The Lark Experience: My First Class

On a rainy Saturday afternoon, I left a desk full of scattered papers and books, pulled on my coat, and stepped out into the cold air. It was early November and I had just been accepted for a position at Lark Design Make. I met with Gemma the previous week and she had invited me to a macrame plant hanger class. It was the middle of a busy assessment period at Cardiff university, but I was eager to see what my new work environment was like. Little did I know that those two hours at the class would help fuel me with an energy, ambition, and optimism that I would take with me throughout my hectic week.

As I walked from my house to the workshop, I began to feel anxious. I had very little experience with making crafts and the stresses of my coursework were still floating in the back of my mind, along with a host of doubting questions. What if I can’t complete the craft in time? What if the craft looks terrible? What if I feel isolated from the group? These questions, however, vanished the second I stepped inside. The warmth of the workshop and the smiles of the other guests made me feel at home. After a cup of tea and a couple of instructions from Rhian, our fantastic teacher, I was well on my way to making my own macrame plant hanger. At first, I was daunted by the sight of the completed plant hangers on display, but once I started tying knots and envisioning my creation, I became more confident. The crafting became a meditation. I felt happy and relaxed as I built my hanger and enjoyed casual conversation with other ‘Larksters.’ I began to feel as though I belonged to this amazing community. As a young student living over five-thousand miles away from home, that was a priceless emotion.

Once the class finished, I left the workshop feeling calm and rejuvenated, and with a completed macrame plant hanger! I would recommend a Lark class to anyone, regardless of age or gender, who feels down, lost, anxious… or anyone who simply needs a day away from the house. You will be joining a warm and welcoming community that comes together to create beautiful and practical crafts. I believe there’s no better feeling than that of acceptance and love. You will find both within the Lark workshop.

- Luke