Earth Paint Love and Salt Dough Top Tips

New earth paint & salt dough jewellery kit

I love this kit. Really love it! At Craft Box Club we have an ongoing commitment to plastic free, non-toxic crafting and this kit just fits in perfectly! You make a white and a blue salt dough, then shape different kinds of beads to make three beautiful bracelets.

Introducing EArth Paint

Earth paints are non-toxic powdered paints make from earth minerals. They work really well in our craft kits because they are much easier to package plastic free than traditional liquid paint which need to go in plastic bottles.

This radiant blue pigment is fired to get this vibrant colour. It is composed of 90% earthen clay and 10% man-made, non-toxic minerals, and it is heated in an oven to a high temperature.

Throughout history, blues in nature were very rare and usually made with precious stones like Lapis Lazuli. These stones are now unsustainably harvested in Afghanistan, so we use this beautiful, non-toxic and sustainably-made alternative.

Lapis Lazuli

What inspired this kit?

I love the beach! I don’t live by the sea but a visit to a sandy shoreline really energises me. Every year i set a target of ten beach trips just to make sure it happens. It looks like that might be tough this year with the world in a Corona lock down but I wanted to use the beach as an inspiration for a craft kit. The beads in this kit, the texture of the salt dough and the vivid blue colour all remind me of trips to the sea.

Top tips for salt dough success

1. Follow the recipe - 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water.

2. Knead for a good 10 minutes until the dough is smooth.

3. Use the dough right away or the gluten relaxes and the dough goes soggy. If you do want to put it aside, leave it in a jam jar and add some more flour to it when you could back to it.

4. Use plain flour not self raising!

5. Make a dry dough. Wet dough is harder to handle and won’t keep its shape.

6. Dry your creations out slowly! For best and more eco-friendly results, dry in the sunshine. Too much heat causes cracks.

7. If you’re making beads keep an eye on the holes through the middle, the dough swells as it dries and holes close up.

8. Experiment! You can make so many shapes with salt dough, just keep on creating!

Fancy getting more creative? Join Craft Box Club today and get a totally different craft delivered to your door every month or join our mailing list below and get free creative challenges to do every week!

String Art Adventure

Art alchemy!

When I first decided that Craft Box Club would go fully plastic free I freaked out a little bit. I was already plastic free on the packaging side, that’s never been a huge problem really. But the kit! Would going plastic free really limit the range of crafts that I was able to offer? Would I be able to keep the ideas coming? Well the answer was a big fat NO! I sat down and wrote a list of plastic free crafts that I really wanted to try, and I got to 15 in just a couple of minutes and this craft, string art, wasn’t even on there!

String art

I’ve got to thanks London studio Make Your Own for the inspiration. I saw this craft demonstrated on an Instagram live and I fell in love. The idea is super simple, all you need is nails, string and wood and you can make an epic piece of art! Real art alchemy! I’ve had quite a few experiments with this now, and it’s been great fun. The image above is my latest creation. Not all there yet but I’ve got the design down now. The next go will the the final design that will go into the kit.

If you’re thinking of having a go at string art here are my top tips. All of these will make it into the final string art video guide, coming soon.

String art top tips

• Plan it out - You might notice that my creation is a bit wonky. For the final kit I’m going to make a template so all the lines are straight and it’ll really tighten up the final look!

• Keep it simple - The simplest designs are definitely the best. Let the texture and the colour do the talking

• Get that string tight - The whole design relies on nice straight lines. Don’t let those strings go floppy!

• Hammer the nails in firm - I’ve had some disasters where I tried to pull the string tight and pulled out a nail! Really annoying!

• Get the right kit - You need to make sure that the nails you’re using are the right length, about 2cm is good, and the wood is not too hard. You need a good solid hammer too. If you’d like us to do the hard work and send the kit right to your door, then join the club and ask for this kit when you get your welcome email.

What now?

I can’t wait to get going on making the video for this craft. I’m having to wait a bit longer for deliveries than usual at the moment but I’m still aiming to have this ready for next month!

Looking forward to sharing the kit with you all. In the spirit of Craft Box Club, I’ll be using recycled wooden pallets so I need to get sawing!

Happy crafting everyone!

Inspired?

It feels awesome getting creative, using your hands and getting off your phone. All our kits are simple and beginner friendly! Ready for your mini art adventure. Join Craft Box Club below…

Introducing the Washi tape coaster kit

Hot off the press, I’m pleased to be introducing the new Washi tape coasters craft kit! Coming soon to subscribers across the UK.

I just love how this kit looks. The mix of natural colours and textures with the bright white tiles and the flash of the tin looks great against the colour pops from the Washi tape.

