FROM GLASS-BLOWING TO BRA-SEWING: YORKSHIRE AND HUMBER SHUN THEIR SMARTPHONES IN FAVOUR OF ARTS AND CRAFT CLASSES AS THE UK'S MAKER MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO BOOM

Over a third (47%) of people in Yorkshire and Humber have attended a craft-based class in the past year.

38% say the desire to learn new skills is fuelling their interest and a quarter (32%) cite the need to do something that doesn’t involve digital technology as a driving factor

Taking on more home repairs yourself rather than hiring help is tipped to be the next big trend for 2020 in Yorkshire and Humber.

Eventbrite reports a boom in classes, training sessions, and workshops, with the number of events in this category more than quadrupling from 2014 to 2018.

New data from global ticketing and event technology provider Eventbrite suggests that Brits are going crazy for classes, with the number of these events on the platform rising by more than 350% across the UK from 2014 to 2018. 

To understand what’s fueling the trend, the platform surveyed British adults about their crafty habits. 

When asked about their motivations, more than a third of people in Yorkshire and Humber (35%) that were surveyed revealed they’ve taken up a craft class in order to challenge themselves to learn something new - they are also particularly motivated by a desire to immerse themselves in tech-free hobbies (32%), as well as wanting to be more eco-conscious (24%).

When it comes to new crafting classes that are tipped to be the next big trend, most people say learning how to take on basic home repairs is top of the agenda, with one in four recently taking part in relevant classes (25%) - closely followed by upcycling furniture (23%), greeting card making (22%), candle making (18%) and photography (18%). 

Last year alone, more than 7,500 hobby and special interest workshops were posted on Eventbrite. Featuring all sorts of weird and wonderful artforms including glass-blowing and underwear-making, collaging courses and Japanese Kintsugi - the figures indicate a boom in people seeking out new ways to learn creative skills and craft things with their own two hands.

Paul McCrudden, head of marketing at Eventbrite, UK and Ireland, said: “According to our data, the maker movement has been gaining pace rapidly over the past four years, with classes for quirky, hands-on hobbies leading the way.  

“You can now find a masterclass to teach you how to create pretty much anything - whether it’s learning how to turn discarded items into works of art, mastering the art of pottery or even getting to grips with making your own chocolate.

“It’s also fascinating to see that in the Yorkshire and Humber region, people are starting to break away from relying on tech to enhance their lives - with data showing that almost a third (32%) want to take part in an activity that doesn’t involve digital tech. Instead, learning to create something from nothing is becoming increasingly important with 30% using these craft-led workshops to become more eco-conscious.”

People are striving to learn new talents, and it’s now so easy to learn from like-minded experts - whatever you’re into. 

Claire Hemsley, founder of crafting company Dotty By Design runs regular Japanese Kintsugi classes. Speaking about the crafting movement she said: “Kintsugi is the traditional Japanese art of mending broken pottery with a golden seal - it’s a traditional technique that has been around in Japan for hundreds of years but is really starting to take off in the UK and we’ve had a lot of interest in it. Most of the people that come to our workshops do it because they love the thought of learning something new and experiencing the satisfaction that comes with creating something amazing with their own two hands. 

“Nowadays, we live in such a digitally-focussed world and we’re used to having everything we need at our fingertips. If something breaks, it can be replaced in just a matter of clicks on your smartphone - but so many people are starting to realise it doesn’t necessarily give them the satisfaction that crafting does. Plus there’s a real social side to the crafting movement too - it’s a great way to meet new people and try new things together.”

For more information, please visit: eventbrite.co.uk/l/talent-to-tickets/