Creating Art Together
Teaching traditional craft skills to our community.
Developing positive mental health attitudes.
Restoring our own wellbeing.
Recycling and re-inventing textiles .
Our Story
About Us
Learn More About
Michelle
Michelle is a professional teacher and has more than 20-years experience delivering and designing courses to a range of learners of all ages and abilities. Michelle has specialised in ICT, digital skills, textiles, creative arts and crafts as well as having a passion for sharing skills and knowledge in sewing and dressmaking.
“I confess I am a bit of a fabric hoarder, in particular floral fabrics and beautiful Harris Tweed but also love anything vintage.”
After her mother Pauline taught her how to use a sewing machine at 9-years old, she would sneak out the sewing machine while her mother was at work in the evenings and make matching items of clothing for herself and her friends. Michelle now has her own sewing business and operates in and around Sunderland at various community locations, offering 1:1 tuition and many other sewing classes and workshops from beginner classes to dressmaking and drafting patterns, Daydream Sewing & Crafts
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Joy
Joy is a qualified, experienced tutor. She specialises in rug making, textiles and photography. She has worked with a broad range of learners from children, through to people with additional learning needs, those living with Dementia and the elderly. Joy is also a Dementia Champion and aims to deliver participatory arts that are as inclusive as possible. Check out Joy’s page for workshops Clothworks29
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Jayne
Jayne’s love of textiles has endured after studying BA Honour Textile Crafts at The University of Huddersfield in 2005 and MA Glass at Sunderland University 2006 where Jayne captured the drape of patterned textiles in glass. Recognised for excellent colour perception and print, Jayne exhibited work in London and Paris, selling printed fabrics internationally. Jayne is a fully qualified teacher and has taught many artforms for the past 10 years throughout the local schools and community. Seeing the benefits that creativity brings to the people she works with, drives Jayne to continue and ultimately to become a director for Cultural Creatives CIC.
“I specialise in natural and synthetic fabric dyeing and printing. I am passionate about teaching traditional textile skills and textile heritage to our local communities. Creating courses that are accessible and teach basic skills that can help improve lives, re–engage, and forge new connections and friendships within our community”
Jayne is a professional Artist with BA Honours Textile Crafts and MA Glass.
Jayne specialises in printmaking techniques, having developed her practice since graduating in 2006. Jayne is a qualified Teacher and also has her own studio in Sunderland offering various workshops. Jayne Johnson Print Mine.
Our Story
Our Mission, Vision & Values
Cultural Creatives Community Interest Company aims to teach traditional craft skills to our local communities, providing essential skills to transform the way we look at contemporary consumerism. We teach participants how to mend, recycle and re-invent textiles into functional or decorative items. Participants will learn about different fabrics and dyeing techniques. They will learn and apply hand-printing techniques, develop simple sewing skills and take on patchwork from scraps with repeated geometric designs, or make a small piece using traditional rug techniques.
We are a team dedicated to teaching traditional craft skills whilst raising awareness of mental health conditions and the environmental impact of textile consumerism. Our emphasis is on creating personal, quality items, mending and remaking old into new. We embrace new technologies whilst providing opportunities to learn from our craft heritage. Environmental impact of the textile industry is a global problem very much present in the media today. Cultural Creatives CIC will work with the local community to look at ways we can reduce textile waste whilst also restoring our own wellbeing through partaking in affordable craft activities.
Our sessions encourage sharing of skills, developing pairs or small groups working to nurture and support aesthetic creativity and practical achievement across the group. We encourage intergenerational sharing, to overcome stereotyping and highlight the positive relationships, increased understanding and respect that can develop between generations. This can support positive mental health by helping individuals view society in a positive and appreciative way.
Through the process of creative recycling we draw parallels with life lessons and the importance of rebuilding, learning and mending to help develop positive mental health attitudes create opportunities for social interaction and provide support through sign posting to specialist services.
Our staff are highly experienced and very knowledgeable in their chosen areas, differentiating to suit participant needs. We will also stretch and challenge each participant to reach his or her full potential.
A huge thank you to our funders.
