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Beautiful Things HQ

Sewing and Craft Classes in Brentwood, Essex

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Why must you ‘make’ the time to craft?

When I ask people if they want to learn a new craft one of the most common answers is; “I don’t have the time”.

We are all so busy, running around after the children, working on our own businesses, commuting too and from the ‘day job’ managing the house.  Sometimes I think I should run away to the circus as I must be one of the best jugglers there is!

But it is really really important to SWITCH OFF.  You need to give your body and mind time to rest and relax.

We all know that but honestly how easy is it to achieve?

Recently I decided to take the chance to learn to knit.  As you know I can do most crafts but this was a dark area for me.  Having always been a crocheter, going over to 2 sticks was seen by some as crossing over to the dark side!  In learning to knit I have also been setting myself a personal challenge: Each night at 10pm (or earlier if I can manage it) regardless of how messy the house is or how many emails need answering in my inbox, i have been stopping what I have been doing, getting out my knitting and concentrating on nothing else for at least an hour.  I might watch a spot of telly while I knit, or catch up on a podcast or two but most importantly I am chilling out.  Taking some time for me and not letting the general day to day grindstone work me down further.

Doing this allows my brain to switch off so that when I finally go to bed my mind is calm, rested and focused on the job of falling asleep.  I’m getting a much better nights sleep and waking up feeling far more rested and ready to face the day and whatever it throws at me.

After just a few weeks of doing this I can honestly say I feel less under pressure, the to do list is looking smaller and to top it off I have learnt something new and am getting ahead on making my own Christmas presents this year.

So don’t let “I’m too busy” or “I don’t have time” stop you from learning something new.  Use it to gain time, ‘Me time’

Use it as your prescription for a more relaxed and healthy lifestyle.  I promise you that you will see and feel the difference in a very short while.

If you can already knit or perhaps you like to do cross stitch or embroidery, dig out an old project or treat yourself to a new kit and give yourself that precious hour or even half an hour at the end of your day.  Every little bit helps.

For those of you looking for a new skill, our Semi Virtual Crochet courses are ideal.  You receive a lovely kit and book in the post, then simply log onto our website and plug yourself in to our professionally filmed tutorials and crochet along with me.  You can take it as slowly as you like, there are not deadlines or timescales to finish in.  Bitesize easy chunks of ;’Me time’ are what’s on offer.

Until the end of October we have the following deals available on all our courses:

Beginners – £20 off (HALF PRICE) use code beginners20 at the checkout

Intermediate – £15 off (HALF PRICE) use code intermediate15 at the checkout

Amigurumi Cacti garden £5 off use code cacti5 at the checkout.

So I challenge you to start rewarding yourself with a crafty hour each day even if you grab one of your childrens colouring books and some pencils, anything creative will help you in the long term I promise.  Do let me know how you get on and if you want to try your hand at any new crafts, do get in touch with me to see how I can help you.

But most of all enjoy your new found TIME.

 

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BTHQ on Instagram

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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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