Join me for this relaxed, creative batik workshop, recorded live with the Curious Octopus community.In this session, we explore the beautiful art of batik and enjoy the process of creating with colour, pattern and wax. Follow along at your own pace, pause whenever you need to, and don’t worry about making everything perfect—the joy is in experimenting and seeing what emerges.If you create something inspired by the workshop, I’d love to see it. Share your work and tag Curious Octopus, or leave a comment below to tell me how you got on.Find out more about Curious Octopus and upcoming creative workshops: www.CuriousOctopus.art Subscribe for more friendly, accessible creative workshops and inspiration.#Batik #BatikWorkshop #TextileArt #CreativeWorkshop #ArtsAndCrafts #CuriousOctopus

Welcome to the replay of our Curious Octopus sand art workshop, recorded live on 12 August 2026. In this workshop, I’ll guide you through creating your own seaside inspired sand art picture using a wooden board, double sided sticky paper and coloured sand. We cover: • Preparing the wooden board • Drawing your design • Carefully cutting and revealing each section • Applying the sand to create clean, defined lines • Mixing and blending different sand colours • Fixing any little mistakes as you work • Using your craft knife and materials safely You can follow my seaside design or create something completely different. There is no pressure to make yours look the same as anybody else’s. Pause the video whenever you need to, take your time and enjoy the process. If you have a Curious Octopus sand art box, everything you need is included. Please take care when using the craft knife, always cut away from yourself and keep it away from children. I would love to see what you create. Share your finished artwork in the Curious Octopus Creative Community or tag @CuriousOctopus.art on social media. Find our current craft boxes and workshops here: https://www.curiousoctopus.art TikTok and Instagram: @CuriousOctopus.art If you enjoyed creating with us, please subscribe to the channel and let me know in the comments which craft you would love us to try next. #SandArt #CraftWorkshop #CuriousOctopus

📋 Summary This recording is a live Curious Octopus online craft workshop led by Kate Dean, focused on making air-dry clay lanterns. The session combines step-by-step instruction with an informal community discussion about creativity, future workshops, and the goals of the Curious Octopus craft subscription. Participants also create a simple pinch pot and discuss ideas for future projects. 1 🏺 Workshop Content Kate begins by welcoming attendees and explaining that the workshop date had been moved because of football fixtures, hoping participants were still able to attend. While waiting for people to join Zoom, Kate chats with viewers on TikTok, encourages everyone to work on any creative project, and explains the aim of building a supportive creative community. 1 The practical workshop includes: Making a simple pinch pot to learn the basics of working with clay. Rolling air-dry clay into an even slab using thickness guides. Cutting a rectangular slab to wrap around a bottle. Using cutters to create decorative windows in the lantern. Supporting the lantern around a bottle using paper while it dries. Creating additional small clay projects with leftover clay. Demonstrating how to attach decorative pieces using scored surfaces and a clay-and-water paste (similar to slip). Explaining sanding, painting, and varnishing after drying. 1 🛠️ Materials Included Kate explains that each workshop kit contains: Two packs of DAS air-dry clay Rolling pin Thickness guides Sandpaper Clay shaping tool Sponge Paintbrush Matte varnish LED tea lights (chosen instead of real candles for safety) Shape cutters and hole cutters Printed paper templates used during construction 1 ✅ Key Tips Kate shares several practical recommendations: Don't overwork the clay or introduce air bubbles. Keep wall thickness fairly even (around 5 mm). Leave projects to dry for 24–48 hours before sanding. Sand outdoors if possible because it creates a lot of dust. Acrylic paints work well on the clay. Apply thin coats of matte varnish after paint has dried. Air-dry clay is suitable for decorative items and dried flowers, but not for holding water. 1 💬 Community Discussion Much of the session is conversational. Topics include: Encouraging people to use the workshop as dedicated creative time. Building a "body doubling" style creative community where people craft together online. Sharing work in the Curious Octopus Creative Community Facebook group. Answering questions from Anna about painting, drying, storing leftover clay, and making gifts. Discussing creative wedding decorations and homemade presents. Looking ahead to next month's sand art workshop. 1 🎨 Previous and Future Craft Projects Kate explains that Curious Octopus offers a different craft each month so members can try new creative skills without investing heavily in equipment. Previous projects mentioned include: Mosaics Macramé English paper piecing Kintsugi Paper quilling Watercolour Cross stitch Needle felting Tie-dye String art Glass resin flowers Lampshades Fabric collage (Kinu Saiga) The next planned workshop will focus on sand art. 1 🌟 Overall Theme The workshop is about much more than making lanterns. Kate repeatedly emphasizes that the goal is to reduce barriers to creativity, encourage experimentation rather than perfection, and help people build a regular creative habit through shared online crafting and community support. Mistakes are presented as part of the learning process, and participants are encouraged to play, explore, and enjoy making things together. 1

