A beginners guide to hand sewing needles May 19, 2019 13:56

Anyone can pick up a needle and get sewing, it’s genuinely easy to start. But all the different types of sewing needle can be confusing. What needles are good for embroidery? What’s the standard sewing needle? Why are there so many types of needle?

Never fear! Here’s a guide to needles for sewing that will get you started.

What is a Sharp?

The sharp is the bog-standard hand sewing needle. Thin, with a sharp point and a small eye, this is for using to stitch things together. Sizes 7-9 are good everyday sizes, and 7 is smaller than 9. Use for general hand sewing and repairs.

What is a Crewel?

A crewel (not a cruel needle) is for decorative stitching, because it’s got a big enough eye to use with thicker, prettier threads like embroidery floss. It’s got a sharp point, and is a bit thicker than a Sharp, with a slightly bigger eye. It’s a bit too chunky for delicate fabrics because the eye is big, making the needle fatter and more likely to leave a hole in the fabric. 7-9 are standard sizes. Use for embroidery, or blanket stitch on the edges of appliqué or felt.

What is a Tapestry needle?

A thicker needle, with a pretty big eye so you can thread it with tapestry wool (similar to knitting yarn.) It’s for tapestry or big cross-stitch, which is done on fabrics that come with a grid of holes (like Aida). It doesn’t need to be sharp because the idea is you stitch through the ready-made holes, which also keeps your stitches in neat line.

What is a Chenille needle?

A super under-rated needle in my opinion. It’s fat and sturdy with a big eye, like a Tapestry needle, but it’s sharp like a Crewel. So you can use it for all sorts of thicker materials - for example sewing fabric on to espadrille soles, or sewing bigger decorative stitches into fabric with no holes. It’s too fat for lighter fabrics, but it’s one of those that does the job in lots of situations for general crafting, and I always have them handy for unusual jobs. They are also great for sewing with ribbon to create a decorative effect

What is a Leather needle?

This is very sharp and has sharp slicing sides too. This is to slice through the leather rather punching a hole through it. It makes small repairs or leather projects much easier, but only on thin soft leather.

What is a Beading needle?

A super skinny needle that is almost all eye. It’s for threading little beads on to thin wire so has to be as thin as possible. It’s also a bit flimsy so not great for sewing things together

What is a Quilting needle

Thin, short and sharp and with a very small eye, these are for the small, neat stitches of hand quilting. But a Sharp will do the job if you’re getting started with quilting!

What is a good mix of needles for a crafter?

A mix of sharps, larger crewels and a pack of chenilles will cover most bases. If I had to have one needle it would be a medium crewel because the eye is just big enough that I can thread it without glasses!

So go and try out a bit of stitching! Have a look at our Floral Embroidery mini workshop or our longer Mindful Embroidery workshop here

Does craft save money? May 12, 2019 10:54

I often get asked for my professional opinion on why craft is becoming so more and more popular. The second part of the question is usually, "is it because it saves so much money"

The answer is unequivocally "No"

Not here in the UK, where access to fast fashion and cheap furniture means that it is almost impossible to make something more cheaply that you can buy it. You can't get the raw materials for a dress for less than a high street skirt costs. And then you have to consider the time spend on making it. Creative skills have value, and to many of us in an increasingly freelance/gig-economy, our time literally has a cost. So if you tot up the cost of making the skirt, even working at minimum wage, it's going to be way over £15.99

But that doesn't mean that there is no saving to be made by crafting.

Upcycling
Most upcyclers do it for the creative challenge first and foremost. But you can save a lot of money if you have the time. Skip-diving is going out of fashion but eBay, local auctions and charity shops yield all sorts of good stuff. You have to spend to get the stuff, and some of the materials. It may end up costing the same as some cheap furniture - but not buying new furniture is a great way to reduce your impact on the planet. So you have saved!

Making skills
If you made something, and it took you 8 hours, and cost you £50, you will value it dearly. It's unlikely to go into landfill! It makes you value things in general so much more. As Zoe said recently - if you know the real cost of making a thing, then you tend to ask yourself who or what was exploited in order to be able to sell it so cheaply. So perhaps spending money with care is better than buying cheap.

A huge stash!
One of the big expenses of craft is our stashes! There's just so much gorgeousness to buy, and we justify it by saying we'll use it. But increasingly I am trying to avoid this, and to clear out my stash. Since starting The Big Craft Swish, my personal stash is tiny! I have a one in one out rule - i have to make a project up before I can buy for new one. It keeps the cost of my hobbies down, keeps the number of UFOs (unfinished objects) in my craft cupboard down, and stops me buying for the sake of it.

So - if you've got a brilliant up cycling project hat saved you money, or an example of something you've made and used a million times to get a load of value out of it, let us know!

Make your clothes last longer April 27, 2019 16:04

Can't use a sewing machine? Doesn't matter, you can still upcycle clothes.

Hand stitching it

If the hem or seam is ripped, get a needle and thread and have a go at stitching it back together. That's how it was done for centuries, and it still works fine. Do it slowly and carefully, and you'll get better and better. I ripped part of the sleeve of a jacket off recently and fixed it using ladder stitch Favourite smart outfit rescued!

Darn a jumper

I have a jumper from Whistles that I have owned and worn since 2007. I snagged a hole in the front and was horrified - but it made me take the plunge into darning. It was a black jumper and it worked a million times better than I could have hoped and I still wear it. Here's how (jump to 1 minute in!)

Take it to a tailor

Frankly, this is something you should do if you invest in something really good anyway. They can fit the waist, sleeve length and hem to you perfectly, and if stuff gets broken, they fix rips, take hems up and down and mend all sorts. Just google your local alterations shop and try it.

Embellish it

Patches can be amazing ways to fix stuff! Try some of these from Etsy but there are loads of other options out there.

Show your mending

More and more of us are starting to embrace the idea of visible mending - whether its mending broken ceramics with gold or showing your stitching sashiko style. Great for denim!

We took loads of inspiration from the Fashion Revolution Week #haulternative This weekend I'll be working on refashioning a badly-fitting dress and top into an entirely new outfit. Show us what you can do at @londoncraftclub, we'd love to see your skills!

The Big Craft Picnic is coming to London April 20, 2019 16:30 1 Comment

Every year when the sun comes out, talk at London Craft Club HQ turns to the idea having a big crafty picnic in a park somewhere. Imagine sitting on the blankets under the summer sun, drinking cold drinks and learning summery crafts amongst the trees and flowers.

So this year we're doing it. We'll be giving you the chance to vote on dates, food and crafts! We've already got some really good makes lined up! Think festival fashions, handy holiday items and much more.

When we first threw a craft party in September 2018, it was a joy to see how many of you came to craft and meet other crafty types. We only ever expected to throw one when we moved in to our new home, but our parties have become part of the life and soul of our creative community. The picnic is something we've wanted to do for ages, so it's wonderful to know that you all love getting together and we're going to do our best to make is the best Summer day out ever!

What would you like to see at the picnic? Should we organise hampers, or have that as an option, or would you prefer to bring your own food? We'll provide craft of course, but would you like lots of little ones, or some big ones we can all join in with or a mix of options? The more you tell us about what you'd like, the better it will be!

Thank you as ever for all your support, input, and general awesomeness!

Record breaking or just plain wierd knitting April 14, 2019 00:22

As knitting is the topic today, here are some really big or just really odd knitted things..

1 - Hase/Rabbit.

It's possibly the biggest knitted thing ever made and it's rotting away on a hill in Italy. Artists made it, obvs!

https://gelitin.net/projects/hase/

2 - The World's Longest Scarft

Helge Johansen from Oslo broke the record on 12 November 2013. He's a guy.

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-knitted-scarf-individual

3 - Knitted swimwear

Apparently it was a massive thing. I cannot think of anything less appropriate to make swimwear out of, but here's the proof it happened

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/vintageknitting/vintage-knitted-swimwear/?lp=true

4 - Knitted playgrounds that are big enough for actual kids!

These are amazing, beautiful, and joyful installations by artist Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam. Please look, you'll be missing out if you don't.

https://www.archdaily.com/297941/meet-the-artist-behind-those-amazing-hand-knitted-playgrounds

5 - Full body jumpers you can buy on Etsy.

I really really want this mohair genius/madness!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/228004267/made-to-order-ivory-hand-knitted-mohair

6 - Knitted brain beanie

Such a cool pattern on Ravelry! Knit and wear this science student's awesome brain hat and be the oddest person on the Tube for the day.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brain-hat-knitting-pattern

7 - A Tea Cosy big enough to cover the entire cafe

It's in the running for a world record....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-35015149

8 - Sartje's Booties

Actually there is nothing odd about these. It's just that it's a rite of passage for knitters to make these once they can follow a pattern. And with good reason, it's just about the perfect improvers knit.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saartjes-bootees

So what are you waiting for? Learn to knit, hit Ravelry.com and start your Knit Life now!

It's time to start making tiny hats! April 13, 2019 23:19

It's that time of year again! Get out your knitting pins or crochet hooks and start making these little hats of goodness for the Big Knit.

The Big Knit started back in 2003 when Innocent asked people to knit little woolly hats to put on their smoothies. For each hat-wearing smoothie sold, Innocent gave 25p to Age UK. Since then, there have been an astonishing 7.5 million hats sent in, and nearly £2.5 million has been raised by the project for Age UK.

If you want to make a hat, here are the patterns and all the instructions too...

http://www.thebigknit.co.uk/knitting-patterns

You can knit or crochet them, and there are patterns for beginners and experts. Get them sent in by July to be in time - I'm starting mine now! Even just one hat helps - we should never underestimate the power of sheer numbers and each one of those 25 pennies add up. Let's do our bit, craft-gang!

Should I Quit My Job to Craft? April 6, 2019 18:57

Do you hate your job? If so, you’re one of roughly 50% of Brits who feels frustrated and unrewarded at work. And I get it, I really do! There’s nothing more frustrating than feeling unfulfilled at work, particularly if you have skills and talents that you aren’t able to utilise.

