I love crafts and have so many on the go. I am a ‘dabbler’ and want to try everything I can. So I booked myself, my friend Becky, and my sister Debbie on toย Berylune’s Craft Party in Leamington Spa. Weย wanted to go last year, but couldn’t make it, so I was really excited, even though I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was there was craft, a bar and a raffle. And quite frankly, that is enough for me.
There was a big room downstairs, with a smallย pop up version of the Berylune shop, which is one of my favourites. There was indeed a bar, and a few craft areas where you could make pompoms and fold your own envelopes out of pretty paper. We went upstairs to a larger room, which had all of the other crafts, and a rather amazing selection of raffle prizes.ย
After winning a great prize a few weeks ago, I thought I had better cash in on my winning streak, so bought five tickets. There was also an area for funny photos:
Then we got stuck into the serious business of crafting. Here’s what I made, read on for more details!
monochrome mugs
We all wanted to decorate a cute little mug with special marker pens, and didn’t have long to wait. But there was so much pressure! After a few false starts, we got our designs finished (luckily you can wipe away the pen with an alcohol wipe if you make a mistake.) I went for quite a simple design so I could move on to another craft – I was worried I’d run out of time.
When I showed this to Ryan, he said “That actually looks like it’s been made by a proper person.” Which I took to mean he thought it was quite professional. Debbie and Becky did more intricate designs than me, so I managed to take ย quick snap of them hard at work.
You have to leave them to dry for a few hours before you ‘fire’ them in your oven at home – take a look at some ofย the lovely designs, there were some seriously talented ladies there.ย 
rubber printing
When the girls were finishing their mugs, I spotted a gap at the printing table. There were lots of rubbers cut into lovely shapes, and you could just pop them onto ink pads and make up a freestyle picture. 
Here’s mine – I think I’ll put it in Ava’s room when I get a frame. This was such a fun and easy craft, and once you have cut up theย rubbers, I presume they would last for years.ย 
Faux Leather purses
We were all excited to make our own faux leather coin purses, as the colours were so pretty! I went for pastel pink, Debbie got bronze, and Becky went for grey. You just cut a simple shape out of theย faux leather, and make some holes, and pop in the press studs with a special gun, and fold ย it up.ย 
Theyย are so sweet aren’t they?
Jewellery
We waited in a line to make a notebook, but gave up as it was taking too long, and instead, made a wooden brooch with Mod Podge (I have always wondered what it is, I think it’s glorified PVA glue to be honest) and washi tape, and threaded beads onto a bar to make a necklace. That was trickier than it looks, as you have to make a loop in the bar with pliers, and cut the chain, and insert it. I got there in the end though!
The Raffle
Then there was much excitement about the raffle – even though I had been jokingย that I was going to win a prize, I was really surprised when I actually did! I think I need to buy a lottery ticket. I won these cute treat boxes. Debbie also won some notebooks. We are on a roll.
I saw a tweet yesterday from Berylune announcing they raised over ยฃ800 for a local hospice, which I think is wonderful.
Goodie Bag
There were also lovely little goodie bags for everyone, and Becky donated her plastic poodle to me so that Ava and Thea could have one each.ย 
Tickets were ยฃ15 plus a booking fee, so I think that is such great value – we were there from seven to gone ten o’clock and made so many things. I will definitely be going back next year, I wonder what lovely ideasย they will dream up for us to try!
Whichย would beย your favourite craft? Will you be going next year? I’m looking forward to it already…
The bunny mug is just the best mug design ever. I love it. I wouldn’t be able to not smile watching someone drink from that! This looks like so much fun too! #MakingHome
I love crafting and what a great way to relax and have fun with friends and only ยฃ15 too!
I adore the faux leather purse – too cute.
Popping over from #MakingHome
Angela
Thanks Angela, it was a real bargain and such fun xx
#makinghome wow this looks so good ! Sounds like a great day out
Thanks Maura, it was brilliant! xx
I would TOTALLY do this!!! What a fun day out!!! And it’s only a stone’s throw from me too! Will definitely be looking out for next year’s meet up ๐ Thanks so much for sharing ๐ Caro x
#HomeEtc
Oh yes, you would be in your element Caro, I’d love to see what you came up with! xx
Superb idea!! I’d love this too – what a great way of being creative and having fun! Those mugs are amazing! Thanks for linking up #HomeEtc xx
This looks like so much fun! What a good night to be able to get away and have a little time to yourself <3 I'd love to find a craft event like that somewhere near me (: Thanks for sharing! #KCACOLS
It was brilliant, it felt like a micro holiday! xx
This looked like a brilliant night. I would love to go to something like this. I don’t always have a lot of free time but I shall try and make some and see if I can find something to go to ๐
#KCACOLS
Wow what a fantastic event! I love the cup decorating especially the bunny ears!! I have to admit I am pretty useless with crafts but I think even I could master this! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.
That’s the beauty of this Fi, I think everyone could make something beautiful, even if they haven’t ever tried it before! xx
Some lovely effects there, I adore the bunny mugs #KCACOLS
Thanks lovely, it was brill! xx
The event seems really good value for money. I paid for a pottery decorating class thingy which was using the same pens you used on the mug and it cost a lot more than your evening of multiple activities! I particularly like the cute little coin purses too ๐
Thank you Kay, it was such fun, I’m planning to order some of the pens to do more pottery decorating! xx
Wow this looks like big fun! Would love to give this again, you’ve come away with amazing makes, well done you, looks lovely (:#TwinklyTuesday
Thank you, it was so fun, I’ll definitely be going back next time! xx
I need to find some of these events near me, I’d be in heaven! Your crafts are awesome! And what a great goody bag xx
Thanks lovely, it was a bit of a mission to get there (well, more on the way back when the M1 was shut!) but well worth it xx
This looks like a great thing to do, and the things you made look brilliant! It’s nice to do something different once in a while isn’t it?
#twinklytuesday
Yes it really is, kind of like a mini holiday! xx
Oh, that is really good value! And it looks like sooo much fun! Crafts and wine-I’d absolutely love something like that! Everything you made is brilliant-I had to keep looking at the pictures to try and pick a favourite! I loved the comment from your husband about the mug! The ones made by the group were really impressive! I loved the picture you are going to put in your daughter’s room-that looked really professional too! And the purse really was cute! I’ve got a sewing machine, and it’s my ambition to really get to grips with it this year-I can do simple bunting on it, but my dream was to make my own clothes, because I can never seem to find what I want in shops, when I have a clear idea of it in my head! I’m not sure if I’m aiming too high with that dream though!
#bigpinklink
Thanks so much, I’m so glad you like it all! I too have a sewing machine gathering dust that I wish I could use. Maybe one day xx
Great idea and looks like you had a fab time #bigpinklive