Getting crafty at sea: Supercraft cruise experience

“We have always strived, to recycle, upcycle and repurpose, reusing materials that could otherwise end up in landfill”

There are birds fluttering all around Kapoor’s, our purpose-built arts and crafts studio on board Ambassador Cruise Line’s flagship, Ambience. But these are no ordinary birds. Made by cutting up brightly coloured empty drinks cans, their San Pellegrino wings are attached to Fanta and Coca-Cola bodies. Tiny legs are fashioned from tassels and they are embellished with beads and miniature silver charms.

Sustainable Crafting at Sea

Back in the cabin, my Cape Verde Birdy joins the collection of Supercraft creations I am amassing. My cabin steward is delighted: I have already added to his list of towel art inventions by showing him how to make teddy bears and bunnies using face flannels. I am so proud that Supercraft Cruises, the company I founded back in 2018, not only survived the pandemic but seems to have gone from strength to strength, resulting in our association with Ambassador. My gifted, loyal team (all running their own individual companies back home) continue to amaze and inspire me – along with the people they teach. One of the most gratifying moments we all experience is seeing guests’ sense of fulfilment and even elation after workshops.

Ambassador is at the forefront of eco- conscious cruising and Supercraft Cruises are delighted to share its ethos and eco-credentials. We have always strived, wherever possible, to recycle, upcycle and repurpose, reusing materials that could otherwise end up in landfill.

Eco-Conscious Projects by Guest Crafters

Ali Reeve, owner of Stamps Away and a much-loved mixed media crafter, is demonstrating how to produce bespoke handmade paper from scrap paper offcuts.

Founder of Jolly Super Things, Jennie Turner-Maskell, offers innovative projects as diverse as sea glass jewellery, revamped oyster shells, aluminium art and paper flowers crafted from coffee filter papers featured here in our how to guide. Her husband, Jaime Maskell, remodels silver forks and spoons into bud vases and shimmering suncatchers.

Janie Burnett-Bleach, founder of Janie’s Originals, teaches how to turn plastic drinks bottles and recycled sari silk into beautiful bracelets, whilst she and husband Martin Bleach specialise in leatherwork, transforming upholstery leather into notebooks, wallets and glasses cases.

We also opt for natural, organic, biodegradable materials, so master silversmith Mark Vardy, owner of Silvar Designs, teaches an array of techniques including working with cork; Christine Bell, originator of the world famous Pinflair brand, uses organic cotton for her distinctive cartonnage kits; and Clodagh O’Halloran of Acanthus Design prints her striking lino-cuts onto organic cotton pouches and bags.

Vintage Vibes and Mosaics

Melissa Waudby, founder of Simply Vintage, is my Supercraft queen of stitching. With her never ending stock of vintage materials, ribbons and antique lace, her workshops include gorgeous retro fabric wreaths and miniature scenes created in Victorian teacups and tins.

Mosaic tutor Emma Reeve utilises broken china in her eye-catching range of mosaic projects; needle felting duo, Rachel Bath and Katie Bergin, of Bergin and Bath have an impressive range of planet-friendly craft kits for adults; and my stained glass expert, Marilia Carvalho, not only remodels old glass in her hugely popular classes, but has recently won an award for her stunning crochet work incorporating abandoned fishing nets.

Join Us for Crafting Adventures

Sustainability is as key to us as it is to Ambassador, and we shall continue to bring new, eco-friendly workshops on board. Having now enjoyed two cruises with Ambience, we are so excited to be sailing with Ambition. It’s been a wonderful adventure so far with Ambassador – and we do hope you’ll be joining us along the way!

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make coffee filter flowers

What you need:

❋ 4 coffee filters ❋ Food colouring, at least two colours ❋ Water ❋ Green pipe cleaner ❋ Small bowl for each colour ❋ Scissors ❋ Eye dropper/pipette

Instructions

Step 1: Gather your flowers

❋Make a stack of 4 coffee filters.

❋Fold the coffee filters in half and then in half again. Fold the coffee filters in half one last time.

❋Cut a rounded petal shape.

❋Unfold the coffee filters and place the stack of 4 on a baking tray. Press the pile so it lies flat.

Step 2: Add colour

❋Add 2 tablespoons of water to each of your small bowls (1 for each colour).

❋Add food colouring into the water.

❋Using an eyedropper, add yellow to the centre of the coffee filters.

❋Again using the eyedropper, add another colour to the petals of the flower.

❋Allow the coffee filters to dry for 3-5 hours.

 Step 3: Shape the flower

❋Separate the coffee filters into 2 piles of 2. Adjust the top coffee filter so that the petals are off set from the bottom coffee filter.

❋Place your finger in the centre of the flower, then bring the coffee filters up and around your finger. Pinch and twist them together at the bottom.

❋Repeat for the second pile of coffee filters.

❋Bring the two bundles together at the bottom.

❋Place the end of a pipe cleaner about 1/2 inch from the bottom point of the coffee filters.

❋Tightly wrap the pipe cleaner around the coffee filters spiralling down until it covers the bottom point. Leave the rest of the pipe cleaner straight as the stem.

❋Separate the coffee filters and shape them to look like a flower.

❋Your coffee filter flower is complete!

For more information on upcoming cruises and travel guides, be sure to check out our blog.