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Top Tips to release the creative genius hidden in all of us, why not let it out!!

Is there a potential creative genius inside you just dying to be let out?! If like me, you enviously admire those people who seem to be able to rustle up new funky clothes, with a seemingly effortless evening in front of the sewing machine, or who send you beautiful handmade birthday cards, why not see what you can create with a bit of instruction and the support of some like-minded people.

Take a look at some of the wonderful crafts on offer, and over the coming weeks we’ll be providing details of local groups in your area…

#1 - Knitting and needlecraft

Knitting clubs are a feature of the recent revival of hand knitting which began in America and has spread to most of Europe. While some may say knitting has never really gone away, this latest reincarnation is less about the make do and mend of the 1940s and 50s and more about getting together with other knitters, to learn or develop the skills of hand knitting, or simply to have a great fun night out! Clubs often meet in coffee bars, pubs and clubs and members are drawn from all walks of life.

Needlecraft broadly encompasses a number of crafts, embroidery, tapestry, quilting, appliqué and patchwork being just a few of them. Similar to knitting, there has been an explosion of interest in these crafts over the last ten years, and social groups have sprung up across the region to help people learn these skills and have a good old chat whilst there doing them!

#2 - Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is a method for preserving personal and family history in the form of a scrapbook. Typical memorabilia include photographs, printed media, and artwork. Scrapbook albums are often decorated and frequently contain extensive journaling.

While some people prefer the physicality of the actual artifacts they paste onto the pages of books, the digital scrapbooking hobby has grown in popularity in recent years. Some of the advantages include a greater diversity of materials, less environmental impact, cost savings, the ability to share finished pages more readily on the internet, and the use of image editing software to experiment with manipulating page elements in multiple ways without making permanent adjustments. A traditional scrapbook layout may employ a background paper with a torn edge. While a physical page can only be torn once and never restored, a digital paper can be torn and untorn with ease, allowing the scrapbooker to try out different looks without wasting supplies. Some web-based digital scrapbooks include a variety of wallpapers and backgrounds to help the users create a rich visual experience. Each paper, photo, or embellishment exists on its own layer in your document, and you can reposition them at your discretion.

In addition to preserving memories, the hobby is popular for the strong social network that scrapbooking can provide. Hobbyists, known as "scrappers" or "scrapbookers," get together and scrapbook at each other's homes, local craft stores, and scrapbooking conventions.

#3 - Cardmaking

Cardmaking is the craft of hand-making greeting cards. Many people with interests in allied crafts such as scrapbooking have begun to use their skills to start making handmade cards. This has contributed to cardmaking becoming a popular hobby.

Traditional high street stores have begun to devote an increasing amount of their floorspace to handmade cards. Handmade products are now being seen by retailers as a way to increase margins, and handmade cards are no exception. This is particularly the case as mass-produced printed greeting cards have been faced with competition from electronic greeting cards. In contrast, hundreds of small businesses have been set up by avid crafters keen to make a return on their cardmaking efforts. Many of these are taking advantage of the low setup costs of web-based selling. Many others continue to sell their creations at craft fairs, markets and fêtes.

#4 - Jewellery making

What woman doesn't love beads and bangles?! Making jewellery yourself isn't difficult, so why not have a go?

Each one of us is unique and we want to stay that way don't we? So why wear mass produced jewellery bought from the High Street when you can make your own special pieces to wear with pride. If you wish you can replicate the shop-bought jewellery using reasonably priced quality materials. Or why not be really creative and design your own! You will be sure to be the only one wearing it on the high street.

You don't need to have a professional studio in order to make your own jewellery, just room to store your supplies and tools and a place to work.

More and more groups are being set up locally to help people design and make their own jewellery. You can attend these regularly, or maybe just go to mark a special occasion such as a birthday or hen night!