Entertaining: How to Host a Creative ‘Crafternoon’
Crafters of the world unite. If you love to make things, then why not gather your supplies and your friends for a creative afternoon?
Crafting is a fun endeavour that’s even better when enjoyed with friends. So dig out your craft supplies and prepare for a creative time. If you fancy hosting a ‘crafternoon’, here are some tips to get you started.
Bake up some treats
This tip is strictly optional, but if you’re a fan of baking, then do consider whipping up a batch of sweet treats. Your guests will love it and it’ll fill the house with an inviting aroma, too. If baking isn’t your forte, cheat with a selection of pastries and create an aroma with fresh coffee instead.
This tip is strictly optional, but if you’re a fan of baking, then do consider whipping up a batch of sweet treats. Your guests will love it and it’ll fill the house with an inviting aroma, too. If baking isn’t your forte, cheat with a selection of pastries and create an aroma with fresh coffee instead.
Hang up some decorations
If you want to make an area feel ready for a creative afternoon, try hanging up a few decorations. Whether a string of bunting, a crocheted garland or honeycomb balls, as here, they will add an inspiring craftroom vibe to even the plainest corner.
Learn how to make a paper pompom
If you want to make an area feel ready for a creative afternoon, try hanging up a few decorations. Whether a string of bunting, a crocheted garland or honeycomb balls, as here, they will add an inspiring craftroom vibe to even the plainest corner.
Learn how to make a paper pompom
Gather your craft supplies
Whatever supplies you have on hand, by laying them out clearly, your guests will be able to pick what they want easily. Simple, clear-Perspex boxes and shelves work wonders for marshalling lots of bitty elements into neat order. Consider asking others to bring their own supplies to contribute and share – the more glitter, paint or fabric the merrier!
Discover 10 creative uses for leftover materials
Whatever supplies you have on hand, by laying them out clearly, your guests will be able to pick what they want easily. Simple, clear-Perspex boxes and shelves work wonders for marshalling lots of bitty elements into neat order. Consider asking others to bring their own supplies to contribute and share – the more glitter, paint or fabric the merrier!
Discover 10 creative uses for leftover materials
Lay out any tools
Along with any craft supplies, such as paints and ribbons, it’s also a good idea to put any other vital pieces of equipment, such as scissors, pins and rulers, somewhere accessible. Whether they are laid out neatly on a side table, or stashed in shelves, as in this room, it’ll make everything much easier to find.
Read how to make a vintage-style storage box
Along with any craft supplies, such as paints and ribbons, it’s also a good idea to put any other vital pieces of equipment, such as scissors, pins and rulers, somewhere accessible. Whether they are laid out neatly on a side table, or stashed in shelves, as in this room, it’ll make everything much easier to find.
Read how to make a vintage-style storage box
Play some music
To set a relaxed mood, pop the radio or some music on. Or why not create a playlist on Spotify or your MP3 player of energising songs that will make the needles and scissors fly? As you all become absorbed in your crafting, the music will provide an upbeat background to all the activity, and help people feel they don’t have to chat if they need to concentrate on a tricky bit.
To set a relaxed mood, pop the radio or some music on. Or why not create a playlist on Spotify or your MP3 player of energising songs that will make the needles and scissors fly? As you all become absorbed in your crafting, the music will provide an upbeat background to all the activity, and help people feel they don’t have to chat if they need to concentrate on a tricky bit.
Turn on the (bright) lights
A bright floor lamp can be handy for those needing to shine more light on their projects. Floor lights that are bright and can be angled to suit, like this, are perfect for the job.
A bright floor lamp can be handy for those needing to shine more light on their projects. Floor lights that are bright and can be angled to suit, like this, are perfect for the job.
Plan different zones
Crafternoons have a lovely and relaxing ebb and flow to them, and not every minute needs to be spent making. Instead, you can enjoy time together chatting and eating cake. So consider having different areas for your guests to gather – from a table for the busy bees to a sofa area for taking time out.
Crafternoons have a lovely and relaxing ebb and flow to them, and not every minute needs to be spent making. Instead, you can enjoy time together chatting and eating cake. So consider having different areas for your guests to gather – from a table for the busy bees to a sofa area for taking time out.
Prepare some craft activities
For friends who are complete beginners or who don’t have a project in mind, plan an activity for everyone to do together. Whatever you choose, from flower arranging in jam jars to each making a card – simplicity is the key.
Are you a crafter? What do you like to make? Share you thoughts in the Comments below.
For friends who are complete beginners or who don’t have a project in mind, plan an activity for everyone to do together. Whatever you choose, from flower arranging in jam jars to each making a card – simplicity is the key.
Are you a crafter? What do you like to make? Share you thoughts in the Comments below.
Whether it’s prints, photos or postcards, hanging up inspiring images and words will all add to the creative atmosphere when you’re crafting. If you’re hosting a knitting or sewing stitch ’n’ bitch, for instance, try fashion images, fabric swatches or even paint colour cards to help budding designers choose a pleasing mix of shades. If you’re feeling particularly creative, you could stamp a sign of your own, picking your favourite quote or song lyric.