Getting crafty at weekly club

You only have to think of cards lovingly created by children to know that.

Ann Sivitter is someone who knows all about the value of crafting.

She set up the weekly Let’s Get Crafty group at Dinnington Resource Centre, which is now four years old.

She said: “When you make something, it’s like a little piece of yourself you’re giving away to someone else.”

It’s that personal touch that makes crafting so special, and something more people are getting into.

TV presenters like Kirstie Allsopp have helped.

Ann, 64, of Hunters Chase, Throapham, said: “I think Kirstie Allsopp has brought it to the fore, but people have always done crafting, with knitting and sewing, often out of necessity.”

“With it being a bit hard times now as well, people are getting into crafts.”

Ann used to work at Rother Valley College with special needs students, and while there studied for a teaching certificate.

She arranges the projects which the craft group members tackle each week, based on what they would like to do.

“We mainly do paper crafting like cards, but we’ve also done wall hangings and heat embossing,” she said.

The group received a £5,000 Lottery grant when it was first set up, and has since received a further £4,285 which has been used to buy a computer, printer and other equipment.

There are 48 members, some of whom have been there from the start and some who come along as and when the fancy strikes them.

The chairman is Sid Adams, treasurer/coordinator is Mary Matthews and secretary is Doreen Gubby.

Sid said; “There’s a lot of camaraderie in the group. I do the lifting and carrying and make the drinks.”

Ann said she started getting into crafts when she was seven or eight and learnt how to knit.

She has two grandsons who enjoy visiting and learning crafts.

“It’s good that we’re learning these skills and are able to pass them on to others,” she said.

Kate Ferrand, of Sandrock Road, Harworth, and her friend Kim Littlewood, of Oxford Road, Carlton, both decided to join the group after going to a craft show.

Kate said: “I’d never done paper craft before and I hated art at school, but I really enjoy this.”

“People appreciate a handmade card more and I’ve had compliments on mine.”

“I’ve learnt loads coming here.”

Kim said she liked painting and drawing and had now set aside a room at home for her crafts.

Her 12-year-old grandson is terminally ill and has spent time in Bluebell Wood Hospice, so she has made cards for them to sell in their shop.

“I get a lot of pleasure from making cards, and you can personalise them to make them special. I’m teaching my grandsons as well, ” she said.

Val Morley, of Grange Avenue, Woodsetts, said she enjoyed the social side of the group, and Sue Lidster, of Wickersley, said she enjoyed being creative.

It costs £3 a meeting. To find out more about joining, call Ann on 01909 550062.