Errr what is Washi tape, I hear you scream! It is a decorative tape made out of rice paper. Originally from Japan and now every scrapbookers best friend, Washi tape is my new favourite thing. It comes in all the colours of the rainbow, and some awesome patterns too. It is commonly used in art and craft projects, particularly paper crafts.

With this kit, you can play with designs until you’re happy with them. Then, just brush on the sealer and you’ve just created your own unique set of coasters.

Washi Tape, or Japanese masking tape, first originated in Japan by the business Kamoi Kakoshi Co., Ltd. under the name MT masking tape. It all started in 2006 when puzzled Kamoi received an email from a little group of women who developed a book making use of their industrial masking tape. The email stated that they would like to tour their facility before working on a second book utilizing their masking tapes. Confused Kamoi didn’t initially respond to this curious email, and later received a package from the ladies; It contained colourful, beautifully designed pages all carried out in masking tape! Kamoi ultimately agreed to let the ladies tour their facility, and their marvel and fascination at the tape creating process filled Kamoi with fantastic pride. Later, they received a second book filled with a lot more stunning pages from 17 different artists, all employing their masking tape to develop a thing of beauty! The women requested that Kamoi produce much more masking tape colours. Kamoi didn’t hesitate after a big art exhibition in Tokyo and plenty of media coverage; they took the plunge and began to work on producing the excellent rolls to use for crafts and design! They not only created numerous far more colours, but also designs that were cute and functional.

These are my very own set of coasters, the first couple I made. They’re now a permanent feature in the studio! Might have to make more for around the house too!

Is it just me of does one of the designs remind you of sprinkles on a doughnut? Mmmm, doughnut anyone?

Fancy having a go at using the kit. Sign up to Craft Box Club and receive simple, plastic free craft kits in the post every month.

Our Creativity First Manifesto

THIS IS WHY WE’RE HERE

Creativity is not just for grannies or little kids. Creativity goes just as well with craft beer as it does with yoga. It’s for the rebels, the office workers, police officers, hipsters, grafters, for inside-outers! Creativity is for the people. Creativity is part of being human. Choose creativity over consumption. Consumption is for losers. Creativity should not be hidden away in dimly lit rooms. It should be out and proud! But it doesn't have to be pink and fluffy! Creativity need not be about skill but more about self expression. It’s good for the soul, the body and the mind. But let’s not use that as the reason to do it! Creativity is not a cure, it’s the natural state....⁠

BUT IT’S NOT EASY!

It’s so hard! You know what it’s like! You have to stay on top of work, admin, housework, family, friends, saving the planet AND, errrr, Netflix! You’re surrounded by distractions and ever more reasons not to be creative! Your brain wants to go to the familiar, the easy, the comfy, the safe. Even when your heart desperately wants to try something new, try telling that to your lizard brain!

A LITTLE HELP OVER HERE!

So that’s what we’re here for. To offer you gateway drugs to creativity. Little crafty explosions to fire your creativity and let it shine.

SO

If you believe that creativity is for everyone. That you need to let it out. If you’re too busy or distracted to get on to it. If you hate getting stuff wrapped in layers of plastic then this is for you. We welcome you to the Club with open arms!

Craft to learn a new skill.  Craft to show off to a date.  Craft to mess up and laugh at yourself.  Craft with your dad and learn a new perspective on life.  But please, please above all else.  Craft for creativity’s sake.  The joy of making something.  The joy of taking something from your head and out into the real world. The joy of letting the world know where you’re at and what your story is. Craft because that’s who you are.

Don’t put it off. Don’t leave it for that one day that’ll never come. Time is short, act now, choose life, choose creativity. Now!

OUR VISION

HELP MORE PEOPLE MAKE CRAFT A HABIT

CONNECT PEOPLE THROUGH CRAFT

BRING PEOPLE TO LIFE!

WHAT WE STAND FOR

1. CREATIVITY FIRST

   It’s all about Punk spirit! Those creative pioneers armed with little more than three chords, an attitude and a dream. Our kits and guides quickly teach you the first thing about a craft. The first three chords. We give you motivation and inspiration but you provide the rest. It’s abstract, it’s fun and it’s unique to you.

2. QUICK AND EASY

   We’re all busy! If you’re going to keep this up it needs to be quick and not annoying and fiddly.

3. ECO FRIENDLY

   We’re part of the war on single use plastic. That means no plastic packaging EVER! We also minimise the amount of plastic in the kits themselves. Where we do use plastic it isn’t single use. We also run a return scheme where you can send us the kit back once you’ve used it so we can keep on reusing it again and again.

4. QUALITY

   We choose good stuff. No breakable rubbish here. All quality art materials.