For the creatively inclined, a boring and monotonous job can be tortuous. The urge to just quit your job and make a living from the crafts you love can be tempting, but is that actually an achievable goal?

Can you really wave goodbye to the dayjob and make a living doing something you love and are genuinely good at? Can life really be that sweet?

The answer is yes… but there are some caveats.

You’ll need to wear different hats

Metaphorical hats, obviously. Although if you want to rock a hat while you do your crafts, that’s cool too! Being a master of crafts and running a business are two different disciplines… And if you’re serious about making a living from crafts you’ll need to master both. Networking with others who make a living from their arts is a great way to get free advice on walking the line between artist and entrepreneur.

You may find that it takes the fun out of crafting

Making a living from crafts is a joyful experience… But it is, in many ways, a job like any other. You’ll have good days and bad days. You’ll have fun days… And you’ll have days where your old job doesn’t seem so bad in hindsight.

When you craft as a hobby you can create what you like, when you like without having to worry about deadlines or quotas. When you craft for a living, however, it’s more about fulfilling the needs of your customers than about fulfilling your need to express yourself.

You need to become a shameless self promoter!

You can be the best in the world at what you do… But you can’t expect to make money from it if nobody knows who you are. To make a sustainable living from crafts, you need to become a dab hand at marketing and selling yourself.

It can get lonely

Working from home can get lonely. While you may be absolutely happy with your own company, it can make life a lot more enjoyable when you’re part of a craft community. Which brings us to...

How the London Craft Club can help

The great news is that you can become part of a wonderful, supportive and helpful community by joining the London Craft Club and trying one of our beginners craft workshops. You can learn the finer points of your craft while interacting with talented and experienced people who make a living doing what they love.

Don’t live in London? No problem at all! Our newsletter and Facebook group are both great resources for people who want to improve their craft and make a living from it.

We believe that crafts are for everyone. Our Hashtag is #CommunityNotCompetition and we think that those are great words to live by. Whether you want to start making a little side hustle from your crafts, want to make a living from it full-time or just want to dedicate more of your free time to getting creative, then we would love to see you at one of our workshops.

Click here to get in touch. We can’t wait to welcome you!

What if I'm rubbish at craft? March 30, 2019 17:19

One thing we overhear guests at our workshops saying ALOT is that they ‘aren’t crafty’ or they are ‘rubbish at craft.’ We know that fear of not being good at something puts lots of people off trying - it’s why I waited until last year to go to a yoga class despite having wanted to try it for about four years! So we wanted to reassure you that a) you are probably way better at crafts than you think and, more importantly, b) it doesn’t matter if you are rubbish!

It’s about the journey not the destination.

Yeah, we know how cliched that sounds, but cliches exist for a reason - they are usually true! With craft it’s easy to become fixated on having the perfect end result, something that looks as though it jumped straight off of a Pinterest board. But actually the biggest benefits from crafting come from the process of making something. Craft is a form of mindfulness, and can help improve your mental wellbeing by helping you enter a state of ‘flow’ (basically where you don’t realise how much time has gone by because you’ve been totally in the zone and focused on something!)

So next time you’re worried that your craft project didn’t quite turn out the way you wanted it to, instead focus on how good you feel having spent a few hours totally in the zone.

We are not the craft police, there is no craft jail.

Picture this - you go along to a craft workshop and you learn a new craft. You’ve given it your best shot but the end result isn’t as good as you thought. So along come to craft police and through you in jail for crimes against craft. Sound about right? Nope, of course not, don’t be ridiculous, there’s no such thing as craft jail (although am I the only one that really likes the sound of a craft jail....)

What I’m trying to say is, so what if it didn’t turn out perfect? What’s the worst that can happen? You try again another time. You have to buy some more craft supplies (as if you need an excuse.) You get to practice and make an even better version next time. Or maybe you decide it’s not for you, and you try something else. That’s okay too!

Practice makes perfect (or better at least!)

You don’t go to one drumming lesson and expect to be the next Dave Grohl. You don’t lace up a pair of trainers and expect to be Usain Bolt. So why do so many of us try a new craft and expect to be turning out masterpieces instantly? I’ve been crocheting for 14 years now and still learn new things on a regular basis! It’s all about practice, trying new things (even if they go wrong!), and constantly learning.

Embrace those imperfections.

Ok so your crochet project has a bit of a gap in it. That macrame piece you made has a couple of wonky knots. So what? It’s a handmade item, it’s not meant to be perfect! In fact those imperfections are what make it unique, and separate it from mass-produced items. And remember, those imperfections represent mistakes you made, which you probably learnt something from.

You are your own harshest critic.

During every single craft workshop I’ve ever taught I hear people say the same thing - ‘oh wow yours looks so much better than mine.’ We are our own harshest critics, so it’s only natural that we think everyone else’s work looks much better than ours. But it’s just not true. One of my favourite parts of our Jesmonite workshop is when we group all the finished pieces together for a photograph - and one thing I notice is that every piece will get compliments from the group. Whether it’s the colour combo someone has used, the terrazzo effect they’ve achieved, everyone compliments everyone’s piece except for their own!

Try before you buy - find what works for you.

Wanna know my dirty crafting secret? I cannot knit. I pride myself on being able to do any craft I turn my hand to, but I have been to roughly SEVEN (yes seven) beginner’s knitting classes, and I can’t do it. I’m not really sure why, but I am rubbish at knitting. It would be really easy for me to then think that I am rubbish at crafts in general. But I’m not - I’m actually quite good at other crafts. It’s just that knitting isn’t my jam. And that’s okay - in fact that’s really quite good because sometimes I think that if I find any more crafts that I really love, I may have to go into crafting rehab!

My point though is that if you try a craft and you’re not very good at and/or you don’t really enjoy it, that’s totally fine. You don’t have to love every craft, or be good at every crafts. But I honestly do believe there is a craft out there for everyone, it’s just a matter of trying them and seeing which suits you best.

How to get over your first big craft fail! March 24, 2019 00:16

I like to say you're not a real crafter until you've had a couple of huge craft fails!

Do you recognise this scenario? You suddenly get an urge of creativity, you create a mental image of a wonderful piece of artwork or crafty item you’re going to make and you settle down to get started.

But then the journey isn’t quite as enjoyable and enlightening as you might have hoped. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The frustration takes over because the masterpiece you had in mind looks as though a child could have made it. Whether you had an expensive incident with gold leaf foil or managed to stick your burnt fingers together with a glue gun, it’s happened to the best of us.

It genuinely builds resilience
But if it happens to you really early in your craft journey, take heart! Sometimes the most disastrous of creations can bring out a surprising kind of resilience in you. When it comes to getting over failure, the only thing you can do it try again (many, many, many!) times. And thankfully, it's practise that pays off with craft. Maybe you went in a bit ambitious, maybe you just need a bit more time to get the skills, but with handmade stuff that's all part of the deal. Just keep at it and you'll look back on the journey with immense satisfaction.

You learn the best stuff that way
Sometimes, you can look at a piece, and it may look a mess but you can see all the lessons it taught you, so it most certainly wasn't a waste of time. I have that experience with dressmaking a lot - it's how I learned the best tricks I have up my sleeve. It may sound cheesey but it has changed how I feel about things going wrong in life in general - nothing is a waste of time because there's always something I learned from it.

Keep on challenging yourself
You may not be worthy of appearing on Kirstie's Handmade Christmas anytime soon, but you might just create something you’re proud of if you push yourself to step out of your comfort zone. And if you're going to do that, you're going to fail some of the time. The more spectacular the fail, the more you've probably learnt. And stretching yourself a bit mentally to solve a creative problems is pleasing.

You already know Pinterest isn't real life!
So if you recently took on your own project at home and it turned out to be a bit of a disappointment, you're not alone. It’s totally normal to have a handful of disasters under your belt. Hey, the only way anyone creates those Pinterest-worthy pieces is through plenty of trial and error, and like lots of social media, you only see the polished end result and not the carnage that went into making it!

You'e not alone
And as creatives and crafters, some of the best bonding we share is over our worst fails. Be the first one to show yours, and watch as everyone starts to confess their stories of stitching their work to their trouser leg by accident, missing out a page of instructions, putting things together backwards or making something perfect and then just spilling coffee all over it.

So if you've just got into craft and had your first horror, don't worry! It's all part of the process. You're not a machine so your stuff shouldn't look like it was made by one.

My favourite reasons for crafting at your desk March 15, 2019 02:08 2 Comments

Before I did Craft Club for a living, I worked in offices. There's a lot of good things about offices - from ergonomic chairs to the bond with your work husband or wife. I still miss a good office chairs not least because mine was a lovely place to craft!

If you work in an office, you’ve probably seen it all when it comes to lunchtime activities. Whether it's getting in those 100 squats, or meditating in the cafe, there are plenty of ways to utilise the time, and crafting is one of the best ways to do it.

As a lover of all things crafty and creative, I’m probably a little bit biased. But knitting, crochet and embroidery office-desk-style all come with a whole host of benefits, and they aren’t limited to looking like that ‘I’ve got my life together’ London-living woman. Yes, I am doing a bit of embroidery on the tube. So what?

Here’s my take on the top reasons why crafting at your desk is totally OK (and actually good for you).

Crafting has been known to boast some similar benefits to meditation, and losing yourself in some knitting or embroidery is one of the best ways of blocking out all the bits of working life that can eat into your free time. Losing yourself in crafting is one of the easiest ways to be mindful, without actually meditating or doing yoga at your desk.

This is what is known as ‘active rest’: you’re taking some time out, but you’re creating something, which makes you feel like you’ve used that lunch hour wisely. Despite the fact that you will have achieved a lot just by crafting for an hour, you’ll feel ready to grab the afternoon by the horns as a result.

