From pimped-up pineapples to nipple-tassel making, festival head-dresses and candle-making, Charlie’s workshops cater to a whim for every occasion. With a background in Art and design, Charlie’s been running creative classes from her studio for nearly a decade, sharing her skills and teaching groups in ways that are fun, inclusive and memorable.
Her Flamingo Studio in the centre of Hove is the ideal location for locals and visitors looking for inspo for something different to do. Whether it’s a take-home for yourself or a unique gift to give to a friend or loved one, Charlie Doodle experiences are sure to tick one of your boxes!
We chatted to Charlie to find out more about what you can expect from her workshops - and why you don’t need to be ‘creative’ to get involved.
Tell us a bit about your story and what led you to where you are now.
I studied Art and design in London, then moved to Brighton to do a Degree in illustration. My studio in Brighton was originally there as a creative space for me to work but I decided to open my doors to the public as I found that it can be incredibly isolating as a designer, and I’m very much a people person. I wanted to share my skills and knowledge.
When not teaching, I create Art and curate exhibitions with other artists at the Flamingo House for the Artists Open House festival in May.
This city has a real appetite for doing things that are hands-on, so I started with candle making workshops. No matter what age and gender, people love making candles! I focus on healthy candle creations, empowering people with the knowledge about different waxes, wicks and how to make better products; ones that are paraben and paraffin free, made from soy wax..
My workshops are often about the process, letting go, and having fun. There’s been a huge increase in people taking part in stuff like this since lockdown. It’s continued to grow.
What is the inspiration behind the business?
I believe everyone is creative, deep down. As we get older sometimes it gets beaten out of us or simply evaporates. I like the challenge of nurturing people’s inner child, taking them on a journey as they tap into their creativity.. It’s like turning a key in a lock that’s been stuck shut.
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone at the end of the workshop beaming whilst holding their very own creation.
What can people expect from the range of experiences you offer?
Each experience fits within a 2 hour window at the studio. You get a drink on arrival, a glass of bubbly, or a non alcoholic option, and everyone gets a name tag. I find it personalizes the space and gets people immersed into the experience.
Candle making workshops are very popular all year round. I have over 80 different scents to choose from as fragrance and essential oils are the more expensive part of candle making and the sense of smell is so personal. I want people to go on an active journey and create a bespoke personal candle.
I do Autumn and Christmas wreath-making in winter and in the summer festival season, flower-crown making and welly-boot pimping using upcycled jewellery, stencils, feathers, beads.
Nipple-tassel making is particularly popular for hen-dos and birthdays. I’d love to find a burlesque dancer to teach people how to use them after my workshops.
Pineapple pimping is fun. Everyone gets a fresh pineapple, which can stay fresh as a table centre-piece for up to 4 weeks, and you pimp it up with paints, glitter, diamantes and jewels.
In my workshops I encourage people to be resourceful and use whatever’s available. For example, you can recycle a plastic soup container to melt wax into. I teach people how to do it professionally with side notes on how to adapt this at home.
I’m aware everyone has a different budget so I try to keep my classes affordable, even though materials costs have massively increased.
Who would you recommend these experiences to?
You don’t need to be creative to come to my workshops, they’re all suitable for beginners aged 12+ (bar the nipple tassel making which is 16+!). You don’t need experience. You don’t need to bring anything. Just free up 2 hours, come with an open mind and enjoy the process.
I have couples who want to do a different kind of experience together, mothers and daughters, hen-dos, team-building companies, groups of friends… Even people in their 90s doing candle making! People come to the space to learn, connect and have fun.
A couple of summers ago I was teaching pineapple pimping to a hen party. The bride-to-be loved pineapples so much that she arrived dressed up as a pineapple for the class. Everyone had such a great time! I love meeting such a variety of people, and I really do love my job. I’m very lucky to do what I do.
What do you think is the most unique part about what you offer?
The broadness of experiences that are suitable to so many ages and abilities. Whether you’re a seasoned creative or someone who's never put a pen to paper, everyone’s welcome.
Also, the unique gift options enable people to create something special. We offer personalized gift-making as a workshop where people can create silver-plated cufflinks, necklaces, keyrings, where I’ll teach them how to encase vintage maps, music sheets or upcycle comic strips. Everything comes gift-boxed. I think it’s so special to give someone you love something you’ve made.
What do you love most about Brighton and its community? And what do you hope your experiences can offer these communities?
After I graduated I thought, the world is my oyster, I can go anywhere! But I realised, actually, Brighton is pretty great. It’s so liberal, open minded and creative. And there's so much creativity and so many opportunities here.
Finally - what made you choose Yuup to partner with?
I get approached a lot but there was something about Yuup. I liked the ethos and the community-led aspect. It works so well in Bristol - I know it’ll work well here too.
