Crafting Patterns & Molds

Elevate Your Crafting with the Best Patterns & Molds Available in the UK

If you love turning ordinary materials into something extraordinary, patterns and molds are the secret sauce that can lift your projects from “nice” to “wow.” Whether you’re making chocolates, candles, resin art, clay homeware, or decorative plates, the right mold and pattern will save time, sharpen detail, and let your imagination run free. In this guide I’ll walk you through top UK retailers — including Nordic Nest and kitchenware outlets that stock crafting molds — plus where to find unique pieces, how to care for them, and project ideas to try this weekend. Think of this as a friendly map to the treasure chest of crafting tools waiting to be discovered.

Why Patterns and Molds Make a Big Difference

Molds are like shortcuts that let your hands replicate intricate designs over and over without losing detail. Imagine sculpting a tiny rose in clay by hand — now imagine popping out a dozen perfect roses in the time it takes to bake a cup of tea. Patterns give direction and consistency, while molds handle the repetitive perfection. For hobbyists and small-business makers alike, they speed up production, reduce waste, and let you experiment with materials that behave differently — like resin, chocolate, soap, and plaster. If you want a reliable way to scale up designs or refine small details, molds are the best investment you can make.

What to Look For When Buying Patterns & Molds

Shopping for molds isn’t just about picking the prettiest shape. Look for material, flexibility, heat resistance, detail fidelity, and whether the mold is food-safe if you plan to make edible items. Silicone is king for its flexibility and non-stick nature, while rigid molds made from plastic or metal can deliver super-sharp edges for materials like fondant or clay. Check dimensions — a 2-inch cavity behaves very differently from a 4-inch one — and make sure the thickness supports the material you plan to pour. Also consider whether you need a single-piece mold or a multi-part mold for hollow items or complex shapes.

Nordic Nest — Scandinavian Flair for Crafting

What Nordic Nest brings to the table

Nordic Nest is well-known for bringing Scandinavian design into UK homes, and their selection of crafting tools reflects that clean, minimal aesthetic. If you’re after molds that double as decor inspiration — think simple geometric forms and nature-inspired patterns — they’re a great place to browse. They’ve been listed among retailers offering items such as Blomsterbergs silicone molds, which are often praised for elegant shapes and dependable quality. If your projects lean toward modern or hygge-inspired pieces, Nordic Nest is worth a look.

Featured pick: Blomsterbergs Tuile Silicone Mold

One example you might find is a tuile silicone mold shaped like a tree, inspired by Blomsterbergs designs. A mold like this is ideal for making delicate cookie toppers, lightweight plaster ornaments, or thin chocolate garnishes that look professional without hours of carving. The flexibility of silicone lets you pop the finished piece out cleanly; plus, it’s easy to clean and store flat in a drawer when not in use. It’s the kind of tool that makes decorative finishing touches feel doable rather than daunting.

Kitchen Knives & Kitchenware Retailers — Surprising Sources for Molds

Why kitchen stores often stock crafting molds

Kitchenware shops like those focused on knives and cookware naturally carry silicone molds and baking forms because many overlap with culinary use. The same mold that shapes a beautiful chocolate or biscuit can be repurposed for soap, wax, or resin with the right care. Stores dedicated to kitchen gear often curate high-quality, food-safe molds that hobbyists can adapt for mixed-media work. The quality control tends to be strong because these items must handle temperature changes and repeated use in the kitchen.

Plate It molds: functional design for multi-use crafting

Brands such as Plate It produce silicone sets like the Infinity Silicone Mold and Inner Circle Silicone Mold in multi-piece gray sets. These are modular designs aimed at creative plating in food service but work brilliantly for craft projects that require stacking shapes or concentric patterns. They’re a smart pick if you want clean, repeatable rings or cutouts for resin coasters, candle embeds, or layered plaster pieces. Think of these as tools that bridge the gap between culinary crafts and pure decorative art — versatile, durable, and easy to use.

Hobbycraft — One-Stop Shop for UK Crafters

Why Hobbycraft is a go-to for many makers

Hobbycraft is a high-street staple for crafters, and for good reason. They stock a wide variety of patterns and molds across mediums: silicone for soap and chocolate, plastic for clay, and silicone-lined metal trays for baking and resin. They also offer seasonal ranges which can be great for picking up themed molds around holidays. If you’re starting out or need supplies fast, their breadth of products and often pragmatic pricing make them a reliable first stop. Plus, they host workshops and project ideas that can spark inspiration.

Etsy & Independent Sellers — Handmade, Unique, and Customisable

Find bespoke molds and downloadable patterns

Etsy is a goldmine when you want something unique or custom. Independent mold makers will often craft small-batch silicone molds with intricate details you won’t see in mass-market lines. You can commission a specific shape — perhaps a family crest, logo, or custom ornament — and receive a mold tailor-made for your project. Many sellers also offer downloadable patterns for fabric, paper, and woodworking that you can print and use at home. If originality is your priority, this is where creativity thrives.