Making something crafty has been proven to be one of nature’s ways of boosting your mood, and getting in some stress-busting crafting can release some of that all-good-vibes dopamine in your body. Not only this, but when people tell you that it looks great, you get another surge of the happy stuff, so it’s good news for your general mood.

You’ll soon see how much people are interested in your crafting at work, and when they spark up these conversations (and come out as closet crafters themselves) you’ll be collecting those feel-good vibes like there’s no tomorrow.

More and more people are bringing their creative hobbies to the office desk, and with all of these health benefits (as well as the social implications of everyone looking at your awesome embroidery) it’s no wonder that crafting is getting the the space that it deserves at work. Come on, it even slows down the rate at which your brain ages, which we all need, right?

If you’re still not convinced, consider that crafting is an intergenerational thing. It's a lovely way to broaden your social circle in an unexpected way. So take it from me, it's definitely time to start crafting at work. So, what are you waiting for?

Choose from a bunch of beginners workshops here

Do you ever craft at work? If you do, I'd really love to hear your experience of it! What did your colleagues think? Were you proud of your work or did you feel a bit self conscious? Did people ask you about it? What are the practical limitations (my knitting used to tangle with chair arms, but I liked that my chair made me sit well! Hit sonia@londoncraftclub.co.uk and let me know.

Should we worry about how digital our lives are? March 3, 2019 02:35 2 Comments

Peter Korn, carpenter and Author of "Why We Make Things and Why It Matters", says he worries that that society is starting to understand humanity in digital rather than physical terms. And let's face it, you're probably reading this craft-focused email on your phone.

But is the digital side of our lives always a problem? The world of craft is full of stories of communities built on Instagram, and for many of us social media is a giving and supportive environment. There's a lot that is wonderful about the digital world - try listening to the Digital Human podcast for some great examples. And although there is plenty of research, as a lay-person it's very hard to cut through the headlines and understand what's being said. In short, we are a the first humans to have the internet and to have it at our finger tips all the time and no-one knows what it's doing to us

However, I have a strong feeling that my phone and my laptop are not bringing me my best life at the moment! I expect, like radio and TV in the past, the idea that the internet is melting our brains is not true. But there is an element of the digital age that I think is incredibly destructive, and it's multitasking, and the demand to be constantly On.

Up until I got my first smart phone, I could start something and work on it for days sometimes, zoning in intensely. Not now. Even if I turn off my phone, my powers of concentration have been eroded and my thoughts flit about horrifically. Sometimes there is such a flood of information and demands for responses that it is overwhelming. And the expectation that I can arrange a party, pay a bill and respond to a query in the digital world at the same time as I cook dinner and field questions about Lego IRL is ridiculous. The convenience of it is my undoing.

So - I think the world can cope if I go back to doing one thing at a time, and here's my plan.

Step One - Assess the Problem. I have an app called Toggle, which I'm using to track what I do. Actually, just tracking is changing what I do as feel compelled to stay on task just to make it easier to track! So far, an annoyingly large pie slice is devoted to "Dicking about on my phone" and I also see that I often spent less than ten minutes on a task before flitting to another.

Step Two - Streamline. I've taken all my emails off my phone. In fact you may notice a new Auto-Response on our emails now. I can only check them in working hours (although you can always call our mobile if need help urgently) and I check them just 3 time a day. I think that's reasonable! The kids are getting used to hearing me say "Just wait a moment, I can only do one thing at a time". Social media is next...

Step Three - Motivate Myself. I love a challenge, so I'm using Forest to keep me on task. I'm still new to it but basically you grow virtual and real trees the more you stay on task!

Step Four - Train! I'm going to practice doing things for a long time again. I'm going on a sewing retreat in two weeks time to kick start myself and I plan to re-learn the art of two hour focused sessions when I'm back.

And frankly that's it. Less is more in this case.

Am I the only one with the goal of doing less? Anyone else trying to kick the habit of constantly doing and doing and not getting much done? If you've got tips I'd love to hear them (thanks Amber for the Forest one!)

Two new collaborations coming up! February 17, 2019 10:33 1 Comment

Between us, Zoe, Amber and I cover a lot of crafts! But sometimes we like to learn new ones, and so we collaborate with other crafty experts. Here are our two latest experts:

Kat Campbell

We met Kat at her gorgeous pop-up in West Elm last year, and were smitten with her watercolour designs. When it turned out she liked to teach too, we were straight on to collaborating with her! Look out for a botanical watercolour class coming up soon at London Craft Club, where Kat will share her inspiration and of course lots of skills. This is one of my favourite of her designs and it's been on our studio pinboard since we met her. Megababe indeed!

Ben Hendy

All three of us have had a go at printing of various types, but it's such a huge discipline, and it can get terribly technical. We wanted to learn from someone who knows both the practical details, and would inspire us to love print for its creativity.

Meet Ben Hendy, an award winning printmaker, and an associate member of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. He also lectures on University courses, and is going to turn his expertise to making us the perfect beginner's linocut workshop. He's patient and knowledgeable, and brilliant at sharing his love for the art. We've all fallen for the smell of ink and the moment the printed image is first revealed - come and try it for yourself. There are templates if you don't trust your drawing skills, or you can freestyle it on the day.

A beautiful linocut by Ben Hendy

We really hope you like these two new collaborations. If you want to try them, keep an eye on the newsletter for dates coming soon! Which one catches your eye most?

Our Secret Sister February 8, 2019 17:12

If you've emailed us over the past couple of years, you may have got a reply from me, Sonia. But it could also have been from Briony, Amber or Zoe. Zoe is still here of course, we see her hands a-crocheting all the time. But where did Bri and Amber go?

They went one table along, to Craft Work, and now between them they look after our events for businesses. That covers everything from our super cute Flying Goggles Workshop at the RAF Museum this half term, to customising diamonte hairclips for some wildly glamours bloggers with Nasty Girl at Elan this week. We go all over the country doing events for brands like Paco Raban and IKEA, and we design activities for Cath Kidston, Benugo and Google.

Our team building events a little different to your normal go-karting (I love go-karting, to be clear!) with things like Collaborative Macrame, and we run relaxing drop activities that are bit like doing a bit of yoga at lunch or before work.

You'll find us at festivals like Citadel and the WeWork Summer Camp, and popping up at venues like the Shard, Altitude and the Google Pixel Curiousity Rooms.

So if you want a bit of creative craft in your working life - here's the perfect excuse! If you work in any of these areas, we can help! Craft Work

For PR and Brand = For HR and Wellbeing = For Festival and Events.

Give us a call on 0207 971 1267 or email briony@craftworklondon.com

Craft Helps - A personal story January 6, 2019 01:00 2 Comments

Zoe, our Head Crafter, tells a frank story of how craft helped her.

"A few years ago I went through a really rough patch with my mental health - I was suffering from depression, as well as severe bouts of anxiety. It was affecting every aspect of my life, including my ability to work. And at the time it felt like the cycle of feeling down and anxious, not being able to get myself out of it, and so feeling more down and more anxious, would never end. Then one day I crocheted a granny square - just one square, and then I did it more, so I had something to keep my hands busy more than anything else. But it helped. It gave my brain something to focus on rather than endlessly worrying and thinking and turning things over. The next day I crocheted three more granny squares, and I managed to have a shower too. The following day I worked on an embroidered piece. And each day that I was creative in some small way, I felt a little bit better. Like I had achieved something. Like I had a bit of space inside my head.

For me crafting and creating has always been part of my life, but it was only when my mental health declined that I realised just how important creativity was to my wellbeing. And so I started to actively include time to make things in my day. Even if it was just half an hour of weaving whilst eating my breakfast, or an hour of cross stitch on my way to work. Just having that little bit of time to do something creative with my hands would leave me feeling so positive and refreshed. It didn’t matter about the end result really, it was the process of making that was important, and the way it allowed my mind to roam free and escape the endless cycle of anxiety. Using my hands to create also helped to ground me in the present, rather than worrying constantly about the future, and reliving moments from the past.

Having a creative project on the go also helps give me focus and a purpose. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the ‘super important’ tasks you need to complete at any given moment in time, and when I feel bogged down by it all I stop and work on one of my many work in progress projects that I always have on the go. Adding a square to a blanket, or a few rows to a beading project, helps me feel like I’ve achieved something and made progress forwards, and that helps me feel like I can do the same with other tasks."

Thank you Zoe for telling us the story.

Your London Craft Calendar for 2019 January 5, 2019 11:11

Hello Londoners! Here's a ton of brilliant crafty things to look out for in 2019 to get your creative hands and minds at work. Do let us know if we've missed something off in the comments and we'll do our best to add it.

January

It's your last chance to see the stunning Anni Albers show at Tate Modern. It finishes on 27^th January. We LOVED IT - don't miss it!
https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/anni-albers

The wonderful Poster Girls exhibition closes on 13th January - it's at the London Transport Museum so you get to see all the trains and try the Tube driving simulator too! https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/exhibitions

February

3rd February see the Big Craft Swish! Back again for the third year, it's the perfect chance to reorganise your craft stash and raise money for Mind and Stop the Traffik
https://www.londoncraftclub.co.uk/products/the-big-craft-swish-2019

The spending-fest that is the Knitting and Stitching comes to Olympia. Some people literally bring a trolley! 28th February
https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/

London Craft Club Galantine’s Party! It's a dreary month so come for some fab fun at our lovely studio on 13th February. Look out for tickets from NEXT WEEK!

March

One of our favourite Instagram hashtags to join in with is #MarchMeettheMaker to see all the behind the scenes stuff from the makers you follow. New prompts every day keep it energised all month

The Craft Fox Seconds Sale is on 2nd March. Crafty Fox markets are reliably good, and this should be a great place to snap up some ethical bargains.
https://www.craftyfoxmarket.co.uk/market-dates/2019/3/2/sat-2nd-march-sample-amp-seconds-sale-mercato-metropolitano

The Woman’s Hour Craft Prize Exhibition closes on 16th March! Craft getting the exposure it deserves, if a little earnestly, thanks to good old Jenni Murray and pals.
https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/listings/womans-hour-craft-prize

April

The London Craft Club Spring Sale will happen. We'll have a bunch of new workshops that will be at early bird prices briefly. We don't do a lot of sales, so jump to it guys!

