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 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 below. 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.

Click here to subscribe to our Newsletter!

Workshops - coming soon

Batik for Beginners with Jannetta - Saturday 20th October

Saturday, 20 October 2018 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Jannetta will take us back to basics in this batik painting class.

Using wax and silk paints, she will show you how to build layers to create wonderful designs using inspiration from pictures you bring or her own library.

Price: 
£65.00

PE Design with Lisa - Manual and Auto Punch - Sunday 21st October

Sunday, 21 October 2018 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

Whether you are new to designing for your embroidery machine, or you need a refresher, this training is for you.

Just bring a pen and paper to take notes! On this session Lisa will be covering Manual and Auto Punch.

This class is for those who know the basics of PE Design. Ask about our next beginners class.

This class has been postponed to 18th November. Click here to book

Price: 
£30.00

Water Soluble Butterflies with Alex Waylett Tuesday 23rd October

Tuesday, 23 October 2018 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Using free motion machine embroidery techniques, you will make a beautiful butterfly which can be framed or used in other textile work. If you prefer, you can make a bee or a flower. You do need to be confident with free motion machine embroidery skills to take part in this session. A requirements list will be sent to you prior to the workshop. This also available from the link below.

PDF icon Butterflies Requirements List.pdf
Price: 
£65.00

Beginner's Powertex with Denise - Saturday 27th October

Saturday, 27 October 2018 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Create beautiful fabric works of art and take your skills forward using fabric, inclusions, paint and Powertex to make a textured panel.

All materials are included in this workshop, but please feel free to bring your own embellishments to add to your work.

This workshop is suitable for beginners

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

Lace Trees with Wendy - Sunday 28th October

Sunday, 28 October 2018 - 10:30am to 3:30pm

This workshop has been postponed

Price: 
£60.00

Christmas Goldwork with Wendy - Saturday 3rd November

Saturday, 3 November 2018 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Using couching and other goldwork and embroidery techniques, make decorations for your
tree, use them to adorn your home or for a special gift.

(Project may differ from the images shown)

Price: 
£60.00