If you have more time than usual on your hands at the moment (or are trying to entertain a houseful of children!) then we’re picked out ten of our favourite British-based craft companies. They’re all open for business, they’re all small companies and they could all use your support – as well as providing some lovely quirky, imaginative crafting products for you to enjoy. So dust off your crochet needles, track down your pin cushion and get ready to craft!
1. Sock sloth craft kit, Sock Creatures
Sock Creatures are a British-based company who produce complete craft kits. Each kit contains everything you need to create a totally unique and creative creature using socks, stuffing, some basic sewing and the instructions provided. They have more than 40 kits on offer, including this sloth – a snip at £12 including free delivery. Suitable for adults and children, although younger children will need a hand. Available from Sock Creatures.
2. Cross stitch kit, The Make Arcade
The Make Arcade create little kits of DIY loveliness with a modern touch using lots of different sewing techniques and materials. All the kits are designed and manufactured in Salisbury in small batches and there’s a wide range of choices available – we like this ‘Make Today Amazing’ kit with its rainbow colours. £12.50 including delivery, available from Not on the High Street.
3. Baby penguin mini needle felting craft kit, Hawthorne Handmade
These craft kits contain the materials and instructions you need to make your own creative project and are made with British wool. There’s a range of different kits, but we love this cute little penguin – irresistible! He costs £10 from Hawthorne Handmade (excluding postage).
4. London 3D model map craft kit, Maps International
Oxford-based Maps International have a wide range of card craft packs including globes, Easter activities and more. We like this London Landmark kit – ideal for teaching geography! It costs £10 from Maps International and includes free delivery.
5. Scruff the dog knitting pattern, Gift Horse Knitting Kits
Gift Horse Knitting Kits design, handpack and post colourful knitting kits, from a little studio in the heart of the Brecon Beacons. This Scruff the Dog pattern is ideal for using up odds and ends of wool, and because it’s downloadable you can get started the same day. £4 (pattern only, not a kit), available from Not on the High Street.
6. Heart craft kit, Artcuts
Artcuts is an online designer-maker creating beautiful, stylish and contemporary decorations. Based in Surrey, they’re a family business and specialise in wood and paper decorations. We like this heart kit, made in the UK, which contains a number of wooden hearts suitable for creating decorations, bunting and more. £26 (includes free delivery), available from Not on the High Street.
7. Nautical papercraft 3D kit, My Papercut Forest
My Papercut Forest design, make and supply a range of artworks including paper cut sculpture boxes, miniature paper domes, seed paper greeting cards. All items are handmade in Brighton, UK. We’ve picked out this unusual project which plays on the ‘ship in a bottle’ motif – it’s not suitable for children as it requires a sharp craft knife, but is perfect for bored adults! £36.50 which includes delivery, available from My Papercut Forest.
8. Finger printing art set, All Things Brighton Beautiful
Perfect for under-entertained children, this tin is available in a choice of ‘fairy tales’, ‘dinosaur’ or ‘classic’. Inside the tin are three coloured ink pads, 12 rubber stamps and 10 colouring pencils for creating little coloured creatures, flowers and characters with a range of expressions. Also included is a British-made red notebook so the art set can be used straight away. £11.95 including delivery, available from Not on the High Street.
9. ‘Hello’ mini wooden banner embroidery kit, Cotton Clara
Cotton Clara is a handmade business, and all kits are designed and made in the UK. Kits are designed for those who don’t want anything complicated but fancy doing something creative. They’re aimed at adults who want a quick and easy project, but are suitable for children as long as they’re supervised (sharp needle involved!). This kit uses a wooden banner with pre-punched holes, so it’s foolproof! £7.95, available from Not on the High Street.
10. Craft box ‘stitch lover’ edition, StitchKit Crafts
StitchKits Crafts is run by owner Ruth from her home by the sea on the south coast. This box is ideal for any experienced or aspiring crafter, and is stuffed full of goodies including a mini ‘Eat. Sleep. Stitch. Repeat’ cross stitch kit, ‘Sew Happy’ ribbon, embroidery thread and fabric, novelty ‘Sewing Room’ buttons , a set of needles and a length of blue satin button trim. £22.50 plus delivery, available from Not on the High Street. (Above and main image.)
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