Disillusioned Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 I'm exploring the idea of starting a local group for singles, and probably branching out into niche groups if enough people join it. At a friend's suggestion, I searched for "artistic creative singles" and guess what? No one out there is doing anything like that (hint, hint). Maybe those dating services are afraid it will work too well...? I make things out of wood and metal, and I'd love to have a gf who enjoys crafts and making things. Link to post Share on other sites
ed-205 Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Sounds like a great idea to me! I've been thinking of something similar to that, myself. I used to be quite artistic, I painted, sketched, sculpted, and wrote lots of poetry and short stories, etc. Somewhere along the line, I fell out of it, and I haven't done anything worth keeping in years. It would feel good to know I could get back into it, and having a group to work with would be a big help. You might look into local arts & crafts stores for ideas, they might even help support it. Link to post Share on other sites
Geishawhelk Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 I'm exploring the idea of starting a local group for singles, and probably branching out into niche groups if enough people join it. At a friend's suggestion, I searched for "artistic creative singles" and guess what? No one out there is doing anything like that (hint, hint). Maybe those dating services are afraid it will work too well...? I make things out of wood and metal, and I'd love to have a gf who enjoys crafts and making things. Don't know where you are, but enlist the help and support of your local council, and contact relationships associations, to advertise with leaflets or posters... put up notices in libraries and public places, but ask permission. Work out a finance strategy too. How is this going to be funded? Will people need to bring their own materials? Where will you meet? Will there be venue hire fees? what facilities will there be? (Toilets, refreshments) will this be an evening thing? Weekly? Monthly? Will you need some kind of qualification or accreditation to set this up? What details will you issue? (Open up a new e-mail account and get/give a neutral phone number. You won't want to be pestered at all times....) Lots to think about.... I'm serious. These are all questions you'll get asked. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Disillusioned Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 I'd be cautious... there would be a danger that if such a group got big and impersonal, it would become commoditized, and that would turn people off. Nobody wants to be treated like cattle. The seed of the idea has been planted in my head, and the more I think about it, the more I'm thinking of ways NOT to treat people like cattle... by helping other singles in ways no dating service would do. I'm starting to envision a sort of offline version of Myspace, except it would be for singles. I'm going to talk to some friends and see if they can give me any suggestions. I have a feeling that this might be a good idea and I don't want to drop the ball. Link to post Share on other sites
ed-205 Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 I'd be cautious... there would be a danger that if such a group got big and impersonal, it would become commoditized, and that would turn people off. Nobody wants to be treated like cattle. The seed of the idea has been planted in my head, and the more I think about it, the more I'm thinking of ways NOT to treat people like cattle... by helping other singles in ways no dating service would do. I'm starting to envision a sort of offline version of Myspace, except it would be for singles. I'm going to talk to some friends and see if they can give me any suggestions. I have a feeling that this might be a good idea and I don't want to drop the ball. How about having everyone work on Group Projects? Start with a basic theme, like a holiday or an event. Everyone submits a sketch of their idea(s), and the group votes on the ones they like the best. Then, they split up the drawing, painting, construction type of jobs. By this time, everyone knows each other, and is working together. The end of it all is to use the collective work as the centerpiece for a party. just an idea... Link to post Share on other sites
Author Disillusioned Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 That's kind of like what I have in mind, since my friend (who paints) suggested the artistic singles theme... about 30 or so people could show up, and bring samples or photos of things they've made, and they'd set these all on a table on one side of the room and then mingle with each other, discussing what they're looking for in a partner, etc, and show each other their work (show me one dating service which lets you do that). Yeah, maybe it's just because I'm picky... but the only rule about the meetings would be that everyone has to be serious, and they have to have a good idea what kind of person they want to meet. I've been to speed dating parties where plenty of the women had no idea what sort of person they wanted to meet, or whether they wanted to meet anyone at all. Up until my friend's suggestion, I was thinking of things like potlucks, beach parties in summer, karaoke parties, etc... but my friend has fired my imagination. The tough part will be to get enough people interested locally. Link to post Share on other sites
ed-205 Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Perhaps the easiest way to draw out creative people is to be creative? There must be some local venues or galleries where you could generate some interest. Don't be afraid of showing them some of your own stuff, and ask for their opinions on it. As I recall, artists like to hang with other artists. Art supply stores might be good, too. Look in the yellow pages! Link to post Share on other sites
superd Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 I don't think that starting a singles group will work. I think that a singles group is best started by someone that has nothing to gain by it, meaning someone who already has a mate. I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I think this makes more sense. Link to post Share on other sites
lonelyandfrustrated Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 I think it's a fantastic idea! Go for it! Just be prepared to get a few elitist, condescending, pretentious and grumpy writers, lol. Signed, Lonely, who has spent a little too much time with writer's groups. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Disillusioned Posted September 28, 2008 Author Share Posted September 28, 2008 I think it's a fantastic idea! Go for it! Just be prepared to get a few elitist, condescending, pretentious and grumpy writers, lol. Signed, Lonely, who has spent a little too much time with writer's groups. Understandable. I'd be ready for the inevitable comments from snobby types who would accuse me of tossing pearls before swine, fiddling with the laws of natural selection, etc etc... I'd post their messages on the club's homepage, along with their e-mail addresses, LOL! Link to post Share on other sites
Serph Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 get ready for a sausage fest, as is the case with all other activities meant for "singles" to meet-up Link to post Share on other sites
Author Disillusioned Posted September 28, 2008 Author Share Posted September 28, 2008 OTOH 2 female friends (both divorced) have told me that if the group is promoted for "commitment minded" singles, the reverse will be true... I intend to find out... Link to post Share on other sites
shadowplay Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 This is a fantastic idea! One of my biggest problems in dating has always been meeting guys who share my creative interests. I think this could be really successful if you do it right. You could also go on field trips to local galleries and exhibits. I agree with others that you shouldn't present it as a singles event, but imply that meeting mates might be a side benefit. The important thing is convincing cool people to go and then others will follow if they tell their friends, etc. Go to artists' lofts, art schools, local rock concerts...wherever cool, creative people congregate. Where do you live btw? Link to post Share on other sites
Author Disillusioned Posted September 28, 2008 Author Share Posted September 28, 2008 This is a fantastic idea! One of my biggest problems in dating has always been meeting guys who share my creative interests. I think this could be really successful if you do it right. You could also go on field trips to local galleries and exhibits. I agree with others that you shouldn't present it as a singles event, but imply that meeting mates might be a side benefit. The important thing is convincing cool people to go and then others will follow if they tell their friends, etc. Go to artists' lofts, art schools, local rock concerts...wherever cool, creative people congregate. Where do you live btw? I live in West Los Angeles... this city is so short of single women that eligible bachelors practically grow on trees here. I also happen to live about 5 or 6 miles from Santa Monica's Bergamot Station, which is a former 5-hangar small plane repair station that was converted about 10 years ago to hold about 2 dozen galleries... they moved into the complex because their old stand-alone locations around the city got too expensive. There is a cafe and a store there, I imagine the management would appreciate the publicity of inviting a group of 30 or so people to visit the complex. I have not been there in 5 years, but the gallery owners always select very tasteful local art. There's also the Contemporary Crafts Market in Santa Monica at the civic auditorium twice a year, once for 3 days in June and again in November... it is run by an elderly entrepreneur who lives in Hawaii, and he's probably willing to offer a group discount as long as it's booked a few months in advance. I have been to both places and been very impressed by the art & crafts which I saw there... I sure wished I'd had a gf to invite along, to lean her head on my shoulder as we view the beautiful things for sale which were all made by local people (most of the things I've made are small wooden boxes, plus some titanium rings and pendants). In a district like Silver Lake, which is about 10 miles from me and closer to downtown, I'm told so many artists have moved there, you can't walk down the street without meeting one. Maybe if an artistic singles group on the Westside takes off, single artists in Silver Lake can start a sister group. As far as promoting a group for single artists, my friend who paints (and is about to re-enter the singles scene after his recent divorce) has experience in teaching and in working with the educational system, so I will definitely suggest this to him and see what he thinks... it sounds better than my approach, which would be to crank out hundreds of ads and leave them on windshields and in coffee shops all over town. BTW 2 of my female acquaintences (both divorced women with grown children) and an elderly widower have all told me not to worry if I start a group and it attracts too many men at first... all 3 have said if the group is targeted toward marriage minded singles, that will tend to scare off a lot of younger men who are just looking for sex. Which would be great for me anyway, because I'm tired of dealing with people who assume that I just want a sex partner, when what I really need is someone to be kind to (and to whip me into shape when I start going into one of my lazy spells!). BTW anyone know why so many female artists like to wear black tights and baby doll dresses??? Link to post Share on other sites
shadowplay Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 BTW anyone know why so many female artists like to wear black tights and baby doll dresses??? Really? On the East Coast they all wear skinny jeans, loose shirts and boots. American Apparel type stuff. Well I'm thinking in the 18-28 age range. Maybe it's different with the over thirty crowd. Link to post Share on other sites
NYGal Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Shame your not in New York, I could use a group like this! Link to post Share on other sites
konfuzd Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Have you tried going to meetup.com? I'm part of an art group in my city that gets together for art exhibits, coffee, shopping trips etc. It's not geared specifically towards singles, but you can create your own group and specify the terms for members and events. I've met a lot of people, and found out about a lot of events in my city I'd never know about otherwise. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Disillusioned Posted October 3, 2008 Author Share Posted October 3, 2008 I remember when meetup.com would have been an ideal medium for singles to start local groups and put the dating sites out of business... but then by the time singles started to "get it", a group of web entrepreneurs muscled in on meetup.com and ruined it by turning it into a paysite. Such is life. Link to post Share on other sites
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