Scrapbooking

Basic Ideas: 🌞 📚☕ Any books sitting there collecting dust? Some holiday gifts? Or it’s a book that has changed your life that you want to share? Feel free to bring book(s) to discuss or swap, we usually have more books than people in the end, so feel free to pop along just to have a chat as well. Aiming for every 4 weeks book swap meetup. Note: The event is free to attend, so the only cost for you will only be buying a drink at the location, so coffee/tea/beer etc.

There is something magical about black and white photography. It is a medium that is well known for adding atmosphere and mood and drama to photos. One where you can experiment with the contrast between light and shadow, without the distraction of colour. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN In this workshop you will learn about the elements that make a great black and white photograph and apply that to a variety of subjects including architecture, street and portrait. We will also discuss how you can create a consistent body of work. Join us for an informative and fun session! EXPERIENCE Beginners/Refreshers EQUIPMENT * Any camera / smartphone * Any lens such as 24-70mm or equivalent * A sense of fun and curiosity! Please check the weather and dress accordingly **PAYMENT OPTIONS** * **PayPal via RSVP** * **The Meetup transaction fee will be added and you'll automatically be added to attend** * **Send £25 via PayPal to \*\*[creativebeansproductions@gmail.com**](http://creativebeansproductions@gmail.com%2A%2A/) with no extra fee** * **Text Alex on 07956264049 and we will add you to the event attendee list** CONTACT Alex 07956 264049 VENICE PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKEND - Oct 2026 [https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events/313109100/](https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events/313109100/) UPCOMING EVENTS [www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events](http://www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events) Photo ©Daria (DK)

Do you have spare books lying around your home? Do you want to read new interesting books for free while socializing with interesting people? This is the event for you. We will enjoy nice drinks and snacks together at a beautiful lounge bar in London. You can bring your books and exchange them with whoever has the books you want to read. Since this is a Science and Philosophy book club, it would be great for you to bring non-fiction books that are insightful and thought-provoking. If you want to bring fiction books that are scientifically or philosophically insightful, feel free to bring those as well. Since it is a social event, I encourage everyone to make deep meaningful conversations and make new friends. You can come alone or bring your friends with you. If you come alone, there is no need to be shy or scared. I will welcome you and introduce you to cool interesting people to speak with. Also feel free to come even if you forget to bring any books.

Join us for our next meetup at the British Museum, where we’ll focus on indoor street and architecture photography. For our next photowalk, we’ll explore the British Museum, one of London’s most iconic spaces and a perfect setting for indoor street photography. We’ll use the museum’s dramatic architecture, light, and atmosphere to capture candid human stories against a timeless backdrop. We will focus on how people interact with art, history, and space. Please note: **Entry is free but requires booking a timed pass online in advance.** [You can book yours here](https://ticketing.britishmuseum.org/events?k=general%20admission&_gl=1*j9xgpx*_gcl_au*MTk2NzY0MDg5OS4xNzcyNDQ0ODc1*_ga*MTQ5OTg5ODk2Ni4xNzcyNDQ0ODc1*_ga_08TLB9R8X1*czE3NzI0NDQ4NzQkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzI0NDQ5NTkkajU2JGwwJGgw). 📍 Location: British Museum 📍 Meeting point: British Museum Montague Place (rear entrance) 🧭 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4kp4yJMHG3N6oHbN9 Need inspiration? Check out this Pinterest board: [https://pin.it/6mjRxOSbH](https://pin.it/6mjRxOSbH) Bring your any camera (digital, analog, phone or video), and let’s see what we can capture! **What to expect** A friendly environment where all cameras and skill levels are welcome. This is not a workshop; if you’d like to grow your photography skills, check out our other events and workshops designed for those who want to learn more about photography techniques. **Stay connected** The day of the event, Live location will be shared on our WhatsApp group ([https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ek2mMMZioqu19CJJPoQal4](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ek2mMMZioqu19CJJPoQal4)) **Want help with your camera?** We welcome all kind of photo and video cameras! You’re welcome to ask for tips: we’re a supportive community. However, for a proper learning experience, we recommend asking the host about 1:1 coaching sessions or checking our Meetp page for upcoming workshops. **Join our online communities** * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsbyframe * WhatsApp: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ek2mMMZioqu19CJJPoQal4](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ek2mMMZioqu19CJJPoQal4)

