Claireabellemakes Cambridge Craft Party | Rhode Island

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

Nestled away quietly on the outskirts of Cambridge in the village of Cherry Hinton is a place called Rhode Island. Step inside and you’ll discover that this isn’t your average pub or cafe, it’s a delightfully quirky hangout for creatives and thinkers.

I was at Rhode Island for an afternoon craft party courtesy of Claire, the blogger behind the craft and lifestyle site Claireabellemakes and founder of Cambridge Craft Parties. More on that in a minute, but first let me give you the tour of the place!


The interior is full of Pinterest style inspiration. One half is drowning in natural light from an abundance of windows. Wooden chairs and tables on whitewashed wooden floors provide a perfect setting to hang out for a spot of lunch.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

A band were playing when we arrived. There is usually some kind of entertainment going on.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

The other side has cosy padded seating booths in neutral tones and cushions scattered all over with quotes to get you thinking.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

I was in geek chic heaven as I took in the DC Comic inspired décor. I took lots of pictures to show N when I got back home as I knew he’d love it too.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

At the bar I was tempted by a selection of treats each with handwritten labels.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

I should have been more healthy with my choices… but I couldn’t resist the call of the salted caramel milkshake.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

It tasted like the glorious Ben & Jerry’s Caramel Chew Chew Ice Cream, but in liquid form. This is a rather dangerous combination when you’re armed with a straw and mine disappeared at an alarming rate.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

Pippa and Lisa arrived and we had an excited little reunion. Last time we’d all been together was at the Ladbrokes Boat Party.

We made our way to Claire’s reserved table. Each person attending had an adorable place setting with a goody bag full of cute craft items and a handmade name badge.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

Claire introduced herself and showed us her ‘here’s one that I made earlier’ flower crown, before talking us through how to make it.

Then we were let loose to have a go for ourselves.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

My mum and sister are both quite creative and of the mindset ‘don’t pay for it, make it yourself!’. However I didn’t get the gene and am not very good with my hands. Since school I’ve done very little that you could consider artistic. I warned Claire of my ineptitude prior to the event but she assured me that no prior skill was necessary and that I’d have lots of fun…and I did!

The first step was to select our silk and paper flowers and Claire had brought along a huge selection to pick from, as well as other leafy decorations.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

I decided upon a blue and white theme.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

To make the crown we measured out a length of twine wire which fit twice around the circumference of our heads and bent this into a circle, securing the ends by wrapping floral tape all around.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

Now I was ready to glue it all in place. After initially being quite nervous to use it, I soon decided that hot glue guns are the best invention ever! I kept adding more flowers as an excuse to carry on using it.

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

 I did also glue my hand to the table temporarily but we’ll gloss over that!

Soon our creations were complete. We had all created completely different crowns showing off our personalities and style to a T. There were dainty flower chains, a leafy Grecian laurel, bright and cheery daisies and festival ready roses.

I have to say I was rather chuffed with mine!

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns
Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

Claire was a lovely host and I thoroughly recommend stopping by for one of her other Cambridge Craft Parties, details of which you can find here:

claireabellemakes.com/cambridgecraftparties

I paid £20 to attend the party which was great value for a relaxed afternoon of fun.

I must also say thanks to Rhode Island’s team who were gracious enough to take our food request for crispy courgette fries and burgers even though last orders for lunch had been called 10 minutes earlier. 


Thanks Rhode Island for being such lovely hosts, I can’t wait to drag N along for a lazy sunday lunch (I’ll let him off crafting flower crowns!).

Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns
Claireabellemakes Craft Party | Rhode Island | Flower Crowns

Have you ever been to a craft party? Do you prefer to have a go yourself or just buy whatever you need?

 

Lifestyle & vegan food blogger
Peterborough | UK
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