5. SHARING

   It’s good to share! Be proud of your creations and they’ll give you a massive boost! We also encourage you to set up your own Craft Box Clubs by adding extra boxes to your subscriptions to craft with friends. We also love to collaborate with other like minded people from all backgrounds!

Why it's brilliant being a beginner!

Why it’s brilliant being a beginner!

Craft Box Club is all about learning the first thing about a craft.  Living in the new!  Picking up something fresh!

Mastering something, yeah that's great, and if you really love a craft you've started, we're here to help you find the experts to make your enthusiasm into a lifelong passion.  

But for now, 5 reasons why it's BRILLIANT being a beginner...

1. You can't go wrong!

Things can only get better right?  You're starting from absolutely level zero.  Nothing.  You cannot fail!  Whatever you do, it's awesome, and it's way better than not having a go at all.  In maths it’s actually infinitely better.  And that’s a lot.  Make a mess, screw it up, chuck it in the bin and who cares.  You're doing great!

2.  Friends don't mind you showing off!

We all have those friends who are good at stuff right?  Really good?  So great they can't stop talking about it, posting stuff on social media, displaying their great achievements all over their house.  OMG what a bore!  Who can stand people who are good at stuff huh?  

"Hey, look at this fine oil painting/concept album/marathon/child/business/lifestyle I've just completed.  Isn’t it a great piece to add to the collection?"

"Shut up, stop banging on about it!"

"Yeah, we know you're a great ... already.  But what about Love Island!?  And isn’t it your round?"

But just think about it, if you pick up something you've never done before, brag away!  Broadcast your heroic status to all around you.  Become a sensation at every dinner party.  And people will love you!  Better still if it's something they've never even heard of.

"Check out my alcohol ink tile!"

"What are you talking about?  Wow that's amazing?  You are so cool.  I wish I was like you in every way!  Let me get you a drink!"

Umm right…

3. It's exciting!

You don't know what's going to happen!  This new thing, you might love it or hate it.  Will it be the thing you've always been searching for?  Will it complete you?  What will you learn?  It's fun to get stuck into something new.  It actually creates new connections in the brain and makes your brain work harder.  You can't fall back on your normal autopilots and you experience life all the more fully for it.

4.  No stress!

No worries!  You're learning something new.  Nobody, yourself included will expect anything from you.  If you can't do it or you hate it, it's not your fault, maybe it's just not for you.  So relax and feel safe in the loving embrace of low expectations!

5.  The power of the newbie

Every beginner has one incredible advantage over the guru, the master, the teacher, the talent, the experienced hand. You bring a new perspective. Savour this, for it's a gift you'll only have once. When you are laden with the curse of knowledge, you'll know how things are done properly. But for now, you can freely experiment and play without judgement. I see this all the time at Craft Box Club. People go off and totally ignore the instructions and make something totally original and unique to them. AWESOME! ⁠⁠

So you want to learn something new…?

Trash?

Trash?

No way!

If you haven't seen Toy Story 4, you're going to think I've gone totally mad. But stay with me!⁠⁠

(As an aside, if you've not seen Toy Story 4 I kind of judge you a little bit for that. Maybe go away and watch it, then come back)⁠⁠

This is my Forkie. He is unique and special and definitely not TRASH!

⁠⁠In Toy Story 4, one of the film's stars, a little girl called Bonnie feels lost and alone on her first day of school. Toys aren't allowed so she crafts her own best friend and protector from stuff she finds in the trash. ⁠⁠FORKY IS BORN!

⁠⁠Forky quickly becomes her favourite toy. Why? Well, at first, because he can be there for her when no one else can. But over time he becomes her most special toy wherever she is. ⁠⁠I think the reason Forky is so special is that she made him. She took what she had in front of her and created something new. She changed the world around her to look like she wanted it to. So unlike her other toys, Forky was a part of her and a symbol of what she could achieve just with the power of her creativity.⁠⁠

Kids get the chance to do this all the time! As adults we don't get to take materials and shape them in our own unique way. Through Craft Box Club I want to give adults a space to create and play on your own terms and go away with something meaningful. Something your proud of. ⁠⁠So is Forky trash!? No way! He's people!

⁠⁠Start your creative journey! Go make a Forky, Spoony, Brushy, JamJary based on whatever you have around you. ⁠⁠Post below! I can't wait to see what you make!⁠⁠

P.S. apparently there is a Forky toy you can actually go and buy. Seriously?! I think someone missed the point!⁠⁠

Every human is an artist...

Every child is an artist…

The problem is staying an artist when you grow up

Who said it?  Was it Picasso?  Was it John Lennon?  Was it just me, just then?  Who knows?  Who cares maybe?  Plus, Picasso also said some pretty questionable stuff right?  Ya, totally, go ask Hannah Gadsby!