Amazon UK & The Range — Fast Delivery and Vast Selection

When convenience matters more than curation

If you need a mold quickly or want to compare dozens of similar designs, Amazon UK is hard to beat. It carries everything from budget silicone molds to professional-grade forms, often with user reviews that reveal real-world performance. The Range is another practical choice for craft supplies and homeware items, offering affordable options across categories. The trade-off is that you may need to sift through many listings to find high-quality items, so read reviews carefully and look for sellers with consistent positive feedback.

John Lewis & Lakeland — Quality Brands and Gift-Worthy Sets

Reliable picks for long-lasting tools

John Lewis and Lakeland occupy a nice niche for crafters who value durable, well-made tools. These retailers often stock premium silicone molds and accessories from established kitchen and craft brands. If you’re buying a gift for a maker or investing in a durable set you expect to use for years, these stores are worth checking. Their product selection tends to skew higher-end, which can mean better heat tolerance and longer life — a useful consideration for soap-making or hot-glue projects.

Caring for Your Silicone Molds and Patterns

Think of silicone molds like a trusted pair of shoes: treat them right and they’ll support you for a long time. Always clean silicone with warm water and a mild soap before first use and after each project. For stubborn residue, a soft brush and soaking in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes usually does the trick. Avoid sharp tools that can nick the surface; a silicon spatula is your friend. Store them flat or hung to prevent warping. If you use a mold for food, keep it designated for that purpose only — cross-using between food and resin can be hazardous.

Materials & Techniques: Matching Mold to Medium

Different materials behave in different ways, and matching the right mold to your medium is key. Silicone molds work wonders with resin, soap, chocolate, and plaster because they flex and release easily. Rigid plastic or metal molds excel with materials that need firm support while setting, such as fondant or pressed clay. For resin work, consider using a release agent if the mold is older or has tiny imperfections. If you’re casting thin elements, a mold depth of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch often gives you the right balance of detail and strength without making the piece too fragile.

Project Ideas to Try This Weekend

Want some inspiration? Try making a batch of botanical resin coasters using simple ring molds, then set a dried leaf in the center for a nature-inspired finish. For soap, use floral silicone molds to create pretty guest-size bars that make lovely small gifts. If you’re into sweets, thin tuile molds yield crisp decorative cookies or chocolate garnishes that elevate a dessert. Or experiment with plaster ornaments: pour a 1/2-inch layer, embed a metal hook while it’s curing, sand lightly once dry, and paint. These quick wins are perfect for testing new molds without investing a huge amount of time or material.

Saving Money: Where to Find Good Deals in the UK

If you’re watching the budget, sign up for retailer newsletters or follow social media accounts for flash sales. Outlet sections of stores like Hobbycraft and Amazon often have discontinued colors or overstocked shapes at a fraction of the price. Don’t overlook local craft fairs where independent mold makers sell at reasonable rates — you’ll often get better detail and the chance to ask questions about usage. For bulk needs, some suppliers offer discounts when you buy several molds at once, which is worth considering if you plan to scale a small craft business.

Mixing and Matching: Combine Patterns and Molds for Unique Results

One of the most fun parts of crafting is mixing techniques. Use a printed pattern as a stencil and then add three-dimensional touches with molded elements — imagine a hand-stitched linen pouch with a tiny resin charm from a silicone mold as a closure ornament. Layering molds of different depths can create multi-dimensional wall art or jewelry with real presence. Treat molds as tools in a toolbox rather than final products; the magic often happens when you combine them in unexpected ways.

Beginner Tips: Start Simple, Then Level Up

If you’re new to molds, begin with a single-purpose silicone mold and a forgiving material like glycerin soap or low-viscosity resin. Practice demolding and cleaning until you feel comfortable, then experiment with more complex multi-part molds. Keep a small journal of temperatures, cure times, and any tweaks you made so you can reproduce great results. Once you master the basics, you’ll find more advanced techniques like embedding objects, using pigments, and finishing with polish much easier to carry off.

Conclusion

Patterns and molds are transformative tools that open up huge creative possibilities — from edible decorations to durable homeware and boutique gifts. Whether you prefer the Scandinavian aesthetic offered by stores like Nordic Nest, the kitchen-focused supplies from knife and cookware retailers, or the wide selection found at Hobbycraft, Etsy, and Amazon UK, there’s something to suit every maker’s needs and budget. Remember to match your mold material to your medium, take care of your molds, and don’t be afraid to mix techniques. With a little practice, you’ll be producing professional-looking results that feel uniquely yours.