Choosing the Right Materials for the Job

When people attend a Craft & Canvas session, they often see the finished setup—the easels, paints, brushes, aprons, canvases, and all the little details that come together to create a fun and creative experience.

What they don't always see is the amount of thought that goes into choosing every single item.

Over time, I've learned that the right materials can make all the difference. Whether it's the paint, the brushes, the layout of the tables, or even the mats that sit underneath the easels, everything has a purpose.

It's All in the Details

One of the most common questions I get asked is what paints I use. For my Paint & Sip sessions, I primarily use Mont Marte acrylic paints. I've found them to be reliable, vibrant, beginner-friendly, and perfect for the style of sessions I run.

The same goes for my paintbrushes, easels, canvases, and aprons. Every item has been carefully selected because it works well for my guests and helps create the best possible experience.

Even something as simple as the mats that sit underneath my easels has a story behind it.

Originally, I purchased some fabric mats from IKEA for a wine glass painting session. Because there wouldn't be easels on the tables, I wanted something that would help define each guest's workspace while also protecting the tables.

I added the Craft & Canvas logo to them, and they looked fantastic.

The funny thing is, I never intended to use them for every session.

But once I saw how good they looked and how much they improved the overall setup, they quickly became a permanent part of my events. Sometimes the best ideas come from solving a completely different problem than the one you originally set out to fix.

A selection of images showing our set-up from different sessions and the tools used.

Why Layout Matters

One thing that is incredibly important to me is the overall presentation of a session.

I love creating a setup that feels welcoming, organised, and professional. I like everything to have its place and to be there for a reason.

When guests walk into a Craft & Canvas event, I want them to immediately feel excited about what's ahead and I also love it when people comment on how the layout looks.

The easels are positioned carefully. The paints are prepared and organised. The brushes are ready to go. The tables are set up to encourage creativity while still looking clean inviting.

Creating an experience isn't just about the painting itself. It's about how the entire session feels from the moment guests arrive.

A set up from one of our canvas paint and sip sessions

My Love of Branding

I'll admit it—I do love a bit of branding.

That said, I also believe there's a balance. Not everything needs a logo on it.

I like to brand items where it makes sense and where it adds to the overall experience, rather than putting a logo on absolutely everything.

One of the advantages of running Craft & Canvas myself is that I can create most of my branded materials in-house.

Over the years I've collected quite the collection of equipment, including my trusty Cricut machine, printer, 3D printer, laminator, personalised stamps, and plenty of other tools that help bring my ideas to life.

Because I create so much myself, I can maintain consistency across the business while also keeping costs manageable.

A close up of our aprons, mats ad water glass from a session set-up

Personalisation is One of My Favourite Things

Having the ability to produce items as much as possible in-house also means I can offer personalised extras for my customers.

Whether it's custom tumblers, keyrings, aprons, or personalised stencils, I can create items that match the theme and feel of an event.

This flexibility has allowed me to cater to all sorts of themes, being able to create custom stencils and designs means that no two sessions need to be the same.

Session set up for a paint and sip wine glasses

Every Skill Has Helped Build Craft & Canvas

Before starting Craft & Canvas, I worked in a wide variety of roles.

I've worked in events, retail management, wedding coordination, garment technology, marketing, and website and social media  development.

At the time, I never imagined how valuable those skills would become until running my own business.

Today, all of that experience helps me manage Craft & Canvas. It has allowed me to build my own website, run my own social media, create my own marketing materials, design custom products, and continually adapt the business as it grows.

Looking back, every job has taught me something useful.

More Than Just a Paint Party

When people book a Craft & Canvas session, they're not just booking paints and canvases.

They're booking a carefully planned experience that has been built using years of skills, knowledge, creativity, problem-solving, and a genuine passion for creating memorable events.

Every paint colour, every brush, every personalised item, every branded touch, and every table setup has been chosen for a reason.

And while guests may only see the finished result, it's all those little details behind the scenes that help make each session special.

All of the supplies used at our sessions, you can see all the branding that is used.

Thanks for being here Behind the Brush! This is where I share the journey honestly—the moments that inspire, the moments that challenge, and all the colourful little bits that make it worthwhile. Until next time, keep creating!

 – Amy