MYO | Fun Creative Workshops for Adults | BYOB | Arts and Craft Classes London

MYO x London Design Festival

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 07:16:48 -0700

In a city that never stops moving, MYO offers a moment to pause...

As part of London Design Festival 2025, MYO will host twice-daily Lino Printing workshops from its studio in the Bankside Design District - just minutes from Borough Market. Designed as an intentional break from the digital world, the workshops return guests to the quiet satisfaction of analogue printmaking, grounded in process and play.

Guided by MYO’s all-female creative team, guests explore every step of the printmaking process - from carving to inking to hand-pressing their own editioned work in the studio’s immersive, design-led space.

MYO was founded in 2017 by Sam and Diana, a couple who left their corporate careers to help adults reconnect with their creative sides. Their belief was simple: everyone is creative - they just need a space to explore it. Since then, the studio has welcomed tens of thousands of guests, including teams from Google, YouTube, Amazon, Visa, LinkedIn, Monzo, and more. Beyond the brands, MYO regularly partners with schools, charities, and community organisations - making creativity inclusive, joyful, and widely shared with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

In early 2025, MYO entered a new chapter under the leadership of Atiya, an experienced creative facilitator and a practicing art therapist - with a renewed focus on creative wellbeing, playful exploration and the therapeutic value of process over artistic perfection.

“We see it again and again -...Read More

MYO x ADHD creative campaign with the BACP

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 07:33:02 -0700

A few weeks ago the M.Y.O studio had a lovely production company, 23red, in to record a campaign about 'Unmasking ADHD through therapy', with the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) 🧠

The campaign is now live and highlights how therapy may help navigate the emotional challenges of a recent diagnosis and masking of ADHD and seeks to raise awareness of how BACP-registered therapists can support individuals diagnosed with ADHD, guiding them through the confusion and emotional hurdles that often accompany the diagnosis.

A really important issue to support 💛

The studio was used to host a creative mask making workshop and served as the backdrop for the short film that was made. Artists Russell Dean, AKA Strangeface3, hosted the workshop.

It looked great and inspiring, as always! 🎨

Some benefits of getting creative

Christmas Classes at MYO

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:08:43 -0700

Whether you want to do something different with your team or company, go out with a gang of friends for a creative catch up or pondering what to do with the family this Christmas, M.Y.O has you covered with a huge variety of Christmassy classes this winter!

Christmas Card Lino Printing Workshop

Roll up your sleeves and get printing! In this hands-on class, you’ll carve your own Christmas-themed lino block—think snowflakes, trees, or cute reindeer—and print your unique designs on 3+ cards. Nothing says I love you like a handmade card. Plus, it’s beginner-friendly, so don’t worry if you’ve never tried lino printing before. It’s more fun than wrapping presents—and way less stressful!

Want to know a little more about creativity in general and creative thinking?

To be human is to be creative - so it's likely worth the effort!

With the advancement of technology, it’ll never be more important IMO, either.

Over the summer, we’ve dusted off some older books and explored some new ones on this topic. See below my current Top 5, with a brief summary for each - in no particular order. They are all great and worth a read!

The Art of Creative Thinking by Rod Judkins

It has the tag line ‘89 ways to see things differently’, which is exactly what it helps you do. Rod is a serial author and lecturer on creative thinking in Central Saint Martins College of ArtRead More

Halloween at MYO

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 06:12:29 -0700

Halloween 2024 at M.Y.O

Get ready for a spooktacular Halloween at our M.Y.O studio in Borough this year!

This October, we have a fun range of Halloween-themed arts and crafts workshops, that will unleash your creative side. Whether you want to paint eerie pottery, create Autumnal Halloween candles, paint some pumpkins or even pumpkin carve, we've got you covered. All classes are beginner-friendly and for adults, providing everything you need to bring your ghostly creations to life!

Looking for an alternative to going to the pub? These workshops are also BYOB, so bring a drink, relax, and enjoy a creative and fun-filled Halloween session with us! Our classes are designed to provide a chilled atmosphere, where you can have great chats with friends or meet new people ,while crafting your own spooky masterpieces.

The vibe is casual, yet inspiring—perfect for those who want to do something different this Halloween.

The benefits of getting creative

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 07:40:56 -0700

Say what?

The World is starting to appreciate the brilliance of creativity. It gives us beautiful art, music that moves us, and stories that stick with us. But guess what? Being creative isn’t just about making cool or interesting stuff—it’s also really good for your brain, mood, and even your social life. So, let’s dive into some of the best reasons why getting creative is like having a superpower and is beneficial.

And remember, everyone is creative, including you.

1. Say Goodbye to Stress and Hello to Happy

Ever notice how you feel way better after doodling, writing, or even just messing around with some DIY crafts? Turns out, there’s science behind that. A 2020 study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals who engaged in daily creative activities reported feeling more relaxed and happier overall. The act of creating something, whether it’s painting, writing, or even cooking, allows individuals to express emotions and process experiences in a healthy way. It’s kind of like therapy, but can be way more fun—you get to express yourself and potentially let out all those bottled-up feelings.

