Five reasons why a cosy craft workshop is the ultimate night out
As the evenings draw in, it’s an ideal time to get creative! There’s something magical about getting your head down to a really good project at this time of year, and the ‘Ber’ months make our workshops and craft kits more popular than any other season. Whilst cosying up and crafting at home is lovely, nothing beats an evening out with tea, chats and Tunnock’s teacakes! Here are my top five reasons why a cosy Canterbury craft workshop is the perfect night out.
1. Trying something new without a big commitment
If there are crafts that you’ve been longing to try, a craft workshop is an ideal way to start your journey. You get to start and complete your project in one evening, without the inevitable (but unnecessary) guilt of stashing an unfinished project in a cupboard at home. You don’t have to spend a fortune on materials and equipment before you know if it’s your thing. You don’t have to commit to a longer course in something that might not be your cup of tea. And best of all, you can get as messy as you like and leave us with the clean up!
2. Activate your brain
Trying new creative things is proven to be good for your brain, activating a steady dopamine release. As the temperature drops and the evenings get darker, we naturally shift to a cosier state. With fewer distractions outside, we actually get better at creative thinking and are more likely to finish projects. The warmer colour palette of autumn is proven in environmental psychology studies to reduce stress, improve concentration and even lower the heart rate, making crafting the perfect antidote to the chillier season.
3. Meeting other lovely people (especially on a solo date)
Whilst we often sell workshop tickets in pairs or groups, we also sell a surprising number of solo tickets from people that have just moved to Canterbury, those that are staying in the city for the night, or people that are just trying to nudge the corners of their comfort zone and do more things by themselves. A creative workshop is the perfect way to take yourself on a solo date. Walking into an unfamiliar room can feel daunting at first, but at Happy & Glorious we pride ourselves on making everyone feel safe and comfortable. By the end of the evening, everyone is merrily chatting away, learning about each other, admiring each other’s work and occasionally swapping numbers to meet up again! There’s no nicer way to meet like-minded people than the sideways chat at a cosy craft evening.
4. Gathering inspiration
We always provide step-by-step guidance at our craft workshops, but some of the best moments happen when confident crafters start to get more elaborate with their creations. They might start to test out a different technique, steer away from our templates to get more detailed with their work, or even tie the new technique to a craft that they already know well. Our simple linocut stamps workshop became the catalyst for an intricate pet portrait, and our watercolour flowers workshop saw paintings increasing in detail and complexity far beyond the original instructions. Once you have attended the workshop, who knows where your creativity will take you next?
5. Filling the gifting drawer
What could be nicer than handing over a hand-crafted gift to someone lovely this year? Creative workshops in the last quarter of the year are the perfect opportunity to make your own presents and decorations to make your festive season truly personal. Create a perfect present, craft a stack of greetings cards, cut a lino stamp to decorate wrapping paper, and give your people something utterly unique this season!
Interested in joining us around the craft table?
Check our events page to see what’s coming up this season!