Why should you craft plastic free

2nd May 2024

In today's world, where environmental concerns are at the forefront of our minds, embracing sustainability is no longer just a trend—it's a necessity. As we strive to reduce our ecological footprint, every aspect of our lives, including our hobbies and creative pursuits, must align with eco-conscious practices. That's where eco-friendly crafting comes into play, offering you a way to unleash your creativity without it costing the Earth. Let's delve into why it's crucial to use less plastic and adopt more sustainable alternatives in crafting.

Plastic Predicament: The Urgent Need for Change

Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. From clogging our oceans to infiltrating our food chain, the detrimental effects of plastic are far-reaching and profound. Traditional craft materials often contribute to this crisis, with plastic-based components found in everything from glitter to beads, paints to packaging. It’s a growing problem, the World Economic Forum says that plastic production has reached 380 million tonnes in 2015 and a third of this ends up as pollution.

The production and disposal of plastic have significant environmental consequences, including greenhouse gas emissions, habitat destruction, and harm to wildlife. Recognising the urgency of the situation, we wanted to bring you incredible alternative craft materials and tools that prioritise sustainability without compromising on creativity and fun!

Crafting a Sustainable Solution

Enter Craft Box Club, designed to offer an amazing, natural creative journey. Our kits are all about sustainability at every stage, from sourcing materials to packaging and beyond. Here's why they're a game-changer:

1. Reduced Plastic Dependency

Unlike conventional craft kits laden with plastic components, eco-friendly alternatives utilise biodegradable, recycled and natural materials. From recycled t-shirt yarn to recycled paper for origami, to gorgeous wooden tools and powdered Earth paints, these kits minimize plastic dependency without sacrificing quality or variety.

2. Mindful Material Sourcing

Sustainability isn't just about eliminating plastic—it's about making conscious choices at every turn. We carefully curate materials that prioritise environmental stewardship and we love working with other small businesses who share our values.

3. Minimal Waste, Maximum Impact

A report by Greenpeace highlighted that retailers continue to rely heavily on single-use plastics for packaging, despite increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impact. Our kits are totally free of plastic and incorporate reusable and recyclable materials, encouraging crafters to minimize waste and maximise creativity.

Embracing a Greener Future

As individuals, we all have the power to effect positive change through the choices we make. By opting for eco-friendly craft kits, we not only nurture our creativity but also contribute to a more sustainable future. Here's how you can join the movement:

1. Choose Wisely

Next time you embark on a crafting project, opt for eco-friendly alternatives that prioritise sustainability. Look for products made from renewable materials or packaged in recyclable materials.

2. Spread the Word

Share your passion for eco-friendly crafting with friends, family, and fellow crafters. By raising awareness about the importance of sustainability, we can inspire others to make greener choices.

3. Support Sustainable Brands

Vote with your own money by supporting brands that are committed to sustainability. Whether it's purchasing eco-friendly craft kits or supporting businesses with robust environmental initiatives, every purchase makes a difference.

In a world grappling with environmental challenges, we’re here to offer some hope and get people talking. By embracing sustainability in our creative endeavours, we can pave the way for a greener, more vibrant future. Let's craft a world where creativity knows no bounds—and where sustainability is woven into the fabric of every masterpiece.

Why get a craft subscription?

Why choose a craft subscription?

Our brilliant subscribers love getting their Craft Box Club kits through the door every month. We’ve only ever had 5 star reviews that pick up on our beautiful makes, awesome support and how much they love that everything comes plastic free.

But why get a craft subscription? Well I’m here to tell you that it could be just the thing you need.

Make crafting a habit - Let’s face it, life is busy! So if you really want to find that super creative version of you, you need to make err…making a habit. And what’s the best way to form a habit? Consistency! Having a kit come to you every month makes it easy to keep being creative and you’ll really start to feel the benefits.

Mental Health Boost - A craft subscription is the ultimate self care investment. Giving yourself some peaceful time to relax into making something every month, giving yourself space away from screens and to be really in the moment can be really powerful.

