After Work Club!

Are you in need of some mid week creative de-stressing?
We know fully well that all work and no play is bad for you so we've decided to launch the Craft Guerrilla, After Work Club which are bite sized workshops featuring a whole host of creative disciplines run by some awesome guest workshop leaders and artists. It's the perfect antidote to the mid week work slump!!!

From botany, illustration/journal making, calligraphy, crochet, needle punch embroidery, up-cycling, life drawing to make a clutch bag to messing around with clay and other crafty shenanigans yet to be announced!

Each workshop is run by a professional designer maker/arts educator under the Craft Guerrilla collective and these 2.5 hour sessions have been specially designed to help people reach flow which is similar to a state of meditation achieved through craft work, plus you'll be able take away a skill you can resort to when in times of  need... yep it's been proven that making and using your hands is beneficial to your mind, body and soul!

We'll also be running a few well being sessions and quirky one off events at our new central London home so sign up to our mailing list to be kept in the loop: hello@craftguerrilla.com

Tickets available via ticket lab here, just click on the link: AfterWorkClub

Get your Frida On!

//¡VIVA FRIDA!// 20th of June 2018, New Road Hotel, E1 1HJ London//  

"A celebration of the artist, fashion lover and political activist Frida Kahlo"

 

 

Book your tickets here: https://ticketlab.co.uk/event/id/1522

These 2 hour bite size sessions are perfect to disengage your mind from work related "stuff" and help you connect with your heart and hands.
Crafting has been proven to help calm anxiety and help people deal with stress, did you know that crafting produces a similar state to meditation?
Yes it's called flow and we'll help you find yours so you can unwind and relax while having lots of creative fun in the process!
"¡Viva Frida!" is a pom-tastic workshop where we'll show you how to make a statement necklace using wool, felt and all the colours of the rainbow!
Craft Guerrilla will guide you through the basics so you can add a bit of colour to your life by creating pom poms, tassels plus learning to embelish your piece with embroidery and fabric decoupage so you can be more Frida!
We know that she loved her colours and accessories so we're sure she'd be totally up for this workshop...
Suitable for all crafting abilities. Please note that the image of the necklace in the photo provided is only to illustrate what you can make. All materials included but we encourage participants to bring any materials they find hold a special meaning like amulets, fabrics, found objects and so on...anything which holds a special meaning to you the wearer and maker!

Terms & conditions for Viva Frida!

Please note that this is an over 18's only event. In the eventuality that the workshop doesn't fulfill the minimum participant number requirements that it may be cancelled however if this is the case we will refund your ticket and it will be done with at least 24 hours in advance.

Don't get cross, cross stitch!

Learn the art of subversive cross stitch with Craft Guerrilla by getting crafty and slightly sweary at this friendly workshop, where you'll learn to create your very own expressive cross stitched hoop.
Channel your inner tensions into decorative textiles. Rude, lewd, crude or just plain honest - this workshop is a playful take on the traditional 'home sweet home' sampler. Instead we celebrate chaos, discord and everyday stresses by keeping our hands busy and making peace with life's many micro-aggressions!
 

The class is all in good humour and during the 3 hour workshop, participants will be guided through the basics of cross stitching as well as a simple lesson in layout, so you can transfer your design from paper onto fabric.

This "Flow" inducing workshop promises to be a lot of fun and will also encourage thoughtful and reflective action through creative craft therapy.
All materials, including wall hoop will be provided so you can go away with your very own piece of modern cross stitch art to hang, pride of place in your home.

Book your tickets here

*Please note that the ticket price includes a drink on arrival. There is also a fully functioning bar/cafe on site.
 

Terms & conditions for "Don't Get Cross, Cross Stitch!"

Due to the nature of this workshop this is a class for adults only.Please note that in the eventuality that there is less than the minimum required number of participants that we will cancel the event though we will contact you prior to the workshop (at least 24 hours before the actual event). In the event  of a cancellation by the venue or workshop provider that Craft Guerrilla will refund the ticket price and booking fee.
Failure to show up to the workshop after ticket purchase on the date does not entitle the ticket holder to a refund.

