A Season for Making

As autumn settles across North Norfolk, creative workshops at Reef Make & Do are filling with the gentle rhythm of festive making. From willow wreaths and silver jewellery to origami lights and calligraphy, this is the season for hands-on creativity. If you have been searching for art and craft workshops in Norfolk that offer warmth, calm, and inspiration, now is the perfect time to join us.

Feeling the Shift

As the year begins to tip towards winter, I have been feeling a quiet shift here in North Norfolk. The evenings are arriving a little earlier, I have been adding extra layers to my outfits and my bed for weeks now, and, by choice, I would eat mashed potatoes and stew every day. Tell me it is not just me.

When I reach this point in the year, I find myself spending more and more time in my workshop and am drawn back to making (yes, even more making). There is something so comforting about spending the evening creating and that quiet satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands.

Recently I have been finishing off a few older projects, and this week I very nearly completed some woollen cuffs that I started at a knitting workshop with Giovanna back in 2021 — I kid you not. Hopefully you will get to see them next week.

Festive Beginnings

Over the coming weeks, my workshop will start to fill with that unmistakable excitement of festive making as I begin my own Christmas preparations. For many years, the boys and I made our Christmas cards together, but this year I started early and created the linocut in the photo at this week’s wonderful two-day Reduction Linocut workshop with Sue Welfare. It is certainly not as striking as some of the guests’ makes (I was busy keeping everyone fed and watered), but I am rather pleased with him all the same.

Tomorrow marks the start of half term for us and, once we are back, we will be in full festive swing. I hope you are feeling excited too and that you will join us for one of the fabulous festive workshops we have lined up.

The Joy of Making

Christmas has a way of bringing out the maker in all of us. Whether you are weaving a wreath, hand-printing your own cards, creating a string of origami lights, or shaping a delicate silver pendant, there is a wonderful sense of connection that comes from making something by hand. It is creative time that feels joyful and restorative, and often results in a few thoughtful gifts to share too.

If you have been meaning to make more time for yourself before the year ends, this is the perfect moment. Our festive workshops are friendly, relaxed, and full of inspiration — a place to enjoy a day away from everything else, to make, to chat, and to leave with something you are truly proud of.

Join Us This Season

Whether you are after something fun and festive, a tradional craft or want to make presents we have it all! Come and join us for a season of creativity, warmth, and festive making.

Explore our festive workshops

Wherever you are and whatever you are making this season, I hope you find a little time to slow down, create, and reconnect.

Warmest wishes

Rachael x