Let's sketch around The Tower of London! Meet outside the Sundial at Tower Hill. Nice views of the Tower and Tower Bridge. A castle commissioned by William the Conqueror as a way to show the Anglos who was Le Chef. Nearest Stops: Tower Hill/Fenchurch Street Completely free of charge, no need to sign up, bring a friend! Feel free to drop in for the whole two hours or just short while if you'd prefer. Look for the tall ginger fella sketching away as the central meetup spot, but feel free to roam as far and wide as you like and sketch anything you damn well please! Please bring your own sketchbooks and pens/pencils. The plan will be to meet at 1pm, sketch for a couple of hours and meet back and chat at 3pm. Hopefully the weather will be good so we'll be able to sit outside but if not we could consider ducking into a cafe. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- About Sketchbook London Every week we will choose a location around the magnificent city of London and draw people, buildings, pigeons, bins, anything you want.... No payment, no pressure, no need to sign up, just show up and draw for a couple of hours. All levels, abilities and professions welcome, bring a friend! Zero pressure to interact, network, impress in any way, this is just a way to get out and about and appreciate the joy of urban sketching and all the weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit this thriving metropolis. I am a storyboard artist working in animation and I am happy to discuss sketching techniques or give feedback on any work but this is by no means an exclusive event for artists, all are welcome :)

Hello Wimbledon creatives! After a few successful collage workshops, I have decided to keep it going and I am excited to announce the next one will be on Saturday 18 April 2026 from 2 to 4 pm at Wimbledon Library. Please ask at the reception for Exhibition Room 2 to find us upon arrival. The session runs from 2 to 4 pm. Please arrive at 2 pm so we can begin together, and we will finish at 4 pm. I allow 15 minutes at the beginning for setting up and settling in, and 15 minutes at the end for cleaning and packing away, so the creative workshop time itself lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. We will dive into the art of combining magazines, newspaper pages, and coloured paper to craft unique and quirky pieces. Whether you are feeling a little lonely and want some warm company, looking for a playful and artistic date, simply want to explore your creative side, or are tired of the digital world and want real interactions, this workshop is for you. Your ticket includes: All art materials to create your masterpiece but feel free to bring your own magazines or printed materials if you like. A patient artist guiding you step by step through your artwork. Let us celebrate our love for art and create interesting artistic collages together. Please bring a bag to take your masterpiece home. Your artwork is yours to keep. **Early Bird Offer: £19** – available until 17 April 5pm. Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collage-workshop-wimbledon-library-18-april-tickets-1986413121118?aff=oddtdtcreator Price increases to £34 after 5pm on 17 April.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-upholstery-1-day-122/ ⋆⋆⋆ **KEY PROJECT: MODERN FOAM-FILLED DROP-IN SEAT** *All of our upholstery classes are for absolute beginners. It doesn’t matter which one you choose to take first. Each technique that is offered is part of all the processes every upholsterer has to learn.* *We supply all tools and materials.* One-day workshop. 10am – 5pm. Join us for a fascinating day of discovery as we delve into the fabulous world of upholstery. A Professional upholsterer will show how to use all the specialist tools to strip out and untack old upholstery and how to recover a simple modern chair seat to transform your tired furniture into raving beauty. One of the modules that professional upholsterers have been examined on is the process of making a modern ‘drop-in’ dining seat. You will learn about foam and how to select the correct density and compression rate. By building up foam and applying the additional layers of calico and polyester, everyone learns how to complete the project by tensioning top and bottoming fabric with confidence. In a professional upholstery company, the apprentice learns by making many drop-in seats before being let loose on more complicated items. We begin the day by learning how to strip out old upholstery. You will learn how to use traditional specialist hand tools to remove staples and tacks from upholstered furniture to prepare for replacing the upholstery. You don’t have to bring a chair to the workshop, as we provide simple wood panels for you to cover and take home, but if you have a tatty covered stool, dining chair or drop-in seat you would like to start work on, we would be happy to show you how to unpick the tacks or staples from it. It is always very enjoyable to see what ‘lies beneath’. It may not be possible to finish recovering your project during the one-day workshop, but we will advise you on the next steps and you will gain confidence to tackle simple jobs by working on the wood panel we provide. At the end of the day, you will have a chance to learn how to web a frame using a hand web stretcher with magnetic hammers and tacks. You can use a fabric of your own, or use one of our selection of upholstery fabrics at the centre. The use of all tools and materials is included. We also have a selection of tools and materials that we use in our workshops for sale at the centre for you to continue your new hobby at home. Beginners welcome. These workshops fill fast! Warning: Upholstery can become addictive.