Happy new year!

Phew, finally all the Christmas and New Year's Eve shenanigans are over and done with so it's time we get our stuff together and re-focus on our craft work!
It's also come to our attention that this January is our 10th anniversary! Yes can you believe it that Craft Guerrilla has officially been going since 2008?!

In fairness a lot of time has been taken off recently due to personal reasons -mainly health and family!- so it has been a bit of a long exhausting road with many bumps and hoops which have been suitably jumped through but it's also been one where many new friendships and new partnerships have been forged plus we've been part of lots of amazing projects too!

By focusing again on the initial manifesto it's taken me back to the "workshops for the masses" idea and to the belief that craft is something powerful and should be available to all. Plus exploring craft as therapy was something I'd still like to work on.  
You've probably heard the expression "Flow" and that's how we wanna roll!
It's a state similar to meditation which can usually be experienced when performing a repetitive action, like in knitting, crochet and embroidery for example and that promotes mindful reflection. And also because we are a bit of a raucous bunch we wanted to sink our teeth back into subversive crafting and getting involved with a few more guerrilla style activities.

Although we're currently focused on craft therapy through the creation of flow workshops to promote wellbeing we know that craft workshops are also a great way to start your very own making adventure by learning new skills so it's open to anyone and everyone not just to those who are looking for a wellness fix!
More and more I see how important the role of making has become, how it connects us to others and to our environment so yes... 2018 is going to be chockablock full of creativity and awesomeness!

Plus we're also looking into possibly of reintroducing our highly popular and successful Designer Maker Markets... we hope you can join us on our adventure! For now it's all in motion and we promise to tell you more as soon as we can...

So in brief 2018 sees Craft Guerrilla teaming up with an exciting new venture so keep those peepers peeled as we'll be announcing our workshop diary and more very soon!

If you wish to be kept in the loop sign up to our mailing list via our website.

Oh yes and before I forget Happy New Year!!!

Dont get cross, cross stitch: After class resources!

Following the fab workshop at Head & Hands on Monday I thought I'd add a few resources to the blog so participants could go on to finish their wall hoops... 2 hours flew by, we could had stayed there all night stitching and chatting!!!
Lots of you made a great start but yeah, I'd love to see what decorative bits you're adding to your wall hoops... the stitched "sentiments" looked awesome but I know you wanted to do more...

So even if you weren't there and would like to try a bit of Cross Stitching here's a little guide so anyone can start their adventure into subversive cross stitch!

Photo credit: ©Head&Hands

Photo credit: ©Head&Hands

Photo credit: ©Head&Hands

Well, subversive if you want it to be, we won't judge if it's not, and if you use our hints, tips and resources to create panels featuring kittens in baskets then that's fine too. We just want to get people making and getting into the healing and energizing craft flow!
Crafting is definitely not just about making but also about finding time and ways to switch off from the stresses of the modern world!
So if you'd like to join us at a future workshop then sign up to our mailing list here: craftguerrilla@yahoo.com

But if you'd like to try your hand at Cross Stitching here are a few websites which might help you get into the amazing world of Cross Stitching:

Create your own pattern using your own art work and photos -great for flowers, boarders and portraits:

www.myphotostitch.com

For fonts:

www.stitchpoint.com

Intro for beginners:

Though some points like using blunt embroidery needles aren't necessarily a rule in my opinion but a guide... use what you feel is comfortable for you! Remember learning a technique is good but the action and the overall result is what's important:
www.stitcher.co.uk

Subversive Cross Stitch inspiration:

www.google.co.uk

Here are a few photos of our class... we had such a hoot! Thank you all who came and to Amanda for hosting it the beautiful communal space in Central Parade, Walthamstow East London.

Photo credit: ©Head&Hands

Photo credit: ©Head&Hands

If you'd like to know more about Head & Hands and other workshops available there please visit their website!

See you all soon and keep on stitching!!!

The Amazings are coming to a screen near you!

