Getting Crafty!

Lisa, The Cellar and some of the crafty creations

Lisa has lived in Curry Rivel for 22 years and has been a mum to 2 children alongside working full time.

Her life was turned upside down after the sudden and tragic death of her daughter, closely followed by her father just three months later. This, along with the loss of her mother, sister and other close family members had a very negative effect on her life and she struggled for many years with depression and post traumatic stress disorder. These painful losses made Lisa take time to analyse her life and she decided she couldn't go on working all hours to keep busy. She needed to find a distraction.

Her passion was making things, being creative, and she found that her mental health improved whilst crafting or painting. So, grabbing the bull by the horns she gave up a teaching job to look for something local. This allowed more time to crochet, paint, craft and meditate as much as possible.

Whilst living in Curry Rivel, she didn't identify opportunities to join an art or craft groups so decided she would try and build her own and encourage others join and to learn.

Unable to find a venue cheap enough as a permanent home local business, The Firehouse, kindly allowed Lisa to use the upstairs space for free and so she started running some art classes until, eventually, The Cellar in Somerton came up for rent. Lisa took the gamble and opened it up as a craft centre and gallery.

Lisa told us;
"It has been the best thing ever, I am so happy and stress free, we offer so many different groups and classes from crochet , decoupage, clay, card making plus so many more amazing classes and workshops. The idea was to provide a safe and friendly support network for locals to come and get involved.

"I run The Cellar with a dear friend, Nicole, and we are now fund raising to buy more furniture for more locals to come and exhibit their hand made goodies and hoping to raise funds to fit a stair lift as the building is underground.

"With Christmas round the corner we have many exciting craft sessions coming up, including wreath making and Christmas gonks."

Lisa holds a regular Monday Craft Club (tonight it's Halloween crafts, next week pumpkins!) and you can try crochet this week on Thursday 20th. There are opportunities to try decoupage, acrylic pouring, card making and painting on canvas amongst others.

There are also regular Tuesday spiritual circles (tomorrow and 25th) and other sessions focusing on the psychic, the paranormal and, for Halloween on 31st, you can book a reading or join a séance (by invitation only).

The Cellar is in Brunel Shopping Precinct, Somerton, TA11 7PY.For more information on upcoming events and to book your place contact purpleskiesspiritualteachings@gmail.com or phone 07967451569.

Dont forget ladies and gents, if you want to tell us about your life in Curry Rivel or your journey so far, we are all ears. Email editor@curryrivel.org.uk