A fresh, intentional space for readers in East London who take their fiction seriously. We aren't a social mixer that happens to have a book in the background; we are a dedicated circle of six readers who meet once a month to dissect, debate, and celebrate high-quality literature. Why Only Six? We believe the best literary analysis happens when everyone has a seat at the head of the table. By strictly limiting our meetups to 6 people, we ensure: No one is talked over. The conversation stays focused and nuanced. An intimate environment where we can truly get to the heart of the text. The Reading List Our focus is strictly fiction only. We explore the boundaries of the craft, focusing on: Contemporary Literary Fiction (The Booker, International Booker, and beyond). Modern Classics that deserve a second look. Translated Works that offer a different lens on the world. How We Work When: Once a month on a Sunday Where: Carefully selected, quiet spots across East London—from Hackney to Bow—where the atmosphere suits a serious conversation. The Commitment: Because spaces are so limited, we ask that you only RSVP if you are certain you can attend and have finished the book. We dive straight into spoilers and structural analysis from minute one. If you cannot attend, pleaae cancel 24 hours before hand to allow someone else to attend

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/kumiko-coasters-54/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/kumiko-coasters-54/) **⋆⋆⋆** Kumiko Coasters Woodwork knowledge is endless. Here is an opportunity to experience the delicate side of Japanese woodwork in this one-day workshop. Kumiko is a delicate and sophisticated technique of assembling wooden pieces without the use of nails. Thinly slit wooden pieces are grooved, punched, and mortised, and then fitted individually using a plane, saw, chisel, and other tools to make fine adjustments. The technique was developed in Japan in the Asuka Era (600-700 AD), and has since been refined and passed down through generations of craftsmen who are passionate about the tradition of Kumiko. Traditionally, the technique has been used for room dividers and sliding doors but now designers are using the patterns to explore decoration in lights, lampshades, and other furniture. During the day you will have a chance to make two exquisite Kumiko tiles using lime wood or walnut. For extra rigidity, we have glued the tiles as they were made. It’s your choice! This workshop will be guided by Auram Desforges who teaches our longer Kumiko Lamp course. All materials and use of tools included. Suitable for absolute beginners.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/gardening-in-small-spaces-house-plants-8/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/gardening-in-small-spaces-house-plants-8/) ⋆⋆⋆ Perfect for beginners. ‘Purple thumbs’ are welcome. For everyone who wishes to learn about plants but doesn’t want to set off on a full-time training course Your space may be a balcony, a tiny front yard, a windy terrace or a dim space in front of a basement window. Do you want to start growing plants but don’t know how? Are you mystified why plants hate you? If you want to begin gardening, you may not know where to start, these sessions with professional gardener Jane Rogers, will instil confidence and drip-feed you with enough knowledge to watch your green fingers grow. This half-day workshop is designed to demystify the reasons that your plants don’t thrive and how to choose the best plants for your type of space. As Jane explains the selection process for your type of terrain, you will construct a flowerpot with individually mixed soil and a seasonal selection of plants to take home. Dig into the wonderful world of gardening – we offer advice and tips for busy people who don’t have a lot of time to care for their new green friends. Jane Rogers is a busy professional gardener and has led many workshops including long and short courses at Kew Gardens, London.

