We like to think we’re a democracy here at IdeasTap. While our columnist Nell has recently expressed her fervent dislike for all things twee, we’re quite partial to a spot of cupcake-making of a Sunday morn.

The days when craft meant covering your denim shorts with crystals (thanks Real Knit & Gem machine) are well and truly numbered. Craft is officially cool, so here’s our pick of the best…

Drink, Shop & Do

It’s impossible not to love this emporium of all-things-tasteful based on Caledonian Road in north London. Mad Men addicts will appreciate the décor.  Kristie and Coralie (see above) formed DSD so people could:

Drink: wow, what a selection of cocktails! Make mine a Mother’s Ruin, please (gin, elderflower, mint and soda). Accompany with a smoked salmon finger sandwich, and want for nothing more in life.

Shop: pretty much everything is for sale, from a beautiful 1950s sideboard, to work from local artists.

Do: there’s always something going on. Make David Bowie’s head from a blob of clay, craft a wallet, or knit a hat for an innocent smoothie, all for a good cause.

Print Club London

Whether you’ve left college and its printing facilities, or just want to make friends with the screen, Print Club London is the place for you. Become a member and you’ll have access to equipment and workshops. They even offer a printing service.  Look out for the poster shows too – you can get an original print for £35 and they’re currently accepting ideas, so you could have your design in the next show.

Manchester Craft Mafia

Founded in 1997 by some original members of The Craft Mafia, Texas, MCM aims to re-engage the craft communities of Manchester, and provide people with the skills for a career in craft. Their workshops and events are genuinely useful – whether you want to learn how to make concertina books, tweed fashion accessories or Christmas decorations.

The Papered Parlour

Based in Clapham, south London, the Paper Parlour offers low-cost studio spaces for artists and classes in screen-printing, millinery, dressmaking, photography, quilting and silversmithing. There’s a shop selling artists’ work fresh from the studio, and you can pop upstairs for a delicious cake straight from the oven. Not one to miss.

Ming Makes Cupcakes

Yeah, we know that cupcakes are twee/tedious/oppressive/whatever, but boy are they pretty… Ming Makes Cupcakes – which lists 33 amazing, unique recipes – is our new obsession.

Tie-Dye PAAAAAAARTY

Is there anything better than holding a tie-dye party? Sure, your cream sofa/carpet may suffer, and turning up in stained long johns and your Dad’s T-shirt is not a hot look. But let me hear you complaining when you’re all splashing red dye over each other and creating, like, really cutting-edge clothing. Much like this: