Craft Your Cure: 25 craft and upcycling projects to heal and bring joy

by Gemma Longworth

Overview

A creative journey of art, craft and DIY activities to restore your mind, furniture and home, written by a TV personality with a background in art therapy.

Creativity has proven benefits to our mental health, and this unique craft book shows you how to make with memories, heal through art and repair your mind.

Gemma Longworth shares a collection of 25 craft and DIY projects designed to soothe our minds during difficult times. For Gemma, art has brought her comfort and connection when she has experienced loss and grief, and her personal story is woven throughout her book.

With warm encouragement, Gemma demonstrates that art is about having fun and leaving perfectionism at the door. Learn how to:

• use paper craft to create an origami box
• make a comforting cushion
• create pinch pots out of clay
• draw daily doodles for healing
• knit a chunky scarf
• learn embellishing techniques to mend clothes
• repair and upcycle furniture.

With advice on how colour affects mood, how to create vision boards, how to weave memories into your projects, how to heal through meditative crafts such as drawing, and how repairing clothes and furniture can mend a broken heart, this book gives all the tools you need for your healing journey.

Whether you're brand-new to crafting or a seasoned pro, turn trash into treasure with this restorative arts and crafts book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786789044
Publisher:	Watkins Media
Publication date:	06/10/2025
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.59(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

Gemma Longworth is the presenter and furniture upcycler on Channel 4’s award-winning restoration show Find It, Fix It, Flog It. Following a degree in applied arts, a Masters in textiles, and postgraduate studies in therapeutic arts, Gemma became a resident at Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool, where she delivers arts and crafts sessions to patients to encourage creativity and boost recovery. Following the success of her DIY and upcycling courses, Gemma now works with hospitals, schools, colleges and charities nationwide, and has set up ‘Hidden Gems’, a creative bereavement support service. Gemma has also been commissioned to work on upcycling projects for coffee shops, restaurants, a hotel and a farm.

See more at: dml-uk.com/presenter-furniture-upcycler-restoregemma-longworth

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A must-read for anyone seeking solace and self-discovery through creativity and fun!"
– Siobhan Murphy, interior designer, author of More is More Decor (Studio Press, 2022) and regular presenter on Channel 4's 'Steph's Packed Lunch'

“Gemma's book offers relatable, colourful crafting, approachable for everyone, with picture guides and personal stories paired with art therapy. A stunning and colourful book – great for anyone!” 
– Lizzie Acker, quarter finalist of 'The Great British Bake-Off' 2021 and amateur baker

“This is a joyous and inspirational book for anybody who wants to use creativity to support their wellbeing. Gemma’s passion and love of crafting shines through every page and there are loads of brilliant ideas, beautifully presented, to get you started. I loved this book!” 
– Vicky Charnock, Arts Manager, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool 

"Gemma shows us such a fun and pop way of upcycling and recreating our small treasures!" 
– Rie Takeda, mindful calligraphy artist and author of Shodo