Welcome to the Craft Arena website!

Click here to subscribe to our email Newsletter!

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 above. 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.

Workshops - coming soon

A Credence of Stitchers - Sunday 8th December

Sunday, 8 December 2019 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

Join our stitching group where you can stitch, chat and get a bit of advice if you need it!

Any type of hand embroidery is welcome.

You will receive a gift worth at least £5 when you attend, this will consist of hand embroidery related items - it may be threads, patterns or accessories or a combination of both.

As well as our usual stitching, this week we will be having our Christmas Celebration and Show and Tell.

Price: 
£10.00

Tambour Beadwork with Angela - Saturday 14th December

Saturday, 14 December 2019 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Join Angela Woodget for a whole day of Tambour Beading. This delicate form of beading onto fabric can be used to enhance garments, make accessories or pictures.

Angela will start with the basics in the morning and show you more advanced techniques in the afternoon.

This class is perfect for beginners or those who wish to refresh their skills.

Price: 
£65.00

Yarn Forward - Wednesday 18th December

Wednesday, 18 December 2019 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

Our regular Yarn Forward knitting and crochet group.

Bring your own yarn work along to knit or crochet and if you have any challenges, there will sure to be someone here who can help.

No matter whether you're a beginner or more experienced, you can work that yarn and chat at the same time, and you always leave with a free gift!

As well as our usual yarn work, this week we will be having our Christmas Celebration and Show and Tell.

Price: 
£10.00

Beginners Zentangle® with Caroline - Sunday 19th January

Sunday, 19 January 2020 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Caroline McNamara will be introducing you to the basic techniques of Zentangle® in this session.

Your designs will be perfect for a stand alone work of art or translating into hand or machine stitch and mixed media work.

The example shown here was made at a previous Craft Arena workshop

Caroline is a certified Zentangle® tutor.

Price: 
£65.00