BRSHES Edinburgh: Mate & Create

BRSHES Edinburgh is running Mate & Create on Wednesday 11 November, and it's exactly what the name suggests: a relaxed, creative, and social class built around meeting new people through hands-on making and conversation. It's one of their regular sessions, and the studio is at 197 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh West EH3 9PW.

How it works is pretty straightforward. You pick a craft from a menu and spend two and a half hours working your way through a pre-made kit, so you'll leave with something you've actually made. It's designed to be beginner-friendly, so you don't need any prior experience to get stuck in. The social side is just as much a part of it as the crafting—the whole thing is set up for chatting with the people around you while you work.

If you're not in the mood to make something that day, you can still drop in and browse their curated selection of artisan gifts. The studio also runs weekly guided workshops for more complex activities, so if you find something you really want to dive into, there's a more structured way to do it later. It's also BYOB, so you can bring along whatever you fancy to drink while you work.

BRSHES Edinburgh is an independent drop-in craft studio that also runs a gift shop specialising in unique crafting workshops and creative events. They hire the space for private functions too—hen dos, birthdays, and group celebrations—so if you've got a party coming up, it's worth keeping in mind. Mate & Create costs £15.38, and it runs for two and a half hours.