4 Reasons To Do A Craft Course

Creating and making could give you a boost and our guest writer, CraftCourses.com give us some ideas for easy ways to get started.

Crafts are something anyone can do and more and more research is showing how good it can be for us, but knowing where to start can be daunting so we spoke to CraftCourses.com to find out why making is so beneficial and how taking part in a workshop can really help.

Top 4 reasons why crafting is good for you

1. It improves mental wellbeing

Recent research from BBC Arts Great British Creativity Test, undertaken by University College London, has demonstrated a strong connection between creative activity and mental and emotional wellbeing. Dr Daisy Fancourt explained that the study showed that taking part in arts and crafts activities was linked to dopamine release, which helped the brain to regulate emotions.

It has also been shown that the act of crafting results in a reduction in the stress hormone Cortisol (Drexel University), it is thought that this is caused due to the distraction and focus that making involves.

2. Provides good foundations for the future

Starting with a workshop, led by a highly skilled maker or professional tutor will provide you with the best foundations for starting your new hobby. By learning the best techniques and what works for you from the outset could avoid frustrations further down the line - the fewer barriers to finding a new, long term creative pursuit the better!

Plus, it allows you to test out a new craft without having to purchase lots of equipment and materials upfront.

3. Reduces isolation and improves social interaction

Not only will taking part in a course or workshop provide you with expert guidance but you may also come away with a wonderful mentor and new group of friends. Craft clubs can help to increase social interaction and reduce anxiety and loneliness. It could even lead to a new profession – many crafts tutors and makers started off with their careers with a creative workshop!

4. It could lead to a new passion

Creative learning results in an increased feeling of fulfilment and can put some spark, passion and ambition into our lives. Making enables us to express our emotions and grow through our chosen medium, providing a real sense of achievement.

How to get started

The CraftCourses website lists thousands of creative experiences, workshops and courses all over the UK from hundreds of course providers in a huge variety of crafts.

Organisations such as BBC Arts and the Crafts Council often organise special campaigns to introduce more people to arts and crafts with free or low cost, taster workshops – for example take a look at the Get Creative Festival, which is an easy way to trial a new creative hobby.

Visit an art gallery or museum, which are often free and could help to provide ideas and ignite your imagination.

Get inspiration from social media, apps such as Instagram and Pinterest have thousands of artisans showcasing a wide range of work and styles. See what appeals to you so that you can decide what you would like to try first.

Already starting a jewellery course?

These are our recommended jewellery making tool kits for starting out in the exciting world of jewellery making. We have carefully chosen our most useful tools and essentials for different areas of making jewellery.

SHOP TOOLS KITS

Jewellery Making Books

Browse our range of jewellery making books! Whether you are a beginner to jewellery making or an expert silversmith, we have a range of inspirational jewellery making books to suit your needs. Our range of books covers a range of jewellery making techniques from beading, soldering, metal clay, stone setting, wire jewellery techniques to making and selling your own jewellery.

SHOP BOOKS

Follow CraftCourses

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Also in this section:

What Our Customers Say...

Gloria Williams

I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!

Denise Mountain Pike

I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

Claire

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.

Joel Martin

Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

Lauren Jodie Piercy

Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.

Eve

The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!

I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!

Vivienne Sadler

Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!

Rhiannon Piper

The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.

Catherine Warwick

Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!

Frank Wilson

I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.

Marshal

Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.

Lydia Farrow

Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.

Christine Wood

Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.

Hayley Meredith

I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft. I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!

Lenna

Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.

April Luescher

Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?

Jill Hammersely

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.

Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.

Dorota Todd

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.

Jenny Kirkwood

Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?

Catriona

Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website.

Julia Schofield

I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.

Daniel Coe

The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.

Sarah Tiley

Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.

Janice Scragg

Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!

Claire Hall

Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.

Maggi Henman

I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.

Helen

Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!

Mihaela Ciubotaru

I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.

Deborah Roberts-Barter

I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!

Helen Bowles

I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

George Inglis

Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.