About us

www.things-to-make-and-do.co.uk is the website of Jo Lovejoy, a wife, mum of four and an avid crafter. She has loved art & crafts all her life and her favourite lessons at school were art, woodwork, metalwork, needlework & cookery. She has continued her education by enjoying various art & craft courses over the years and has also taught glass painting to residents at a retirement home and helped parents to bond with their young children by teaching 'Get Crafty With Your Kids' classes.

"My most precious memories of school are of when I was in the art room or planning & making a project in the woodwork room. If I could have spent all day honing my craft skills then I don't think I would ever have wanted to leave" Jo reflects.

"Unfortunately many of the crafts that I love so much aren't taught in schools any more or are given a very low priority, but I feel that they are important and if we don't share these passions and skills then they will fade into obscurity and may be lost to future generations."

Jo has always shared her love for crafts with her children, especially when they were younger, spending many happy hours together with paper, glue & paints at the kitchen table or making cookies and cup-cakes. Although her children are growing older and the boys have found their own interests in music, sport & computer gaming, Jo still enjoys time crafting with her daughter Lizzie who is studying to become an artist.

Jo's husband Michael is a sculptor & writer and so understands and encourages her passion for art & crafts. When she raised the idea of producing a website sharing craft skills & projects he was behind her 100% and continues to be of huge encouragement and support. Jo makes the projects, takes the step-by-step photographs & writes the instructions, and while Michael has always coded and maintained the web pages, he has now taught Jo how to do this (but he's always on hand for when she gets stuck).

Things-to-make-and-do is a family business, all the children have been involved at one time or another and they often still do when a particular project takes their fancy. Michael and Jo work side by side literally and love being part of the Arts industry.

To see a selection of Michaels work visit michaellovejoy.com and Oathsworn