THE ART OF SECOND CHANCES

Creativity, Mindfulness and Renewal for every age.

Workshops that inspire renewal — of textiles, creativity, and connection

Our workshops welcome all ages—from children discovering the joy of making and stepping away from screens, to adults seeking mindfulness, to older generations nurturing creativity and well-being. Through renewing, stitching, and creating, participants spark imagination, support health, and give textiles a second life.

Whether it’s families crafting together, individuals exploring mindfulness, or teams strengthening bonds, every session is a chance to slow down, reconnect and bring people together in meaningful and creative ways.

Discover the enduring beauty of traditional Japanese crafts

SASHIKO : 刺し子

Sashiko is Japanese thread magic — each stitch makes fabric stronger and more beautiful. What was worn or torn becomes a pattern that celebrates imperfection, turning repair into art.

Means “little stabs” or “little stitches”, which beautifully describes the repeated small running stitches of sashiko.

BORO : 襤褸

Boro is patchwork with purpose. Layers of fabric and careful stitching transform worn pieces into something unique and full of character. Each patch tells a story, each stitch brings it back to life. It is the embodiment of Mottainai - don't waste

It refers to rags, tattered cloth, or something worn-out.

Four embroidered fabric items with traditional Japanese sashiko stitching: a navy blue rectangular pouch, a triangular keychain, a small pink pouch, and a square box with a lattice design, all with colorful thread accents.
Black tote bag with colorful starburst embroidery design hanging beside a green houseplant.
Close-up of denim jeans with embroidered black floral design and a stitched text patch.

Workshops at Your Place or Ours

Through the timeless Japanese arts of Boro and Sashiko, our workshops bring textiles to life through mending and embellishment — and extend this spirit of renewal into team-building experiences and behaviour-change initiatives.

We make it simple—our sessions can be held on-site or at your space, making it easy to gather and create as a group.

  • People sitting at a table reading menus, with a folded denim cloth, a pink mug, a smartphone, a glass, and folded jeans with a colorful tag on the table.

    CHILDREN

    These hands-on workshops spark creativity, problem-solving, and imagination—showing how small touches can bring ideas to life. Children gain confidence, patience, and pride in making something with their own hands, all while enjoying a fun, screen-free creative escape.

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  • A group of women participating in a crafting class around a white table in a modern, brightly lit room with colorful abstract art on the wall and large windows, with a woman guiding the activity.

    ADULTS of all ages

    Creative activities support cognitive health, foster emotional resilience, encourage social connection, and offer a mindful, enjoyable space for self-expression and learning new skills. A time to pause, create, and reconnect — with yourself, with others and leave feeling refreshed and inspired.

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  • Person sewing a red fabric with white and gold stitches, working on a craft project.

    FAMILIES

    Our family workshops are all about connection—spending quality time together, celebrating each person’s contribution, and making something by hand. It’s a chance to slow down, step away from screens. It’s creative, mindful fun that brings generations together in a relaxed, inspiring space.

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  • We apply the Japanese arts of Boro and Sashiko to inspire practical mending and embellishment, while also offering behavioural change campaigns and corporate team-building events that connect creativity with purpose.

    ORGANISATIONS

    We offer tailored workshops for schools, communities and corporate teams that inspire collaboration, creativity, and mindful engagement. These hands-on sessions provide a unique opportunity to strengthen teamwork while exploring sustainable practices and traditional textile crafts.

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  • Woman sewing with colorful threads on a workspace filled with sewing supplies, scissors, rulers, and fabric, while other people work around her.

    PARTIES

    Whether it’s a fun, hands-on kids’ party or a relaxed gathering with bubbles for grown-ups, our stitching and making sessions bring everyone together. Enjoy laughter, connection, and something handmade to take home — a mindful and memorable way to celebrate any occasion together.

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  • DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD

    Participants will learn and develop practical hand-stitching techniques inspired by Japanese Sashiko and Boro traditions. The sessions build creativity, focus, and sustainable thinking.   Participants will show progress by creating their own repaired or embellished textile pieces.

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The atmosphere Alicia created was warm and welcoming just as Alicia is herself. The other attendees were lovely, making the whole session feel collaborative and fun.  I left the class feeling inspired, those holey clothes have nowhere to hide now!

Oak, Richmond

The class was cleverly put together; everything was ready for us, down to a pre-drawn practice grid . Alicia explained the concepts clearly, provided hands-on support, and supplied all the necessary materials. It was very enjoyable too!

O.H., Putney

I had such a lovely time at the workshop! It was really relaxing and surprisingly fun to learn something new. Alicia made it easy, even for beginners, and the whole session had a calm, friendly vibe. I left feeling proud of what I made and inspired to keep going at home.

Juliana, East Sheen

Fabulous Reasons to Join In

Active engagement with the arts, culture and creativity is beneficial for the health and wellbeing of us all.

Natural Centre for Creative Health

Upcycling in the context of textiles, is the creative process of repurposing existing textiles and transforming them into something new and useful of equal or higher quality or value.

Resource Conservation → reduces reliance on virgin materials

Waste Reduction → diverts textile waste from landfills

Carbon Emission Reduction → minimises energy consumption

Innovation → promotes creativity and innovation in design

A woman with short blue and black hair standing barefoot in a white space, holding a pair of blue shoes, with four pairs of shoes on the floor in front of her: black with colorful accents, red, pink with bows, and beige with bows.

Hi! I’m Alicia

I’ve spent over 20 years in sustainable fashion, including founding a vegan shoe brand in 2005 to inspire people to make more conscious choices about what they buy and wear. Today, I speak and run workshops for groups, schools, universities, and businesses on mindful fashion and sustainability, empowering others with skills and practical ideas that spark positive change.

We’re here for the thrill of slow creativity —turning old into iconic. Every repair is a chapter, every upcycle a reinvention, every swap a fresh start. Every stitch is a spark of creativity, care, and second chances.

Loved pieces. Bold fixes. Upcycled magic. Swapped stories.