Dereham has a new coffeeshop -the Flow Craft Café in Norwich Street, between the health shop and the hairdressers! It opened yesterday and I called in at midday to check it out. Nina, the crafting enthusiast who is the owner and manager, was really welcoming. We talked about our mutual love of crafting, and she asked me which crafts I was particularly interested in [I gave her the short list...]She's hoping to make this a cosy place where people can come for a chat, and a coffee, and do crafts - with various workshops available during the day and in the evening. She's worked hard at the coffee-shop side of things. We chatted briefly and she returned to the serving area. A lady beckoned me over. "I heard you say you do knitting, can you help me with this scarf?" and indicated the wool and needles in front of her. Fortunately I was able to sort her query.
I was pleased to see some children's activities on the side. Kids can easily get bored when Mums are chatting!
There's a great variety of baked goods on offer [or you can just have a round of toast!] My teacake was excellent! I shared a table with someone else who had also come in to check the place out, and it was lovely to chat about crafts with another enthusiast. I hope we will meet up in there again sometime.
There are three workshops coming up - wreath-making, card-making and a Hallowe'en Children's session. Can you see the kusudama flowers on the shelf?
I'd taken them in as a welcome gift for Nina, and offered to run a workshop for Nina sometime. Is it really eight years since
I ran one of these in Dereham?I really hope this venture takes off- Nina and her family have obviously worked incredibly hard to redecorate and equip the premises.
It is close to the town centre [and free carparks] and has a lot of potential.
I wish Nina and her team every success in the coming days.
I meant to ask about the logo but I forgot. I think it is a rhino.
But why??
Do you have craft cafés where you are?
I really hope this venture takes off- Nina and her family have obviously worked incredibly hard to redecorate and equip the premises.
Our church runs a weekly craft cafe in the village. It's on a Wednesday, same day as the midweek communion service and the monthly village lunch. I fantasised about opening a teashop in our local parade little parade of shops with a friend which would be craft- and children friendly years ago ....
ReplyDeleteYes I had similar ideas back in the day! But neither the money nor the time to make it happen
DeleteSounds like a really nice place to gather for a cup of coffee and some crafting! I don't think we have anything like that here, in my area, anyway (then, again, I am still not going out and about, so I wouldn't know even if there was something like that!)
ReplyDeleteAnd it's good coffee too - I dislike coffee shops which serve instant
DeleteIt looks a lovely place! Well done to them for setting it up! I do hope it is successful! I used to like teaching crafts at our church holiday club! Mine were usually recycled crafts! Kx
ReplyDeleteWish you were around to help with my holiday clubs, Kezzie!
DeleteHow lovely. I must tell my sister unless she already knows, Dereham is near where she lives. I wish the venture every success and hope it does well. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue
DeleteWhat a super idea, we could do with one like that here. I'm sure you will be a great encouragement to Nina.
ReplyDeleteIt is so lovely to have someone enthusiastic working hard to provide a good thing in the community
DeleteIt looks fantastic - a real asset for your community. I couldn't see what you meant about the flowers on the shelf?
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
On the shelf next to the books - two plants in pots and my paper flowers are laying next to them. Today Nina has moved them into a vase on a more prominent shelf!
DeleteYes we have one in the village. Saturday's workshop was watercolour painting, 10-4pm, 50 quid! Need I say more?
ReplyDelete£50 is rather a lot of money for some of us to shell out.
DeleteWhat a lovely place to gather, eat yummy treats, and take lessons in crafting! Hope succeed beyond their wildest dreams.
ReplyDeleteHow nice you could help that woman with her knitting, too. My hands don't play nicely togethher so I don't knit or crochet, ut I can embroider and make quilts, plus paint very humbly, so that's enough. :)
Hugs!
Making quilts and doing embroidery are both very worthwhile crafts
DeleteHere the town and township libraries have a weekly knitting (or other handwork) afternoon. There is also a local group meeting monthly in the town to make warm crochet blankets to go into "Backpacks of Hope" to be shipped to orphans in various countries. https://www.jabezblanketministry.org
ReplyDeleteI was reminded by your mention of chatting with the person who shared your table, how easy it is to visit with strangers in England. On one trip in a local bus years ago, I noticed that in 20 minutes, two strangers sitting behind me had practically exchanged their life stories it seemed!
I love the idea of "Backpacks of Hope"!. Yes, I think many people in the UK are very sociable
DeleteNo I don’t have craft cafe where I live, but I love crafting and would love to meet other crafters to exchange!
ReplyDeleteCan you set up a group [in your local library] to 'knit and natter'
DeleteNo craft cafes here that I know of, but it's a great idea! I'd definitely join in.
ReplyDelete