May

#MeMadeMay is another fun hashtag to join in. It focuses on sewing but we hijack it with other accessories

London Craft Week is a relatively new but rather fabulous addition to the calendar, this focuses on hyper skilled artisans creating luxury goods and is a great chance to get behind the scenes of some high-end designers, makers and brands.
https://www.londoncraftweek.com/

June

West Dean Arts Festival and Crafts Festival is not strictly London! But the grounds of West Dean College are beautiful and the craft workshops unbelievable. If the sun is shining, it’s an idyllic day out
https://www.westdean.org.uk/events/west-dean-arts-and-craft-festival

World Wide Knit in Public Day is exactly what it says it is! Astrid has been organising this for years, and although we can't see a date yet, it's usually June. We'll be doing a knit event for it of course.
http://www.wwkipday.com/

The Art College Degree shows generally are great fun to look around. They are a real mixed bag of pedestrian, precocious and sublime, but there's so much to see and the smell of art college generally is thrilling! https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/arts/graduate-shows-where-to-go-to-see-the-capital-s-upandcoming-artists-this-summer-a3847906.html

August

The newest addition to the London craft scene is the MakeMore Festival. Last year it was in Bethnal Green's Victoria Park, keen an eye on the website to see if there are dates for 2019
https://makemore.art/

Festival of Quilts is in Birmingham but if you want to be wowed by incredible skills and enormous undertakings of hand sewing, this is the place. There are a lot of very traditional quilts, but you do see more and more with a modern aesthetic.
https://www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk/

September

#SewPhotoHop is a fun sewing hashtag - watch as amateur sewists show off their remarkable talents and feel inspired by seeing the same pattern sewn by different people

For me, The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court is my favourite craft event of the year. There's lots to do, plenty of gorgeous stuff to buy and it can easily fill a fill days’ worth of pottering. Perfect for the crafty and also for the total newbie
https://www.thehandmadefair.com/hampton-court

Yarn in the City is London's best yarn crawl! Social and stitchy, it's a great way to discover new shops and grab a bargain.
https://www.yarninthecity.com/routes/

October

Knitting and Stitching Show at back for round two, this time at Alexandra Palace. Not so easy to get to, but so huge it’s still worth the trek!
https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/

November

#BPSewvember is another fun sewing hashtag!

The Creative Craft Show is another huge shopping fest. This one is for the seasoned crafter, looking for bargains and new gadgetry that’s hard to get elsewhere, and might be a bit overwhelming for a beginner!
http://www.stitchandhobby.co.uk/london/autumn/

December

This is Christmas market season - we'll do a roundup of the best markets closer to the time when all the dates are out.

Have a fabulous crafty 2019, may it be filled with creativity for you. Check out our Craft Calendar while you're here!

Small and achievable. Just what we need! December 31, 2018 02:40

This year I am not making a bunch of resolutions, or going on a diet or joining a gym. I am not committing to changing myself. It's unlikely that I'll succeed in becoming a tidy person, or an on-time person, or a person who doesn't forget what they came into the room for.

That said, I do want to make a sewing pattern for my perfect top this year. So when my friend suggested we go on a sewing retreat, it seemed like a brilliant way to make sure that got ticked off my list of life to-dos. I've booked - and that's my first New Years Resolution as good as done. Ta-da!

That same friend once told me to avoid having more than three things on my to-do list each day. Every January there is a ton of articles written about sticking to small, achievable goals. But it definitely works for me. Setting goals like "walk to the station twice this week" or "knit ten rows of that blanket by Saturday" work so much better for me than "go running twice a week" or "finish all unfinished knitting projects"

So expanding the principal to fit the whole year, here are my three 2019 goals:

- make a sewing a pattern for my perfect top, and make a few versions of it (so I can look a bit smarter)

- learn to cook three good vegetarian weekday dinners (so we eat less meat)

- join an intermediate netball team (so I get fitter)

Have you got any tips for getting your year heading in the right direction? I'm terrible for getting distracted so I'd love to get some hints on staying on one task long enough to finish it! Also any tips on easy veggie meals or North London netball teams in need of a defender welcome too.

Happy New Year!

London Craft Club x Cath Kidston December 10, 2018 17:18

We are long-time fans of Cath Kidston here at LCC, so when they asked us to run a Wreath Making Workshop for their customers we jumped at the chance. Plus, we LOVE a good festive Christmas Wreath so love any excuse to make our own. Come and learn how to make your own with us and Cath Kidston on Thursday 13th December from 6-8pm at their flagship Piccadilly Circus store. Find the details and book your ticket right here.

And if you can’t make the workshop here is some inspiration to DIY your own wreath at home - we are loving ones with a contemporary twist right now.

Meet Rosha Nutt December 2, 2018 09:02

Here at London Craft Club we are so lucky to call so many incredible and talented creatives our friends. On Monday we took a break from the office and visited one of them, artist Rosha Nutt at her North London home and studio. Here she tells us a bit about her practice and what makes her tick:

I’ve been working with screen prints for the past 10 years and it’s only more recently that I’ve ventured into painting. This was both nature and nurture...with two kids it’s difficult to get to the print studio but I’ve always envisioned my future as a painter – a large studio, light flooding in and huge canvases lying around.
I make pop art, bold and bright, sometimes graphic and minimal. I paint and screen print and exaggerate the halftone dot pattern from the screen-printing process as a feature of my work. Over the past year I have been redeveloping my portfolio. At the moment I’m making a lot of floral studies, drawing in thin and thick marker pens and acrylic paint, with quick fluid movements where observation is key.

In September this year I took part in The House of Illustration’s 30-day one-inch drawing challenge on Instagram​. This was such a great exercise in observation, patience and precision. When you only have an inch-squared to draw within everything has to be so precise, the tiniest slip shows up. Naturally I’m drawn to making large bold images so to focus on the complete opposite was challenging. I found the habit of doing a new drawing everyday a great discipline, routine can be such a helpful process.

Rosha has had artwork commission by Roxy Music and AnOther magazine and sells her work through SaatchiArt.com, Artfinder.com and Etsy.com. She will be showing her work with 100 other illustrators at the HOI Winter Fair​ on 8 December 11-5pm.Visit ​www.roshanutt.com​ and https://www.instagram.com/roshanutt/​ to find out more.

Christmas Market Roundup November 11, 2018 08:44

We do love buying Christmas presents - picking something that’s just right for the recipient and then watching their face when they open it! Every year we try to buy as many handmade and locally sourced gifts as possible, supporting small independent businesses along the way. Our favourite place to shop is at craft markets - there is such a great variety, you can do all your Christmas shopping in one hit, and get in the festive spirit at the same time! We have rounded up some of our favourite London christmas markets below....

What: Crafty Fox Market

Where: Mercato Metropolitan

When: Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December, 11am - 5pm both days

Why you should go: it’s more than just craft stalls - there is also a great selection of street food, a bar, and workshops too! Get all your festive shopping done and have a fun day out!

What: Renegade Craft Fair

Where: Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane

When: Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th 11am - 5pm

Why you should go: Renegade is the biggest of the festive craft markets in London, and has an amazing selection of traders showcasing some of the best creative talent around.

What: Etsy Made Local

Where: Tooting Tram and Social

When: Saturday 1st December 11am - 5pm

Why you should go: You will be supporting London based creatives, and the market is always carefully curated with an amazing mix of products so there’s something for everyone! Plus we will be there running a FREE christmas craft workshop.

What: Pexmas

Where: Warwick Gardens, Peckham

When: Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December, 11am - 6pm

Why you should go: Pexmas always has a great community vibe, and this year it’s bigger then ever with Sant’s Grotto (and Santa himself paying a visit) plus a great selection of stalls. It’s outdoors so be sure to wrap up warm!

Why I love making Christmas gifts October 28, 2018 10:37

Making the things you give at Christmas is incredibly satisfying in so many ways. First, just the making itself gives you a sense of pleasure, pride and achievement, not just that you actually made it, but that you did it in time for Christmas. Christmas gifts can be incredibly depressing to buy – you’re stuck between the fact that honestly the person you love really don’t need more tat in their lives, and wanting to give a gift that shows you do actually love them (which is let's face it the whole point) So giving something hand made is the perfect balm to Christmas consumerism.

I remember a few years back for a Secret Santa at work I baked gingerbread ornaments with ribbons through a hole to tie them on the tree. I packed them up as airtight as I could, but left a note on saying PERISHABLE. I remember sitting at my keyboard and doing some hideous task and hearing a someone oohing with delight at the other end of the office, looking up to see the receipient of the biscuits delightedly showing them around. Honestly I felt like I’d actually managed to do something lovely for someone, and it made me so happy to have had that effect.

So now I made loads of gifts at Christmas. I love making cushions! They take me about 15 minutes to make, but the fun part is choosing the fabrics carefully, you can pick something to reflect peoples style and tastes, to show you pay attention! And then they have a luxury thing that they snuggle on, that reminds them that someone went to the effort to make them something personal. I made cushions for a friend with all her favourite colours, and when I’m at hers, we prop ourselves up on these cushions that have been in her sitting room for years, and they feel like part of the infrastructure of our friendship.

This year a good gift is anything macramé, particularly plant hangers. I’ve made a few of them as gifts and I love giving them as they are so popular right now but actually not so easy to find! And a little thing I like to make is map coaters, where you give someone a coaster with a map of somewhere you have been together varnished on to it. I like to use a map that we’ve circled things on and feature the circles. As time goes by and these things you’ve made still hang around getting a bit ratty, it’s a tangible marker of a relationship progressing. That’s why I only ever make gifts that have a function. What do you like to make for Christmas gifts? Or do you have good intentions to make stuff, only to run out of time? You wouldn't be alone!