There's a buzz around the Craft world at the moment and it's all about experienced people teaching the younger generation about making! It goes by the name The Amazings?  Have you heard about it? No?! OK so you've either been on a long holiday or living completely off grid because The Amazings are the hottest topic around at the moment!!! We'll forgive you for it because we know how quick information moves and just how darn hard it is keeping up with everything! But we'll tell you all about it...

Through out time elders have passed on skills to younger folk...

mosaic plant pots...one of the classes available to join!

So what are The Amazings?
The  Amazings  is  an  online  platform  where  retired  and  retiring  people  pass  on  craft skills through  classes and courses.
There  are  now  over  200  real  life  workshops  on  offer.
Demand  for  the  classes  has  far  outstripped  what  the  individual  Amazings  can  provide, so  in order  to  widen  the  availability  of  the  courses, they  will  now  be  available  through  a  digital platform.

Beauty is not just skin deep... learn to make it from the experts!

Knitting got you in a twist and granny doesn't live close enough to pop in to teach you? Fear not you can learn from an elder on line!

We love the concept behind this project and because we've been harping on about "Sharing your craft skills" for the past 5 years or so we're very happy to see it's something others are also aware of and striving to keep alive!
It's so important that we as a society pass on creativity because a society with out CRAFT is like a banjo with out strings!!! More and more people have become engaged with making as the modern world moves at a colossal rate people of all ages have found craft a therapeutic respite from the constant evolution in technology.

Jewellery making!

Learn from others and maybe one day you too can pass it on to the next generation!

So how do you get a piece of the action? Online classes will be offered in everything from knitting and sewing, to bookbinding and retro-hair dos. Courses consist of  2 hour video tutorials, commentary, teacher’s notes and you'll also be able to ask the teacher a question!
Once  enrolled, users will be able to watch  a class anywhere, anytime, and for as long as they like. That's the magic of the inter net and we think this offer is magic too!!! So no hurrying as you'll be able to watch and learn at your own pace and whenever you have time.

Fun and fab... make a dress from a shirt...

...just another brilliant workshop by the people at The Amazings!

So if you're after some creative classes here's a list of what will be available:
*Make Natural Beauty Products
*Three Retro Hair Dos
*Make a Mosaic Flower Pot
*Learn to Patchwork Quilt
*Try Altered Books
*Turn a man’s shirt into a summer dress
*Create a Silver Metal Clay Butterfly
*Loom knit a woolly hat

Altered Book...

And because we love to share the creativity The Amazings have offered an exclusive and brilliant treat for our blog readers... so if you'd like to book an online class visit www.theamazings.com and get your first class for free!
You'll need this code to access the freebie page, just sign in and follow the steps:
http://bit.ly/11tdram

The CRAFT TRAIL at the Thames Festival

Time:
10 September at 11:00 - 11 September at 20:00
Location:
City hall between Tower Bridge and London Bridge

Craft Guerrilla will be setting down their knitting needles next to City Hall on the South Bank to bring you crafty folk a selection of workshops.
We'll be nestled amongst the trees in this little creative enclave with other talented creatures.

There will be lots to do through out the weekend and maps will be available on the Craft Trail website, on the day from helpers and from each Craft Trail area.
www.crafttrail.co.uk

Follow our Twitter account to get up to the minute "special" info...we'll be offering a few "guerrilla" sessions through out the festival for a little bit of subversive crafting!
Twitter: @craftguerrilla
Also visit our web site's event page to download your free "Guerrilla crafter" disguise!
http://www.craftguerrilla.com/page6.htm

In the City Hall area Craft Guerrilla will be joined by a selection of other designer makers, Cabbages & Kings, Creative Biscuit, Sanna Panda & Friends plus a few more yet to be announced.

But there is more... Crafty Fox and We Make London will also be there with a selection of designer maker stalls so plenty of shopping to be done too...
Wowzers now tell me there isn't enough CRAFT in the Capital!
We'll have you full up to the brim with crafty loveliness by the end of the weekend.