Affordable treat - Just imagine that mystery box coming to your door every month! It’s so exciting you’ll be desperate to craft that weekend!

Value for money - I know that signing up to £22 a month can sound like a big commitment, but if you’re really looking to make creativity a priority in your life then it’s worth it. We' make sure that you get really great quality kit that lasts. If you want to carry a craft on, we’ll also send you extra materials with a big discount.

Try new things - Whether you’re new to crafting or you’ve been making for years, there are always new and exciting crafts and techniques to learn. Our kits give you everything you need to make something you’ve never tried before.

Help and support - You could just buy a one off craft kit, sure. But when you join Craft Box Club, not only do we give you awesome easy to follow video guides, you can also book one to one sessions with me, Adam, to go through anything you’re having trouble with.

Eco-friendly - Subscription boxes are great because we give you exactly what you need to make. You don’t have to go through the process of trying loads of different tools and materials before you find just the right thing, we’ve done that for you. It’s also pretty hard to find the eco-friendly versions of things. We think about all of that so you don’t have to.

Great gift - Subscriptions are the gifts that keep on giving. Rather than sending a one off gift, imaging how cool it is for your special person to get something new every month that reminds them of how much you care about them.

So if you think that a craft subscription is for you, why choose Craft Box Club? We’ll we’re a small business that really cares about getting people being creative without the need for plastic. There’s no plastic in our materials, tools or packaging and we think that makes the whole experience much..well yeah, nicer. Every subscription supports urban tree planting in the UK.

So if you want to make beautiful things with the eco-friendly way and get all the support you need in your creative adventure, why not give us a try?

Oh, and I almost forgot, we came were top rated craft subscription by Gathered craft magazine in 2022. Yay!

The Christmas Kit

Tis the season

Peak crafting season is here. It’s time to snuggle up and get cosy with some Christmas crafts. We’ve been working on this Christmas kit since the summer and it’s lovely to finally get it out into the world and see people enjoy making it!

This Christmas we’re making 3 different macramé star decorations for the tree! If you’re not familiar with macramé, well where have you been haha! It’s a super popular form of crafts where you use various types of string, rope and cord knotted into all sorts of patterns.

The shooting star

Here’s the first star decoration, the shooting star. This is made by wrapping coloured yarn around rope then gluing it to a wooden star. I’m really pleased with this twist on the super popular rainbows that have been everywhere this year! This yarn is our usual merino wool and silk blend. Soft, strong and sustainable!

The Ring star

The most traditional of our macramé stars. Made with a wooden macramé ring and loads of gorgeous macramé twine. You’ll learn square knots, half hitch knots and more. Don’t panic, all our kits come with super clear video guides so it’s easy to follow along!

The frame star

I love this little frame star. The half square knots make this look like dainty strands of DNA going around the star frame. It looks almost lacy. Very elegant! This star is perfect for just getting into a knot tying rhythm and losing yourself in craft. For this star we’re using super strong cotton bakers twine and a metal star frame

If you’d like to make all of these stars you can grab it as a one off kit, or subscribe now and you’ll get it as your first kit. It’s an awesome time for gift subscriptions Hit the buttons below for details!

It's Play Doh Day!

Never stop playing!

It's Play Doh day on Thursday and it's time to celebrate! Since the 50s Play Doh has been introducing us to the pure and simple joy of creativity, then destruction, then creativity again! It's the total risk nature of play doh what we all loved as kids and it's that safe space for making that I love bringing to you with my eco-friendly kits.

The photo at the top is last year's earth mineral and salt dough kit which elevated the humble dough into jewellery! We've got another salt dough kit in the works for the autumn and I hope it inspires adult creatives just like play doh does for the kids!

Never stop playing!

When we’re young we learn through play. We' just try everything. We’re not afraid to make mistakes. This kind of learning is incredibly valuable and means that we develop rapidly all while having fun!

I’m a massive believer that using to play as a way to experience the world should never stop!