Secrets of a Professional Knitwear Designer and Maker October 19, 2018 13:23

The Handmade Fair 2018 September 22, 2018 22:08

Last week the London Craft Club team took a well-deserved day off to visit The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court. It’s one of the highlights of the craft calendar, and we always look forward to seeing what the fair will have to offer each year.

We started our day off with some craft workshops - I mean, how could we say no? I made a pom pom deer brooch with Ruby and the Squirrel, while Sonia made an incredible willow bird feeder with Blithfield Willowcrafts. I’m not going to lie, I’m a bit in love with deer pom pom. Wouldn’t they make adorable Xmas decorations?

It’s always so much fun crafting with a group of people and seeing strangers chatting and bonding over their love for making things. For us, crafting is a social activity and not just something we do at home alone!

Of course we couldn’t resist a wander round the shopping tents (it would be rude not to!) and we bumped into some of our crafty friends, including the gorgeous Tilly from Tilly and the Buttons, who is a total sweetheart and has the most gorgeous modern sewing patterns.

We had a lovely chat to the wonderful folk from Happy Fabric, and went totally crazy over the rainbow selection of iron on vinyls. Their stall was packed full of lots of ideas for projects using their materials and tools.

And we all oohed and aahed at the Cricut stand (where we bumped into craft legend Emma Jewell!) How amazing is this little personalised mason jar I made? And in the background are paper flowers cut using the Cricut. We’ve added the new Easy Press 2 to our wish list - maybe Santa will bring us one if we are really good?

The main reason for our visit to The Handmade Fair though was our very own Sonia was competing against Lisa Comfort from Sew Over It in the Mollie Makes Mash Up. They had 30 minutes to customise a plain pennant style wall hanging using a selection of craft supplies. And we couldn’t be prouder because Sonia only went and won!

Did you manage to visit The Handmade Fair this year? We are already looking forward to next year!

LCC Launch Party September 16, 2018 12:30 2 Comments

The Joy of Learning September 2, 2018 13:00

We all know that fish oil is supposed to help boost your brain power. And that learning is beneficial in the academic sense - knowledge is power and all that. But recently more research has been conducted into the benefits of learning on our overall mental and physical well-being. And don't worry if, like us, you never did well in academic exams - the benefits of learning apply to any new skills, including craft!

Here are some of the main ways in which learning something new can actually be good for you;

1. It keeps your mind active - problem solving, concentrating, and memorising are all involved in learning, and these activities have been proven to improve cognitive functioning later on in life. Your brain is like a muscle - it needs to be used and strengthened regularly to remain healthy. Crafts such as quilting have been shown to be particularly beneficial, as they involve a higher level of problem solving and even basic mathematical skills.

2. Being engaged in pursuits that occupy your mind and require you to get 'in the flow' such as crafting can actually trigger healthy changes in brain chemistry. Repetitive crafts (such as a simple weaving) can cause an almost meditative state, that can help alleviate stress and anxiety.

3. Learning a new skill can help boost your self-esteem and self-confidence. There's nothing like mastering a new crochet stitch, or learning how to tie a new macrame knot to make you feel as though you have really accomplished something. This confidence in turn helps to boost your overall mental well-being.

4. Our minds and bodies require time to recharge to function at their best, but recharging doesn't have to mean lying down and doing nothing. In fact the best way to recharge your mind is to throw yourself into something that takes your mind off the day to day. Getting totally immersed in a craft activity is a good way to do this - if you've ever experienced that feeling of 'I can't believe I've been crafting for three hours - it's flown by!' then that means you're on the right track!

So there you have it - learning isn't just confined to schools, and to a particular time of your life. Learning and expanding your knowledge on a regular basis is actually beneficial to your mental health. We would love to help introduce you to a new craft - we have lots of exciting workshops available right now, so check them out!

Meet Zoe - A London Craft Club Update August 26, 2018 10:21

There have been a lot of exciting changes happening at London Craft Club recently - most of you will already know that we are moving into a brand spanking new venue this week, which will serve as the Craft Club HQ, as well as being where most of our workshops will now be held.

But the eagle-eyed among you have also noticed that our weekly newsletter is now from me, Zoe, instead of Sonia, and have been curious to know why. Well, there has also been a change-up behind the scenes here at London Craft Club! Sonia hasn't gone anywhere, but I've taken over the day to day running of London Craft Club. I'll also be helped by Baily - we'll introduce you to her properly very soon!

We figured you might like to learn a bit more about me now I'll be popping up in your inbox and social media, so pop over here to read the Q&A with me!

Sonia - Zoe, can you tell us a bit about your extensive crafty background!

Zoe - I’ve been working as a creative for seven years now - I started off running my own jewellery business called Ladybird Likes, which I did for about five years, but I started to fall out of love with it as I was waking up every day and doing the same tasks over and over. I wanted something more creative and more diverse, but I felt more like a factory worker. So I started branching out into other creative areas, particularly teaching crafts. I now like to call myself a ‘freelance creative’ as I dabble in so many creative areas.

Sonia - I remember hearing loads about you on the crafty scene before you joined LCC, you're a bit of a celeb amongst crafters! So tell the guys how you got involved with London Craft Club?

Zoe - I’ve been part of LCC for about a year now, and I started out just teaching workshops (which I still do because I absolutely love it!) Then I started helping out in the office with some admin work, and about two months ago Sonia offered me the position of ‘Head Crafter’ (which is the only job title we could decide on that didn’t sound super boring and corporate!)

Sonia - So can you just explain what you do at London Craft Club exactly?

Zoe - Ha, well a bit of everything really - whatever is needed! My main roles are creating our programme of workshops - so coming up with new workshop ideas, finding creatives to work with, researching what we will need and how it would work in a workshop environment, making samples, that sort of thing. And then I also do the marketing and sales side of things - I’ve been writing the weekly newsletters for a while now, and will also be taking over social media and content creation which I’m really excited for.

Sonia - Zoe, I honestly think you are the most versatile crafter I know! What workshops do you teach?

Zoe - My biggest passion is yarn crafts - anything that involves yarn I just find so interesting and relaxing. I teach weaving, punch needle, crochet, felting, macrame... and lots of other stuff too! I’ve also been hugely passionate about a wide range of crafts, and have never been able to just pick one to focus on! I’m never sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but it’s just the way I am!

Sonia - Why do you like teaching crafts?

Zoe - Honestly, I feel like craft has played a huge part in my life for such a long time, and making things has opened up so many doors for me, as well as helping me deal with anxiety and stress. I’m a massive advocate for the benefits of crafting on a regular basis, and I hope through teaching crafts and helping other people to find a craft they love, that I can pass on those benefits. I genuinely believe that we would all be a lot happier and more relaxed if we made time each day to do something creative.

Sonia - Thank you so much for answering our questions, everyone at LCC is so excited to have you in the gang! You're SO creative and can make anything, but we think you fit in so well here because you really get our "be kind, be awesome at what you do" mentality. Hurrah for Zoe!

If you'd like to find out what I've been up to, head over to www.craftworklondon.com for a little look! Me and the Craft Work gang still share an office with LCC so we haven't gone far but it's a little different...

Meet Our New Teacher Yvonne August 19, 2018 15:00

As London Craft Club grows and expands and changes so does our team of craft teachers. We are so incredibly lucky to work with some super talented people, who allow us to bring you such a great range of different workshops. Our newest member of the team is Yvonne Pratt, who is going to be teaching our Hand Sewing Workshop starting from September, and hopefully some other workshops too in the future.

Yvonne has an interesting story as she has recently left her job in education and teaching to become a freelance creative - something which we know lots of you would also love to do! So we thought we would ask her a few questions to see what made her take the leap into freelance life!

1. Tell us a bit about your background.

I have worked in various educational backgrounds over many years, from teaching silkscreen printing and fabric dye workshops at universities, to teaching careers at West Suffolk Collage focusing on the Art and Design department and inspiring young minds about their future careers.

2. What made you decide to go freelance?

Whilst I have been working in teaching environments I have always continued to practice my passion for craft. This has developed into my unique style of bespoke mixed media textile pieces which combine my love of drawing, illustration, textile print and free motion embroidery. I have a fascination for the natural environment and our Great British Heritage.

Living in Suffolk I have continued to exhibit, showcase and sell my work, and have built up a community of friends who are craft makers like myself. Ultimately it was this community that encouraged me to become freelance, allowing me to fully embrace my craft and love of teaching.

3. What are the best and worst parts of being freelance?

The best part of becoming freelance is being able to concentrate on my passion to create and inspire others through my craft experience and knowledge of crafts. Also meeting and networking with likeminded people with the same passion as myself.

Since I’m new to freelancing, there aren’t any bad bits (yet!)

4. What crafts do you/can you teach?

I am extremely versatile when it comes to crafting as I use mixed media within my own craft. But also I love to experiment with different techniques and have been fortunate to attend and work at workshops at various crafting events over the years. I can turn my hand to almost anything, and I find it extremely satisfying to learn new crafts.

5. Do you still craft for fun? If so what do you make?

Yes, and this tends to be if I take a fancy to something new. But I love using free motion embroidery because I love that it is such a versatile technique, and I can have fun using different materials and fabrics. I love the textures and style it can gives an art piece.

6. Why do you love crafting?

Being an extremely creative person my mind is just bursting with ideas all the time, and I can only get these ideas out through using my hands to create crafts. So this is really just my way of expressing my ideas.

Thanks so much for chatting with us Yvonne! We hope you've enjoyed learning a bit more about the newest team member, and you can book to learn Hand Sewing with Yvonne right here.

Our stunning new home in the West End! August 12, 2018 09:45

We are so excited to announce that we are just about to move into our new permanent home in Bedford Square, Bloomsbury, in the heart of the West End.