Craft Guerrilla be hosting workshops through out the weekend and we''ll be posting the full schedule asap. If you'd like to find out more on the day be sure to follow us on Twitter (@craftguerrilla) or visit or web site: www.craftguerrilla.com

CRAFT TRAIL: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Craft-Trail-at-Thames-Festival/184274978303187

May is Craft Month!!!

As we get closer to the end of month we look forward to the lovely,shiny and very creative new month that is MAY!
After the very rowcus and festivias shinnanigans of April we think that this is positively the best wedding/Bank Holiday(s) hangover cure...

Printing card and fabric work shop
5th of May 7.30pm - 9.30pm
To kick it all off we have a fab workshop featuring the splendidly talented Sarah Butler.
A 2 hour introduction to relief printmaking, learn to make your own unique stamp to be printed on card and fabrics. A skill you can continue at home!
Number of places available: 12
Cost: £15 [includes all tools and materials and you can make two stamps, two cards and some fabric prints to take home with you] Pre-booking advisable.

Felted Flowers work shop
13th May 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Ever fancied trying your hand at needle felting? I can honestly say, needle on heart, that it is so very addictive! Here's your chance to get started with a fab workshop by Gai. Make your own needle felted Flower Brooch/Pin in this fun and creative workshop. She's an amazing needle felting artist and she'll have you hooked in no time. Because May is Craft Month Craft Guerrilla have teamed up with our lovely friends at Creative Biscuit and so get on down and make something!
Learn easy one step free form needle felting. No applique moulds used to create your very own original piece of wearable art.
If you have never tried needle felting this is a good workshop to get started. Your kit will contain everything you need, foam pad to work on, instructions, wool, needles etc.
Number of places available: 12
Cost: £15 [includes all tools and materials and two cards to take home with you]
Pre booking advised.

Make your own owl work shop
19th May 7.30pm-9.30pm
We're very pleased to announce that Zeena Shah is hosting a very special and very cute workshop for craft month! I absolutely love her textile designs and here's your chance to make a gorgeous little owl to take home with you!
Print your owl, stitch & stuff and hey presto you now have your very own little plushie!
Number of places available: 10
Cost: £18 [includes all tools and materials and a very cute hand sewn owl to take home with you]

Jewellery Making/Wire Wrap work shop
26th May 7.30pm - 9.30pm
This is the last Craft Month work shop but it's a good one.
Learn a new skill or brush up on your technique at this fun and
very useful workshop with Jeweller extraordinaire Ellen Jones!
Students will learn the basic technique of wire-wrapping for jewellery making as well as an introduction to the tools and their usage.
The wire and components used will be either silver-plated or gunmetal, and there will be a variety of crystals, pearls etc. freely available to create your own personal piece of jewellery. By learning the wire-wrapping technique, students will be able to make charm drops and continuous chains.
All abilities welcome!
Number of places available: 10
Cost: £28 [includes all tools and materials and at least one piece of jewellery to take home with you]

East London Craft Guerrilla Crafternoon!
27th May 6pm - 9.30pm
Come celebrate the end of Craft Month with a fabulous "Craftea Party". As we bid a fond farewell to our lovely hosts Creative Biscuit we definitely leave with a full heart and so we'd like you to come and share the LOVE!
We'll be offering a selection of quirky and cool Craft Guerrilla signature craft packs which can all be done quickly and easily. Or you can take them home to do in your own time. In house tutors will be on hand should you need some help or some crafty tips.
It's what it says in the title: Craft,Tea and Party with a cocktail thrown in into the mix! There's a great selection of tea, coffee and delicious cake.
Cost: £5 - includes tea and cake
Small charge per craft pack.

The Venue:
Creative Biscuit
61 George Lane South Woodford, London E18 1JJ

Please contact and book your place on the workshop with Creative Biscuit directly on: 020 8532 2824

April's mini work shop...

Join Julie Vermeille and Craft Guerrilla for a truly quirky and genius mini workshop! Create a splendid wearable piece of art. This little brooch has been designed by the artist inspired by her love of nature, by fairy tales, everyday life and people.

Julie an illustrator and keen crafter bases her work on the world and her surroundings. Acquaintance and coincidences. The odd and the curious behind the seemingly naive pictures. She uses patterned fabric,vintage lace and buttons. Textures,colours and history in these objects fascinate and inspire her.

