Please join us over on our new website

www.thecreateplace.co.uk

It has finally arrived, we now have a new website and it is faster and easier to use. It has full listings of all our new workshops and all the services which we offer, with some new bits too. Please join us!!

Marie's Back

All you free crafters will be happy to know that Marie is back After 3 weeks away Marie will return to our free craft session this Wednesday at 9:30 she will be on hand for all your knitters and crocheters until 11:30am. I am sure there will be cheers all around London tonight. Look forward to seeing you all again on Wednesday!

Loyalty Cards

Choose from one of 3 designs.

Finally we have launched our loyalty cards. Every time you attend an event or workshop at The Create Place we will stamp your card. Once you have attended 6 we will give you a workshop for half price.

You can even back date your card so remember to pick one up next time you are in.

When was the last time you wrote a letter?

When was the last time you wrote a letter? Not an email or a facebook message or event 2 lines in a greeting card, we are talking a real letter here, a from the heart 5 page affair telling that special someone just how special they really are. Well here is your chance. We are very excited to be hooking up with The Letter Lounge to host a unique event as part of next weekends Mother's Day Pop-Up  Shop. 

From 2pm-4pm on Sunday 27th March we will be offering you the space to come in and write a letter to your mum, loved one or friend.  Open you heart and mind, spill the beans and get it on paper. We will provide the tea, cake, paper, pens and will have stamps for sale, we will even post if for you. All you need to provide the words.

It is a drop in event so no need to book your slot. Now who are you going to write to?

Made Not Manufactured

Original design by Andrea Taylor

Its not often you get the chance to say proudly to someone I made that. Whether it is a sketchbook or a little notebook for all your daily thoughts, bookbinding somehow seems so complicated, so mystical and certainly not something which can be learnt in a couple of hours.
Tomorrow night Andrea Taylor is here to dispel that myth. Using recycled paper and flyers Andrea will show you how to make your own books using traditional binding techniques, for just £15 per person.
So why not give it a go, there are only 5 places left , sign up for your place now using the google cart to your right.

Handmade Wedding Collective

One of A Alicia's beautiful designs

A Alicia is a very talented lady, not only does she make exquisite jewellery under her own label but she has also found the time to form a handmade wedding collective. The collective is made up of some of the best handmade designers whose bespoke designs help to give your special day a personal touch.
Pop along to craft central between 15th and 20th March 12-6:30 Tuesday to Saturday and see for yourself.
Or why not get yourself along on Wednesday 16th 6pm-8pm for a special late opening with tea and cake.

Supporting our Crafty neighbours

You lucky people, not only do you get to come to our amazing Mother's Day pop-up shop in Saturday 26th March and Sunday 27th March but while you are out you can pop along to our neighbours, Stour Space and see yet more work from London's best designer makers. Thats one whole weekend of craft loving for you right there.


Similar to The Create Place STOUR SPACE is a not-for-profit exhibition and performance space devoted to the production and promotion of contemporary art/design, entrepreneurship, and the development of creative opportunities. Contact Stour Space for more info.

Learn How to crochet- Follow Up session

Image courtesy of crystals-creations.net

On Thursday 17th March we will be hosting a follow up session for anyone who has attended one of our beginners crochet sessions here at The Create Place. From 7pm-9pm Mandy Lui will be on hand to help out with any difficulties you have been facing when trying to practise what you have learned at home. It is a great chance for her to show you again more advanced stitches or to help trouble shoot on a project which you have.

For just £5 you can ask her anything, preferably crochet related, simply bring your hook and yarn and we will provide the tea and cake. Now doesn't that sound like a lovely evening? Book your place now via the google cart.

Want to pop along but haven't attended a beginners crochet session with us? Then join us, however please note we will not be teaching crochet from scratch in this session. 

Sewing Machine SOS

Does your sewing machine need a bit of TLC? Perhaps the tension dial is dodgy or the pedal just won't work. Starting on Wednesday 23rd April from 9:30am- 11:30am you will be able to pop your machine into The Create Place and have the talented Jennie have a go at fixing it for you.

For just £25 per hour Jennie will fix it up as good as new for you. If you can't make it on the day then contact us and we will arrange for you to drop the machine into the workshop so it is waiting and ready for when Jennie arrives.

Check our Jennie's profile below.

I am a little bit clever when it comes to fixing sewing machines. 

Obviously if it has been dropped on it’s head and it rattles when you shake it I may not be able to help but for basic tension problems or an inability to form  stitches without creating nests under the needle or a machine having seized up or anything other you are scratching your head over, please drop over with your machine and I will have a look. I have a pretty good track record (not been defeated yet!) and it is a lot cheaper than taking it in to a repair shop.  And you can eat cake and drink tea whilst I fix it or just leave it and pick it up when it is feeling better.  Also good for when you have bought a machine on ebay or you have inherited a machine without a handbook, we can work it out together and you can get to know your machine at the same time.  I am always happy to provide advice on decent machines to buy new or second hand and I will be glad to help you source a cute vintage machine and have some great websites I use for reviews and history.

Oh what a lovely evening

Thank you to Claire, Louise, Lara from The Papered Parlour and the team at the V&A Museum of Childhood for organising the fabulous, "Ethical Fashion in the Age of Austerity" event on Thursday 3rd March. Siobhan and I manned the St Margaret's House stall which showcased work by all our pop-up vendors and a selection of vintage clothing from Ayoka our charity boutique.

We were so lucky to be involved and met some amazing people including, fine cell work, Shoredich Sisters, Zoe Bateman, Rosie Love Lock and the hat collective to name but a few. Plus the lovely Leona popped by to talk about her new project Thrift-orala which launches next week on the 14th March.


Thank you to everyone who popped by to find out more about all the St Margaret's House projects, we hope to see you at one of our workshops.

Apologies for our Free Crafters

Dear Free craft attendees. I am so sorry that we had to cancel this mornings session. Marie Pedersen our wonderful session leader is on a course. Our fabulous volunteer linda was due to take over the reigns but at the last minute had to pull out.

Linda will be back next week to teach you the wonderful art of macrame.

Ethical Fashion in the Age of Austerity

Come and visit us this Thursday at the V&A's Museum of Childhood- Ethical Fashion in the Age of Austerity event. The event is Free and it is a great way to meet London's most exciting Arts and Crafts projects.


We will be showing a selection of hand made gifts from our Pop-Up shop and showcasing some of the projects which have taken place in the space since its opening in November 2010.


Read more about the event below from the V&A's website.

In an age of austerity, can we justify the added expense of buying ethically? Or is Make Do and Mend set to be the next big trend? Join in an evening devoted to ethical fashion and sustainability as independent arts venue The Papered Parlour host an ethical mini-festival at the Museum.

Uncover hidden workshops, live music, performance, panel discussion and craft stalls set amongst the Museum's childhood collections. Celebrate the rise of 'slow fashion' as London's leading eco-journalists, green stylists and ethical campaigners come together to discuss the key issues surrounding this growing social movement.

Fashion designer and V&A Trustee Betty Jackson will be in attendance, alongside the Guardian's 'Ethical Living' columnist Lucy Siegle, who will be speaking about her forthcoming book 'To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing out the World?'. London's ultra-cool stylist Jocelyn Whipple will be running a unique workshop on green styling, plus eco-campaigners Labour Behind the Label and Love Fashion Hate Sweat Shops will be offering top tips on how to be sustainable with style. The Papered Parlour will also be running Make Do and Mend workshops with Piney Gir, and Young & Lost Club will be performing a live set.