Creative Explorers Workshop

11/06/2026

Good morning on this wet and windy June day!

We’re open til 4pm though I’ve barely seen a soul yet!

If you want to shelter from the rain and do something creative, our Craft Room is open for DIY crafts - bring your own thing for just a £5 sit-in fee, or choose from painting ceramics/glass, creating something with polymer/air dry clay, or make some elastic beaded bracelets/necklaces.

I’ll be at my bench trying to turn these random pieces of wire into rings and earrings. No clue how yet!

09/06/2026

I totally agree with everything this artist says.

These are the reasons I will nevvverrrr use AI generated images or text in any of my work or fb posts or website content, or anywhere.

It may have valid uses - replacing human creativity should not be one of them.

*IMPORTANT POST*

I DID NOT GENERATE THIS IMAGE - F**K GENERATIVE AI!
Angry emojis only please: 😠 😡 👿
(don't you dare 'like' this image, I will put wasps in your sock drawers, you have been warned! Love you byeeee)

Please read 💙

This image is doing the rounds it seems!

Someone has fed a photograph of my work (bottom right of the image is my actual work, everything else is trained from that image) into AI and asked it to show their own w.i.p images to prove they make them.

This is where we're at.

(By 'someone' I mean a HUGE page with a half a million following, likely entirely run by AI bots so the best you can do is argue with a computer programme about ethics, a fools errand)

I've found it on three sites so far.

I've woken up to a slew of messages;

Jen, heads up, this is based on your work right?

(To the folks who did this, Thank You, I'm so grateful, I can't fight it if I don't see it, you are stars)

But then...

Jen, I'm so dissappointed.
I didn't know you used AI to design your work?

Jenna, why are you using AI?
I won't be buying from you again.

Last time my work was stolen I had people who'd been ripped off by a computer, angrily come to me to demand refunds & Facebook took action by blocking me from my own page and leaving all the scam pages up.

This image takes it a step further and for me, ultimately a step too far.
It directly effects my reputation as an artist and at some point I have to draw a line.

To be frank, I've reached a point where I don't know if I can continue to use this platform.
I'm going to be exploring using my Ko-fi or Substack more going forward.

I know this will inevitably dissappoint some people but I'll try to do it in such a way that no-one who wants to come along is left behind and I'll still have a small presence here for a while yet.
It's no easy move.

Bottom line - Facebook and Meta could care less.
Artists are being demonetized, deplatformed and their entire careers being bought into disrepute at the 'harmless' push of a button on the daily now with no safety net or support framework.
Just an AI system that always sides with, surprisingly, defending the use of AI images and bot run pages.

This image is the exact reason why you'll see people like myself calling out anyone for using Generative AI for posters, ideas, advertising etc.

AI image generators are literally stealing our work and reputations, I urge anyone to please stop defending it, stop using it, stop viewing it as 'just a bit of harmless fun' and for the love of all that is holy, stop using it to make generic posters for your events and loosing any ounce of what makes your event unique or worth going to.
Instead consider joining us in calling it out when you see it.

All that will be left on Meta is AI slop and propoganda whilst all the real humans go elsewhere in search of something real...when I get there I'll pop the kettle on and invite you all round for tea 🙏✨️

Jen x

08/06/2026

Happy Monday Morning!

Here are the upcoming workshops for the rest of June:

Tuesday 16 June - Writing Circle

Wednesday 17 June - Herbal Tea Blending (1 space left)

Sunday 21 June - Make a Silver Spinner Ring (4 spaces left)

Wednesday 24 June - Make a Silver Pendant

Thursday 25 June - Beginners Crochet (3 spaces left)

Friday 26 June - Make a Silver Ring

Tuesday 30 June - Create Your Own Tarot Cards

There are full descriptions of each on the website and you can book directly there or pop into the shop (not today though - we're not open!)
https://creativeexplorersworkshop.co.uk/workshops

I'll be adding most of the July ones to the website today so keep your eyes peeled for some new and exciting things to make and do next month!

06/06/2026

I only opened my business a few short months ago, and I’ve been very happy with the interest and numbers at my workshops, but I don’t mind admitting that the shop element of the business is a lot quieter than I was expecting.

Posts like this remind me that the issue is wider than ‘just me’ and that we’re all navigating difficult times, both as business owners and as people.

Hang in there everyone!

‼️ Raw open post warning ‼️

Owning an independent business is hard right now.

There, I said it.

