Paint Your Own Fabric Tote Bag Workshop

I’m Helen, the founder of The Creative Palette, where I create relaxed, welcoming opportunities for people to explore their creativity.My route into running creative workshops has been a little bit winding! I have a background in childcare, charity work, and community organising, and I’ve always been someone who enjoys making, creating and finding new ways to bring people together.The Creative Palette began when I decided to take a leap and build something of my own around those things. What started as an idea has grown into creative workshops, classes and events for both children and adults, with everything from painting and mixed media to mosaics, macramé and seasonal crafts.I love teaching because creativity looks different for everyone. There is something lovely about putting the same materials in front of a group of people and seeing the completely different things they create. You don't need to be an expert or arrive with a finished idea in mind. Sometimes the best part is simply having the opportunity to experiment, try something new and enjoy the process.My workshops are designed to be gentle pauses for creativity. They are friendly and approachable, whether you're someone who crafts regularly or someone who hasn't picked up a paintbrush since school. I want people to feel comfortable having a go, making a mess, changing their minds and creating something that feels like their own.Alongside The Creative Palette, I also run Storybook Village, a voluntary children's reading initiative which I founded five years ago after meeting a child who didn't know what a book was. Since then, I have independently collected, sorted and distributed an estimated 8, 500 books to local children through free events and outreach work. Community and bringing people together have always been important to me, and I think that same love of creating welcoming experiences runs through everything I do.Over the past year, The Creative Palette has grown from an idea into a busy programme of workshops and events. This summer alone, I've taken my rather unmistakable bright pink gazebo to more than 20 markets, festivals and community events, alongside running creative sessions in local venues.I’m still learning, growing and trying new things, which is part of what makes this journey so exciting. I can't wait to welcome more people to a Creative Palette workshop and see what we can create together!