Two Bath friends with a shared passion for creativity – and a strong aversion to fast fashion – have launched Make Creative Studio, a vibrant new workshop programme inspiring local teens and adults to learn new skills, make sustainably and enjoy time away from screens.
Fran and Jan, both parents of teens, say the idea for Make Creative Studio grew naturally from years of shared conversations. “We bonded over our long-standing love of making and our strong aversion to fast fashion,” said Fran.
“Following numerous conversations over coffee about the much-needed alternatives to fast fashion and the decline in opportunities for teens to be creative, both in and out of school, we decided to combine our skills and passions and set about putting our thoughts into action.”
Their mission centres on three values: cultivating creativity, supporting sustainability and making mindfully. “We believe everyone can be creative with the right support and encouragement,” explained Jan. “Our classes are calm, inclusive, safe spaces where you’ll meet likeminded creative friends.”
Since launching earlier this year, the pair have developed a lively programme of textile, art and craft workshops for all ages. While the popular Young Makers sessions cater for 11-16 year olds, they also run a full timetable of adult workshops, along with bespoke creative events including birthday parties, hen nights and team-building sessions.
They particularly enjoy themed workshops and collaborations. “We recently did a great collab with fab new Bartlett Street store Somer,” Fran said. They also delivered four sold-out workshops for the Jane Austen 250 Festival, where participants made Regency-style reticules from remnant fabrics. Their next adult workshop, Customise a Christmas Stocking, takes place on 5 December at their Great Pulteney Street venue.
For teens, Young Makers offers a welcoming space to explore creativity. Aimed at 11-16 year olds and based at Bath Artists’ Studios, each five-week course focuses on a different project so students always learn something new.
“No previous experience is needed, only enthusiasm – we teach students everything they need to know,” Jan said. “In our last course, students handprinted their own beautiful designs onto fabric and then made handmade, lined tote bags and pencil cases.”
The benefits go far beyond what students take home. “As well as having fun and making new creative friends in the inspiring environment of a real artists’ studio, our Young Makers might learn skills such as block or screen printing, decorative embroidery, hand sewing and machine sewing,” Fran explained. “We like to emphasise the importance of process and experimentation, but we also support students closely, so they always have something handmade and unique to take away.”
Seeing young people grow in confidence is one of the biggest rewards. “It’s so brilliant to see students becoming inspired and excited about what they are making,” Jan said. “We love to see them getting hands-on and taking creative risks. Ultimately, the idea is that creativity should be a practice, not a one-off experience… more making, less consuming – and that’s good for everyone.”
The current Young Makers course runs weekly until 15 December. Booking for the adult Christmas Stocking workshop on 5 December is also open.
To book, email email hidden; JavaScript is required or follow @makecreativestudio on Instagram for updates and future workshops.