If you want to get more creative then we’ve got you! Click below to find your perfect video guided craft kit and you’ll have a great time relaxing and learning new skills. You’ll also make something you’re proud to show off! Worried about getting stuck? Book a 1 to 1 session with me, Adam, via the members hub and I’ll take you through it.

For a Handmade Christmas to Save the Planet, START NOW!

Craft a better planet

It’s COP26 this year so what better time to think of ways to reduce our impact on our precious planet!?  A great way we can all take action is to cut our Christmas consumption and go handmade with our gifts! 

We all know that there is something special about receiving a handmade gift.  The thought and the time that goes into them is much more precious than anything you can click and collect.  But that’s what we tend to forget!  The time!  By December, the nights draw in and it’s time for some cosy crafts by a roaring fire.  Oh no!  There’s no time left to make all my gifts by Christmas day! 

What’s the answer?  Start now!  We’re encouraging everyone to pick up a craft kit now to learn the skills and find the designs they want to make for Christmas.  We’ll also help you to help source all the materials they need from the best, most sustainable suppliers so everything’s ready in time for Christmas!  Problem solved.

Where to start?

If you’re new to Craft Box Club, check out our eco craft kit shop and pick a kit to try. Our Christmas kit is ready to pre order now but, don’t forget, your Christmas kit doesn’t have to be a Christmas decoration. There’s a succulent pot kit for a green fingered friend, a felt garland to brighten up your brother’s new babies nursery or beautiful bargello tealights your mum can display proudly on the table on Christmas day!

Once you’ve chosen a kit, watch the video guide and get making. Once you’ve finished and you need to make some more gifts, just in touch with us over social media, Facebook Messenger or adam@craftboxclub.co.uk and we’ll send you more materials or point you in the direction of out of our brilliants suppliers. Whatever works out best value for you!

If that all sounds a bit much or you have craft fans to buy for, you can, of course, gift a kit or a subscription for them to make. It’s up to you!

Behind the scenes - our craft video guides

Lights, Camera…Craft!?

28th April 2021

Oh the glitz and the glamour of movie making! The Oscars came and went this week with no sign of a nomination for Craft Box Club! But I don’t care, I’m not making craft movies for the Academy, I’m making them for my amazing, creative subscribers!

I love videos!

I’ve always been a visual learner, so I’m drawn to making videos. I don’t think anything beats a how to video if your learning a new skill. I’ve been making videos for about 2 years now. Mostly craft guides, of course, but I take the odd break to edit videos for a choir, a eco festival and, just once, for a hip hop craft battle!

Every one of our kits comes with a super detailed video guide. I take each step slowly so you can follow along. I try to cut away as little as possible so you can see exactly what I’m doing

Here’s one of our guides being edited. This can take up to a day per kit. I need to make sure everything flows really nicely and each stage is clear and easy to follow. I really enjoy the process of filming and editing and really get in the flow!

Although there are video guides for each of our craft kits, I have also started to include step by step, static images with written instructions so you can choose which you prefer. Right now, I don’t do any printed guides as I want to cut down on waste paper. You do, however, get a tip sheet in each kit. These are printed by a lovely local printer that uses a special technique so each sheet is produced carbon negative!

Tips for getting the most from our craft guides

1. Relax and craft in your own time - I’ve had one or two crafters worried that they can’t keep up with the video. Don’t worry! The video is sped up 3-5 times compared to reality. You don’t need to craft along.

2. Watch in stages - Start by watching the video in full, then rewind to the beginning and craft along in stages. Watch a bit, do a bit, repeat.

3. Go slowmo! - Did you know you can slow the videos down in YouTube? Take a look at the button near the volume controls and you can slow anything down that you want to see in more detail.

4. Easy pause - If you need to pause a lot, the easiest way is to watch on a computer (i.e. not your phone) and pause and play using the space bar.

5. If you’re ever stuck - If you ever need to go over anything in more detail, head to the members hub for loads of ways to contact me. We’ll get you sorted!

WAnt to join the eco crafting club?

If you’d like to discover the joy of eco crafting, join us today and you’ll be making within a week!