The point is, I feel so strongly about this that I set up Craft Box Club to solve this very problem!

The basic idea behind this quote is that all humans are driven by a need to be creative.  If you think about it, it feels right doesn’t it?  I mean, look at the world around us.  People moving huge stones, painting with mud in the dark finding ways to travel the world.  Humans have created so much!  Whether you like it or would call it art, or whether that matters is another thing, but we all have creativity in us by our very nature.

The problem is, human needs are complicated.  We have basic ones like food and shelter, then there are needs for friends, family and love.  In the UK at least, we tend to be pretty good at looking after these, but they do take most of our time.  I know that’s how I felt at the start of 2019.

But we also have needs such as purpose, understanding the world, and putting our own stamp it.  The stuff that gives us meaning.  This is where being creative has a lot to offer.

In short…

1.      “Hey, I need a sandwich!”

2.      “Hey, want to come with me for a sandwich?”

3.      “Hey!  How could I make a better sandwich?!”

The truth is, we spend a lot of time stuck on level 1 and 2.  That’s because, for all sorts of reasons it’s tough to get to 3.  That’s where we come in! 

Craft Box Club is here to make it EASY to be creative.  To fuel the fire within you.  To give you an outlet for self-expression.  To build your confidence that there is an artist inside you!

Although stages 1 and 2 are important, we should make sure we don’t neglect our higher needs.  Our less material needs.  We need to hit them all to live a true and fulfilled life.

So, go spend 5 minutes “making a better sandwich!”.  Please post your creations below!  Don’t know where to start or fancy getting creative in a totally new way?  Check out the link below…

The Magic of Campfire Chats

how crafting fires connection

It’s mid-summer. It’s getting late. The sun is drifting over the horizon to end a long hot day. You notice, just a short way off, in a clearing in the forest, shadowy figures flicker and dance around an orange glow. The campfire has been lit.

The draw of the fire is impossible to resist. You wander over to find your friends and family nestled around the glowing flames. It’s quiet but there is a murmur of conversation. Everyone is relaxed, the day is done and there is nothing to do. Just to be together, sharing any thoughts or feelings that bubble up, close and connected with each other.

Have you ever noticed the magical atmosphere created by a campfire? As the pressure to “make conversation” is lifted, conversations start to flow more easily. Discussions move away from day to day life to deeper, more abstract stuff. Our passions, our feelings, our beliefs. We start to tell stories. Deep in our history, our discovery of fire sparked a massive leap forward in our evolution as stories were shared around the fire. An instinct for connecting in this way remains deeply ingrained in us to this day.

“Stories told by firelight put listeners on the same emotional wavelength,” and “elicits understanding, trust, and sympathy.” - University of Utah anthropologist Polly Wiessner

There are good reasons why we find a campfire setting such a natural way of connecting. The fire mildly grasps our attention. This keeps us in the moment but in a way that leaves much of the brain unoccupied and open to deeper thinking. As we have our attention focused on something there is less fear of that uncomfortable silence as the fire somehow fills the gaps. We’re not looking at each other. It seems counter intuitive that looking away from someone would stimulate connection but being free of eye contact makes it’s easier to open up and discuss more difficult topics. Sharing thoughts that are often closest to our hearts.

So often I find the campfire feeling at Craft Box Club. It’s sort of a heightened, slightly excitable peace where people find it easy to connect and share. Also there is the bonding of learning something new together, making mistakes and being a little bit silly.

So if you want to get to know someone a bit better, or make a more meaningful connection with someone, spark up the campfire or come along to Craft Box Club. We run adult craft clubs in Reading every month. The next one is this Friday

Why we build sandcastles...

Why we build sandcastles…

The great thing about pure creativity

It’s hot right? Sooo hot!

I’m hearing that the UK might break temperature records today! All I want is to grab a cool beer from the fridge and jump into the sea. Hey, I’m going to do one of those things now.

I was at the beach at the weekend and I just felt the call. Not the call of nature or of the sea, the call of the sandcastle! Three grown adults immediately felt a desperate need to take up shovels and fill our buckets to make a mighty sand fortress. Nothing was said. No planning meeting held, no committee assembled, we just did it. BUT WHY?

A sandcastle is just the most feeble of constructions. We knew that a breath of wind, the rising tide or a territorial dog could have destroyed the whole thing in a moment. We’d leave this beautiful construction to the elements at the end of the day and for what? The joy of PURE CREATIVITY!

Creating something that you know will be destroyed is so empowering. If your creation is temporary then you gain an extra lightness in the creative process. It’s much easier to start making when we know the outcome doesn’t matter, it’s the process itself, the creative journey that counts. You can really experiment, try out new ideas and effects. If it doesn’t work, throw it away and try again! For those of you who maybe have a little fear about getting creative or just getting your ideas down on the page, I’d really encourage you to make something simply to scrap. See how that change in mindset frees your imagination.

Tonight I’m hosting OldSkool Art Battle at the Reading Fringe. This is something brand new for me, I’ve never done anything like it. It’s taken days to put together but it’s here now and I’m so proud of it. No I’m not going throw this one away but I approached this show as a total experiment which will conclude tonight in the sweaty box that is the After Dark Club. I was lucky enough to be given pretty much total creative freedom to fill half an hour and it was super fun. I think we should all give ourselves time for pure creativity. Not just in our leisure time but at work too. It’s pretty well know now that Google introduced a framework for innovation that allows employees to spend 10% of their time on “blue sky“ projects. I’m pretty sure it works for them. It works for me too. This experiment certainly needed some time invested in it but I’m happy to say that I’ve learned three completely new things from doing it which I can now use to help at Craft Box Club.

All of the kits at Craft Box Club contain enough stuff so you can have a few attempts at something. Come try it out and promise yourself to make your first work of art to destroy!

We run adult craft clubs every month in Reading but if you have a group of five, we’ll come to you!

P.S. here’s the promo for Art Battle. I’ll be running it again so if you’re interested, join the mailing list for details.

The ultimate power of the scribble

Doodles, scribbles, mindfulness and creativity

Your first step to a happier, more creative life?

Picture the scene, your in a hot, bland meeting room. It’s Friday. It’s 5:03pm and Dave from accounts (poor Dave from accounts, he gets so much grief!) is on his hundredth grey, wordy slide and you’re still none the wiser. You’ve been stuck in the office all week with dreams of being more creative, maybe painting something, learning to draw, writing a book. You’re finally released and you get home. Now is your chance to be creative! But you need to get some food on, walk the dog, do the washing up and oh yeah, there’s more Stranger Things to watch! Plus, you realise you don’t have any paint or drawing paper and who knows what you need. Ugh, maybe tomorrow!

As well as everything that life puts in the way of us being more creative, there is always a mental block to doing something new. I can feel it in myself all the time. The “primitive” part of our brain just goes “NAAAAA why bother? Food, sleep, TV! Easy, comfortable, safe.” BUT, if you can get over that, it can be a game changer.

I’ve found that doodling, scribbling and sketching with minimal stuff is a great way to get started. We’ve all got a pencil or a Biro somewhere around the house and the back of an envelope to use as a canvas! Check out Tim Brown’s awesome TED talk on creativity! He’ll give you loads of ideas and inspiration to get going with your humble doodles!

Doodling and scribbling is great for your mental health. It reduces stress and keeps you in the moment where happiness can be found! There is even evidence that doodling at work can increase attentiveness and productivity!

If you’re going to make any sort of change then it helps to have a group of people around you with a similar goal. Make it social, fun and simple! That’s what Craft Box Club is here for. To help you squeeze more creativity into your life! All our craft club sessions provide a really great value way to be creative and keep up the habit. We’ve just added a new way to start off with Craft Box Club. That’s right, start with a scribble. A gateway drug to a craftier life! You can now book a Drink and Scribble ticket for just £5! Pop along to one of our monthly events and check us out. We hope you stick with it and come back for more!

P.S. here are a couple of doodles and scribbles I’ve made instead of and whilst watching Stranger Things! They’re not great but I’m strangely proud of them and they brought me joy. So if your efforts suck too. Who cares!? You’ve taken a step.

Independents' Day

Independents’ Day

So today is July 4th. Independence day! But I would like to borrow this occasion and celebrate two causes that are close to my heart!

Independent thinking

Craft Box Club is all about celebrating how creative we can all be! We give you the tools and the inspiration to get started but want every person to make something that is completely unique to them! Since setting up Craft Box Club, just over the last few months I’ve seen people use my kits to make completely different things. It’s incredible what comes out of our brains and it’s important for our mental health and our very human nature that we get to express ourselves!

Making art, whatever that is for you, is an incredible way to express our independence and our unique spirit. I discover more and more each day that we all have such unique experiences of life and different ways of seeing the world. It’s valuable, in whatever way you can, to get that out of your head and document is in some way. Although our brain is incredible and can dream up such complex thoughts and feelings that does not mean that you have to be technically skilled to get something down on a page, canvas, tile, piece of fabric, whatever. You can portray so much in the mix of colours, use of texture, layout or setting.

I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London last week. The walls of 6 or 7 massive rooms were completely covered in art. Not to mention the floor! What a mix of styles. I’ve to shared some of my favourites at the bottom of the page. Although I’m sure they all show incredible technical skill, they feel achievable and help me remember that art isn’t all about just accurately representing something, it can be about communicating an idea or a feeling.