Hello! If you haven't seen much of me of late it's because I have been busy writing a book! My Guide to the Great Themes in Art is a compendium of many themes that concern us today, painted across the centuries by some great artists. Love & Marriage, Body, Health, War, Faith, Nature, Identity, Food are just some of the themes that you may find interesting. The book will be published early next year and in advance of that I am inviting you to an illustrated talk and a reading from the book ( combined with an optional Sunday roast dinner ! ) at Hotel Indigo London Clerkenwell 2 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1M 5PQ Places are limited, so book [here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-mona-lisa-and-other-housewives-a-guide-to-the-great-themes-in-art-tickets-1983974779974?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl) soon but do also rsvp here so that I know you are coming Hope to see you if you happen to be in London... Lydia

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hand-caning-furniture-95/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hand-caning-furniture-95/) **⋆⋆⋆** **Also known as Hand, Strand or Hole-to-Hole Caning.** KEY PROJECT: HAND CANED WOOD FRAME. Suitable for beginners. Enjoyable for all. One-day weekend workshop. 10am – 5pm. Ever seen a great chair in a junk shop but noticed that the caning that spans the seat is sadly coming away at the edges? Sometimes a chair that had been caned has had an unsightly slab of plywood tacked onto the broken seat. This is an opportunity to increase your upholstery know-how and bring a ‘once pretty’ seat up to scratch. Now you will be able to snap up a bargain and re-cane the seat yourself. The task is not as daunting as you think and can be done easily in a domestic setting with no specialist equipment- unless a washing-up bowl and some golf tees could be defined as such. This is a very old traditional craft, sometimes known as hand, strand or hole-to-hole caning. Specialist split cane is woven from side to side and fixed in place. During the one-day workshop, upholstery expert Netty Erw will inspire confidence while guiding you through the stages of intertwining the fine split canes. At the end of the day, you will have completed a square panel of traditional caning to take home with pride. The skills learnt during the day will enable you to embark on your own project at home. Netty has learned her skills from her clever aunt Rachael South, who in turn learned from her grandfather. We are thrilled to share in this generation's cascade of talent. All use of tools and materials supplied. We have a cane to buy after the course if you want to get started as soon as you get home. Beginners welcome. No previous experience in upholstery is required. If your chair is wobbly or scuffed – or even repainted, you can come to our ‘[Intro to Furniture Restoration](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/furniture-restoration-wood-revival/)‘ day course and learn how to make it look loved and valued again.

Welcome to the first event of this new community ✍️🥾 We are an inclusive, friendly group of people who appreciate nature and have varying levels of art experience. Spring is a magical time of year and Greenwich Park offers a unique tapestry of blooms. Whether you're captivated by the vibrant cherry blossoms or the delicate lichen and moss, this seasons flora and fauna are sure to inspire you! This event is suitable for all, from total beginners to experienced artists. It is a welcoming space to ask others with help on composition, perspective and shading. Please bring your own sketchbook and materials of your choice - everything from pencils, biros, markers to charcoal, pastels and paints. Feel free to bring your own food and drink. We could also check out the local cafés ☕️ https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/greenwich-park/food-drink Let’s meet at St Mary’s Gate at 11.45am and head towards the cherry blossoms for 12pm 🌸🌱

Our monthly meeting will be Sunday April 19th 1-4 PM This will be held at 4049 Garrett W Dr, Columbus, 43214 This is off of Olentangy River Rd, north of Riverside Hospital. This is the home of one of our members. Everyone is welcome - beginner to expert. This is a casual folding session. People will teach a few models.

* Second ever book club! April meet up. All are welcome. * The book will be Play Nice by Rachel Harrison (determined by votes from March Book Club. Let me know if you’d like a free digital copy of the book) * This event will be at the main library, meeting room 1B, the location will not be changed for this event due to the number of people attending, we will just add more chairs if needed! * Feel free to come whether or not you’ve started or finished the book ◡̈ * Small snacks will be provided. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Starting in June I will try to keep future book clubs at the Dublin Library. Now that I understand their reservation system, I will be on top of it with booking that location as soon as the date is released for the month. Thanks for your understanding with the varying locations in the meantime.

Let's Crop!

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Join us for our April Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Stop Me if You've Heard This One](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/stopmeifyouveheardthisone)* by [Kristen Arnett](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

**Let’s catch up and take an afternoon break.** **Grab a coffee or snack and let’s chit chat! Gayle and I will bring adult coloring books and/or a simple craft if you’d like to unwind and relax.😊**