An Independent Cup of Coffee

I love coffee! I am a serious coffee addict. My coffee machine is never off…In work everyone drinks tea & I'm alone in my high caffeine bubble! I love independent coffee shops too, not the tax dodging ones but the ones that pride themselves on making a good cup of coffee rather than a mass produced one!

Awesomely I teach workshops in a coffee shop that ooze's what a coffee shop should be! Quill's Coffee...

At university, Lee recognised how important it was to have a space to read and study, and so tried to find such a magical place. Soon he found himself in a Goldilocks situation. The library was too quiet, stuffy and formal, and although it boasted quality resources, it suffered poor vending machine drinks and worse vending machine food. So onwards he travelled to the local coffee shop, where he found better food and drink with a somewhat relaxed atmosphere, but at the cost of crowds, tiny tables, and high prices.

Getting the balance right was tricky, and often meant only staying for a short amount of time. From this, the idea to offer a better reading, study and social experience was born: the study-equivalent of the 'just-right porridge'.

Not only do they have a wizarding way of making coffee they have their own blend and their cake-y goodies are made by a local independent baker!

They are heavily involved in community projects and have just launched a second shop in Nook & Cranny on Bold Street in Liverpool, the hive of independent business's!

Next weekend I'm running a workshop knitting/crocheting Easter Bunnies at their original shop in Rex, just off Church Street, in the  basement of the old George Henry Lee's in what is now Rapid! (More info & how to book here!)

Regardless the staff are amazing, they really love what they do and they have achieved their original goal so pop in, treat yourself and do not forget to tell them I sent you!  

Nook & Cranny is located at 28 Bold Street right by Central Railway Station.

Rex is located in the basement of Rapid, 20-48 Basnett Street just off Church Street.

The Week in which EVERYTHING Happened...

Well last week was fun!

I've managed to give myself half a day off today (I'm typing this at 11pm after craft meet) after doing 7 full days last week but I love my little business & I will do what it takes for it to be a success. Fingers crossed.

It started last Sunday with a stall for International Women's Day at The Baltic Social which was ace! I love working stalls at fairs as I love interacting with the other stall holders! Everyone is always so friendly, lots of advice & it makes for a great day regardless of what sales are like!

This was my first stall with my boyfriend as an assistant & to be fair he was pretty good! He even taped one of my business cards to his chest to be a little walking advertisement! 

Me & Frank :)

Monday was all day admin applying to more fairs & doing the books. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday was working in the day job, I normally only do 2/3 days a week so bit of a hit to the system. Luckily I only did short-ish shifts as I had meeting on Wednesday, left early to go to The Lock In on Thursday & more meeting Friday!

The Lock In was brilliant! Its a networking event with workshops & applications for funds in a very relaxed atmosphere with like minded small businesses who get the opportunity to meet with a variety of people who can help with funding & other businesses who might benefit you! 

Me top right!

The only downside was wheeling a suitcase full of wares around all day but that is the life if you do not have a car! 

Saturday I did my first fair with Tinderbox Fairs at The Arts Club in Liverpool & we could not have been looked after better by Jenny or the staff!  I'm working with Jenny again in the future & I'm super excited about it! 

I worked the early shift on Sunday then it was off to my Mum's to cook her dinner since it was Mothers Day & I do get a wonderful amount of support, help & encouragement from her during stressful periods, as well as everything else in-between! 

Now this week, no rest for the wicked, I am running my first set of workshops at The Rare Bear Boutique teaching knitting & I'm really looking forward to it as its such a beautiful & inspiring setting as well as donating some knitting or crochet classes to a S.O.B's (Survivor's of Bereavement by Suicide) fundraiser as well as a lace & fabric cushion. This is just such a fantastic cause (click here for my blog on knitting & mental health) & if you are Liverpool based & can make it on Saturday then you should! Click here for the Facebook event page.

However its not all work as I'm out with the girls on Wednesday night! My friend is back from Australia for a few months so high school reunion time! We have been friends for over ten years so I just hope we all behave & do not drink too much as if you look at my Facebook page I've mountains coming up!

More about that later though! ;)

Hope you have an excellent week! 

Knitting for Your Mental Health

For those of you that don't know I have degree is in psychology from The University of Liverpool & after graduating trained as a drugs councillor whilst working full time then the recession hit. There's not an awful lot left of the centre I worked in but this goes to explain why I love learning about all things mental health related.

I Knit So I Don't Unravel...

It's always been a well known fact that knitting has numerous health benefits but it wasn't until I was approached by Edge Hill University to take part in their Mental Health Awareness Week that I look deeper into it and past a Buzzfeed post.

I was recommended a book called Knit for Health & Wellness by Betsan Corkhill and it is a fascinating read!

A lot of research has been conducted over the last ten years and in a nut shell the benefits include:

* Reduced blood pressure

* Combats clinical depression

* Helps manage pain

* Helps manage stress

* Strengthens the immune system

* Associated with a lower risk of dementia

* Causes a meditative state

* Helps with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 

* Helps with boredom/comfort eating

* Helps with social anxiety disorders

* Enhances mood & much more!

Knitting just three times a week for 30 minutes is all that is needed to start seeing these great effects provided that you are not working on something horrendously difficult that can cause most of these problems! Its a good balance...

If you are shy or anxious in social situations, joining a knitting group might be of help as knitting is one of those rare things that's allows you to have a conversation with someone without making eye contact. Theirs is normally a lot of laughter at knitting groups as well which is contagious and a great mood booster.

So why are all crafter's not the most perfectly balanced people in the world? I'm not. Stress is my middle name (it's actually Kate but there you go..)Well the idea is that it helps, it's not a cure, an there are many other contributing factors involved with dealing with mental health but it's a start and it's a creative, personal start that we can all make.

For more information see: www.stitchlinks.co.uk

If you suffer from any mental health issues please speak to a professional. 

These views are those found in the research of one book and are not meant to be conclusive, just an element.

Information on learning to knit & the Girl On Purl Action craft group can be found here!