Independent Businesses

Independent thinkers run independent businesses. Over the past few months I’ve been able to meet and work with some of my favourite independent businesses from across Reading and Berkshire. It has been a pleasure to meet such a creative bunch of people who are really passionate about what they do! Today is a great day to celebrate them. So please think about supporting one of them. Even if it’s just a small purchase, it can mean a huge amount to an indie. If the world could be more full of people doing what they are really passionate about then it would be a better place!

A few simple ways to support

• Make even a small purchase

• Share posts on social media

• Leave reviews when you get a great service

• Ask them questions about their passion

If you’d like to support us, great! We want everyone to make creativity a habit. Check out the rest of the site to see how we can help.

What are the business benefits of workplace creativity?

Why we need creativity now!

More than ever we need creativity, innovation and problem solving just to keep pace with the ever changing world we live and work in. There are huge opportunities to take advantage of and new threats on the horizon. Businesses need to do more than ever to compete and gain an edge over the competition. The key to this is recruit and retain the best staff who are equipped and empowered to think outside the box, be flexible and act decisively.

The wellbeing and mental health of staff is gaining increasing awareness. Showing staff they are valued and supporting health and wellness in the workplace are key to maintaining a happy, productive and engaged workforce.

In my decade or so working in the City of London myself and those around me have experienced the highs, the lows, the excitement and the pressures of the modern working environment. I set up Craft Box Club to help by providing regular, accessible and fun craft sessions in the workplace to boost creativity and aid wellbeing.

Benefits of creativity in the workplace

There are many ways to be creative but we believe that getting your hands dirty and making something real has some incredible benefits for your employees and therefore, your business!

• Reduce stress, anxiety and depression

  Mental ill-health is costing the UK more than £94bn every year, counting treatment, social support costs and the losses to the economy from people who cannot work, according to the OECD. Nearly half of this costs is due to people not being able to work or being less productive. Getting hands on with craft is a mindful activity. Mindfulness has been shown to have great benefits on wellbeing by bringing people into the present moment, calming the brain and body.

• Spark eureka moments

  There is no doubt that people enjoy making. In our sessions people find it easy to focus and engage. Doing something completely different from day to day work builds new connections and stimulates the brain. Our brain does much of it’s thinking without our being conscious of it. Often when we stop actively working on a particular problem, more ideas just come to mind naturally. Crafting shifts our attention and gives our minds the focused break it needs for eureka moments to appear.

• Staff retention

  Finding and hiring the right staff costs a lot! You really don’t want to lose your best assets. Show your staff they are valued with benefits that stand out! The best people have come to take the usual staff benefits for granted. Offer something a bit different that people will take notice of.

• Bring people together

  One of the best ways to innovate is to collaborate! I know from experience that, all too often, different departments work in silos. Parties and after work drinks are great but they can often reinforce silos and cliques. Making something together really brings people together and creates connection like nothing else. As people play and discover together bonds are formed that stimulate a positive flow of ideas across the organisation.

• Increase confidence

  Look out for the introverts, they are often the quiet but powerful source of innovation. A craft session will bring out hidden talents for creative thinking that you didn’t even know you had. Increasing people’s confidence in feeling that they might just be creative will carry into other aspects or their work.

• Improve creative thinking and problem solving

  Successful innovation requires both divergent then convergent thinking. First we need to generate multiple potential solutions to a problem (divergent). Imagine a blue sky sessions with loads of post it notes all over the place. Then select the best idea and implement it (convergent). Crafting stimulates this kind of thinking naturally. Especially when you make something unique so you’re not only working out how to use the materials but using your imagination too.

If you’d like to find a simple way to boost creativity in your business please get in touch with me via adam@craftboxclub.co.uk.

Creative ways to reduce plastic waste

The creative way to go plastic free

If, like me, you care about reducing plastic waste, here are a few suggestions you can use right now! This article contains a few links to products that I use personally and really like. Some are affiliate links. If you click these I get a tiny bit of commission on your purchase to help me keep doing what I love! Some of the links I get nothing from, I just love the product.

• Shampoo Bars

  One of the top places you’ll find single use plastic is in the bathroom. I’ve started to use shampoo bars and “old fashioned” soap bars which come in cardboard and I really love them. My favourite bar is the Soak and Float from LUSH. It’s awesome, and they are a great company when it comes to doing good stuff in the world but it is a little expensive. I’ve started to experiment with making my own. Check out this Youtube how to video if you’d like to have a go. The downside is some of the ingredients come in (recyclable) plastic! BUT if you buy in bulk you can make a lifetime supply of shampoo bars for a minimal impact.

