Living in London, I'm lucky enough to be within tubing distance of a wealth of cool and contemporary craft classes without a non-ironic tea cosy or painted mug in sight. This is great news of course, but it can be hard work keeping up with them all!
This week I discovered a brand new one: the Create Boutique in Hampstead. I attended a 'bow making workshop' there, which was heaps of fun and resulted in the pretty little pendant below: (apologies for the poor photography: bows are extremely camera-shy)
Read on for my verdict on Create Boutique as a place to go and craft!
If you've ever dreamed of having your own comfy craft studio (and let's face it - if you're going to have that sort of fantasy then you might as well throw in a smart pad in Hampstead for good measure too) then a trip to Create Boutique is probably something you'd enjoy.
Jackie's front room is the perfect spot for a crafty get-together, allowing a dozen or so budding artisans to work comfortably together around her large table. There'll be bubbly and snacks on hand as well as all the materials you'll need for your chosen class and tuition from friendly instructors. Classes are geared to all levels, so anyone taking part will come out with a pretty new piece of handmade fare regardless of skill level.
We made plush bows at our event last night, which was a satisfying yet simple project for everyone to try. I don't think anyone gave up or was unhappy with the end result, which is a rarer event than many will admit at craft classes. But the activity was equally engaging for experienced seamstresses, not least because the 'round the kitchen table' set-up made it so easy to chat and get to know fellow crafters.
If you're in London and want a gentle introduction to crafting or just the chance to make new friends, the Create Boutique is a great place to try.
