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Beautiful Things HQ

Sewing and Craft Classes in Brentwood, Essex

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Bye Bye 2016, Hello 2017

WOW! 2016 has been pretty fabulous for Beautiful Things and the Family Mack.  Besides all the sad passing’s of many of our favourite celebs, a few political debacles and various other ‘world’ problems, things close to home have been great.

2016 saw the launch of our Semi Virtual Crochet courses which have taken off fabulously.  We have taught so many people to crochet in the comfort of their own homes and are really enjoying seeing them all develop their skills.

2016 saw the launch of our You Tube Channel.  A regular podcast, sewing and makes videos and lots of tutorials and fun videos.  Our followers have grown from just 40 at the beginning of the year to nearly 2000!

2016 welcomed Carol to our team of tutors, allowing us to teach knitting classes.  As an added bonus I have learnt to knit and am now enjoying a new hobby and some valuable ‘me time’.

2016 saw us exhibiting at our very 1st LARGE show.  We attended Yarndale in Skipton, North Yorkshire and I was joined by my lovely Mum and 10 of our fabulous regulars.  I’m very grateful for all of their help and could not have done it without them.

2016 saw so many great classes, lots of new pupils, returning pupils, fun days out, Crafty Cuppas, Crafternoons and crochet clubs.  We have had so many laughs and watched so many of you get a huge kick out of learning something new.

So what has 2017 got in store for Beautiful Things?

You may or may not have noticed that we have been closed throughout the end of December and are not opening again until next Thursday (12th Jan).  There is good reason for this………

We have been at BTHQ for 4 years in March.  Hard to believe I know, but in that time we have accrued a lot of ‘stuff’.  More importantly we have been putting said ‘stuff’ away……..reaaaalllly badly!  The place is heaving with boxes, mostly full of junk or half empty and we are in the midst of a huge clear out and de-clutter.  Along with the clear out comes a bit of a furniture shift about to give you more space to move when you are in class.

You might have seen some of our pictures and silly videos on our Facebook page and we are almost done.  I’d like to say a big thank you to Elspeth who has been giving me a hand in making the magic work.  I can’t wait to see it all finished.

We are not planning any major launches this year in terms of products and no big shows. But what we are concentrating on is developing a really varied range of new classes for you to enjoy.  We are planning regular Crafty Cuppas and Crafternoons, A big ‘Craft Jumble Sale’ in the spring, to relieve us of all our ‘stuff’ and lots of charity events.

Now I love setting goals for a New Year and my goal this year is to get BTHQ full to bursting every day. I want to see fully booked classes, people enjoying craft and making new friendships.

Now to make that happen what we need is a great atmosphere for our new and existing pupils to experience.  Atmosphere comes with bodies and the best way to get bodies is to encourage you to use the space.  If you are at a loose end and want somewhere to sit and knit, crochet or craft then simply give us a call.  If there is room round the table that day, you are welcome to come on in.

We also want to use this as an opportunity to raise some money for our chosen charity of 2017, MIND (the mental health charity).  Craft is proven to be a fantastic way of helping people deal with various mental health issues and I know for a fact that some of our wonderful pupils have benefited from what BTHQ can offer.  If you want to use the space, simply pop a donation in our charity pot.

So without further ado, I have waffled on enough!  There is no fancy pictures or arty layout to this post, it’s more of a little letter to all of you.  Thank you to everyone who has supported Beautiful Things in whatever way they have this year.  I am extremely proud of my little business and love nothing more than sharing it with you all.

Here’s to a wonderfully fabulous 2017.

Happy New Year to you all

Claire

x

 

Previous Post: « BTHQ Beautiful Pupils December 2016
Next Post: The BTHQ 2017 Giftalong »

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BTHQ on Instagram

beautifulthingshq

Its payday and we've added heaps of new stock to o Its payday and we've added heaps of new stock to our shop. Colourful bright quilting cottons. Beautifully soft viscose wovens and jersey and some Frida Kahlo canvas too!!

Shipping is flat rate to the UK or you can click and collect from the store. Alternatively, pop down and stroke it in person. BTHQ is open 10 till 4 today.
Today we are delighted to be introducing a new cha Today we are delighted to be introducing a new challenge to you that is free to join in with.  We hope it will encourage you to try something new.

The 'Sew out of your comfort zone challenge' is designed to encourage you to create something that you wouldn't normally try, or to venture into a new sewing territory.

Maybe there is a pattern you think just wont suit you, but you've seen lots of other people making it and are tempted to give it a try.  Maybe there is a new technique you've always wanted to have a go at but have been to scared to try.  You might have been sewing for years but have never tried a particular fabric or method before.

Sandra has always avoided the Tilly & The Buttons Indigo dress as it has soooo much gathering and she thought it would not be all that flattering.  But she's seen me wearing my many versions and has now decided to give it a go.

I have made lots of jumpsuits but have never worked with Scuba before or a Deer and Doe pattern so I'm giving it a go for the first time.

Join us during Februrary and pick something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.  Be sure to post your progress on social media using the hashtag #sewoutofmycomfortzone and we can all hold your hand in the process.
We had an amazing busy day in BTHQ making hats…I We had an amazing busy day in BTHQ making hats…I mean Closet Core poufs! 😂
We will be live on our YouTube channel at 12.30 to We will be live on our YouTube channel at 12.30 today showing you all of the beautiful fabrics we now have in stock. Link in our stories
Ooooh have we had a fun day today!! This is just h Ooooh have we had a fun day today!! This is just half of our new stock. We can't wait to share it with you in the next couple of days.
Hi it’s Sandra. I’ve finished my first project Hi it’s Sandra. I’ve finished my first project on my #makenine2023 list. It’s the Atlas Bag by Swoon patterns. It looks so pretty but I don’t like it! I used a vinyl that I realised I didn’t have enough of, so lined the straps in cotton, but don’t like that they are then facing upwards with the lining.
The straps are also ridiculously  long. The bag is much too wide for my shoulders so isn’t comfortable to wear. Never mind, good reason to try another pattern!
We had a great session this morning learning to ma We had a great session this morning learning to make Roman Blinds. Everyone is always amazed at how very simple they are to make and how many super sewing tricks they learn in this class.
We welcomed back our beginner sewers tonight for a We welcomed back our beginner sewers tonight for a new term. More fabulous quilted boxes whizzed up in their 1st session.
We've just had an exciting delivery. All new class We've just had an exciting delivery. All new classroom machines for our workshop. Now you can try before you buy across the range of Janomes computerised machines.
@sew59sandra is very happy today. She's treated h @sew59sandra is very happy today. She's  treated herself to the Atelier 6 sewing machine from Janome. It's currently on special offer until Feb 9th and includes a free quilting kit.
We still have 2 places left on this fabulous cours We still have 2 places left on this fabulous course this Saturday.  Claire will be showing you how to make something wonderful from your scrap fabrics using the Creative Grids Scrap Crazy templates. 

Not only is this a great scrap project you can also create beautiful planned quilts from fabric bought specifically for your own designs.  The templates are so versatile that they can be used to seamlessly create beautiful designs.  Come and enjoy the magic as Claire talks you through lots of different options and leave the class with your own set of templates to play with at home worth £29.99!!
It may be disgusting outside, but inside the kettl It may be disgusting outside, but inside the kettle is always on, and there is always room on our couch or craft table for you to pop on for a chat or a bit of knitting or crochet.

There's no need to book. Just come on down. We are open 10 till 4. Free of charge, just pop a donation in the tin for your drinks.
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