As technology takes over more of our lives, it makes an imprint upon even those things that are hard to digitalize, like the crafting world.

Marking such a phenomenon locally is a group of women who call themselves “the Bag Ladies” and regularly meet in Rosedale at Quilted Cats Hideaway/LongArm Supplies on Annis Road, for crafting and social time. What makes them different from the usual sew and chat group is how they came about and the role the internet plays in their crafts.

Of the eight women, all but one have a blog to post their work on, and two of those women also have shops on etsy (the handmade world’s e-bay).

“If newbies have questions they can join our Facebook group and ask them there ... then they will get lots of help from everyone in the group,” says Keery.

Among their now close friendships, the internet has played a pivotal role in getting them together. Sarah Froese met fellow member Rhonda Morrison online through her blog. Froese started the Facebook group and Morrison thought of the name “bag ladies”.

“I met Madelyn first by emailing her through her blog, but our

husbands already knew each other,” Keery says. Keery also connected with Froese online through stampingup.com.

Members Cindy Keery and Madeyln Herring both have etsy shops – Madelyn for her photography (“She is the one who originally inspired me to set up my own shop,” says Keery) and Cindy for her handmade bags.

They are proof that you don’t have to have an abundance of available time to get to your crafting.

Keery is about a month away from her hair salon’s opening day and there is quite a mix in terms of other day jobs and professional backgrounds.

Between the group’s eight members they have over 17 children and are employed in as varied fields as elementary school teacher, craft product salesperson, nurse, professional quilter, photographer, and church secretary.

“We try to get together once a month as a group. Sometimes for sewing, other times just for a fun lunch out. We're planning a larger, all day event this fall at a local church. We'll post the details on Facebook on our Bag Ladies Strike Again group,” says Keery.

The virtual world colors their get togethers. With so many bloggers, their time spent together is likely to be featured in multiple blog posts.

“It's funny, whenever we get together, even if it's just for coffee, everyone has their cameras out and ready just in case there's a bloggable moment,” says Keery, who herself has been blogging for three years.

The mix between crafts and the digital world is a fairly new one, one best captured by etsy.

There are advantages to selling one’s crafts online.

“You don't have to pack everything up to take it to a craft fair, you have a much larger potential customer base, and you can make sales in the middle of the night in your pajamas,” says Keery.

That said, she thinks the real life craft fairs are safe from competing online sales.

“I don't really think it's the demise of the craft fair as we know it. It's still so much fun to be able to shop in person, to see the quality of the handmade items up close, to feel the textures, to try on that cool-looking purse to see if you'd actually enjoy carrying it around,” she says.

Whether you’re into crafts or not or just are craving more time for your friends, Keery’s recommendation is just to reach out and connect with someone. It’s really a lot of fun, and tons of laughs when a group of friends get together to do something we all enjoy.

"I encourage all moms out there to find or start a group.

"Invite a few friends over to sew, scrapbook, make cookies or meet up for tea.”

They’re welcoming any crafters, newbie or not, to join their Facebook group “The Bag Ladies Strike Again”.

Email Cindy at sewmuch@shaw.ca, or search out their group on Facebook.