The Hive Café and SU teamed up to host a series of free "Crafternoon" sessions for students and staff to take a break from life, and relax in a creative way. See what we got up to!
May was a busy month at The Hive Café, but not in the usual coffee-and-cake kind of way.
Every Thursday, the Students' Union Representation Team teamed up with The Hive to host a series of free "Crafternoon" sessions designed to help students and staff take a break from deadlines, revision, inboxes, and whatever else life had decided to throw at them that week.
The aim was simple: spend an hour or two creating something fun, meeting new people, and stepping away from the stresses of everyday life.
And judging by the turnout, we'd say it worked!
Why do we do this?
Research consistently shows that engaging in creative activities can help reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels while boosting feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins.
In less scientific terms: crafting makes you feel good. It gives your brain a chance to focus on something enjoyable, colourful, and occasionally covered in glue.
Our first session saw attendees creating their very own Clay Study Buddies.
These tiny polymer clay companions were designed to sit proudly on desks and study spaces, offering silent encouragement during revision sessions. We welcomed a whole host of characters into existence, from bees and fried eggs to a frog enjoying a very important morning coffee.
Week two brought the soothing scent of lavender to The Hive as attendees designed their own lavender bags.
Armed with drawstring bags, beads, embroidery thread, fabric pens, and plenty of dried lavender flowers, participants created personalised pouches perfect for reducing stress, freshening up rooms, or accompanying them through exam season. Some featured elegant botanical designs, others showcased favourite names, and several included some very cool cats. To complete the calming atmosphere, The Hive also offered a special lavender Earl Grey matcha for those looking to maximise their relaxation.
Then came what might have been the most practical session of the month: personalised pencil cases.
Now, we know what you're thinking. Does anyone really need another pencil case?
Probably not.
Did that stop us? Absolutely not.
Participants transformed plain canvas pencil cases into unique works of art using fabric scraps, embroidery, felt, and decorative materials. Some looked as though they had been lifted straight from a Pinterest board, while others featured motivational quotes and study affirmations ready to provide encouragement during long library sessions. Every design was completely different, and every one was brilliant.
Our fourth session focused on bookmarks,
Because, despite what we tell ourselves, folded page corners, old receipts, and mystery scraps of paper are not sustainable bookmark solutions. (Our colleagues in the Library would certainly agree.)
Attendees used a mountain of craft supplies to create personalised bookmarks filled with colour, creativity, and inspirational messages.
Finishing with our Pride Crafternoon
On Wednesday 10 June, we had one final Crafternoon of the year. Students and staff had the chance to paint their own tote bag and add their mark to RSU’s Pride Mural. Celebrating Pride with everyone in a wholesome, accessible and creative way was the perfect way to close off the series for now - our Crafternoon sessions are all about inclusivity and support after all!
The Pride Mural will be available for people to add to throughout the month of June.
A note on Sustainability:
One of the things that makes these sessions particularly special is our commitment to sustainability. Many of the materials used throughout the month came from generous craft donations received from students, staff, and members of the wider community. Fabric scraps, buttons, ribbons, paper, and other creative supplies that might otherwise have gone unused were given a new purpose through our workshops.
Alongside these donations, we also invest in purchasing materials specifically for our events to ensure attendees have access to a wide variety of quality supplies and can explore new crafts without any financial barriers. By combining donated resources with carefully selected new materials, we're able to create welcoming, accessible, and environmentally conscious events that support both wellbeing and creativity.
Most importantly, these sessions reminded us that creativity doesn't have to be perfect to be valuable. Whether you left with a beautifully embroidered pencil case or a slightly wonky clay fried egg, taking time to create, relax, and connect with others is something worth celebrating.
Looking Ahead:
We loved hosting our Stressbusters Crafternoons and would love to continue offering more sessions in the future. If you have suggestions for crafts you'd like to try, questions about upcoming events, or craft supplies you'd like to donate, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact hive.cafe@roehampton.ac.uk.
