Welcome to the Craft Arena website!

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At Craft Arena we sell needlecraft, knitting, crochet, mixed media, craft supplies, Brother sewing machines, wool, threads, haberdashery, beads, craft books, gifts and textile art. You can access our online shop by clicking the Shop menu item above.

We have a wide range of Brother Sewing and Embroidery machines on demonstration, and offer a full personal consultation so that you can choose the right machine for you. We give FREE training on most machines.

We hold workshops and training classes in needlecraft, knitting, crochet, mixed media, printing and textile art design in our large workshop area. You can see details of upcoming workshops and training classes below or click here for a full list.

We showcase the work of local artists and design groups in frequently changing exhibitions in Alchemy, our dedicated Textile Art Gallery.

We publish a regular newsletter containing special offers, details of upcoming workshops and everything Craft Arena. If you would like to subscribe, simply click on the blue "Subscribe" icon above. Our newsletters are usually sent out weekly.

We look forward to seeing you in the studio soon.

Craft Arena is upstairs at the Barleylands Craft Village, Billericay, Essex, Studios 49 - 51. We are open 10am - 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 10am - 4pm Sundays and most Bank Holidays.

We either use or personally recommend the items we sell. If you have a specific requirement please contact us and we will do our best to help.

Workshops - coming soon

Powertex with Denise - Saturday 5th October

Saturday, 5 October 2019 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Join Denise for a day of Powertex fun! Using fabric, Powertex and mixed media, plus wood and clay inclusions, you will have a choice of items to decorate depending on your skill level.

There will be an opportunity to make, amongst other things, vessels, a clock, or boxes.

All skill levels are welcome, including beginners. Materials will be provided.

Although Denise is not an accredited Powertex trainer, she enjoys using and exploring the possibilities of this versatile medium, incorporating different media to expand and extend its potential

Price: 
£70.00

Machine Embroidery Group - Sunday 6th October

Sunday, 6 October 2019 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

A series of informal monthly sessions to help you get the most from your embroidery machine. This month we will be giving a demonstration on Free Standing Lace with a Halloween focus.

Price: 
£10.00

Vintage Mixed Media Spool with Viv Mitchell - Sunday 13th October

Sunday, 13 October 2019 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

To complement their exhibition ’Perfect Pattern’, Viv from the Material Girls will be showing you how to paint a vintage textile spool and make a decorative hanging.

All materials will be provided but you may like to bring some of your own ephemera to include in your finished spool to make a personal statement.

Price: 
£50.00

Yarn Forward - Wednesday 16th October

Wednesday, 16 October 2019 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

Our regular Yarn Forward knitting and crochet group.

Bring your own yarn work along to knit or crochet and if you have any challenges, there will sure to be someone here who can help.

For complete beginners, and those who are a bit more experienced, you can work that yarn and chat at the same time, and you always leave with a free gift!

Price: 
£10.00

Beginner's PE Design training with Lisa - Sunday 20th October

Sunday, 20 October 2019 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

If you have challenges using Brother PE Design software for your embroidery machine, then this class is for you. Lisa will take you through the programme, showing you where to find the basic features and how to use them. Once you have attended this training, you will be able to join Lisa's more advanced sessions.

This class is suitable for complete beginners and those who wish to refresh their skills with either PE Design 10 or 11.

Price: 
£35.00

Needlefelting with Denise - Wednesday 23rd October

Wednesday, 23 October 2019 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Join Denise for a day of needlefelting.

You will learn the basics and explore ways of using different thread, fibres and fabric, utilizing colour to make 2D pictures.

We will discuss 3D modelling and have a play with the Baby lock Embellisher. 

Price: 
£65.00