As shopkeepers and small business owners, we often put on a brave face. We smile, welcome customers through the door, post the pretty photos on social media, and tell everyone we’re doing fine. But the truth is, for many of us, it’s a struggle.

Takings are down.
Footfall is down.
Costs continue to rise.
And every single day feels like a battle to keep going.

And we completely understand why. The cost of living has affected everyone, and when household budgets are stretched, spending on things that aren’t essentials often has to take a back seat. We know people aren’t choosing not to support local businesses; many simply have less to spend.

We don’t always talk about it because we’re proud of what we’ve built. We don’t want to sound negative. We don’t want people to think we’re failing or searching for pity. But behind many independent shop doors are people lying awake at night wondering how they’re going to make it through another month.

So when you see posts encouraging people to shop local, please know that it isn’t just an annoying marketing slogan.

We genuinely mean it.

Every purchase, every recommendation, every share, every visit through the door makes a difference. Without customers choosing to support independent businesses, many simply won’t survive.

I think we can say on behalf of all the Tavistock independents…We’re incredibly grateful to every person who chooses to spend their money with us. You might see a small purchase, but we see someone helping to keep the lights on, supporting a dream, and helping maintain the character and community of our high streets.

Thank you for every visit, every purchase, every kind word and every bit of support.

It means more than you probably realise. ❤️

05/06/2026

Let’s talk about spinner rings 😃

There are loads of different styles of ‘spinner rings’. It’s essentially just a ring with some sort of moving part - great for anxiety or anyone who just wants to fiddle with their jewellery!

In the pic below, the big one is the first spinner ring I ever made - it’s a classic wide band, flared so that the outside wire ring can spin freely but not fall off. This type can also be made with thicker wire, beaded wire, multiple wires etc etc etc!
We’ll be making rings like this at my Make a Spinner Ring workshop on 21 June.

But a few days ago, on a whim, I made this tiny ring with just a wire and 3 free running beads and I think it’s my new favourite ring! I was going to sell it but I’ve decided to keep it for myself instead ☺️
I can make more though if anyone wants one!

04/06/2026

There have been some requests at the two tarot reading workshops I've done, and from people who've popped into the shop to discuss those workshops, for me to put on a tarot card creation workshop.

So here it is! On Tuesday 30th June 7-9pm we'll collage our own cards and see what we end up with! It's a bit experimental but I had a go this morning and produced the two cards in the picture below. I didn't know which cards I was going to make, but as I flicked through magazines looking for pictures and words that felt meaningful, I ended up creating Justice and The Lovers. The process was like a reading in itself 😊

We won't get through creating a whole deck in 2 hours but we could make a start, and if it's popular then we could make it a regular thing and work towards a whole deck....

If you're interested, it's all live and ready to book, and there's a bit more info on the website. Any questions, you know where to find me!
https://creativeexplorersworkshop.co.uk/workshops/create-your-own-tarot-cards

04/06/2026

I loved the creativity on show at last night’s jewellery making with metal and wood workshop 😃

Lots of different ideas, colours and designs, and a lovely supportive atmosphere.

Here are some of the photos I took but feel free to share your own if you were there!

03/06/2026

Happy Workshop Wednesday!

Tonight we’re Jewellery Making with Metal & Wood - a fun experimental workshop where you can make colourful statement pieces like this pair of (totally on-brand!) earrings I made at the last one back in April.

Still room for a few more if you want to book today!

https://creativeexplorersworkshop.co.uk/workshops/jewellery-making-metal-wood-june

02/06/2026

Good morning on this bright and sunny (but also very rainy) day!

I managed to dodge the showers getting in and intend to spend the day finishing off a commission piece and making a couple of other pieces to sell.

Hopefully there will also be lots of interruptions from people popping in to browse in the shop! We’re open til 4pm!

01/06/2026

As I said in my last post, jewellery making can incorporate a wide range of materials to produce some very different pieces - minimalist, maximalist, bold or dainty - all styles have their place. And what I love about teaching workshops is seeing what styles and ideas lots of different people come up with!

In contrast to the cheaper materials of this week’s metal & wood workshop, next week we’re using sterling silver wire and semi precious gemstones to give our creations shine and colour.

There will be more focus on learning techniques (like making your own ear wires) so that you can make your own unique designs from precious silver wire rather than pre-cut shapes.

Bold or dainty though, the style you choose will still be entirely up to you!

Here are some examples from previous similar workshops.