Meet the Crafty Hen

Got a party to plan? Whether you’re hosting a birthday bash or your bestie is getting hitched, The Crafty Hen are here to turn your celebration into a colour-filled creative extravaganza! Led by craft expert and founder Julie Roberts, her talented team provides award-winning workshops up and down the country, designed to make your special day memorable for all the right reasons. From hen party ceramic painting and team building jewellery making to cosy festive craft classes that will definitely have you feeling merry and bright, there’s something for every occasion – so switch up your celebrations this year and get ready to craft!

Daily creativity is a stress buster…

"I think it really gives you space to focus, away from screens or the mundanity of everyday life; it’s a way to carve out some time to yourself. I do like to think about creativity in a broader sense; as well as working on our craft kits and workshops I cook a lot, potter around the house and spend time in the garden. There are so many ways to be creative day-to-day!"

Getting creative will help you…

"Destress! It’s a great way to get some time out, and I really think the act of just switching off gives you more than the experience or learning a new skill. Creativity is also a great learning curve; it encourages you to experiment and try lots of different things, finding the best solution to your problem."

Helping others tap into their creativity makes me…

"Happy, satisfied – and proud! It’s so rewarding to watch someone start a workshop thinking they’re not creative at all and, after a little bit of encouragement and a nudge in the right direction, finish it completely achieving their potential. Seeing that confidence boost in people when they realise what they’ve done is the best!"

The best lesson I've learned from a student...

"I think sometimes just to be patient and persistent. Things don’t always go right the first time, and that’s OK – take a break, step away and come back with fresh eyes and see what happens. There’s no right or wrong way to do something creative, and sometimes just hammering on with something isn’t necessarily the best approach!"

It's never too late to try something new…

"It is never too late! Never just dismiss trying something different; I really think it’s always great to just throw yourself in and have a go. If you don’t like it, then you’ve not really lost anything – and you might even find something you totally love and become really passionate about. That’s a win-win!"

Step into my workshop and you will…

"Have an amazing time! You’ll also come away with a handmade item you’re proud of and lots of wonderful memories you’ll never forget." 

My top eco-friendly tip for crafting…

"Save everything; so many bits and pieces you would often ditch can be reused in some way. Scraps of fabric and yarn, pieces of paper, anything you’d ordinarily cast aside as rubbish has potential! At the Crafty Hen we have very little waste, fabrics are used where we can and anything that can’t be saved is sent for recycling. We also use recycled cotton yarns – it’s getting so much easier to source eco-friendly materials, but sometimes you just need to look around."

This festive season we…

"Have two brand new seasonal craft activities that we’re really excited about! Bookable via our ClassBento page, we’re hosting a workshop in crafting macrame Christmas decorations, where you’ll use recycled cotton cord to create a trio of eye-catching ornaments for your tree. We’ve also got a dried wreath making class, where you’ll create a contemporary, eco-friendly wreath to decorate your door using seasonal dried flowers, foliage and festive adornments. We can’t wait to get crafty with you this season!"