Woollywondersbyjo

Our weekly craft club is on its way to becoming exactly what I had hoped it would be (and more!) - a place for anyone, of any age, to come along with their crafts, and spend 2 hours with fellow crafty folk.
Just sit and craft. Maybe have a pot of tea at the cafe. Ooh and a slice of cake. Maybe have a natter with some of the others there. Or not.
No pressure and no expectations.
5pm to 7pm at the Bethel Chapel Cafe in Pontrhydyfen and only £2 per person.

When you're learning a new stitch or technique, you need to practice and you won’t want to just right into making something big.
So small projects are perfect! 💃
Think facecloths, make-up removers, bookmarks, and hats!
And the even better thing is that these are all really usable for yourself and also make fab gifts for others 🙋

https://woollywondersbyjo.co.uk/

I'm going to be nosey for a minute (if I may?!) 🥰
Do you:
🧶 Knit
🧶 crochet
🧶🧶 both
🤔 neither

And while I'm here, how did you learn?

Did anyone else see this https://bit.ly/3Vyit9X over the weekend?
Crochet is cool 😎😎

Crochet shakes off stuffy old image to become fashion’s freshest DIY trend Sales of beginner’s hooks and patterns have had a dramatic rise as influencers show off their ‘makes’ on social media

This week is Loneliness Awareness Week in the UK and it seems a really important thing to raise awareness of.
With more of us seeming to spend more of our time away from others, connections can be a lifeline, especially connections with others who we share something with, for example a craft.
This is one of the main reasons that I set up a weekly craft club in my local area; to give people the chance to connect 🤝
We've only been running for 2 weeks but it already feels really special 🥰
So if you're in the Neath, Swansea, Port Talbot and the valleys areas in South Wales please come along.
And tell others! 📣📣

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/share/BvbaxU9denDLHWWu/
what3words: ///shaky.agency.flinch

Support, kindness, advice, help, and the occasional silliness over in my Facebook group for anyone - new to crochet or been doing it for years!
Just go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtocrochetwithjo and answer the question and you're off!

We could all use this advice couldn't we? 🙋
Especially when you're starting out with crochet, or learning a new technique or stitch.
Or even if you're having a look online and you see someone else's version of the same thing you're working on.
Don't compare! 📣📣
There is no faster way to put you off or even make you give up entirely and that isn't okay with me 😕
Try and see others' work as a rough 'destination' for your finished work - just the shape, construction, or the texture.
Allow yourself to learn and develop to find your own unique beautiful version of crochet, which is exactly why you can't compare 🥰
Save this post to remind your future self that you are incomparable.

As someone who has anxiety and depression, I saw this article and it includes some really simple ways to deal with anxiety. I particularly love singing (as my husband will tell you!).
What simple things do you do to help your own anxiety?

My Anxiety Had Something to Teach Me Often daily, and for almost a decade, I’ve had to fight it off.

Sadly I've had to cancel this weekend's mosaic crochet workshop due to a mix-up at the venue.
I've still got loads more courses and workshops to come so keep checking my site (https://woollywondersbyjo.co.uk/learn) to see all the goodies 💜

Whatever your craft, bring it with you and spend a few hours with other crafters 🥰
Use it to make friends, or to just have a bit of time to yourself with a cuppa and cake from the café. 🎂☕
No booking needed and it's just £2 to cover the cost of using the beautiful Bethel Chapel.
Just be tidier than this lot! 🤦

https://www.facebook.com/share/BvbaxU9denDLHWWu/

We'll be making Summer flowers, as well as the bees that look after them 💐🐝
Then putting them all together into a beautiful wreath for your home 🏠
This workshop is perfect if you already crochet and want to try out some new & different techniques.
Just go to the link to book - https://buff.ly/3WYgTiU

Early morning start and all ready to go at at 💜

It's a gorgeous venue with lots of beautiful handmade goodies.

&Flea Handmade

I'm going to be trading at Craft & Flea in Bristol this Sunday.
Not looking forward to the very early start but definitely looking forward to the day.
Hope to see you there 🥰

The first rule of craft club is don't talk about craft club?! 🤔
Nope.
That doesn’t work cos I need you to tell EVERYONE! 📣 📣
Starting Tuesday 28th May at 5pm, I'll be hosting a brand new craft club where you can meet for 2 hours, relax and craft - whatever craft you do.
It's in Bethel Chapel Cafe in Pontrhydyfen (CAKES!!) and has a tiny fee of £2.
No need to book, just come along 🥰
https://www.facebook.com/events/3655338308014957/

I've said a millionty times that crochet is perfect for practising mindfulness. How would you describe 'mindfulness'?
It seems to be one of those terms that is slightly misunderstood, so I thought I'd share this article which looks at some of those little misunderstandings.
Don't worry - it's a nice quick read.

