Making a Christmas Wreath

On Monday14th November I went along to a lovely village pub to learn how to make a beautiful Christmas wreath.
The class was taught by Claire Mackaness, from Beautiful Things. She can also be found on Twitter @clairemackaness.

So you start with a pollystyrene hoop and a ball of yarn. Don't worry if you run out of yarn you can use other colours or tie off the end and start another ball of the same colour.  

Tie on the end of your yarn and pin the knot to the polystyrene hoop and relax, now your knot won't move!

As the first part of making the wreath can take a while, you need patients and mulled wine to get you in the Christmas spirit!

DON'T PANIC (MR Mannering!). If you get tangled up pin the yarn to the hoop and untangle it :) (Even our lovely teacher got tangled up!

This is what the final product should look like. Then it's time for the decoration!!! This is my favorite bit, and Claire provided the most amazing embellishments.



Everyone had a brilliant time and I can defiantly say that the people make a class as much as the activity.

If you live near Brentwood in Essex  and you would like to take part in one of Claire's classes you can find the full list here. 

How to Make a Roly-Poly Bird!

On Friday at 6pm 18 Brownies turned up on the door step of Cherry Green Trees camp site and lodge expectant of a weekend full of exploring, playing, and most importantly, crafting!!! 

Each pack holiday that we run is based on a theme, and this one was Roald Dahl. The girls were divided into three groups based on one of his books and the leaders (including me) became characters from the books. 

The craft that I was elected to run was the making if the Roly-Poly Bird. This is an easy make, but also fun. It does require the concentration of the children doing it and it was remarked upon several times that each group that sat at my table was silent :). 

The instructions can be found here.

I got the girls to cut out all of the pieces that they needed to make the birds using templates that I had prepared earlier (how very Blue Peter!) and then made them read the next step from the page.

To make things move a little faster instead of getting the girls to stick the limbs of the bird onto the first plate I let them use a stapler as once the second plate is stuck on top you wouldn't see the staples.

The birds turned out fantastically and I was so please that when the girls were asked to evaluate their holiday the mentioned making the birds as one of their Favourite activities!

Interview on Phoenix 98FM...Continued

You can no find me on the Phoenix 98FM blog.

I am working hard to find a way to post the audio of the interview onto my website. I should have it up by the weekend!

The Website is Live!

Hello all!

It is official on the 20th October www.runningrabbitartsandcrafts.co.uk was launched!

I have tried to make it feel light, accessible and ultimately fun! Why not come along and have a look!

Interview on Phoenix 98FM

Hey everyone Tomorrow (20th October) at 3pm I will be being interviewed by Gabby Clarke (@mindful2move) Who does the Drive time show between 3-6pm weekdays. She also runs Mind Health Movement offering services in personal training,diet management, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and group exercise. 

You can listen and watch live, but if you can't get to a radio or computer I will be posting the interview on my blog and my website. 

Interview with Beautiful Things by Claire Mackaness

How did Beautiful Things by Claire Mackaness start?


Beautiful Things was launched in March 2010 as an offshoot from my card making hobby business.  My Mum bought me a small sewing machine for Christmas with the idea being I could sew on my cards, which was the fashion at the time.  I soon realised I could make things with it too and started making bunting and basic items.  Since then I have self taught myself how to make all sorts of things and the cards have taken a back seat.  I do still make them to order for some of my old regular customers though.

How did you get into crafting?

I have been crafty since I was tiny, my Mum will tell you I often went off into my bedroom for hours on end and appeared with something creative.  One of my best creations was an entire plane made from cardboard boxes and a Biggles hat made from a bobble hat with socks stuck in the sides for flaps!  Mum and Dad have a picture of me flying my plane in the garden somewhere but I’m not sharing that with you!  Professionally I have been crafty for about 10 years, starting with cards, then glass painting, moving onto contemporary works of art, Soap making, back to cards and then onto sewing.  Let’s just say I get bored easily!  I am sticking with sewing now though as there is so much variation with it and I love that I can create almost anything I like.

How often do run craft classes and what do you teach?


 I run classes on an as and when basis.  As long as I have enough people interested in learning something I will put on a class.  I hope as word spreads and when my website is finally finished (watch this space) I will be running a lot more.

When did you start the Knights way community market?


The Ingrave Community Market was started in September 2009 as an opportunity for me to promote my wares locally and encourage other like minded crafty types to sell theirs.  I gave it up after 2 years simply because I had a new addition to the family and my business had grown.  Something had to give and I couldn't give the market the time it needed anymore.  The Community Centre is keeping it running for now though so hopefully it will continue on to be a success still.

Tell me about the collections you have coming up for Mesh and The French Quarter?


 I have some new scarves coming soon to MESH as well as hopefully some re-purposed clothing in the new year.  French Quarter are getting some lovely winter bags as well as some luxury evening bags too.

Do you have any other projects do you have coming up for different shops?


No projects planned, but I have my fingers crossed on a few more that I have approached recently. Obviously if you own a shop and are reading this and think I could make something for you, do get in touch!

Where can we catch you next?


 My next craft fair is at the Reading Rooms in Billericay High street on Sat 29^th October and then I will be at St Marys Church Craft and Gift Fair, also in Billericay High Street on the 12^th November. That’s my last event for the year then as I am then off on an extended holiday until mid January so it will be the last chance you have to buy from my stall.

   

Leigh-on-Sea

This weekend we had one of our best friends come down from Liverpool to stay with us for the weekend.

On Sunday it was soooo lovely and sunny that we decided to take a little trip to the sea side with her and another friend from University.

We didn't fancy the bright lights of Southend and so headed to a place we had never been before, Leigh-on-Sea.



Leigh is a beautiful little fishing village on the Thames estuary full of tea rooms, cockle stands, pubs and crafty shops. In other words, Heaven!




As we walked trough the streets of Leigh we came across The Old Foundry. This is a beautiful crafty shop, selling childrens books and clothes and products from Kath Kidson and Orla Kylie



However I think the best thing about this shop was it's amazing product display featuring an old bus!




I also found these little tins featuring well known brands including KitKat, Heinz and Coleman's.




We then stopped off and got a well deserved ice cream before taking an accidental stroll to Southend, we didn't realise they were so close!