Created the Ottaway

Hi, I’m Claire – the hands and heart behind Created the Ottaway.

 I help creative women who love papercrafting feel confident, inspired, and supported through easy-to-follow tutorials, creative inspiration, and a welcoming community. Whether you're here to pick up new techniques, spark your creativity, or connect with others who just get it, you’re in the right place. My main focus is sharing fun, beginner-friendly papercraft tutorials and running the Crafty Ottas Club on YouTube – a cosy membership full of exclusive projects, tips, and crafty encouragement. If you love paper, kindness, and making time to create, I’m so glad you’ve found me.

You can browse my site for inspiration, sign up for my newsletter or purchase my makes.
You will find me on Youtube, Instagram and Pinterest as well as on Facebook under Created the Ottaway. Give me a follow and keep up to date with fresh ideas and inspiration.. My videos are always easy to follow along to and not too long. 
I  share with you lots of creative tips a crafty giggle or two along the way to help you get the best value from what you purchase and already own. If you have any questions or want to chat all things crafty get in touch.

 

Come join my Crafty Otta club!

I'm building a community that is full of fun is united, inclusive and full of crafty cheer.
One big crafty family.

This community isn't just about papercraft tutorials ( though of course there will be plenty of those!) It's about feeling seen, supported and surrounded by creative kind souls who love making beautiful things with their hands.
I can help you make beautiful projects you'll be proud to share  Best of all with what you already own and show you how these can be used in numerous ways for various craft activities.

For me, helping someone be creative is the best feeling in the entire world. After all, creating cards, scrapbook pages, and gift items is about more than just stamps and ink—it’s about sharing a part of yourself with the people you love.

For a small monthly fee of £5.99 you will receive full access to club exclusive content. More of me ! New projects, tips. behind the scenes and so much more.
One cozy craft club = more connection, more fun.

Step by step tutorial

This handmade box is like magic. It is rigid but folds down flat. This makes it the perfect crafty project. Save yourself some time and stress by making some ahead of time and storing them flat for when you need them.. It is really so much easier to make then it looks. You can use any beautiful paper and you will love the finished project.
Two sided paper works best with this gift box.The video shows you how to make this gift box step by step.If this one is too small for your needs there's also a bigger versions.You can make this project by crafting along with me using the box making tutorial on my Youtube channel here 

You will find this and many other FREE paper crafting videos on my youtube channel.. Subscribe and select the notification bell and you will be told each time I post a new video.I try and do this weekly.




 

It's all about fun!

 

I offer all sorts of craft classes and fun craft events. To stay up to date with all that's happening at Created the Ottaway sign up to my newsletter.Why not host your own private event for groups of four or more. I can offer in person craft sessions for anyone from the absolute beginner to the more experienced. I also hold virtual get together'. This is a list of some of the events I host. 

• Girls Night In
• Crafting in your PJ's 
• Hen party gatherings
• Birthday get together
• Crafternoon Tea
• Crafty Bingo
• Give it a go night

to name just a few ! If your looking for some crafty fun just get in touch. You can make so many things with stamps ink and paper. Sometimes you just need something or someone to spark an idea. That's why I love crafting I  get to do  all of this .Create with and meet lots of people with the loveliest craft products.

About Me

This is me.
I simply adore to hear people's stories, so this is a little of mine.
Hi, I'm Claire, and I run Created the Ottaway.I fell into this quite by accident.
Crafting was /is my therapy before it was trendy to say that.
My husband Paul is my everything. We have grown two wonderful young men together that we are immensely proud off.
Our oldest and his beautiful partner have made us grandparents. We have two amazing grandchildren  who bring us such joy.
Our youngest son has a condition called Angelmans Syndrome, and this is where craft 'therapy ' came in.This also led me to changing careers and working for a hub in the UK providing 'voices' and alternative technology for young people.So communication is very important to me.
I love to craft for a purpose, so make beautiful things for our home. As well as gifts for those I love and to sell should someone like what I make.
From cards to scrapbooks, quilts to blankets just about any craft, I will give it a go.
I also love to teach craft and bring that joy into people's lives, so I have a Youtube channel where I share FREE papercraft tutorials. I run workshops, a weekly community craft group, and other craft events.
I was also a Stampin'Up! demonstrator for over 10 years.
My main weakness is I love all crafts but paper craft is my first love the simple joy of turning stamps ink and paper into beautiful things is addictive.Plus the joy it brings to others in the making or receiving is priceless.Running a busy family life with a special needs young man and all the stress and strains that come with all that I have found crafting to be very relaxing and rewarding in fact I call it therapy!
I guess you could call me a craft lover or even a craft addict!
When I'm not crafting, I love pretty china, stationery, cats and flowers. I love to read ,to garden, to walk and to bake and trees. I really love trees!