February 2026

Heya! Dotty here — sprinkling a bit of sparkle and silliness as we step into crafty February.

Love is in the air, the yarn’s getting chunkier, and there’s plenty of cosy creativity to dig into. Let’s take a peek at what’s new, neat, and just a little bit glittery this month at The Home Crafters..

 

January was all about clearing space in store… so we can spend February filling it back up again!

We’ve added Tamiya cements, hobby tools, and acrylic paints to the shelves - perfect for model makers and mini painters alike. Even better? More Tamiya paint colours are on the way, so this range is only going to get better.

This month also sees the arrival of the brand new Vallejo True Metallic Metal range ✨

If you love a proper, rich, coloured metallic finish on your models (and let’s be honest… who doesn’t), these are definitely ones to watch.

On the crafty side of things, a fab new range of craft kits have arrived — ideal timing for Valentine’s gifts, Mother’s Day treats, or a well-earned creative pick-me-up.

We’ve also dipped our toes into the world of CaDA brick sets! There’s a small selection in store at the moment, and if they prove popular, we’ll be expanding the range — so consider this a test drive 🚗💨

And for our younger makers: lots more kids’ crafts are incoming, just in time for half term (you’re welcome, parents 😄).

Oh — and we had a visit from our King Cole rep, who’s been teasing us with some very tempting new yarns… so if wool is your weakness, keep an eye on our socials 👀🧶

 

January was very much a behind-the-scenes planning month, and the workshop calendar has been getting a proper glow-up.

February brings the fun part: more dates going live, more sessions to book onto, and more opportunities to get out of the house and make things with other humans (wild concept, I know).

We’ve been busy planning ahead, and the good news is that several new workshops are now live and available to book online 🎉
If you’ve been waiting for new dates to drop — this is your moment.

February half term workshops are also up and ready to book, and if you’ve joined us before, you’ll know how quickly these fill. This time around, Sophie can only run two days, so spaces are more limited than usual.

📅 Fewer dates
🎨 Same brilliant creativity
⚠️ Very real chance of sell-outs

If half term crafting is on your radar, we’d recommend booking sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

Keep an eye on our workshops page and socials — and if you’ve been hovering over “book now”… consider this your gentle nudge 😉

 

February can feel a bit heavy — the weather’s grey, the excitement of Christmas is long gone, and everything feels like it needs doing right now. That’s where mindful making comes in.

This month’s hobby hack is all about using your craft time as a reset, not another thing on the to-do list.

Try this:

• Pick one simple, low-pressure task

• Set a timer for 20–30 minutes

• Put your phone down (yes, really)

• Focus only on what’s in front of you

That might be:

• basecoating a mini

• slowly shading one section

• stitching a small area

• cutting pieces for a future project

• or just tidying your workspace properly

No rushing. No multitasking. No expectations of a finished result.

The goal isn’t productivity — it’s giving your brain a break. Repetitive, hands-on tasks are surprisingly good at quieting mental noise, and even a short session can leave you feeling calmer and more grounded.

And if, at the end of it, all you’ve done is enjoy the process? That still counts. 💛

 

A little love for our handmade shelves 💖

January can be a quieter month for local makers, so a huge thank you to everyone who continued to support our artisan crafters — from cards and gifts to artwork and little treasures you don’t find on the high street.

If you haven’t browsed that section in a while, February is a great time for a mooch. You might find the perfect birthday card, a gift, or a “this is mine now” treat.

 

This month’s pick is something a lot of experienced makers quietly swear by… but many people have never tried.

Tamiya Extra Thin Cement

If you’ve ever glued plastic parts together and thought:

• “Why is this messy?”

• “Why did that bit slide?”

• “Why does it look like I sneezed glue everywhere?”

…this little bottle might change your life.

Unlike thick, gloopy glues, extra thin cement flows into joins by capillary action — meaning you hold the parts together, touch the brush to the seam, and the glue does the work for you. No blobs. No fingerprints. No panic.

It’s loved by model makers and hobby pros for a reason, but it’s just as useful for:

• plastic kits and models

• delicate assembly work

• diorama and scene building

• tidy, precise joins where you don’t want visible glue

The best part?
It’s one of those tools you don’t realise you need… until you use it once and never go back.

If you’re working with plastic parts of any kind and want cleaner, calmer, more controlled building, this one’s worth a look.

 

The bargains are still doing their thing 👀

Our clearance and end-of-line sections have still been shifting nicely, and February is a great month for a proper rummage - especially if you like snagging a bargain and feeling smug about it.

We did a 'deep clean' in January and uncovered lots of 'old' stock that we just want out the way, so pop by and find a bargain - only available in store!

Remember: once it’s gone, it’s gone… and Dotty cannot perform miracles when someone comes back three weeks later asking for “that one thing that was £1”. 😂

 

Mini painters… you already know what I’m about to say. 😏

The Brush Crusade is back — and we’re officially on the countdown.

We’ve teased it. We’ve whispered about it. We’ve watched you all suddenly “tidy your hobby desk” with suspicious urgency.

⏰ Entry Deadline: 5pm on Sunday 15th February

🗓 The Brush Crusade Awards Ceremony: Sunday 22nd February

There’s still time to get your entries in, but this is your friendly reminder not to leave it too late — brushes have a habit of misbehaving under pressure.

If you were gifted a new mini, kit, or a festive pile of plastic crack over Christmas… this is your sign to turn it into something glorious.

👉 You can view the Brush Crusade gallery online now, and we’ll be sharing more over the coming weeks as we build towards the big day.

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That’s all from me this month! Whatever you’re making — painting, stitching, building, or bravely tackling that bargain bin — best of luck to everyone entering the Brush Crusade, and I’ll catch up with you again in March.