Wee Norrag

Very much looking forward to Strathdearn Spring Market!

As this is Mental Health Awareness Week, I thought I would share some thoughts about the role creativity can play in our wellbeing.

I’ve recently read Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt. The subtitle is The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health — and so much of it resonated with things I’ve experienced personally.

I’ve spoken before about the positive impact creativity has had on my own wellbeing. Through painting, cyanotype, time in nature, and simply making things slowly, I’ve found art to be grounding, calming, and restorative in ways that are difficult to fully explain.

And through workshops, I’ve also seen how much of a difference even a small amount of time spent making something can have for other people too.

What I appreciate about this book is that it brings scientific research alongside those lived experiences. I’m so pleased there is growing research showing that creative engagement can support stress regulation, emotional wellbeing, connection, and resilience.

In a world where so many people feel overwhelmed, burnt out, and disconnected from themselves, creative experiences matter deeply.

A bheil thu airson beagan uairean a chur seachad air do chuairteachadh leis a’ Ghàidhlig, a’ gabhail fois agus a’ dèanamh ealain? Thig còmhla rinn airson an t-seisein laghaich seo ann an Cromba. Faodaidh tu tighinn airson leth latha no an latha air fad—ge bith dè a tha freagarrach dhut.

Bidh fàilte chridheil romhad!

Would you like to spend a few hours surrounded by Gaelic, unwinding and making art? Come and join us for this relaxed session in Cromba. You can come for half a day or the full day—whatever suits you.

https://www.weenorrag.co.uk/products/gaelic-cyanotype-workshop-cromarty-16-5-26

Last night’s needle felted blue tit workshop was such a lovely evening!

For two hours, everyone disappeared into the process of shaping tiny birds from wool — chatting, laughing, concentrating, and completely switching off from everything else for a while.

Seeing all the finished blue t**s lined up at the end, each with its own personality was such a happy moment.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made it such a warm, relaxed night ✨

A bheil thu airson beagan uairean a chur seachad air do chuairteachadh leis a’ Ghàidhlig, a’ gabhail fois agus a’ dèanamh ealain? Thig còmhla rinn airson an t-seisein laghaich seo ann an Cromba. Faodaidh tu tighinn airson leth latha no an latha air fad—ge bith dè a tha freagarrach dhut.

Bidh fàilte chridheil romhad!

Would you like to spend a few hours surrounded by Gaelic, unwinding and making art? Come and join us for this relaxed session in Cromba. You can come for half a day or the full day—whatever suits you.

If one of your intentions for this year is to spend more time being creative, this could be a great place to start.

On 24th January, myself and Jen from come together to offer a day of botanical printing. We’ll begin the morning with cyanotype, then move into relief printing in the afternoon.

It’s designed to be relaxed and welcoming, with no prior experience needed. Just a chance to spend a day absorbed in process, learning something new, and enjoying the quiet focus that comes with working with your hands.

If you’re craving a creative pause after the busy end of the year, this might be for you.