Welcome to the Craft Arena website!

The now larger Craft Arena sells needlecraft, knitting, crochet, mixed media and craft supplies, Brother sewing machines, haberdashery, beads, craft books, gifts and textile art. We hold regular workshops in a variety of crafts and showcase the work of local artists in frequently changing exhibitions at Alchemy, our dedicated Textile Art Gallery. Find us upstairs in the Barleylands Craft Village, Billericay, Essex., Studios 49 - 51

At Craft Arena we either use or personally recommend everything we sell. If you have a specific requirement please contact us and we will do our best to help. We stock a wide range of Brother Sewing and Embroidery machines and offer a full personal demonstration before you buy so that you get the right machine for your needs. We also give FREE training on most machines so that you can make the most of your new purchase.

Our regular newsletter contains special offers, details of upcoming workshops and everything Craft Arena. If you'd like to subscribe, simply click on the icon below. Newsletters are usually sent out weekly and we don't pass your email details onto anyone else.

I look forward to seeing you in the studio soon.

Watch our latest video!

Workshops - coming soon

Goldwork Flowers with Wendy Mansfield

Sunday, 22 October 2017 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Using appliqué and simple embroidery stitches, you will construct these beautiful pictures. You will have the choice of Honeysuckle, Poppy or Bluebell. One kit is provided and more will be available to purchase if you are a quick worker or if you want to do more at home. A requirements list is also available if you wish to bring some of your own materials.

Price: 
£60.00

Chevron Crochet with Sue Broughton

Thursday, 26 October 2017 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Chevron, ripple or wave crochet is an way of combining stitches to make an attractive design which can be used for the back of the cushion made on previous workshops, or a blanket. Join Sue to learn this exciting technique. You do need to be able to crochet basic stitches to join this workshop.

Price: 
£35.00

Christmas Powertex with Denise Friday

Friday, 3 November 2017 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

This Friday Christmas themed Powertex class is aimed at those who have tried this versatile medium before. We will be making a variety of Christmas related items including trees and tea-light holders. This is the first of two Christmas themed Powertex workshops. All materials are 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: 
£65.00

Christmas Powertex with Denise Saturday

Saturday, 4 November 2017 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

This Saturday Christmas themed Powertex class is aimed at those who have tried this versatile medium before. We will be making a variety of Christmas related items including trees and tea-light holders. This is the first of two Christmas themed Powertex workshops. All materials are 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: 
£65.00

Machine Embroidery Skill Sharing

Sunday, 5 November 2017 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

A series of informal monthly sessions to help you get the most from your embroidery machine. A different machine embroidery technique will be covered each month. In this session we will be discussing the use of different threads on your embroidery machine, so bring along your favourites to see how they compare.

Price: 
£10.00

Crochet Flowers with Anna Nikipirowicz

Sunday, 12 November 2017 - 10:30am to 1:30pm

This class is design to accompany Anna's book, 20 to Make; Crochet Flowers to Wear’.

This class covers crochet techniques that are used in the book. During this fun class, we will work on the sweet Pansy flower. Practice variation of stitches, crocheting in the round, changing colours, learn spike crochet technique and much more. We will also learn how to crochet I-cord, incorporate beads into crochet, practice different types of stitches and have an opportunity to crochet with different types of yarn while making sweet little leaves.

All materials will be provided.

Price: 
£40.00