April 2026

Hey hey! Dotty here — powered by lighter evenings, pastel colours, and the sudden urge to rearrange everything in sight. 🌷

April has well and truly arrived, bringing with it a fresh wave of creativity, a shop full of new goodies, and plenty to keep hands (and minds) busy over the Easter break.

Let’s catch up…

 

We’ve gone a little bit print mad this month… and we’re not sorry about it.

Following on from some super-popular workshops, our brand new lino cutting and printing range has landed in store, and it’s a beauty. Whether you’re completely new to printmaking or already eyeing up your next project, there’s something incredibly satisfying about carving, inking, and seeing your design come to life.

Think bold patterns, handmade cards, custom prints, and that lovely slightly-imperfect charm that makes it feel properly handmade.

Alongside that, we’ve had even more new craft kits arrive (honestly, they keep just appearing 👀)… including some gorgeous brand new batik kits!

If you’ve never tried batik before, think bold patterns, layered colour, and that slightly magical wax-resist process — it’s a bit different, a bit creative, and very satisfying to do.

So if you’re in the mood to try something new, you’re properly spoilt for choice right now.

And finally (and very patiently awaited 👀), the Vallejo True Metallic Metal range has officially landed in store!

We’ve had a little wait while the supplier got the display stands back in stock, but it’s been worth it — these paints are stunning. Rich, vibrant metallics with proper colour depth, perfect for adding that extra pop to your models and projects.

If you’ve been curious about them, now’s the time to come and have a look — they’re looking very shiny on the shelf ✨

 

The Easter holidays are here… which means the return of our wonderfully chaotic, creativity-filled kids workshops.

Paint, glue, giggles, and some genuinely brilliant little creations heading home — it’s what we do best.

This time we're making wool pictures, Pokémon spinners, pet parrots!
Spaces are limited (and they will go), so if you’re planning to join us, booking sooner rather than later is a very wise move.

  all our workshops are available to book online 🎉

🐣 Easter Crafting – Wreaths & Fresh Makes

If you’re feeling a bit “I want to make something seasonal but not too over-the-top”, this is your sign.

Easter wreaths are a perfect middle ground — colourful, creative, and something you can actually display and enjoy.

Think:
🌿 Faux foliage bases
🐣 Soft pastel details
🎀 Ribbons, eggs, florals
✨ Your own creative twist

They’re simple to start, easy to personalise, and surprisingly relaxing to put together.

Pop in and we’ll happily point you in the direction of everything you need.

 

Well… that escalated quickly.

Our first Warhammer prize draw was an absolute hit — tickets flew out, the live draw was a success, and the excitement around it has been brilliant to see.

So… we’re doing it again.

🔥 Next up: Helsmiths of Hashut Army Box Set (worth £123!)
🎟️ Tickets are just £2 each or 3 for £5 — and they’re available NOW.

If you missed out last time, this is your moment.

And if the momentum keeps up? We’re making it a monthly thing.

More chances to win. More reasons to pop in. More hobby excitement all round.

Keep an eye on our socials — this one is just starting to heat up! 👀

 

Alright, I’m just going to say it…

Craft gifts make better Easter treats than chocolate.

There. Done. 😌

Hear me out:

• They last longer

• They don’t disappear in one sitting

• They give you something to do, not just consume

• And you end up with something you’ve actually made

Whether it’s for kids, grown-ups, or yourself (no judgement), a craft gift is a little box of creativity waiting to happen.

And unlike chocolate… it doesn’t mysteriously vanish by Tuesday. 👀

you can check out our craft gift guide here

 

This is a big one — and something we’ve been working on behind the scenes for a while.

We’re officially launching our Miniature Painting Academy.

Over the past year, we’ve seen a huge rise in people wanting to get into miniature painting — especially with Warhammer growing so quickly in store. And while our open painting sessions were great for getting started, we kept hearing the same thing:

“I don’t really know what I’m doing… I’m just copying and hoping for the best.”

So we’ve built something to fix that.

The Miniature Painting Academy is a guided, skills-based workshop series designed to actually teach painting — not just provide space to do it.

Each session focuses on a specific area, such as:
🎨 Basecoating neatly and confidently
🖌️ Shading and creating depth
✨ Highlighting and bringing models to life

But more importantly, we explain:

• why techniques work (so you can make your own decisions)

• when to use them (and when to keep it simple)

• how to improve results step by step

This means you’re not just painting one model… you’re building skills you can use on every project going forward.

📅 Sessions will be running regularly, starting this April
🎟️ Limited spaces per session to keep it hands-on and supportive

It’s ideal for:

• complete beginners who want a proper starting point

• younger painters ready to learn more than just “paint by numbers”

• hobbyists who feel stuck and want to level up

It’s still relaxed, still fun — just with a bit more direction, a bit more learning, and a lot more “ohhh that makes sense now”.

 

We’re not slowing down any time soon… 👀

🎁 We’re gearing up for Father’s Day with a proper focus on make-it-yourself gifts — the kind that mean more because you made them (and didn’t panic-buy socks last minute 😄)

🎨 Even more hobby goodness incoming — new ranges, restocks, and a few exciting additions we’re not quite ready to reveal yet…

🌿 More mindful, skill-building sessions as we head into lighter evenings and longer creative time

---

April might be about fresh starts… but May is shaping up to be very exciting.

Stay tuned — and as always, keep an eye on our socials for the first sneak peeks 👀

-----

That’s all from me this month! Whether you’re carving lino, building wreaths, painting minis, or just popping in for a browse — I’ll catch up with you in May.