Creative Wellbeing
The Gift of Tea in a Printable Gift BoxCreativity is good for our wellbeing, but those who could benefit from some creative me-time, often can't access it.
We focus on creative wellbeing through:
- Printables for instant download and low cost supplies
- Donated craft supplies supporting community groups and organisations
- Volunteers and social networking
We call it "Robin Hood Crafting"...those who can helping those who cannot.
Our work is guided by the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, positive psychology, art therapy and being eco-conscious as far as possible. Everything we do is for the ultimate goal of making people feel a bit better through expressing their creativity.
Crafting Where Society Profits
Your Orders do Good! "printables with purpose" help fund community workWe are a not-for-personal-profit social enterprise which sells supplies and printable craft activities so that we can fund our community work.
Our customers create a win-win crafting situation!
It makes them feel good to know they're helping others to enjoy crafting, which they know they get so much personal benefit from.
Printables with Purpose
Not-for-Profit
Income is reinvested into our social mission
Our printables have a purpose:
When you buy our printables it's helping others to be creative and enjoy what you enjoy in your crafting.
Crafting with printables means you can:
✔️ Enjoy instant creativity
✔️ Print as much as you need
✔️ Know you're supporting our community work
✔️ Download various craft activities e.g. card making kits, crafts, gift boxes, printable planners, templates etc.
Eco Conscious Crafting
"Crafting for Good"
Helps you
Helps others
Can help the environment
♻️
We believe printables are an eco-friendlier option to mass produced and printed patterned papers and card kits, which are manufactured and shipped around the world to be used once on something which may end up in the bin - people do throw away handmade cards now they are so common to receive.
Yes you have to use a home printer and ink, which bring their own environmental issues, but you can re-use waste paper, use recycled card, and you're not getting the plastic wrap, staples, glues and industrial manufacturing of your craft supplies when you use downloads sent straight to your printer.
We try to be 'eco-conscious' in all we do, and do what we can:
✔️ We started selling digital craft supplies back in 2008, simply download and print what you need
✔️ We developed into an eco-conscious Community Interest Company in March 2017, where we accept donations of unwanted craft supplies thereby avoiding waste
✔️ We work with 'green' companies where possible, including our bank, utilities and phone; we always choose eco-friendly options where possible and use bamboo instead of wood, recycled stationery and packaging
✔️ We love finding and promoting eco-craft supplies e.g. recycled and FSC certified paper and card, pencils made from newspapers, recycled Kraft blanks to decorate, glue sticks made from recycled plastic and of course, biodegradable glitter!
Creativity & Wellbeing
Many crafters will tell you about the idea of "flow", zoning out...
Flow is the official term for when you're so engrossed in what you are making that you forget your worries for a little while. That little while is an important break from your problems that can help promote better wellbeing and resilience.
The more times you can zone out this way, the more your wellbeing and mental health might benefit over time.
Having that little bit of time can help you relax and give you that breathing and thinking time to, sometimes, see your situation a little differently and give you the zest to carry on. Having no respite, no relaxing me-time just keeps winding you tighter and tighter. Creative moments can, and do, help you to focus and unwind. As the saying goes, every little helps.
You don't have to go all out "arts & crafty" either - even simple doodling or colouring in with cheap pencils can give you a much needed break, time to get yourself back together in small steps.
If you can afford a cheap printer with affordable ink, all the better in our view: printers should be part of your craft kit because the internet is your oyster when it comes to finding creative things to do, and is a godsend if you have kids! You can even print from your mobile device - see how to print from an iPad or iPhone (and similar devices with mobile apps)
If you're not able to afford fancy art and craft supplies there are still things you can do to get some creative me-time:
- If you don't have a printer, again there are lots of apps, software and sites that will let you make digital scrapbooks, cards, online colouring etc.
- Pick up something to write with, find piece of scrap and start doodling
- Craft with things you have around the house or find in nature, it doesn't so much matter what you do as long as you enjoy the process of doing it.
What We Do
What's New
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Activities for Elderly People
How our printables were used for activities for elderly residents, including during lockdown
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25% off Anniversary Celebration
1 year ago this week we moved to The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield, Yorkshire as part of the Makey Wakey project via The Art House Wakefield - we sell creative supplies, provide free resources…
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Little Book & Gel Pens Set - Start Small
Our Start Small project to kickstart people's creativity is going down a treat! While you don't need anything special to take part, we put this bundle together so you have a lovely, handy little book…