Our Plastic Free Journey - #5 Happy Earth Day 2021

Our Plastic Free Journey - Be your eco best!

22nd April 2021

It’s Earth Day today which seems like a great moment to consider the eco crafting journey I’ve been on so far with Craft Box Club. I also want to offer you one single thing that you can do to contribute to combatting climate change, to helping our environment, to making a better world for everyone.

The journey

It’s been over a year now since Craft Box Club pledged to go entirely plastic free. Can I be honest with you? I was worried. When I got “PLASTIC FREE” printed on the box, friends said, “WOW, you’re just a small business dude! Are you sure you want to sign up to that? Are you really sure that you can design a new kit every month without using any plastic?!”. I really wasn’t sure. But I had to try because that’s the sort of world I want to see. I don’t want products made as cheap as possible containing tonnes of plastic. I don’t want to switch on the TV one day and see a piece Craft Box Club kit wrapped around a turtle! Horrendous!

I’m pleased to say that, a year on, it’s been surprisingly easy to keep the kits coming without including a shred of plastic. I have loved educating myself about different craft materials and innovative types of packaging. Doing something different has often helped inspire me to create something unique and really hasn’t held me back.

Please pack plastic FREE!!!

It’s not all gone smoothly! The hardest part for me has been finding packaging to hold powders of all kinds. Thanks so much to the select few customers who patiently waited for a resupply when they found powder explosions in their kits! I'm excited to have recently discovered cellulose bags which I am hopeful will finally rid us all of any more crafty surprises!

Luckily, the UK is absolutely fantastic at supplying craft materials. I’ve been able to work with several trusted suppliers who provide top quality materials such as wool, rope and powder paints with minimal packaging. Finding UK suppliers also really cuts down on any environmental impact from transport.

What I’m finding harder is sourcing tools from the UK. Although I am able to find great quality tools which are plastic free internationally, it’s very hard to explain that I want them shipped without plastic wrapping. Step one was to make sure that tools are not wrapped individually. I’ve had a decent amount of success with this and has massively reduced the amount of plastic in my supply chain. However, I still get situations like this…

When I ordered the cutters for the lino cutting kit, I had a long conversation with the supplier over 4 days about getting the tools without plastic. I convinced them to go and find a paper alternative. I was delighted! However, when they arrived a month later, the handles were packaged in paper but the blades were in plastic! My heart sinks at these moments but I promise, I will do everything in my power to improve this and that every single order I ever place comes with the note. PLEASE PACKAGE PLASTIC FREE. I encourage you to do the same. It usually works!

I’m really pleased to have started working with a few independent tool makers in the UK this year that share my values! I can’t wait to work with them again and to find more!

My number one tip for a better planet

People always want to know what the one thing is that they can do to help combat climate change, to make a better world. Ever had a straight answer? NOPE! Well that’s because it’s complex right? It’s also a huge deal? How can any of us make a difference on our own? Surely it’s impossible! NOPE AGAIN!

Here’s the answer. You need to pick a cause that you are most passionate about. Decide on the way that you want to make a better world and throw yourself at it. You can’t do everything so pick something that gets you excited. Then think about what you’re best at. Where can you make the most difference. Can you organise a demonstration? Can you inspire people? Can you educate people? Can you decide to buy more ethical product? Where do your skills overlap with your cause?

Once you’ve decided, tell everyone about it. Get other people involved. That’s where the real power of your project comes in. When you inspire people to act together you transform your individual action into global action!

I’ve chosen plastic free crafting but there some many good causes to fight and they all need help! What’s your cause? What change will you commit to?

I promise I will…

• Remain independent – Without the pressure to act in the interest of external financial demands I can stay true to what I believe in.

• Keep making my craft kits plastic free and as sustainable and low impact as I possibly can.  Next step, removing it from my supply chain.

• Continue to promote environmental issues.

• Be true to the Craft Box Club values in the whole of my life. Links to some people that help me with this at the bottom.

• Make sure that Craft Box Club growth and scale makes it more sustainable not less.