From now on nearly all our workshops and events will take place here. It'll be much simpler for you to book and of course it means we're free to do more socials and unusual crafts. We're starting with our big London Craft Club Party!

How to get there

It's a quick walk from Tottenham Court Road on the Northern and Central Line, and Russell Square on the Picadilly Line. Euston, St Pancras and Charing Cross mainline stations are all easy to get to, less than 20 minutes walk or quicker by Tube.

Bedford Square backs on to the British Museum and you can walk to Oxford Street or Soho easily from there. It's one of the best-preserved Georgian squares in London, built in the 1770s.

We're looking forward to making it into a stunningly gorgeous space - you know we like a bit of Instagram so our challenge is to make the most Insta-worthy studio ever! Keep an eye out for updates on the studio and how we make it beautiful, and then come to our London Craft Club party and see the results yourself! Don't forget if you book a workshop, you'll get a free ticket (while tickets last)

We're really looking forward to seeing you there!

Happiness Happens months August 5, 2018 08:31

Sometimes it’s good to take a moment to remind yourself of all the things that make you happiest - plus who doesn’t love a good list?!

We've made a list of some of the things that make us happiest! What makes you happy? Try our free printable Happiness List for yourself so you can make your own version too. We recommend sticking it somewhere you can see it every day, and if you’re feeling in need of a boost try doing something off of your list.

Download it here

There is actually quite a lot of scientific evidence to support the idea that crafting does in fact make you happier, as well as reducing anxiety and stress. When you get absorbed in a craft your mind goes into an almost meditative state, which in turn helps improve your mental wellbeing. So there you go, it's as good as a mindfulness app and keeps you off your phone.

The social element of crafting is also excellent for boosting happiness. Not all of us like to craft in company, but it can be a lovely way to meet people you share an interest with.

Plus you get to make something you can use/wear/have in your home, which will then bring you happiness every time you see it. There’s nothing more satisfying than being able to reply ‘I made it’ when someone compliments something of yours. That first thing you made that you're super proud of can be a real milestone in your life, whether you're aged 4 or 84.

My newest thing is drop-spinning, and honestly a bit like catnip to me! The spin, pinch, draft, release rhythm is an additive and utterly absorbing thing! And I am so incredibly proud of my bit of spun yarn, even if it is only a few tens of metres...

So get some craft on your list and make August a really good one.

Summer Lovin! June 17, 2018 07:00

It's treats time!

Summer is for hanging out with friends - so if you buy two tickets to a workshop, you get the second one half price!!!!!! Just use the code SUMMERLOVIN at the checkout. (It must be the same workshop on the same date, and you must book before midnight on 20th June 2018)

Choose a workshop

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Yes the tickets for the Twist Sandal Workshop are here!!! Book now because they are on Early Bird prices, and there are only two dates.

Book tickets

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Check out this round up of all our lovely Summer printables by Hannah of Utensils0 - super cute!

See them all

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Mega Insta-giveaway! Head to our account two win a pair of free tickets to a workshop of your choice, so you and a friends can hang out together

Head to our Instagram

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And guess what - there's more goodies next week! Don't say we don't love you :-)

Vote now on our Summer picnic workshop! May 26, 2018 22:57 2 Comments

We're planning a lovely beach bag customisation workshop for the Summer, and we need your opinion. We've got two gorgeous woven palm bags and a mountain of stuff to customise them with. Here's a pinterest board of what we could do...

And here's your chance to vote on which bag we use!

The Hand-Woven Palm basket bag.

A generous bag made of best quality woven palm, its sturdy, robust and holds its shape well whilst still having a soft feel to it. With it's palm woven handles, it's the perfect beach bag - almost! It's just calling out for you to add colour and joy to it.

The Round Palm Weave Bag

This bag is brilliantly useful and super gorgeous. The soft plaited palm keeps its fantastic round shape, and the opening has a lovely structured edge that makes it easy to use and very practical.

Vote classic French style basket

Vote super gorgeous round basket

Watch this space to see which one wins!

My six favourite crafty bits of kit May 13, 2018 11:14

At Craft Club HQ, we've had a really big clear-out this week, which has made us think about what we really do need. I have a bit of an addiction to craft gadgetry, although not all are as useful as others! These are some ours favourite, but there are so many other ones we could chose. What are your favourite crafty tools?

Rotary Cutter

I thought rotary cutters were total magic when I first found them. Especially when I realised you can cut through more than one layer of fabric at a time. I actually find cutting the hardest part of dressmaking so these are a godsend! Find out all about them here

Stix2Anything tape

It sticks to fabric! It's doublesided! Seriously you can use it for everything. Gapey shirt buttons need holding closed? Bra straps need to stick under your dress straps? Need to stick a lampshade together? Want to add decorative bits to a Christmas stocking? The list is endless! Buy it here

Scissors

We have a few hundred pairs of scissors at Craft Club, but nothing beats a really sharp well balanced pair of dressmaking shears. Like these by fabulous traditional scissor makes Ernest Wright and Son

Water soluble pens

Another magic trick! Draw on fabic, then when you've felted, emboridered or what ever else you want to do on it, you just spray water on it and it VANISHES! Get them here

Blank plastic cards

You can buy batches of blank white credit cards and they are great for so many things! I make map coasters with Mod Podge, and they help you smooth on a lovely smooth finish. Also great for spreading glue, grout and anything else you need to spread evenly. Way way better than a glue spreader! Get em here

After the big clearout that made us think of this, we've decided to get a little Instagram sale or two going! Watch out for the dates coming soon!

Sew Luxe Leather Book Review May 6, 2018 07:55

Leather is so bang on trend at the moment, and it’s popping up everywhere from the catwalk, to homewares, to accessories and we can’t get enough of it! It’s no secret that at Craft Club we love working with leather in our workshops (we’ve made everything from leather jewellery to leather clutch bags) 

so when the talented Rosanna Gethin sent us a copy of her new book ’Sew Luxe Leather’ we were immediately keen. It’s packed full of gorgeous projects to make using leather, starting off super simple with a leather tassel keyring, or a travel card holder, and then increasing in difficulty all the way up to a cross body bag. There’s something to suit everyone’s taste, and it’s definitely a book we will be turning to when we are stuck for ideas for handmade gifts. 

Rosanna has detailed step by step instructions for each project, made even clearer by photos illustrating each stage, meaning the projects are easy to follow even if you’re not a very confident crafter. Although working with leather looks really complicated, with Rosanna’s expert guidance you’ll be creating beautiful leather items in no time. 

Our favourite parts of the book though are the bits with information on what tools and supplies you will need, and what they are all used for. If you're buying this a gift  for a crafty friend, it's got enough technical info to be a really good resource, as well as looking really pretty. 

At the back of the book are details of each technique used in the projects in case you need a quick reference. From from gluing, to inserting fastenings, to surface treatments, this is such a handy guide to have, and would be invaluable to anyone starting out working with leather. No more googling what a lacing pony is (yes, it’s a real thing!) or wondering what type of glue you should be using on leather. 

Packed full of gorgeous photos, and lots of useful content (definitely no filler in here!) Sew Luxe Leather has found itself a place on our crafty bookshelf. We are heading out on bank holiday Monday to find some old leather items to upcycle into something new - perhaps a new purse?

Sew Luxe Leather is published by SewandSo and will be available from May 25th 2018

Don't forget you can meet Rosanna an make a luxe leather plant hanger with her. Find the details here 

Our Nerrisa is running this awesome creative workshop for IKEA April 29, 2018 12:26

You may have met Nerrisa Pratt, our lovely craft teacher and the creative behind Wud ,at one of our workshops. Excitingly, she's been invited to run a creative workshop for IKEA

KEA has teamed up with LA-based fashion designer Chris Stamp, and freelance designer Maja Ganszyniec for a limited-edition collection: SPÄNST. Inspired by street fashion and an active lifestyle, SPÄNST features furniture, accessories and items for storing, displaying and organising some of your favourites at home.

Nerrisa will be in the IKEA Croydon store this Friday (4th May) hosting a workshop on how to customise your trainers. From embroidery to fabric paints, get to grips with how to update your kicks!

Spaces are free, but limited and exclusive to IKEA FAMILY members. For more information on how to book, click here: https://events.myikeafamily.com/croydon

Cant make it? Follow @nerrisapratt over on Instagram who will be revealing her customised collection of trainers on Instagram stories.

Citadel Festival is going to be amazing! April 29, 2018 11:56

I love a Summer Festival. There's something dreamy about sitting on the grass, sipping a drink as you watch the sun setting over the main stage, while everyone around you is just a little bit more unbuttoned than usual. It's refreshing for the soul.
So, when London Craft Club was invited to take part in Citadel Festival I was obviously very pleased. But then I saw the programme! The bands are amazing, of course, but there's so much stuff to do. So much! From the Spandex Stage to the Art Studio to the Science Camp to the Tug-of-War, I think I have found my Summer heaven.
I firmly believe that exercise is the best way to release, rejuvenate, and inspire yourself - but not just exercise of the physical kind. I also love the feeling of exercising my brain with learning and experimenting. I forget to worry and instead marvel at the exciting new things I have discovered and done, and come out feeling like I've been for a refreshing swim (but without the chlorine hair and awkward wet cozzy)
Check out the programme at Citadel, for your inner child, and handily for any actual children as well. We'll be there with a lovely mini macrame for you to try, plus you can create your own super gorgeous design on a bag and have us heat press it on for you.

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It's time to apply for the Great British Sewing Bee! April 29, 2018 11:16

After a year off, Sewing Bee is back! There's lots of speculation about the host - will it be Claudia, or maybe Joe Lycett according to the Radio Times

Love Productions, who make Sewing Bee, have been in touch with London Craft Club to see if we can help recruit new contestants and we think you should definitely go for it! I can think of a few of you off the top of my head who definitely have the skills! It'll be fun to apply, and even better if you get on the programme. Don't over think it, just do it!