• Make your own bread

  Most of us buy bread that comes in plastic wrapping. For such a natural product that seems a bit mad. I’ve been baking my own bread since uni. Anything not to study! I don’t use any special machine or bread makers, just my own hands so making bread doesn’t have to cost the earth. None of the ingredients come in plastic wrapping apart from a tiny bit on the yeast pot. If you make your own sourdough starter then you don’t even need that! I’ve read loads of books on baking bread and by far the best is from River Cottage book in the link below. It’s easier than you think, have a go!

• Bamboo tooth brushes

  OK so this isn’t super creative, I guess it just seems like new thinking and I love the design. When you think about it, it seems like a real no brainer. A wooden toothbrush sounds like an odd idea to start with but I promise it’s fine. I’ve used F.E.T.E ones for a while. Link below…

• Make rubbish art

  The first event I ran as Craft Box Club was Scrap Art Challenge. Two teams battle it out to make art from scrap. I was amazed at what people created! You can still see the photos on the Instagram feed. Check them out and be inspired. Grab whatever you have from the bin, grab some glue and tape and have some creative fun!

• Refill and reuse

  Last Wednesday was National Refill Day! Hopefully after that big PR push there will be way more places that welcome you in to refill your reusable water bottles So make sure you bring your favourite bottle with you wherever you go. Single use coffee cups also contribute massively to plastic waste! Get yourself a lovely Keep Cup (link to the one I use below) to do your bit. It’s also much nicer to use than a throw away one. Some coffee shops, like the lovely Nibsys in Reading, are also giving you a discount when you bring in your own cup.

Being creative can be a messy business but we do everything we can to reduce the plastic waste we create by doing the following:

• Aim for zero plastic in all our boxes. I mean really aim, not like the supermarkets aim.

• If we have to use plastic at all, make sure it’s good quality so it can be used over and over again.

• Our plastic paint pots are reusable and you can send them back to be reused when you’re done with them. We’ll give you a discount.

• We use minimal packaging in all of our boxes. Mostly we use tissue paper, card and string.

• We order in bulk and try to find suppliers that don’t use much packaging themselves (we’re doing OK but this is the hardest bit right now).

• We keep any plastic waste to be used in Scrap Art Challenge events so at least it’s reused and hopefully treasured as a work of art.

Plastic Free recommendations

I’ve read and loved all these books. They will inform and inspire you!

Great, clear guide to bread making for all!

The best bamboo toothbrush!

Coolest keep cup!

If you need more help and inspiration, please check out the rest of the website and consider subscribing, booking us for your group or coming to an event.

How to be more creative - Top Tips

Top tips to power your creativity

Here are some of the best ways to be more creative!

• Make it habit

  The best way to make any change is to start small and do it often! Do something creative every day and it will build to something big! Scrapbooks or diaries are a great way to start. You’ll have paper or pens with you all the time boosting your chances to scribble, sketch and stick!

• Do something different

  Of all the creative strategies I’ve looked into it all pretty much boils down to this one. If you want to be more creative with your work, life, home, family, art etc. just try something new, make a small change, hey, make a big change. Take up a new hobby. Look at something from a different angle. It’s incredible how powerful it can be to get a fresh perspective!

• Make it abstract

  Don’t confuse creativity with technical skill! Don’t jump in thinking you’re going to be able to paint a Michelangelo. The best way to start is simple and abstract. Just grab any art materials you have to hand and combine them in a way that make sense to you.

• Make something together

  It’s way easier to form a habit when you’ve got the energy of others around you. You can bounce ideas around, help each other and show off your incredible art. You’ll hold each other to account and make sure you all keep it up. Being creative is also a great way to get to know people. Whether you’re on your first date or you’ve known each other for years, the act of making will bring you closer!

• Find your craft

  Shop around. Don’t just try one craft, try as many as possible! Some are harder to start than others, some just won’t be for you. Find something that inspires you and gives you energy to keep going!

• Make something for someone

  The national treasure that is Merry Berry always says that the reason she loves to bake is that you can give someone you love something they’ll love! Making a crafty gift for a special person is always rewarding. It’ll keep you motivated, especially if you’re working towards a birthday deadline. And don’t panic about it not being perfect, your special person will really appreciate the effort you put in and won’t even spot the little mistakes!

• Keep it simple

  Being creative doesn’t need to be complicated or take a long time! Start with one colour, and a simple canvas. Make a few patterns, engage with the colours, relax and enjoy!

• Creative destruction

  A lot of us have a fear of that blank page. A cool way to deal with that is to start by committing to destroy what you’ve made. You’ll feel much lighter and be more willing to experiment when you know it’s just going in the bin anyway!

• Make a space

  We all keep a dedicated space to create in or homes already! The kitchen! Rather than just using it for edible wonders, why not keep a craft cupboard so you have a quick way to get at your craft stuff and make space for your arty side!