Summary: Creating stuff helps you shake off stress and bring on the good vibes.

2. Level Up Your Brain Power

You know how solving puzzles can make you feel like a genius? Well, creativity does that too! A 2019 study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto showed that people who get creative regularly are better at thinking outside the box. Whether you’re writing, painting, or coming up with a new recipe, you’re giving your brain a serious workout.

Summary: Your brain gets better at problem-solving and thinking up novel ideas.

Whether you’re looking to relax together and learn something new with watercoloUr painting or dive into something more tactile like handbuilt pottery or macramé, we have over 10 different arts & crafts to choose from. Other popular options include lino printing, pottery painting, brush lettering calligraphy and flower pounding! Each session is designed to be beginner friendly, fun, engaging, relaxing, whilst sparking collaboration and creativity within teams. Lovely conversation happen when guests are relaxed and getting creative. Read some of the wellness benefits of getting creative in a previous blog.

We’ve recently hosted teams from the NHS, Multiverse, Penguin, NYU London, Read More

A re-introduction to MYO

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 05:47:00 -0700

Allow us to re-introduce ourselves - it's been a while!

Introduction to M.Y.O:

M.Y.O (Make Your Own) is a fun and friendly creative studio in Central London, created to help adults rediscover and express their creativity through various arts and crafts. Established in 2017 by couple (now married) Diana and Sam, M.Y.O offers a welcoming space for both beginners and seasoned creatives. It's now run day-to-day by a great creative Team.

What M.Y.O Offers:

Public Classes: Enjoy beginner-friendly workshops in a wide range of crafts including lino printing, t-shirt design, embroidery, handmade pottery, candle painting, and more.
Corporate Packages: Perfect for team-building or wellness events, M.Y.O provides tailored creative workshops to boost morale and creativity among employees. We've hosted companies like Virgin, Monzo, the NHS, Warner Music, Fairtrade and 100s more over the years. You can also have a meeting in the space, followed by a creative session.
Private Parties: Add a creative twist to hen dos, birthday parties, and baby showers with customised craft sessions. Great fun.
Virtual Classes: Accessible from the comfort of your home, these online classes come with all necessary materials and guidance. We do classes like creative hand lettering for this.
Creative Kits: Delivered to your doorstep, these kits include materials, instructional videos, and booklets for at-home crafting. Ideal to do solo or as a Team together virtually.

Why Get Creative with M.Y.O?

Engaging in...Read More

Nature and Creativity

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 05:45:06 -0700

In a creative rut? Have you thought about immersing yourself in nature?

The blossoming colours of spring are breaking through the monotonous grey clouds of winter making it the perfect time to reconnect with nature and grow a new passion for creativity. Mother nature has been and continues to be a source of inspiration from many artists from painters to fashion designers, there seems to be an infinite pool of ideas that can be drawn from nature's intricate shapes and vibrant colours. But why is nature so conducive to creativity?

One of the reasons why being in nature can be a catalyst for creativity is that it allows us to disconnect from modern life and reconnect with the slow-paced serenity that nature moves at. We all know the feeling of being bombarded by emails, notifications and a never-ending tasks, any creative ideas get pushed to the bottom of the list to do ‘later’. When we are surrounded by technology, social media, and other distractions, it can be hard to focus our minds to find space for creativity. But when we step into nature, the simplicity and beauty of the natural world can help us to clear our minds and allow creativity to flow . Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress levels, which can lead to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in our body. This can improve our mood and cognitive function.

Another reason why being in nature is so beneficial for creativity is that it provides us with a wealth of sensory experiences. The multitude of colours, sounds, and textures of the natural world can be incredibly...Read More

Creativity on the brain

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 06:24:00 -0700

In today's fast-paced and stressful world, finding ways to relieve stress has become more important than ever.

While there are many traditional methods for managing stress, such as exercise, meditation, and mindfulness, one often overlooked tool for stress relief is creativity. Engaging in creative activities has been shown to have powerful effects on the brain and body, helping to reduce stress levels and promote overall well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the science behind creativity and its stress-reducing benefits.

Creativity and the Brain

When we engage in creative activities such as painting, writing, or playing music, our brain's default mode network, which is responsible for self-reflection and mind-wandering, becomes less active. This can help to reduce the activity in the brain's stress response system, which includes the amygdala and hypothalamus.

Moreover, engaging in creative activities can stimulate the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This can lead to feelings of satisfaction, accomplishment, and relaxation, which can help to counteract the negative effects of stress.

Creativity and Stress Relief

In addition to releasing dopamine, engaging in creative activities can also help to reduce stress levels in other ways. Creative activities provide a sense of control and mastery, which can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. When we create something, we have the power to shape our environment and bring our...Read More