150 Years in Wonderland

In 1862, a shy Oxford don named Charles Lutwidge Dodgson rowed two little girls along the River Thames. One of the girl’s was Alice Liddel, the daughter of the dean. Alice enjoyed the story so much that she asked Charles to write it down, which he did as a Christmas gift in 1864, accompanied by his own illustrations. A year later, the story was published under the name Alice in Wonderland, using Dodgson’s pseudonym, Lewis Carroll.

The story went on to become one of the most popular works in children’s literature. Critics were initially unimpressed by the publication, but as time went on, the public fell in love and fans included Queen Victoria and a young Oscar Wilde. Today, the timeless fantasy of Alice in Wonderland has captured the imagination of filmmakers and theatre directors alike with countless stage productions and two dozen big screen versions, including the beloved animated adaptation by Walt Disney and the trippier live action reworking directed by Tim Burton.

As Alice celebrates her 150th Birthday, the story continues to inspire us too! From Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties to Croquet with the Red Queen, every little girl and boy can tumble down the rabbit hole into their very own Wonderland, created by the Crafty Arty Parties team (with a little help from Prop Dead Gorgeous too, of course!). So if you think the Cheshire Cat and some giant cards will brighten up your family fun day, contact heather.mitchell@craftyartyparties.com for more information!

Children’s Party Trends – Our predictions for Spring/Summer 2015…

With the reindeer and snowmen safely packed away, it’s time to dust off our thinking caps and focus on creating more sensational parties for 2015. Our creative team draws inspiration from upcoming movies and popular events to create the ‘hottest’ themes for everything from corporate parties and family fun days, to private screenings.

So, to make sure your party is innovative and bang on trend, take a look at our predictions for the Spring/Summer 2015 children’s events scene:

  • Disney’s musical Into the Woods was released in January, and is now nominated for a host of Academy Awards. The film re-visits Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack and the Beanstalk, elements of which can be brought together to create a fairytale wonderland for any Family Fun Day.
  • Hot on the heels of Into the Woods, Disney’s Cinderella will be making a solo on-screen appearance in March. With an all-star cast, the live action film will predominantly follow the 1950s animated adaptation. We’re certain that the film will have every little Princess dreaming of the arrival at her very own ball in a magical pumpkin carriage…
  • With a new addition to the Royal Family due in April 2015, we have no doubt that the country will be poised with anticipation to hear the baby’s name and see the first photographs. Always keen to join in with patriotic celebrations, CAP will be at the ready with bunting, rose garlands, and Princesses fit for Royalty!
  • It’s set to be a big year for adaptations of animated fairytales, with Pan joining the list of live action releases in July 2015.  Boys and girls alike are sure to love entering the magical world of Neverland, through their very own private screening, or party complete with pirate galleon.
  • This year marks the 150th anniversary of the release of Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland. An ever popular theme amongst adults and children alike, we don’t think it will take much encouragement to get people jumping ‘down the rabbit hole’ this summer…
  • Still going strong, the BBC’s Great British Bake Off will be returning for a sixth series this Summer. Amateur bakers will once again be perfecting their patisserie and styling their sponges. Meanwhile, CAP will be on-hand to ensure that children don’t miss out on frolicking in flour, with our tasty baking workshops and recipe treasure trails.
  • We’re positive we’ll have our clients saying, “You’re the one that I want”, when we present our Grease theme this Summer, complete with a whole host of 1950s Diner props to make Danny & Sandy proud. We think Grease is due a revival when Fox airs their production of the iconic musical, starring High School Musical’s Vanessa Hudgens as Rizzo. A whole new generation of Pink Ladies and T-Birds will be born, and we have dancers ready and waiting to teach them all to jive.

For a closer look at our unique props and never-ending selection of themes, please visit propdeadgorgeous.com. For more information on corporate parties, family fun days, private screenings and character meet and greets, please email heather.mitchell@craftyartyparties.com.

Praise Indeed

We were thrilled to receive such amazing feedback just recently following a fantatsic event we produced for The Walt Disney Company, and simply had to share the wonderful comments…

“Thank you so incredibly much to you and your sterling team for another first class and outstanding event…  

I have received so many comments from the parents saying they had never seen such a beautiful set-up and how fantastic everything was!  

It is always such a pleasure to work with you all, thank you for all of your tireless and meticulous creative work…”

The Walt Disney Company

To find out more about our stunning events, please email heather.mitchell@craftyartyparties.com.

Not just ANY old Sweet Shop!

Imagine the very best candy store in the world…

A mix of, lets say, Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Garden, Honey Dukes from Harry Potter and the Land of Sweets from Tchaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker ballet. Imagine the smell, then close your eyes and walk into our magical ‘candy emporium’. Shelf upon shelf is filled with every childs (little or big for that matter!) sweetie heaven! Personalised sticks of rock, chocolate jigsaw puzzles, jumping jellies, exploding gob stoppers, flying figs, it’s all here – we can help bring your candy emporium to life!

For more information on what CAPs can do for you, email heather.mitchell@craftyartyparties.com.

Private Screenings

Want the red carpet experience? Then a private screening of the latest blockbuster is just what you need! Crafty Arty Parties prestigious private screenings are a fantastic way of screening a film – be it the latest children’s block buster or classic family favourite.

Perfect for adults and children alike, our private screening services offer fantastic pre-show entertainment, props and theming provided by our sister company Prop Dead Gorgeous, venue sourcing – whether that be a private or commercial screen – catering to brands and gifts and are of course, great value for money!

Here at Crafty Arty Parties, we are often surprised at how many corporate clients have not enjoyed a private screening or even considered them, often thinking that they are too expensive…

Well the good news is they are not, if you know where to go and plan in advance.

If you want to know more, e-mail Heather Mitchell: heather.mitchell@crafttartyparties.com.

Wizards are back!

After months and months of preparations and secret planning, the countdown is on as Crafty Arty Parties are preparing for a rather special Halloween event this week, and are glad to say that ‘Wizards’ are back! (Did they ever go away? Of course not…..!)

Prop Dead Gorgeous, our theming company, has been on overload – designing and building a fantastic Ghostly Festival with giant Games Pitches,  Magical Shops, and a huge Animatronic Book for a rather special ‘storytelling’ reveal!

Welcome to Crafty Arty Parties!

Here at Crafty Arty Parties, we specialise in dazzling children’s events for the corporate sector, focusing on family fundays, Christmas parties and private screenings.

Nothing is more important to CAP then creating fun and memorable events to be enjoyed by all! So with this in mind, we have designed our new website where you will find case studies of our family fundays, Christmas parties and private screenings, as well as latest film dates, venues for the diary and the latest news and updates.

Utilising the thousands of props from our in-house theming company Prop Dead Gorgeous, our events are not only spectacular, but great value for money too!

Crafty Arty Parties works closely with its collaborating divisions within Crafty Arty World International, to ensure that we deliver spectacular events, on time, in budget and to a new level of excellence and with a great portfolio, long lost of awards and achievements, CAP should be your first port of call

P.S. Don’t forget to look at our new showreel too – parties, promotions and props that make you ‘Happy’!