Andrew Rawls did not set out to open just another creative workspace. What he envisioned, and ultimately built, was something far more personal and deeply rooted in community.
As the owner of The Crafter’s Library, Rawls has created a welcoming, judgment-free environment where creativity, connection and curiosity are encouraged at every turn.
The idea for The Crafter’s Library began years before its doors opened at 9 E. Figueroa St. in downtown Santa Barbara.
In 2019, Rawls was working as a military contractor running a youth center for children of deployed service members and contractors on a U.S. Army garrison in the Marshall Islands.
There, he witnessed the power of a shared space where young people could gather, socialize and access resources without financial barriers.
“It was a community gathering space first and foremost,” Rawls said. “When I came back stateside, I realized there weren’t spaces like that for adults, and after the pandemic especially, I was craving community.”
During that same period, Rawls learned how to sew, a skill that would later become central to the shop’s identity. He saw firsthand how intimidating it can feel to try something new and how important it is to feel supported while doing so.
“It takes a lot of courage to try something new, since most of the time you’ll be pretty bad at it,” Rawls explained.
“I knew that my space needed to be welcoming and judgment free so folks would feel like they truly could try to make something extraordinary.”
The shop’s motto, “Anyone Can Craft,” captures that philosophy and helps set the tone for every class, workshop, and casual drop in visit.
When The Crafter’s Library first opened, Rawls imagined it functioning largely as a co-working style space. While that option remains, the shop has evolved in ways he did not initially expect.
Events have become one of its most meaningful offerings. From corporate team bonding experiences to kids’ birthday parties, the space has become woven into people’s personal stories.
“The Crafter’s Library is a part of their narratives forever now,” Rawls said. “That is incredibly special to me, and we do everything we can to make those moments memorable.”
One of the most notable shifts since opening has been the growing interest in sewing. The shop was recently reconfigured to better support textile artists, including a dedicated room for sewing and fabric-based projects.
Rawls believes this surge speaks to a gap in traditional education.
“Sewing is an art that is often overlooked in school curricula,” Rawls said. “We saw a need and are doing our best to fill it.”
Seeing students gain confidence and produce meaningful work continues to shape the shop’s class offerings and long-term vision.
To stay responsive without becoming overwhelmed, Rawls follows what he calls his “rule of three.” If three different people ask for the same thing within three weeks, he commits to making it happen.
“It helps keep my brain in check,” Rawls said, noting how easy it is to feel inundated by creative possibilities.
This approach allows the space to grow organically while remaining grounded in real community demand and available expertise.
Early on, Rawls was deeply focused on profitability, driven by the fear of not keeping the doors open. Over time, that perspective shifted.
“When I let my values lead instead of the numbers, everything changed,” Rawls said.
By opening the space to community groups and mission-driven organizations, he found the support came back tenfold.
Since opening, The Crafter’s Library has partnered with organizations such as the Downtown Business Improvement District, Summer Solstice Celebration and the Santa Barbara Public Library, while also hosting groups that included SB Melanin and the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus.
Rawls also founded the Santa Barbara Queer Business Roundtable to foster connection among LGBTQ+ business leaders.
Looking ahead, Rawls hopes The Crafter’s Library becomes a familiar and comforting presence downtown, a place that draws locals back again and again.
He wants it to be somewhere people can unplug, recharge and use art as a force for good.
The impact is already clear. Relationships have formed, creative passions have been sparked, and lives have changed within its walls.
One sewing student even went on to pursue fashion design in college after private lessons at the shop.
“I am honored to be part of the downtown Santa Barbara community,” Rawls said, “and I look forward to many, many more years.”
