Welcome to the Craft Arena website!

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 get be sure of choosing 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 see a full list here .

We also 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 icon below. Our 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.

Craft Arena is upstairs at the Barleylands Craft Village, Billericay, Essex, Studios 49 - 51. 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

Karmal Kadai Embroidery With Mali Thursday 3rd May

Thursday, 3 May 2018 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

Mali will be showing you how to stitch this form of Indian embroidery.

This one of a series of Indian embroidery workshops which will take you through different techniques, including Kantha and Shisha work.

Price: 
£35.00

Print & Stitch: Gelli Plate Printing With Denise Saturday 5th May

Saturday, 5 May 2018 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Not edible jelly! Find out how to use a Gelli Plate to make monoprint on paper and fabric using masks, blocks and stamps as well as making your own marks.

You will create beautiful printed backgrounds which can be used in further work, including future workshops with Denise, when we will be using them with embroidery and collage.

Price: 
£65.00

Machine Embroidery Group Sunday 6th May 2018

Sunday, 6 May 2018 - 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.

This month we will be discussing Free Standing Lace, so bring your work along and share what you have been doing.

Price: 
£10.00

Yarn Shop Day Crochet for Beginners with Sue Broughton - Saturday 12th May

Saturday, 12 May 2018 - 10:00am to 12:30pm

As part of our Yarn Shop Day celebrations, Sue is again offering a special crochet session for complete beginners.

Learn double and treble crochet in a relaxed and friendly environment, and if you get the bug, you will be able to learn more on future workshops.

This workshop is now full. Please contact us to go on our waiting list

Price: 
£10.00

Yarn Shop Day Crochet Flowers with Sue Broughton - Saturday 12th May

Saturday, 12 May 2018 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm

As part of our Yarn Shop Day celebrations, Sue will be showing you how to crochet carnations which can be used as a brooch or embellishment on clothing, knitting or crochet projects.

Suitable for those with basic crochet knowledge or those wishing to extend their skills.

Price: 
£10.00

Goldwork Botanicals with Wendy - Sunday 13th May

Sunday, 13 May 2018 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Join Wendy and indulge yourself in a day of stitching. Using silk applique and basic goldwork stitches, you will make this beautiful botanical design. Materials included.

Suitable for beginners and those wishing to expand their skills.

Price: 
£60.00