Chaos Cards Summer Workshops 2024

Gotta Catch’ em all!

At our flagship Folkestone store, Chaos Cards Tabletop Gaming Centre, we run numerous events, club nights, workshops and meets each week.

One of our favorite events is our Pokémon craft workshops, which we offer during every school holiday. Open to all ages, but mostly attended by those age 5-15, we use Pokemon characters as the initial inspiration for making all manner of items- making sure we’re having fun as well as learning new skills!

The workshops are designed and run by our super-talented Chaos Cards resident artist Becky Vincer. As well as running Pokemon workshops with us Becky also runs other workshops all over Kent, including artistic and creative workshops at places such as Godington House and the Power of Women festival in Thanet. Her inclusive workshops often include fun activities such as sublimation printing, t-shirt customisation, stamp making, textiles and painting. We love the step-by-step approach Becky has to her workshops and how she encompasses everyone's ideas and interests. Becky is not only a great artist and workshop facilitator, but an absolute whizz at Dobble! 

Workshops Power Up!

This summer Becky ran 10 fun-filled workshops over 5 weeks, and was joined by Chaos team member (and blog writer extraordinaire!) Katie to help with the madness- some of the sessions get very messy! 

The workshops were held at our Bricks and Mortar store in Folkestone, and each session had 20 spaces. All of the workshops quickly sold out, meaning by the end of the summer we had helped make 200 amazing crafty creations. 

As ever, the workshops were based on everyone's favourite Trading Card Game; Pokemon! 

We even had some crafty parents eager to join in on the fun, creating not only amazing crafts, but wonderful memories with their children over the summer

Week One

Make a lino stamp and print on a Drawstring Bag;

In this session, children could choose from either a Pokeball, Charmander, or Eevee template. To make a stamp the children drew around the template, pushing hard into soft foam. Once ready the stamp was painted and used to decorate a plain drawstring bag. It was a great activity to start the summer as the children were excited to use their bag for their summer holidays, and then as a P.E kit bag when they went back to school. The bag was also great for carrying Pokemon decks and treasures around- perfect for our intrepid Pokemon trainers!

During this week our Pokemon craft crew developed their skills in drawing, cutting, sticking, stamping, and printing. The end results were so fun and individual to each Poke-Artist!

Week Two

Make a Jolteon T-Shirt;

In the second week, everyone brought in a t-shirt to customise. The workshop involved using a template to create shapes out of heat transfer vinyl. The shapes came together during the heat transfer process to make up Jolteons face.  We loved seeing everyone's takes on the main Jolteon design - in fact no two t shirts were the same! Children were keen to change into their t-shirts and proudly wore them home that day, as well as showing them off at the next workshops.

This workshop involved using skills to copy, draw, cut, and use layering within the design.

Week Three

Eevee Safe box;

On the third week the children made an Eevee Safe box. This was a great messy week, with giant paint brushes being used to transform a simple cereal box with tissue paper and PVA glue.  Our Pokemon trainers then customised the boxes with collage papers and paint to represent their own style. It turned out that the Eevee safe box would have lots of different treasures stored inside, from Pokemon Cards to Friendship bracelets. 

The skills our workshop crew needed to use this week were cutting, sticking, and painting. 

Week Four

Poke-ball door sign;

Week four involved the creation of some super smart Poke-ball door signs. Becky brought along a collection of scratched 12” vinyls to upcycle into a door sign. Our crafty Pokemon Trainers used paint, card,  stickers, and their incredible imaginations to make poke-ball inspired designs, they brought to life Energy Balls, Sports Balls, Love Balls, and Master Balls, there were even some custom designs including one made for a teddy collection! 

The skills needed this week included painting, sticking and cutting. 

Week five

Charmander Candle Holder;

We didn’t realise how much we needed a Charmander tea-light holder until we did this workshop! Not only did the tea-light holders look great but they were functional and there was the chance to paint them at home too. Becky bought along some air dry clay and a variety of simple tools in order to create the sweetest Charmander (battery-operated) tea light holder. Charmander certainly looks fiery in this creation! This workshop involved sculpting and using clay and it was so therapeutic. 

This workshop in particular really sparked the children’s imagination so some used the clay to make a Gengar, Squirtle or spooky creature - we’re always happy to encourage all types of creativity! 

Sadly this was the last session of the summer, so we waved goodbye to our creative crew and looked forward to seeing them again in October for Halloween creations at half term!

Did you attend any of our workshops over the Summer? Are you a crafty adult who fancies making some Pokemon-related fun? Let us know your favourite Poke-Craft in the comments below or on our socials, we love to hear from you. 

If you are interested in joining in with any of our future fun workshops, make sure to sign up to our Mailing List so the Chaos Cards team can keep you updated with our future events.

We don’t just offer Pokemon workshops either- our shop runs regular Dungeons and Dragons sessions, Miniature Painting, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournaments amongst other events. If you are ever in Folkestone, make sure you pop your head in and see what’s on offer- we always love meeting you all!