JOIN THE eco crafting MOVEMENT

If you’d like to learn the skills to start making your own beautiful and useful things, join us today! It won’t cost the Earth!

Top eco businesses

• Riverford - food boxes

• Eco friendly stuff - Plastic free household alternatives

• Sustainable way - Beautiful soap, plastic fre

Our Plastic Free Journey - #4 Unless...

Our Plastic Free Journey - Unless…

18th July 2020

I’m on a plastic free journey.  But it’s more than that.  It’s more than just about keeping our craft kits full of awesome quality tools and natural materials that won’t cost the Earth.  This is my way of being the change I want to see in the world.  A change that I’m carrying through my whole life as well as my business. 

A CAUTIONARY TALE

Every Sunday over lockdown I’ve been setting aside time to sit with my brilliant four year old daughter Harriet to watch a film.  Over the last few weeks I’ve been drawn strongly towards films with an environmental message.  You don’t have to look too far!  My personal faves are FernGully, WALL-E and The Lorax. 

It was hard to watch The Lorax last week without feeling a personal connection to it.  It’s the story of a boy who follows his dreams to make his own product, a Thneed,  to sell and build a business he’s proud of.  He’s just using the leaves from a single tree and selling locally.  He’s his own independent business. 

Very quickly though, as his product gets more popular he has to bring in other people to help him, he needs to make things faster, more efficient and needs to support this by making more money fast.  Before he knows it, he’s cut down every last tree and destroyed the planet and, without anything left to make his Thneed, he’s left with nothing.  There’s so much pollution now that fresh air has to be sold in plastic bottles.

Although I’m really pleased that Craft Box Club is starting to attract many happy customers, it’s still way off having the overnight success of the Thneed.  But this cautionary tale got me thinking about what I’m building.  As Craft Box Club grows, as any business grows, I can see how easy it is to go down the route seen in the Lorax.  So I thought I’d better commit to a few things up front so that you know that, if you buy from Craft Box Club, you’re supporting something good for you and the planet.

I promise I will…

• Remain independent – Without the pressure to act in the interest of external financial demands I can stay true to what I believe in.

• Keep making my craft kits plastic free and as sustainable and low impact as I possibly can.  More on this in future blogs.

• Continue to promote environmental issues.

• Be true to the Craft Box Club values in the whole of my life. Links to some people that help me with this at the bottom.

• Make sure that Craft Box Club growth and scale makes it more sustainable not less.

The maker movement

I believe that making your own is a kind of environmental activism.  That’s why I’ve made it my business to encourage you to learn how easy it is to make your own household items (food wraps, coasters, candles), jewellery and clothes (avocado tie dye Ts) from simple, natural materials.  As well as crafting being awesome for mental health and self expression, it’s also great for the planet.  You’re way more likely to look after your stuff when you develop an emotional connection with it because you made it.  If you can make from raw materials you can better understand supply chains and take control of them.  For those of you who love making a home cooked meal from beautiful fresh ingredients, why stop at food?  Why not apply that thinking to everything you consume?

Why care about all this stuff?  Well unless we embrace sustainable materialism and react against our world filled with throw away consumer goods and single use plastic, I’m worried about the kind of planet we’ll end up with.  And this is the only one we’ve got. As The Lorax says…

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.

It's not.”

JOIN THE MAKER MOVEMENT

If you’d like to learn the skills to start making your own beautiful and useful things, join us today! It won’t cost the Earth!

Top eco businesses

• Riverford - food boxes

• Peace with the Wild - Plastic free household alternatives

• Sustainable way - Beautiful soap, plastic free

• Loop - order essentials in reusable, returnable packaging

The journey to plastic free - #3 Eco Craft Kits

Our Plastic Free Journey - Our Eco Craft Kits

1st July 2020

For me, creativity and going plastic free go hand in hand. Making our own things; decorations, homeware, art, means that we’re not relying on a huge supply chain, we’re more in control of our impact on the planet and more in touch with the true value of things. Homemade is never throw away. That’s why, when I turned my craft workshops into craft kits, I had to lose the plastic and the toxic materials and fully embrace nature.