• Make it green

  Crafting can be a super messy business! Most craft kits and materials come packages in layers of single use plastic! Maybe try crafting with natural, found materials from the garden? Otherwise try to find companies that reduce packaging and single use plastics so you’re not left with the waste! Don’t start by buying too much stuff that you won’t use BUT buy in bulk where it makes sense. One big package is better than hundreds of little ones. We do everything we can to reduce single use plastic in our craft boxes. Where we have to use plastic at all, it isn’t single use, and you can even send it back to us and we’ll refund the costs and then some.

• Be inspired

  Artists steal! Use other artists as inspiration. Whether it’s techniques, ideas or colour combinations, you’ll always take something away. Every one of our crafts was inspired by an artist we love!

• Share with pride

  Be proud of what you’ve created! Put it out there on social media. People are generally more impressed that you think they’ll be and it will inspire them to get creative too! You’ll get such a confidence boost.

• Craft on autopilot

  Here’s another technique for getting over the fear of a blank page. OK this sounds odd but go with it. Sit down to make, then picture a little version yourself sat behind you watching. Imagine you’re that guy just interested in seeing what happens but not engaged in the process. Get your subconscious to do the work and go with it!

• Put your phone down!

  Next time you’re randomly scrolling, think of the time you could be spending on creativity. We spend so much time on our phones these days. Take a break to at least plan your next make.

• Pick your phone up!

  OK so what’s he on about!? Phones are not the problem! It’s what you do with them that counts. There are loads of arty apps you can use to get creative wherever you are. So next time you’re waiting for your mates in the pub or sitting on the toilet, make the best use of the time. Err you know, make some art! I’ve had a go with one app and it’s addictive. More to follow!

• Meditate

  Hey now that’s a bit random? There are tonnes of studies that support the idea that meditation or mindfulness supports creativity. I’ll write more about this later on but at a basic level, be still, close your eyes and don’t do anything for five minutes. See how this effects the way you approach creativity. You’ll be surprised!

OK that’s a good list to get started with for now. I’ll write a bit more about these and how I’ve used them each week with some examples of what I’ve created.

Creative book recommendations

I’ve read and loved all these books. They will inform and inspire you!

Great for inspiration and ideas. Great way to get to know the story behind some really influential artists.

Full of great exercises for getting creative!

Full of great ideas on how to take the messy approach to creativity and innovation.

If you need more help and inspiration, please check out the rest of the website and consider subscribing, booking us for your group or coming to an event.

My story

My name is Adam and I started Craft Box Club to help you

craft with nature

Well that’s half the story.

I am not an artist

For the last decade I’ve been a catastrophe modeller for an insurance company in the city. It was actually pretty cool. Since I was 8 years old I’ve been kind of obsessed with the weather. So getting to learn about, study and analyse natural disasters was kind of a dream come true. It had been good, but I felt more and more that I needed to create and express myself.

I’ve always been a bit creative. I’ve dabbled with bands and the theatre. I play a few different instruments which I fiddle with in the evening whenever I get a chance. I was, and kind of still am, passionate about bringing data to life using colourful, engaging and err… pretty visuals. But I wanted more and was drawn to visual art and crafting as it’s so tangible. Once you’ve made something, it’s there for everyone to see, forever!

I tried

Youtube art tutorials. Most of them were garbage or aimed at people who were already experts. When I found ones that made sense to me then it was hard to get my hands on the kit and by the time I’d found what I needed, I ran out of time to make. I tried arts and craft classes, but most of them were so expensive I could only really afford to go a few times a year or they were during work hours or weekends when I was looking after my little one. I had a go at muddling through on my own but found a strange, but common, fear of being presented with a blank page. Where should I start? Should I draw or paint or…? What if it looks rubbish? Maybe I’m just not a creative person?!

I’m just not creative

Is something I have heard loads since starting Craft Box Club. In my heart I just don’t believe it. Humans are born and driven to create. It’s part of us! But more on that later.

I want to give people the awesome feeling of making, that is affordable enough to do regularly and where anyone could get a good result. So…

Craft Box Club

was born. Each month I go through the process of researching and learning the first thing about a new craft. Let’s be honest, learning the first thing about anything is the most fun right? I make a super clear and quick how to video to teach you everything you need to know. I source or make the right materials to get you crafting. All of this gets lovingly packaged, plastic free, into a craft box which gets delivered straight to your door.

On top of that I’ll be sharing some hints and tips for how to squeeze more creativity into your life. Sign up to the mailing list to hear all about it!

So now you know the whole story, Craft Box Club is for you, but it’s my journey too. I hope you can join me!

HAVE YOU BEEN CREATIVE TODAY?