Beckenham High Street’s newest tenant, Crafts Bee, opens its doors to the public this week (Wednesday, August 1) to offer a wide variety of craft classes and workshops to suit all levels of ability, beginner to advanced.

Classes include Sewing, Scrapbooking, Silk Painting, Stained Glass, Felting, Jewellery, Upcycling, Paper Crafts, Knitting & Crochet, Flower Arranging and Seasonal Crafts. Most classes are run as half day, day and taster but private sessions and term classes are also available.

Attendees will learn how to make things by hand, and then get to take their handcrafted object home, making an ideal present or item for the home.

Karen Murphy, owner of Crafts Bee, set up the business after rediscovering her love of crafts.

“I have always been interested in crafting and after I sold my previous business I decided to take some time out,” said Karen.

“One of the first things I did was sign up for a stained glass course and a silversmithing course. Within days I was addicted to both and soon found my collection of tools and equipment growing.

“It occurred to me that if I had a dedicated studio space, I could offer a one-stop shop for learning crafts.”

Handmade items are enjoying a revival at the moment, and people are beginning to see everyday objects in different ways.

“It’s cool these days to be knitting, crocheting and making things. All age ranges are getting involved and having a go. It seems to bring out the best in people,” said Karen.

To celebrate its official opening on August 1, Crafts Bee is running some very special introductory offers with up to 23% off.

TO FIND OUT MORE, visit www.craftsbee.com, telephone 020 8650 7099 or email karen@craftsbee.com .

The Crafts Bee studio is situated at 247 High Street, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 1AB.