Can mindfulness really make you happy, lower your blood pressure and improve your sleep? Experts reveal all Mindfulness is said to help everything from anxiety to overeating. But how does it work? Experts separate fact from fiction

I bought one of those electric lint remover thingies and just used it on my phone holder.
Of course, I forgot to take a photo before, but it was very fuzzy.
It looks pretty good, doesn't it? Have you used one of these before?

Do you know what would look perfect on you? 🤔
Something you've crocheted for yourself! 💃
And the perfect place to start? 🤔
Learn the basics of course! 🙋
My next beginners crochet 3 week course starts on Monday 10am-12pm at Jersey Marine.
Click the link to book! 🥳
https://calendly.com/woollywondersbyjo/beginners-crochet-3wk-course-may-daytime
(Booking closes Sunday at 10am)

Make is a powerful word.
It implies creation, something being brought into existence, a physical and tangible thing.
But it can also relate to the making of bonds: of friendships and connections.
See?
Powerful stuff.
Whatever it is you make, would you like to do it with a group of fellow creators and hopefully make some new friends?
I'm starting a craft club at the Bethel Chapel Cafe, not far from Neath and Port Talbot.
And it doesn't matter what you make - just bring it with you.
It's £2 per week and teas, coffees, cakes and snacks will be available to buy from the cafe.
You don't need to book, just confirm at the link to see all updates and info.
https://www.facebook.com/events/3655338308014957/

Starting from the absolute beginning and finishing with making a granny square 🧶
All in 3 weeks 💃
Face-to-face courses start May the 13th (10am - 12pm) and May the 15th (7pm - 9pm) and booking is essential 💜
☀️ https://calendly.com/woollywondersbyjo/beginners-crochet-3wk-course-may-daytime
🌙 https://calendly.com/woollywondersbyjo/beginners-crochet-3-week-course-evening-may

Can you already crochet or knit and fancy trying something new? 🙋
How about Tunisian Crochet? 🤔
It's a little bit crochet and a little bit knit and a whole amount of fun 🥳
Face-to-face, one-day workshop in Bridgend on Saturday 11th of May.
Just click the link to book https://calendly.com/woollywondersbyjo/introduction-to-tunisian-crochet-may-bridgend 🥰

I've been poorly sick since Friday so I've spent my time just relaxing. And I started reading this gorgeous book by and I can feel it sparking things. Thank you to for the advance copy. It's a real privilege to read this 💜💜

# 😊

I couldn't say it better myself 😎

https://www.patreon.com/Purrinink 🐈‍⬛🖤

May is a wonderful time to learn a new crochet technique with me in Bridgend.
This May it is Tunisian Crochet 🧶
It's a little bit like crochet and a little bit like knitting but completely its own glorious thing.
Booking is essential as spaces are limited 💃 https://calendly.com/woollywondersbyjo/introduction-to-tunisian-crochet-may-bridgend

Starting from the absolute beginning and finishing with making a granny square 🧶
All in 3 weeks 💃
Courses start May the 13th (10am - 12pm) https://calendly.com/woollywondersbyjo/beginners-crochet-3wk-course-may-daytime
and May the 15th (7pm - 9pm) https://calendly.com/woollywondersbyjo/beginners-crochet-3-week-course-evening-may
Booking is essential 💜

I'm going to be doing a different kind of training next week with Time To Change Wales.
Currently, I'm equal parts excited and nervous but I've mentioned my mental health so many times and how my crochet helps, I'd love to get other people trying to crochet (or any other craft for that matter).
BTW, at the end of this training, I'll be a Champion!
Finally, what we always knew to be true 💃

I don't need to use any kind of force for you to know that you need to book on to this crochet workshop on May the Fourth 🚀
Just click on the link - booking is essential https://calendly.com/woollywondersbyjo/crochet-baby-yoda-jm

To wool or not to wool 🧶
Frightening isn't it? Doesn’t have to be.
Wool is pretty easy to look after - just ask a sheep 🐑
But if you don't have a sheep nearby to ask, I just happen to have a rather tasty little ebook that gives you everything you need to know.
'What's the catch?' I hear you cry. Just sign up for my monthly emails: http://eepurl.com/h_91qT
Simple. As. That. 🙋

Tired of those "one size fits all" tech accessories? Does she deserve better than a boring phone case from any old website? (Spoiler alert: She totally does!)

Featuring our Functional Flowers Collection: the bespoke range of handmade-to-order, tech-lovin luxury gifts for the independent, practical, and totally awesome woman in your life!

Think statement phone cosies that are as unique as she is;

earbud holders that won't get tangled in the abyss of her bag;

and laptop sleeves so stylish, they'll make her colleagues jealous.



(Okay, maybe a little admiration too!)

Because let's face it, she won't settle for boring. And why should she?!

Shop the Functional Flowers Collection and let her know you appreciate her awesomeness: https://woollywondersbyjo.co.uk/buy-handmade-gifts/