Today I’m proud to have a range of 8 craft kits (with more on the way) which are all plastic free. Check them out here. I’ve embraced incredible natural materials like avocado dye, earth paint and beeswax to work with nature, not against it.

plastic free Packaging

Our beautiful craft boxes are made from recycled card and shipped in a protective paper bag. To cushion and care for your craft materials we stuff the boxes with sustainably sourced wood wool made from shredded timber which is biodegradable and light weight. Don’t throw it away! It makes awesome kindling or the perfect bed for strawberries if you’re picking or growing them!

Our beautiful boxes

Wood wool packaging

zero plastic Tools

We don’t stop at plastic free packaging. No way! Plastic free tools are beautiful, feel amazing to craft with and last a lifetime! Here’s a little selection of the tools from out kits below.

Natural materials

It’s been really incredible exploring the natural materials available to use creatively! As well as plastic, we’ve cut out all toxic materials like most paint and glue. Chemical paint has been replaced with earth paint and glues are water based. This comes with the benefit that they won’t ruin your hands, clothes or furniture if things get a bit messier than planned!

Some natural materials really are magic! The avocado stones below produce a really rich red wine colour when boiled and can dye fabric a beautiful apricot pink. It’s incredible what nature can provide if you just look.

Why not join in?

Like the idea of crafting that doesn’t cost the earth? Subscribe to Craft Box Club and get a totally different eco craft every month. All our crafts come with video guides so don’t worry, you can’t go wrong! One to one support is also on hand via email, messages or over the phone. We get loads of comments about how great our service is. We really want to look after you on your plastic free journey into creativity!

The journey to plastic free - #2 First Steps

Our plastic free Journey - first steps

7th June 2020

So it’s been just over a year since Craft Box Club began as an in person craft workshop with a twist, going out to the people, testing ideas and seeing what worked. From the very first day there was no way that I was going to have plastic in the packaging. It just wasn’t happening. I found it really easy to find recycled kraft card boxes and paper fillers to do the job. In fact the brown kraft paper aesthetic has become part of the brand and I really love the look and feel of it.

The problem with “reusable”

I really wanted to bring people an alcohol inks kit. I’d discovered them through a brilliant artist friend of mine and they are just super colourful and fun! They are, however, a nightmare to do plastic free. I settled on using sturdy, reusable plastic pots. After all, the problem is single use plastic right? This will be fine, I told myself. We’ll use them again and again. It never happened! Nobody wants to separate all the kit out at the end of a messy evening of creativity. Everything ended up in the bin and even the ones I tried to recover got stained and was hard to clean without using pure alcohol. Not good for my hands or the environment. Sadly, even though it was super popular, alcohol ink had to go. I just hated throwing so much away that would sit there polluting the planet forever!

I couldn’t keep throwing away so much plastic!

100% plastic free - first try

I was lucky enough to be part of the wonderful Earth Living Festival in Reading. I wanted to set up a safe space for adults to play and be creative without fear. As the festival is all about living lightly on the planet I took up the challenge to make a completely plastic free kit. It was tough. Back then I didn’t have much craft experience or much time so I set about making a salt dough kit. You got 3 different doughs and each was scented with a different essential oil. I still think that’s pretty cool. As I needed to package up the salt dough I ordered hundreds of Vegware tubs. You’ve probably seen Vegware coffee cups and food tubs around a lot. I thought they’d be the perfect thing for my dough! They were advertised as biodegradable. Perfect? Nope! It turns out that they’re only biodegradable when they get industrially composted. So, great for big restaurants who industrially process their food waste. Not so great for me. It turns out that it can’t even be recycled! Really frustrating! It’s a minefield picking through all the different options. Even if your intentions are good, it’s easy to get it wrong.

Next time I’m going to talk about how it all started to come together and I began to produce the beautiful plastic free kits I send out today.

Want to join us on a plastic free, creative adventure?