Bringing the Outside In

Happy New Year! We hope you're all feeling well rested after Christmas and are looking forward to a (hopefully!) slightly more normal 2021. We have adapted our workshops back online and have added some exciting new crafts! This month we're focusing on keeping you entertained during lockdown for the third time - so read on if you want some inspo...



Picking a plant is no simple task - whether it’s going to be too high maintenance, climbed by your cat, or grow too big, are all important considerations! We recommend these local sellers as a good start for your plant hunt...

1. Flower Lodge - this florist offers a beautiful assortment of flowers, dried flowers, and of course plants. They regularly post their two adorable border terriers on their socials too! You can order via the website for delivery or click & collect to get your plant fix.

2. Eartha- Eartha is one of our top picks in Cardiff. Being super close to the studio we often pop in for a working lunch and browse the unusual plants they have on offer. If you're a plant connoisseur then this is the place for you! You can check out their website here and also the cool independents they work with and support in Cardiff.

Ok, so now you've purchased your favourite plants our next top tip is how to get crafty to display your green babies!

1. Macrame Shelf Hanging - a workshop regularly featured at the Lark studio and favoured by all our home project lovers is the macrame shelf hanging. If you know macrame, the knots used and design are very simple but you're just adding in a wooden shelf! Once complete it makes the perfect display area for those plants that hang over their pots.

2. Macrame Plant Hanging - if you're looking to get started with macrame, a plant hanger is a great place to begin. We actually have a tutorial on our YouTube showing you how to get started and create a variety of designs using the main knots - you can check that out here.

3. Jesmonite Plant Pots - how fun are these jesmonite plant pots? If you want to make your own to display your plants we have just added an online workshop where we send you the moulds needed to make 2 plant pots and 2 coasters - with colours fully customisable (check it out below)!

If your plants you already have are looking pretty healthy, instead of buying more why not propagate your own - you can keep the babies or give them to friends so their home can also look lush and green!

Gem's top propagation tips

- Keep 'thirsty' plants need a water source so you are more likely to remember to add a little water whilst you're brushing your teeth/filling the kettle etc..
- Upsize plant pots if a plant seems to have stopped growing or looks too big for its pot
- Love your plants and they will love you back ;-)

To watch Gem's video of her top tips for propagating your plants click here!

Introducing…

Hi! I'm Ella and I've just started at Lark as part of the Insights Scheme at Cardiff University. I'm in my Second Year studying English Literature.

I started sewing over lockdown, with a lot of guidance from my Mum who is a fantastic seamstress! My first project was a halterneck top, and since then I've created lots of different pieces. I like to combine my love for charity shopping with sewing, so a lot of my projects are reworking old clothes into something new! At the moment I'm following a pattern for a 70s jumpsuit...which I hope I'll be able to wear outside the house sometime soon!