You might think running a craft space is all glitter and glue guns, and while we do have plenty of both, no two days at Our Crafty Place are ever quite the same!
I (Kate) usually get in around 8am – mainly to beat the traffic, but also because I never bother with breakfast. Viv tends to arrive around 9am, fuelled by breakfast (she can’t function without it!) and after sorting out her chickens. There’s usually a fresh tale to tell about the antics of Nina and Billie, her very lovely, if occasionally mischievous, hens.
From there, the day can go in any direction depending on what’s in the diary for the day.
If we’ve got a workshop booked, things move into full swing. To make sure our crafters arrive at as warm and welcoming a space as possible, we start by giving everything a good clean and tidy. Then we organise all the tables and chairs in the main hall to match the tutor’s needs – whether that’s clusters for group work or a clear space for demonstrating. The tea, coffee, and biscuit station is fully stocked with cups, saucers, spoons, milk and sugar, (and yes, always biscuits!). We check dietary needs in advance when people book, so we can make sure we’ve got the right milk or other requirements ready on the day. Any specialist equipment needed for the session is unearthed from our (not-so-very-tidy) storeroom and put in place, ready to go. During the day itself, we’re always on hand to help with whatever the tutor or the crafters need – sometimes we even get to have a go ourselves!
If it’s an admin day we’re likely to be in the (purple, of course!) admin office, working through our to-do list.
We have a system for planning and prepping each workshop: a tick list on the board to make sure everything is covered off – hopefully so we don’t miss anything. Viv is the wordsmith and event organiser, making sure we have all the right information to get each event booked onto the system. That includes writing descriptions, creating events online, and contacting new tutors. I’m the one behind the artwork and social media. I also handle all the invoices, tracking costs, and paying the bills!
It’s funny how we’ve naturally fallen into these roles without ever sitting down to divide the work – it just sort of happened, like magic. Maybe that’s a sign of a good, ‘meant to be’ partnership.
And then there are the plants...
Viv has completely taken charge of watering and caring for all the greenery around the building—because, honestly, if it were left to me, they wouldn’t stand a chance! I don’t know what it is, but no matter how hard I try, plants just seem to give up on me. Thankfully, Viv has the magic touch (and a watering schedule), so everything stays looking bright and healthy.
Helping Hands Make it Happen
We’re so lucky to have an amazing team of volunteers who help bring Our Crafty Place to life. Some don’t have any craft experience at all but love being part of the atmosphere – making tea and coffee, welcoming guests, and keeping things running smoothly. Others dive right into the making, helping with the craft activities or giving encouragement to new crafters.
We even have volunteers who look after our garden, help with recovering benches and seat covers, and keeping the place looking beautiful inside and out. We couldn’t do it without them.
Mondays are a Bit of a Juggle...
Mondays are a little different. We clear the main hall first thing for Julie from DRUWITHJU, who leads a gentle chair-based exercise class. Once that’s finished, we make space for Matt from Chord Progression to set up for his music workshop and community choir – which Viv and I both love being part of!
We also have regular meetings with craft tutors and local organisations who are interested in using the space for their own events. There’s usually coffee involved. And biscuits. (More on that in a moment!)
Funding: A Behind-the-Scenes Essential
One of the biggest and most time-consuming jobs we juggle is writing funding applications. These aren’t glamorous, and they don’t always succeed, but they are absolutely vital for keeping our community sessions going.
From free craft drop-ins to accessible workshops for those who need a creative boost, funding helps us offer more to more people and keep costs down wherever we can. It takes hours of writing, budgeting, and careful planning… but when a bid is successful, it’s worth every minute.
Fuelled by Biscuits & Big Ideas
While we’re ticking off admin in the purple office, a million new ideas come up – and they all get added to “the list”. Whether it’s a new session, workshop theme, or community project, there’s no shortage of inspiration flying around.
We also bake all our own biscuits for workshops – gluten free as standard, with vegan and other dietary needs catered for. Viv finds the recipes, sources the ingredients, and then we both get stuck into the baking. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference, and we love it!
We make sure we have the right tea, coffee, and milk for everyone, and we always set out the tables and chairs just how each tutor wants – from tidy rows to creative clusters.
When we host our own sessions, we take on the “terrible job” (as we jokingly call it) of shopping for all the craft supplies – although we’re yet to find a craft we don’t want to do ourselves!
Our Favourite Part? Easy.
Without a doubt, the best part for both Viv and me is this: watching someone create something with their own hands, seeing them take a step back, look at it, and say…
“I did that.”
That right there is our goosebump moment, and it’s why we do what we do.
Whether it’s a regular attendee or someone walking through the door for the first time in years, that spark of joy, pride, and creativity is what makes Our Crafty Place feel like home.