Welcome to this month’s Curious Octopus creative workshop, where we explored the relaxing art of paper quilling ✨ In this live online craft night, Kate guides you through beginner friendly paper quilling techniques including: • Tight coils • Loose coils • Teardrop shapes • C scrolls • S scrolls • V scrolls • Y scrolls You’ll learn how to use quilling tools, measuring guides, glue techniques and simple paper shaping methods to create beautiful decorative designs using rolled paper. This workshop is perfect for beginners and anyone looking for a calming, creative activity to switch off and make something beautiful. Curious Octopus is a monthly craft subscription box and live online craft community, helping adults reconnect with creativity through different creative projects every month 🎨 Find out more or join a future workshop at: www.CuriousOctopus.art #paperquilling #quillingart #crafttutorial #paperart #creativecommunity #craftsubscriptionbox #creativepositivetoday

Welcome to our Curious Octopus live craft night replay. In this month’s workshop, we’re learning the relaxing art of English Paper Piecing and creating a beautiful hexagon table mat together. This session was originally taught live as part of the Curious Octopus monthly craft subscription box, where members receive a new creative project delivered to their door every month alongside an interactive online craft night. In this replay we cover: • How to glue fabric around hexagon templates • Beginner friendly English paper piecing techniques • How to stitch hexagons together neatly • Tips for thread, needles and fabric choices • How to prepare your piece ready for finishing Please note: we do not fully complete the project during this live session. A separate finishing tutorial will also be available to show you how to complete your table mat. Join us live each month or catch up later with the replay. 🌊 Curious Octopus Monthly craft subscription boxes with live online workshops Unbox your creativity Website: https://www.curiousoctopus.art YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriousOctopusArt Facebook Creative Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/612059935168678 #EnglishPaperPiecing #CraftSubscriptionBox #BeginnerSewing #SlowStitching #CreativeCommunity #CraftNight #CuriousOctopus #SewingTutorial #Handmade #CreativePositiveToday

Learn the relaxing art of English paper piecing with this beginner friendly sewing tutorial from Curious Octopus In this workshop, I’ll show you how to: • Prepare and glue your hexagons • Sew hexagons together using whip stitch • Build your patchwork design • Remove the paper templates • Attach your piece to backing fabric • Add wadding and finish your padded mat This project is perfect for beginners and is designed to be calming, creative, and easy to continue growing into larger quilting projects if you’d like to keep stitching. Curious Octopus is a monthly creative subscription box where we learn a new craft together every month through live online workshops. Find out more at: www.CuriousOctopus.art TikTok @CuriousOctops.art #EnglishPaperPiecing #EPP #QuiltingForBeginners #HandSewing #HexagonQuilt #Patchwork #SlowStitching #SewingTutorial #QuiltingTutorial #CreativeHobbies #CraftSubscriptionBox #CuriousOctopus #CreativePositiveToday

Join us live as we create a beautiful geometric string art design step by step with Kate from Curious Octopu. If you’re crafting along, grab your Curious Octopus kit and get set up. We’ll be hammering in pins, building the pattern, and wrapping the thread to bring the design to life. If you’re just watching, you’re very welcome to come along, see how it works, and get a feel for the workshop. Beginner or More Detailed Version You can follow along in two ways: Beginner version No prep needed. Just bring your box and we’ll guide you through it. More detailed version For a more delicate finish, you’ll need to: • Cut around 4 metres of each thread (about two door heights) • Separate your embroidery threads into single strands This can take a bit of time, so it’s best to do it before the live. What you might need • Scissors or thread snippers Learn how to separate your threads https://youtu.be/qz4t-imt2zA Want to join next time? If you like what you see and want to take part in a future workshop, you can grab your next box here: www.CuriousOctopus.art A new craft every month, everything included, and a live workshop to guide you through it. Curious Octopus is a monthly creative subscription box designed to help you learn a new craft in a relaxed, beginner-friendly way. No experience needed. No pressure. Just creativity, sorted. #stringart #craftkit #creativehobby #learnsomethingnew #creativepositivetoday

Join us live for a relaxing Curious Octopus watercolour workshop where we’ll paint a peaceful night landscape together. In this session we’ll learn some core watercolour techniques including colour mixing, controlling water to create light and dark tones, using masking fluid to preserve bright whites, and adding beautiful texture with salt. By the end of the workshop you’ll have your own finished watercolour painting featuring a glowing moon, starry sky and lake reflection. If you don’t have one of the Curious Octopus boxes, you’re still very welcome to join in. Just bring some watercolour paints, paper, a brush and a glass of water and we’ll have a go together. Explore creative boxes and workshops at: www.CuriousOctopus.art #creativepositivetoday #watercolour #learnwatercolour #artworkshop #curiousoctopus #paintalong #watercolourforbeginners