Welcome to the Craft Arena website!



Please note that we are open throughout the Easter period from 10am to 4pm

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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

PE Design with Lisa - Words and Pictures - Sunday 28th April

Sunday, 28 April 2019 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

This class is for those who know the basics of PE Design software for Brother Embroidery machines.

Lisa will be showing you how to add wording and pictures to your design.

Price: 
£35.00

Crochet Feathers with Sue Saturday 4th May

Saturday, 4 May 2019 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

As part of our Yarn Shop Day celebrations, Sue will be returning to show you how to crochet these super feathers with DMC perle.

Materials, including the hook, are included in this subsidised workshop.

Suitable for those who know basic crochet stitches. Ask about our next beginners class.

Price: 
£20.00

Machine Embroidery Group Sunday 5th May

Sunday, 5 May 2019 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

A series of informal monthly sessions to help you get the most from your embroidery machine.

A different machine embroidery technique will be discussed each month. In this session we will be discussing applique.

Bring along any challenges or questions you have, and there will bound to be someone here to answer them.

Price: 
£10.00

More Mayhem with Denise Saturday 11th May

Saturday, 11 May 2019 - 10:30am to 4:00pm

Due to popular demand, Denise will be creating more Mixed Media Mayhem on Saturday 11th May. We will be exploring more ways of creating backgrounds using various techniques in the morning and will give you ideas for developing them into resolved pieces in the afternoon. We may even get around to adding stitch! If you have been to one of our previous Mayhem workshops, bring your samples to work on or make more.

Also suitable for those who have not attended our Mayhem sessions before.

Price: 
£65.00

A Credence of Stitchers - Sunday 12th May

Sunday, 12 May 2019 - 10:30am to 1:00pm

Join our new 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.

In case you were wondering, Credence is a 15th Century collective noun for a number of stitchers!

Price: 
£10.00

Yarn Forward - Wednesday 15th May

Wednesday, 15 May 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.

For complete beginners, and those who are a bit more experienced, you can work that yarn and chat at the same time, and you always leave with a free gift!

Price: 
£10.00