Work-shop includes materials and use of tools.
Maximum number of students:10
Fee: £6.00* per person,payable by Pay Pal and in advance.


Please contact the tutor directly. To book your place e mail:
julievermeille@hotmail.com

To view Julie's work please visit: www.julievermeille.com

*refunds not available.

Thursday 14th of April.
From 8 pm.
Free entry.
*Mini workshop £6.00
Ye Olde Rose & Crown 55 Hoe Street E17 4SR Walthamstow

indie tracks...

"Craft Guerrilla were thrilled to be invited to participate at this years Indietracks festival in Butterley, Derbyshire. It was a weekend packed full of indie bands, craft, cider and steam trains! Lisa and Louise put on a Craft Guerrilla 'DIY Crafternoon' in the workshop wigwam, debuting our new 'Mix tape' felt badge which went down a treat (thanks for all the lovely feedback Indietrackers)!It was great to see old friends and make lovely new ones."
Louise Batten
Here is what we got up to:

"Toot toot, get on board the craft train!"

The Craft Guerrilla girls are off to indietracks music festival to run a Crafternoon workshop (which we are thoroughly over excited about).
Follow us to Derbyshire for Indietracks festival and free steam train rides - tickets are still available! See www.indietracks.co.uk for details of how to book.

Shhh-de-chuff / shhh-de-chuff / Toot-toooot! Come on Ivor, we've got to get to the East London Craft Guerrilla gals to Indietracks!

Sunday 26th of July from 4pm at the craft wig wam.

Workshops gallore!

Afternoon Tea: Fascinators

Lisa Margreet our own fab Craft Guerrilla will be teaching a fascinator workshop at the Dreamspace Gallery in Clerkenwell on Saturday 6th June.
Limited places so book early!

"Not only will you learn the skills to make your own fascinators, but I'll also be revealing my favourite suppliers, vintage tips for authentic styling AND you get to design, make and take home your own fascinator. All for £25? Have you heard of a better bargain? And you get cake? SIGN ME UP! Oh, wait. I'm teaching it! :)"

Where? Dreamspace Gallery, 1-3 Dufferin Street, London EC1Y 8NA
When? Saturday 6th June 12-3PM
How much? £25 (includes £10 materials)





AFTERNOON TEA: CROCHET
Beginners Crochet

Lisa Margreet will be teaching a beginners crochet workshop at the Dreamspace Gallery on Saturday 20th June.
"I'll teach you the basic stitches, how to make a classic granny square and you'll get all the bits you need (including the materials a demo and hands on tutor help) to make my crocheted daisy chain headband. Limited places available so book quickly!"

Where? Dreamspace Gallery, 1-3 Dufferin Street, London EC1Y 8NA
When? Saturday 20th June 12-4PM
How much? £25 (includes £10 materials)

For more info visit: www.lisamargreet.com

Your country needs you!

Your country and the Craft Guerrilla need you and your talents to help promote a message to the masses...




"HAND MADE = QUALITY + INNOVATION + PROGRESS + FREEDOM!
MASS PRODUCED = SUBSTANDARD WAGES + EXPLOITATION + LOW QUALITY TAT !"
Get your designing hats on because we're looking for art work to be made into badges which we will sell at our events and all proceeds go back into the collective.
Send you images via email and we'll get them made.

Can you knit, embroider, crochet, make interesting hand made craft with recycled materials, etc?
If this is you or you know of anyone that can teach these skills then let us know!
We're looking to set up workshops and Craft Evenings in the locality of Walthamstow Village. We've plans to hold our first DIY craft evening "Put the needle on the record" quite soon.
It's a mix of crafty creations, DJ's...there's a "Guilty Pleasure" slot so bring those secretly loved tunes that you dare tell no one about ...drinks, socializing and lots of MERRIMENT!
We've a venue lined up and we're only waiting for craft tutors to come forth.
A small wage will go towards the tutors from the entry fee to be discussed prior to the event.