Introducing The Crafting Bees! š A New Seasonal Sew-Along from RJ Leather Studio
Fancy a little more making time in your life?
I've been wanting to launch The Crafting Bees for ages now, and I'm so excited that we're finally getting everything together for our first sew-along in November!
The idea actually came from something I used to do with a few of my seamstress friends. We'd get together once a month, put aside all the work we should have been doing and spend an evening making something just for ourselves.
There would be lots of tea, plenty of chatting and usually a bit of sewing thrown in too!
It was such a lovely way to spend an evening, and it made me realise how important it is to actually put some time aside to be creative. Especially when life gets busy and there's always something else that needs doing.
So I thought, why not do something similar with all of you?
And that's how The Crafting Bees came about!
So, what exactly are The Crafting Bees?
The idea is to get together once every season, so every three months, for a lovely bit of making, learning and catching up.
Each season I'll choose a project from our rather large collection of RJ patterns and give it a bit of a makeover. We might change the shape, use a different leather, add some new details or try out a technique we haven't covered before.
I'm hoping to create a lovely mix of bags, accessories, small leather goods and other projects that you'll genuinely want to make and use.
And of course, they're all designed to be made on a domestic sewing machine, so you can join in from home.
How will it work?
Each Crafting Bee will include a gorgeous kit with all the materials you'll need, delivered straight to your door, along with a downloadable pattern and 8 hours of recorded lessons, split into two 4-hour sessions.
You'll be able to watch the lessons whenever you fancy, pause, rewind and work through everything at your own pace.
But the bit I'm really looking forward to is getting everyone together online!
We'll have two live 1-hour making sessions, where you can join me with your project, ask questions and pick up some extra tips and tricks along the way.
I'll have done quite a bit of prepping before the calls, so it would be lovely if you could do the same. That way we can concentrate on the more interesting bits of construction.
Or, if you're not quite at that stage, just come along for a cuppa and a natter, ask questions and watch me demonstrate some of the techniques.
There's absolutely no pressure to keep up. That's what the recorded lessons are for!
And because it's seasonal rather than monthly, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy each project before the next one comes along.
Our first Crafting Bee is coming this November!
And what better time to start than the run-up to Christmas?
I love the idea of us all getting cosy at home, sewing machines out, making some lovely handmade pressies for friends and family. Or perhaps something just for ourselves!
I've already got some beautiful dark chestnut brown leather in the studio that I've got my eye on for our first project.
I'll be revealing what we're making very soon, along with the dates and all the booking details.
Each seasonal project will be available to book individually, so there's no ongoing subscription or commitment. Just join us whenever a project takes your fancy.
Oh, and did I mention that everyone gets their very own Crafting Bees badge? Because obviously we need a badge! šš
Fancy joining us?
I'd love to know how many of you would be interested in joining our first Crafting Bee.
If it sounds like your kind of thing, click below and let me know! There's no commitment at this stage. It just means you'll be first to hear about the project, dates and booking details.
Id love to hear your thoughts. We've created a survey for you to give us your thoughts and ideasĀ
Hit the link belowĀ
YES! I'M INTERESTED IN THE CRAFTING BEES š
So get your sewing machine ready, pop the kettle on and let's get cosy and make some lovely things together!
Can't wait!
Bex xx
