There’s something quietly magical that happens when people gather in a room to create. Not for performance, not for perfection - just for the simple joy of learning, making and being together.
In a world that’s often spinning too fast, I’ve come to treasure the slow, grounding rhythm of in-person workshops. Whether it’s sewing, painting, sound therapy, lampshade making or wreaths woven with foraged ivy - when we gather, we reconnect not just with each other but with ourselves.
Workshops (along with the process of creating my home) have truly been the foundation of my entire career. In the early days, I signed up for every workshop under the sun, not just for the joy of learning but because I wanted to handmake and thoughtfully create the home I live in now. Each new skill felt like adding a layer to the life I was building - lampshades, curtains, upholstery, paint techniques, seasonal decorations, you name it. Looking back, it feels like kismet that I now teach workshops myself. What once started as a personal passion has evolved into something I now share with others and that full-circle journey feels deeply meaningful.
I’ve lost count of the number of workshops I’ve done over the years - not just teaching but as a pupil myself. Lampshade making in the Cotswolds, oil painting in a draughty village hall, wreaths woven with laughter and foraged ivy and endless afternoons spent threading needles and regaling stories side-by-side. I’m a full-blown workshop-aholic. Each one reminded me of the quiet power of shared creativity. I’ve made genuine friendships in these spaces - connections that go far beyond the workshop table. Some of the most open, honest conversations of my life have happened while our hands were busy and our minds were at ease. There’s something about creating together that softens our defences. We let our guard down and we fully connect with each other.
As a busy working mother of small children, there is barely a moment of calm in my daily life. This is exactly why I carve out time to attend workshops as well as teach them. It’s not a luxury - it’s a necessity. That time to slow down, create something just for the joy of it and connect with others….this is vital for my wellbeing, plus I believe it’s vital for others too.
As my business grows, it inevitably pulls me away from the hands-on making I love the most. I find myself sitting at the laptop more and more - doing admin, emails, planning and logistics. While I enjoy the rhythm and purpose of that side of the work, it’s not where my deepest passion lies. My heart has always belonged to the making. To fabric and thread, paint and paper. So when I step back into a workshop (whether I’m leading or learning)....I feel reignited. It reminds me why I started in the first place. Those moments bring me home to myself and fuel everything else I do.
Now don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the world of online learning. I’m deeply dedicated to learning and growing in all areas of my life, and there isn’t a resource out there I don’t cherish. YouTube, Create Academy, online tutorials….I use and love them all but there is something truly magical about learning in person. I waited months to get a place on an upholstery workshop and the same for my diploma in soft furnishings. I could have rushed it, done it online at home, ticked the boxes quickly but I chose to wait. Mainly because when you’re in the room, you don’t just learn from the teacher, you learn from everyone in there. That shared experience is invaluable to true growth and development.
The online world of crafting can be lonely. It can feel quiet and isolating, even with all the right tools in front of you. But in person? I’ve never had a negative experience. There’s an energy in the room that lifts everyone up. It’s incredible to witness people grow in confidence throughout a session - to see them arrive hesitant, unsure and leave glowing, proud and inspired. That transformation is one of the greatest joys of my work, whether I’m leading the workshop or sitting in as a student.
There's electricity in the room when like-minded souls come together. It’s in the shared tea breaks, the gentle encouragement, the tips passed over a roll of fabric or a pot of paint. As a teacher, I learn just as much from my pupils as I hope they learn from me. Every workshop teaches me something new - about how to hold space, how to add those special touches that help people feel seen and safe and how to create an environment where inspiration flows freely.
Sewing, especially, has become a form of mindfulness for me. The hum of the machine, the rhythm of stitches, the way time melts away - it’s a balm for the soul. There’s this shared quiet, a presence, a deep calm that fills the room. It’s creative therapy without even trying to be.
It takes a brave person to try something new. To walk into a room full of strangers, pick up a needle for the first time in years, or push themselves gently but deliberately outside of their comfort zone. That quiet courage is what I find so inspiring. I see it in nearly every workshop: someone who doubts their ability, who’s convinced they’re “not creative,” slowly finding their rhythm, gaining confidence stitch by stitch. It’s a beautiful thing to witness. Plus it reminds me that creativity isn’t about perfection - it’s about showing up, having a go and allowing yourself to be a beginner again.
In a world of mass production and constant noise, workshops are a necessary pause. Call it a soft rebellion. They slow our racing minds and soothe our spirits. They remind us what we’re capable of when we give ourselves time, attention and community.
Writing all of this has left me feeling so inspired for my next workshop. I wish I could teach them every single day as there’s nothing I love more, but I’ve learned that it’s just not sustainable for me. Last year, while promoting my Create Academy course, I was also travelling all over the country to teach workshops. It was exciting but it also stretched me far too thin, putting pressure on both my personal and professional worlds.
So this year, I’ve decided to do things differently…..to essentially slow down. Fewer workshops, smaller groups and a more intimate setting. I’ll be hosting them from my home studio, so you can really see behind the scenes at Chloe Jonason Interiors. I want to create a calm, inspiring space where we can make together in a way that feels special, thoughtful and full of joy.
Hopefully it will inspire you too. I hope to see you there.
With love and thread,
Chloe
P.S, here are a few of my favourite, most magical places to attend workshops:
Charlie Dobb’s Events – beautifully curated gatherings full of heart and soul.
Far From the Madding Crowd – a dreamy escape into the countryside with workshops that feed the senses. Plus of course…
Create Academy – an incredible resource for online courses taught by true masters of their craft.
If you have any favourite workshops or creative spaces you love, please do drop me a line - as a proud workshop addict, I’m constantly on the hunt for my next creative hit!
