportunity to appear on Positively Philly on PHL17 to share the story behind Ray of Sunshine Crafting Co. and the mission that has been driving this business from the very beginning. Standing in a television studio surrounded by some of my favorite workshops, from pet embroidery and mosaic trays to crafts created with local senior communities, was a surreal moment. What started as a passion for making things with my hands has grown into something much bigger: a community built around creativity, connection, and the belief that anyone can be creative.
One of the things I shared during the segment is that Ray of Sunshine Crafting Co. was never really about crafts. The crafts are simply the vehicle. The real goal has always been bringing people together. Whether it's a group of friends gathering around a table at a local winery, a senior center creating together each month, coworkers connecting through a team-building workshop, or someone attending an event alone and leaving with new friends, I've seen firsthand how creativity creates connection.
So many people tell me, "I'm not creative." My response is always the same: you don't have to be creative to craft.
The workshops I design are beginner-friendly, welcoming, and intentionally low-pressure. They're created for people who haven't picked up a craft in years or who have never tried one at all. The goal isn't perfection. It's making something with your own two hands, trying something new, and enjoying the experience.
I was especially grateful to have the opportunity to showcase some of the different ways Ray of Sunshine Crafting Co. serves the community. In addition to public workshops, I partner with local businesses, wineries, cafés, restaurants, senior communities, and organizations to create custom experiences that bring people together through creativity. As I continue growing this business, my hope is to reach even more people through workshops, community partnerships, private events, and craft kits that make creativity accessible to everyone.
A huge thank you to the entire Positively Philly team for making me feel so welcome and for providing a platform to share this story. Special thanks to Abby and Rachel for being such wonderful hosts and helping spread the message that creativity isn't about talent, it's about connection.
If you discovered Ray of Sunshine Crafting Co. through the segment, welcome! I'm so glad you're here. And I hope to see you at a workshop soon. Whether you're interested in pet embroidery, mosaics, seasonal crafts, or a private event, there's a seat at the table for you.
Let’s spread a more sunshine, one craft at a time.
Rachel Schaeffer
Founder, Ray of Sunshine Crafting Co.