Here's the link, and let me know if you do apply so we can be your cheerleaders all the way!

https://sewing.take-part.co.uk/

Good luck sewists! Go get em!!!

Crafty ways to get plants into your house! April 15, 2018 01:26

I love having plants in the house. I'm awful at keeping them alive, but I am getting better. (Here's a good place to get a few hints, not from me but from Sophie at Geofleur!) I stick with my beloved spider plants, succulents and a couple of old stalwarts who don't seem to die.

So it goes without saying that my favourite way to display plants is in plant hanger. We've got two Plant Hanger workshops on at the moment, so take your pick!

Leather Plant Hanger	Macrame Plant Hanger

My next is on a planter (ie a long-legged stand). They are great because they add different heights, like this, which immediately makes a cluster of plants look good. They are also great for a desk, as they make more space for all the other important clutter you have there.

Or you can use them like this to make a small plant have the same impact as a massive plant you either bought for a ton of cash or spend years growing. If you like the look of these, we've got a workshop coming up soon, with the lovely Melodie of Slinky Home

Image courtesy of Slinky Home

If you really can't keep your plants alive - try these patterns for crochet from Yarn Plaza

Image courtesy of Plaza Yarn

Can't crochet? No, me neither. What about papercraft? Try Hannah's fabulous papercraft wreath workshop here

And if you've mastered keeping the plants alive - try this totally awesome DIY from Hello Marilu to give them gorgeous unique pots to live in. Everything she makes is gorgeous! Find the DIY here, it's a really lovely take on marbling.

Image courtesy of Hello Marilu

I hope you're feeling greenfingered after that! Good luck with your indoor plants, and if you've got any tips for me other than don't tip Diet Coke in them, I'd love to hear.

Win Free Tickets to the Battersea Antiques and Textiles Fair April 8, 2018 10:34 5 Comments

We've got an exciting competition for you this month! Our friends at Twentieth Century Posters are exhibiting at the Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair and they've given us three pairs of tickets!

The fair is gorgeous - each different stand is done out like a vintage room, ranging from Georgian to Mid Century, and it's a visual feast! If you even slightly like interiors its a real treat. The organisers vet everything that displayed, so there are no reproductions or fakes - everything is 100% the real deal! I go and drool over the expensive stuff, but I also get so much inspiration for my own craft and for decorating my home.

So if you would like to enter our draw to win a pair of tickets, just head to Instagram and look for the competition post. Tag the person you'd like go with in the comments, and you can enter as many times as you like.

Good luck!

The Cross Keys have joined the crafty gang! March 31, 2018 16:20

If you've ever been to Craft Life, our Saturday afternoon free craft social, you'll know how popular it is. In fact it's bursting at the seams, and we've been wanting to get an evening version going for ages. The only thing holding us back was finding the perfect venue. And now we've got one.

The Cross Keys in Hammersmith is absolutely perfect.They have a private room that we can take over for the evening, and they really, really like having us there. We've been running workshops with them for a couple of months now, and when we mentioned that we needed a home for Craft Life Late they immediately offered their private room up.

We are over the moon to announce that the first Craft Life Late is on Monday16th April and runs 6.30 - 8.30pm. Zoe will be hosting, and of course everyone is welcome to stay on afterwards for few drinks.

We'll be bringing tons of jersey yarn, given to us by Hoooked, for a mystery craft project. Keep and eye on our Instagram and Facebook for sneak peeks comingn soon

Craft Life isn't like a workshop, it's more of a social with a taster craft available for anyone who wants to try it. Lots of people bring whatever craft they're working on, but we also get lots of craft newbies who are welcomed in by our regulars. It's so friendly - Valentina who regularly hosts Craft Life has seen many friendships start and grow over crafts, and I'm sure Craft Life Late will be just the same. So come along! Whether you want to try some craftiness for the first time, or you just want to meet new crafty buddies, we're here for you.

To come along, pop to our Calendar page here and RSVP now. We'll see you there

See the restoration process right up close - it's fascinating! March 18, 2018 11:40

We are very excited to be teaming up with the Old Royal Navy College in Greenwich. If you haven't been to their Painted Hall, now is a brilliant time to go. Normally, it's right up high and out of reach, but right now it's being restored. In a stroke of genius, the College decided that instead of shutting the hall, it would bring loads of people in to see the specialist work up close.

You head up an industrial set of scaffolding stairs (not wobbly at all, I am terrified of heights and I was totally fine). At the top, you come out onto a temporary floor into an incredible space, where the lavishly painted ceiling is almost in touching distance.There are regular tours for the public, but on 23rd March you can come to THE CELESTIAL CITY Late and see it with dancing, drinks and craft! Create your kaleidoscope with London Craft Club, learn about the astrological signs, listen to otherworldly music and dance among the stars at this marvellous mytholoy-themed Friday Late.

The Painted Hall, Old Royal Navy College, Greenwich, £12/£10, book ahead, 7pm

Mother's Day usefulness February 25, 2018 12:41 1 Comment

Mother's Day isn't quite as commercialised as Valentines, although that's not saying much, let's face it! But luckily here in the UK there is a strong tradition of making your Mother's Day gift, which means millions of mums across the UK receive adorable but useless, and sometimes baffling, handmade gifts from their kids. Two years my little son gave me what looked like a playdo model of a small poo with sticks shoved in it. It felt too cruel to ask outright what on earth it was, but I slyly managed to elicit that it was in fact a hedgehog.

As a grown-up, I can make my mum genuinely nice gifts. At the moment, she wants vinyl stickers of Westie terriers, so I have made her sheets and sheets on the Cricut, in many sizes, and many materials, which I hope she'll love.

If you'd like to make your Mum a nice gift, I strongly recommend our Merino Felt Slippers workshop. We'll bring loads of vinyl heat press letters along, so you can monogram with her initials, or a heart if you prefer!

Or if you'd like to give the gift of spending some time together, what about workshop tickets? Our Brush Lettering workshop, Bookbinding workshop or Mosaic Making workshop are all great ones to do in pairs. (Look out for the awesome Double Tickets on Mosaic Making!)

Here's a totally free downloadable card for your Mum, designed by Hannah of Utensils0

Finally, try this Pinterest board of ideas for handmade gifts that are better than a poo with a stick in it.

What's the worst handmade gift from a kid that you've had, that you've had to keep out of a mix of guilt and love? Or did it slip into the bin....?

Happy Mother's Day crafting gang :-)

Workshops inspired by a Mid-Century Exhibition February 18, 2018 11:26

Our collaboration with the Jewish Museum has been great fun because it's involved both a tour of the Designs on Britain Exhibition and a workshop inspired by the exhibition. Have a look at our collage inspired by Dorrit Dekk, lead by Gabriela Szulman, and there's still space on the Mosaic Making and Brush Lettering workshops in March and April.

Gabriela Szulman leading the collage workshop

Examples and templates created by Gabriela, based on the designs of Dorrit Dekk. Dekk's work is deceptively simply!

Looking at papers and cutting shapes

Creating shapes and designs

Taking inspiration from Gabriela's templates

Sticking!

Examples of what people made. A lovely day!

Crafty fun in the Big Apple! January 28, 2018 19:43

I'm back from my trip to NYC! Here's what I found for the keen crafter. This is by no means a complete list because we had such a short time there but it's a good start.

Brooklyn
Brooklyn felt a bit like East London - bits were super-cool, some were full of young mums, and some bits still felt a bit in need of some TLC. The Brooklyn Craft Company was full of cute things like pins and kits, and runs sewing classes in a bright colourful shop. My favourite places was the Brooklyn General Store which was a treasure chest of yarn, and had great quality stuff and knowledgeable staff, great for the serious crafter! I couldn't get to String Thing but it looks great. Walking about in Brooklyn in the Park Slopes are felt a lot like being in later episodes of Sex and the City, with brownstones and boutiques everywhere.

Big Brands
I went to a Michael's! It's like their Hobbycraft, and I thought Hobbycraft stood up pretty well. But you don't find Hobbycraft anywhere other than out of town shopping parks, and there were a lot of Michael's bang in the middle of New York. I also went to Paper Source, which was great! If you like Paperchase you'll love Paper Source, and they had similar trends to us. Apart from the Sloth thing. They are HUGE on sloths. Sloth everything! I wanted to go to Barrel and Crate and ABC Carpet and Home but ran out of time.

Mood Fabrics and the Garment District
Oh my god Mood! Just that one shop alone was too much to comprehend. I suppose if you went every week you'd start to get a feel for what's there and be able navigate it, but for the first timer it was overload. The whole area has that insider's feel that Berwick and Broadwick Street in our Soho used to have years ago, except on a vast scale. Amazing trimming and hab shops, with MJ Trimmings being the highlight.

Indie Yarn shops
I couldn't persuade Mr Craft Club to go to many more craft shops so I missed Purl Soho. It appears to be the Gucci of craft shops, and it's in Soho so not far from the designer shopping and smart restaurants. Knitty City looks fantastic, and the Brooklyn General Store had amazing yarn. Lion Brand came highly recommended too.

Markets
We went to Chelsea Market which was great fun, a mix of shops and Artists and Fleas, which seems to be a shop full of little indie shops. It's a short nip to the Whitney and the High Line too. The Canal Street Market in Soho was similar, and full of nice bits to buy from smaller brands. We weren't there at the weekend so we missed a lot of the other markets

Other randoms
I tried to get to the Ink Pad, which amazingly specialises in ink pads! And Blicks art supplies was great, like our Cass Arts.

That should be plenty to see you through a few days as you have to see the Museums and the Sights too, and it's a bit tricky getting about.

Getting about
Right - the stuff no-one tells you about navigating around the subway!

