Spring crafts

Creative comforts

Luxe editor, Elysia Fryer, invites you to join a spring crafts day from the comfort of her home...

Spring brings new beginnings; new hobbies, new goals - and (hopefully) for everybody this year, a new and encouraging way of life. Whether it’s a bit of spring cleaning in the home, a house move, a wardrobe overhaul, or taking up a new sporting challenge, the brighter days and lighter nights often leave us feeling full of hope and optimism that good things are coming - this year more than ever. With that in mind, while we’re stuck between the easing of lockdown restrictions, we’ve been tracking down some creative ways to try your hand at something new, while having fun with the family at home. From soap and candle making, to Easter wreaths and calligraphy kits, Elysia Fryer enjoys a creative crafts session featuring four fantastic local businesses…

Genie Soaps >>

We’ve got a newfound love for soap. Yes, it’s an everyday product and it’s been around forever, but there was a period of time when soap was fairly out of fashion - we would associate it with bathing as a child at our grandmas house. Fast forward to a more sustainably-minded time, and soap is cool again. There’s never been a better time to ditch the plastic and go back to basics. When we say basics, that doesn’t mean to say you can’t indulge in the lushest soap bars packing in plenty of good-for-you ingredients and to-die-for fragrances. Genie Soaps, a Teesside-based business, is all about changing the way we shop for our day-to-day cosmetics. The result? Handmade, vegan and totally natural soap and bath bombs wrapped and sent in minimal packaging. It’s a brand we totally buy into - loving everything they offer in terms of style, sustainability and the dreamiest of scents. So, when we heard that the brand was doing its bit to keep us busy in lockdown with DIY kits, we jumped at the opportunity. This Poppy Lemon Soap-Making Kit is a great way to get crafty at home - and treat yourself, or someone special, to the ultimate feel-good treat at the end of it. All pre-weighed ingredients come in an easyto-follow kit with a step-by-step guide on how to create your masterpiece. You’ll find everything from turmeric powder and poppy seeds, to silicone moulds, essential oils and dried lemon for decoration. The process is as easy as 1, 2, 3 and is incredibly therapeutic for those looking to embrace their creative side this spring. Soap-Making Kit - Lemon & Poppy Soaps, £15 geniesoaps.com

Pins, Petals, Powder >>

Spring brings an abundance of beautiful blooms, and there’s no better time to get creative with the pretty flowers that surround us. As we settle in for an afternoon of wreath making, we’re sitting with a cup of tea, admiring the garden that is starting to pop with colour. Daffodils, tulips and trees starting to fill out again. Whether it’s a spring wreath for your door, an arrangement for your windowsill, or a centrepiece for your Easter table, there are many ways in which you can get creative with blooms. One way to create something beautiful without butchering your flower beds, is to work with dried flowers - a home interiors trend we’re loving at the moment. This also means you can keep your creation for next year, or bundle up the components to pop in a vase and bring a bit of colour to your home office. Our friends at Pins, Petals, Powder have us covered this Easter with their stunning DIY Spring Wreath Kit. The result? An effortlessly delicate arrangement for your door, table or mantlepiece. The kit includes everything from white limonium and lilac limonium, to yellow craspedia, bunny tails, cuscus, twine and a birch wreath and Spanish moss base. The bunny tails and yellow craspedia scream Easter, while the limonium and twine add a whimsical, year-round charm. The kit arrives with everything you need, alongside a digital copy of visual instructions to help you bring it to life. The perfect activity for a sunny Sunday afternoon in spring. DIY Spring Wreath Kit, £48 pinspetalspowder.co.uk

Calligraphy Harrogate >>

Writing is what we do best at Luxe HQ, but when given the chance to peel ourselves away from the computer and put pen to paper in an elegant way, we’re faced with quite the challenge. Calligraphy has been proven to positively affect the mind. For me, if I’m trying to get really creative and block out any background noise, there’s no better way than to lock myself in a cosy room with a notepad and pen, allowing myself to get lost in the story. That being said, I’m not sure anyone else would be able to make sense of my notes - it’s very much a brain-dump with no careful thought process. Calligraphy, on the other hand, allows us to really channel our inner peace. It’s a challenge in itself, but it’s an ever-so therapeutic process at the same time. After a year of lockdowns, restrictions and the constant worry, there’s never been a better time to pop the kettle on and settle in for an afternoon of modern calligraphy. With the Deluxe Kit for Beginners, Calligraphy Harrogate gently guides you through the art of modern calligraphy from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re creating your own wedding invitations, writing gift tags for Easter, or you’re simply looking for a crafty activity that will help you switch off from the everyday, this peaceful practice is perfect. The kit comes complete with a nib, a wooden pen holder, ink, pad of lined practice paper, workbook, letterform guide and a bag containing blank cards, envelopes, gift tags and ribbons to personalise. Settling in with my calligraphy kit and a cup of tea, I follow the online tutorial and find myself noticing a link between calligraphy and my yoga practice; it’s as much about mindset and breathwork as it is about being able to put pen to paper. To my surprise, I’m flowing from letter to letter as I would flow from posture to posture. I think I’ve found my new hobby - my gift tag game is going to be strong! Deluxe Kit For Beginners to Modern Calligraphy, £32 calligraphyharrogate.co.uk

Northumbrian Candle Works >>

Who doesn’t love the joy of lighting a new candle, pouring a glass of wine and putting your feet up at the end of the day? Spending more time in our own homes, it’s about the little things, treasuring those special moments of calm - and our home office is not complete without a beautiful burning wick and seasonal scents wafting through the air. We might have a cupboard overflowing with candles, but there’s always room for more, particularly when they’re our very own creations. We stumbled upon Northumbrian Candle Works and couldn’t wait to get in on the DIY action, so of course, we left some time in our crafts day to master the art of candle making. These Soy Candle Making Kits provide everything you need to create cute candle tins, perfect as a gift-to-self or for someone special. Who doesn’t love a homemade gesture? With twelve spectacular scents to choose from including sandalwood, red poppy & ginger, fresh green apple and a special strawberries & cream kid’s kit, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to crafting your perfect homemade candle. The process is fairly simple - but we’d advise popping a pinny on and protecting your kitchen worktops, as it can get a little messy for us first-timers. Each kit comes with everything you need to create two scented soy candles, complete with illustrated labels and some of the tools you’ll need alongside your everyday kitchen items. In under an hour, you’ll be waiting patiently for your masterpiece to set, ready to enjoy in the home as day turns to night, or gift wrap for a loved one. Soy Candle Making Kit, £15.99 northumbriancandleworks.co.uk