• Lots of stations have the same name even if they are totally different. check out Spring Street. Two stations, both callled Spring Street, on Spring St, not close to each other and not on the same lines. But exactly the same name.
• Often you cannot get to the opposite platform without leaving the station, walking 50 yards up the road and then going in another entrance. Which is a problem becasuse....
• you can only use your weekly pass every 18 minutes. So if you are on the worng platform and you go up above ground in order to go be the other way, you have to wait 18 minutes before you can get back in to platform you want.
• Some stops are local stops. Only local trains stop at them, and the express trains seems to just magically skip them out, you don't even see them. Look out for that!
• They hate signage in NY. Nothing is signposted. When you get back to London, you really notice how well everthing is signposted. TfL, finally I appreciate you!
• try this post for more help!
• I didn't even bother with buses. If the subway is this hard I could end up in a different state if I try the bus...

I always think the best way to see a city is to get a paper map and walk everywhere that can be walked in less than an hour. I make coasters out of the maps we use at each place we go like this Berlin one

Have you been to NYC, or anywhere else that has great craft? I'd love your tips!

The lovely feeling of a huge clearout! January 21, 2018 00:49

I've been thinking about happiness a lot recently, and one of the things that seems to really make me happy is having a good sort out.

I am not a tidy person. In a small way, it's part of my creative process to have a crazy mix of stuff all around me, but in truth I know an organised and clear studio makes my mind feel like a blank slate, open to new ideas and free to wander. For all my messiness, I can't stand the idea that there is tangled dusty mess under the bed or on top of a cupboard. Clearing out the hidden dusty corners of the house does the same for my mind.

I'm looking forward to the Big Craft Swish a week today - I have cleared so much stuff out of our studio that it's going to be two carloads! The studio and house feel lighter and fresher without all that stuff. I know I'll take back a load of new stuff, but I will choose thoughtfully. If you want a big clearout that spreads a bit of good karma around, book a ticket here

The bit I'm most excited about is getting back to the studio and setting it all up anew. I've found a company called A Place For Everything, and I've just got all-new white storage boxes. I'm going to make lovely Cricut labels for each one, and when it's done, I'll share the whole decluttered glory of it with you! So if the fact that it's not far off February already is a bit depressing, what about cleaning out a cupboard to make you feel clearheaded and proud of yourself?

I also found this lovely post on decluttering from Apartment Therapy and it's really comprehensive!

Let me know if works...

My Crafty New York Tour January 12, 2018 20:38

I’m going to New York next week! I'm so excited to go and meet loads of crafters and see all the best crafty destinations. My recent post on Instagram has got me a huge amount of recommendations for places to go and people to meet, so I’ve made a map with the places I want to go. If you know of somewhere I've missed, please do let me know either here or on IG so I can add them to my map. See the map here and all the destinations I've pinned to it here!

Everyone says that the States generally is the leader in the craft trends, but I think the UK is holding it's own. We may not have access to huge stores like Michaeals, but we do have Hobbycraft and an amazing wealth of online and real-life indie suppliers. Our makers and designers lead the trends in both techniques and designs, and thanks to Pinterest, Etsy and Instagram craft is now a global community.

So look out on Instagram for our Stories to see the tour of NYC as it unfolds! I land back in the UK the day before the Big Craft Swish - I have a one-in-one-out policy at the moment so if I buy anything there, I'll have to swish a load more stuff to make way for it here! Come along to the Swish and hear about the trip in person!

Has the cup got a bloody hole in it? January 7, 2018 12:04

I've been back at work for three days, during which time we've moved studios, started organising the Swish in earnest (still time to volunteer by the way) and got ready for our first two workshops of the year. I love it, but my goodness the feeling of being rested over Christmas is well and truly gone!

This weekend I've turned to my three favourite cup fillers.

Actually go to a museum or gallery

It's on pretty much everyone's Ought To Do list of guilt. But it's brilliant! As soon as you step through the door you feel like a proper grown-up together person who appreciates the rich cultural heritage of the UK. Even with kids in tow I always feel pleased I've done it. And then, when you are actually in there, there is a bunch of really interesting stuff that pulls your mind away from emails and hair removal and carbs and makes you think again about the Universe, beauty, injustice or any other epic topic. Check out our Designs on Britain series... craft AND museums

Making something for myself

Last night I made myself a pair of slippers. We have a slippers workshops coming up on Tuesday, because we wanted the slippers for ourselves. But all the slippers I've made to date have been for the workshop, so now I've made my very own monogrammed pair for me me me. Then I made myself the orange and pink leather earrings I've been wanting for about four months. I have all the stuff to hand, so instead of making mash potato by hand I made earrings! Slippers and earrings will always fit too. Check out the craft calendar

Read an awesome book

Pretty self explanatory. I recommend The Power by Naomi Alderman if you haven't already read it. It's not flawless, but it is unmissable.

Have a great Sunday. I'm off to fill my cup with coffee, and visit the RAF Museum.

Hello and Happy New Year to Nunhead, Peckham and East Dulwich! January 4, 2018 21:24 1 Comment

We're so excited to be bringing our gorgeous craft workshops to Space at 61 on Cheltenham Road this Spring! This means all you lovely creative types in Nunhead, Peckham, East Dulwich, Blackheath, Camberwell and Forest Hill have got all our best workshops coming to a venue right on your doorstep.

Our new friends at Blabar in Putney are a perfect match for us. December 27, 2017 01:27

What makes a great venue for London Craft Club workshops? Well for starters a great location. But it also needs to be somewhere where run by people who want to build a community, and who welcome creativity. It needs sturdy tables too.

And for the perfect pairing, we want somewhere that makes us feel happy and inspired. So when we looked for a new place in Putney, we were delighted when we found Blabar.

Inspired by the idea of Nordic Living, and with a fantastic range of homewares and more to buy, it's a gorgeous little haven in Putney. From January, we'll be holding our workshops in there and we couldn't be more pleased! And if you book our Merino Slippers workshop, you'll get a free sewing kit to encourage you in your creative life. Hope to see you there

Thursday 11th January 2018 6.30 - 9.30pm	Thursday 8th February 2018 7.00 - 9.30pm
Thursday 7th March 2018 7.00 - 9.30pm	Thursday 26th April 2018 7.00 - 9.30pm

Handmade Christmas Gift Guide December 9, 2017 19:21

It can be overwhelming trying to hunt down that perfect gift for someone at Christmas, so we've brought together a gift guide featuring beautiful items handmade by some of our favourite designer makers - it's the London Craft Club experts and teachers gift list!

So if you're struggling to find something that's just right for that relative who has everything, or fretting over what your Secret Santa partner will like, sit back with a nice hot drink (or a mulled wine - tis the season after all) and have a peruse of our Handmade Gift Guide.

Dee Maxwell - Suede and Co

Dee's handmade bags have been a huge hit this year, especially for weddings, as she's a dab hand at personalising her products. This sage green zip up bags is really luxurious, and the colour is just beautiful. Snap it up here

Hannah Miles - Utensils0

Hannah designs and makes beautiful hand cut paper art, and is the designer behind all our hugely popular Botanical Paper Art workshops. It just wouldn't be Christmas without holly and misteltoe, and with Hannahs's paper craft kits you can make your own sprigs to use for decoration.

Gabriela Szulman

Meet our resident printmaker and mixed-media artist Gabriela Szulman. Inspired by memory, nostalgia and a love of anything vintage. Gabriela is skilled in several different crafts including printmaking, decoupage and ceramics to name but a few! This fabulous limited edition print can be bought here:

Valentina Karellas

You can never have too many hats, especially when a) the weather is as cold as it has been recently, brrrrrr and b) when they are as beautiful as this one by Valentina Karellas. Made from 100% pure British wool, the bright yellow colour is guaranteed to brighten up even the greyest winter's day!

Melodie Telliez - Slinky Links

Personalised items are so on trend right now, and it's a lovely way of adding an extra touch of thoughtfulness to your gift-giving. We adore these Personalised Leather Initial Necklaces by Slinky Links Jewellery. The black and gold colourway is classic and understated, making it a beautiful gift that will be worn every day.

Kate Marsden - Made by Mrs M

Calling all plant lovers - we have found the perfect tote bag for you (just the right size to take plant shopping!) Produced as a collaboration between Made By Mrs M and Plant Prints for Peace, not only is this tote super stylish and functional, it's also good for the world as 10% of the profits will help fund the incredible work of Peace Direct. Buy one for everyone you know, and help others at the same time.

Rhiannon Palmer

Stylish but quirky, Rhiannon Palmer's stunning Concrete and Metallic Necklaces are the perfect gift for anyone that loves unique accessories. Easy to wear, they will dress up a simple outfit, and the hint of metallic means they are ideal for wearing during the upcoming party season!

Kat Wight - Kat and the Monocle

Love cats? Love food? Then how about a bone china plate featuring The Kat and Moncole's 'Mr Bojangles' print?! We reckon it's almost too nice to eat off of, but how about displaying it as a piece of artwork? Although we wouldn't say no to a slice of cake served up on this purrrfect plate.

Zoe Bateman - Too Cute to Quit

Macrame is a huge trend right now, and with this Macrame Statement Necklace by Too Cute To Quit you can now wear it! Made from soft cotton cord in a variety of colours, it's easy to wear and will brighten up any outfit.

Zuzana Lalikova

With all the madness surrounding the festive season, give someone the gift of relaxation with an Embroidery Starter Kit from Zlalikova Textiles. Not only is learning embroidery a great way to unwind and practice mindfulness, they'll also be learning a new skill and, who knows, maybe embroidery will become their new favourite hobby!

London Craft Club vouchers

One sure fire hit is a London Craft Club voucher. They never expire, and you get a nice physical voucher in the post as well as a pdf in case you need to print it out immediately. Find out more here

Do you have any friends and family you're still trying to find gifts for, or are you super-organised and have completed all your shopping weeks ago?! We'd love to hear from you either way - and if you're stuck for a gift maybe we can help to match you up with a designer maker that has just the thing you're looking for.