Tumbled treasures & the joy of restoring calm to everyday life - meet Caroline of Joy Revival Design

In this episode of Crafting Scotland, I chat with Caroline Mitchell, the creative mind behind Joy Revival Design, a bright and welcoming coastal studio in Portobello, Edinburgh. From sea glass jewellery and lampshade making to festive wreath workshops, Caroline has built a business that celebrates creativity, colour and calm, all just a few steps from the sea.Named after her grandmother, Joy, the business carries the same warmth and generosity that its name suggests. Caroline shares how Joy Revival Design began during lockdown, when daily beach walks with her two young sons turned into moments of mindfulness and discovery. Collecting pieces of sea glass, items once discarded, now smoothed and softened by the waves, became both a creative outlet and a new way of seeing beauty in the everyday.What started as a small experiment soon grew into something bigger: a thriving studio where locals and visitors alike can learn to make their own sea glass treasures. Caroline’s workshops have become a space where people come to unwind, connect, and rediscover the simple pleasure of making something by hand.In our conversation, Caroline speaks about her creative journey, from her early career in design and her love of vibrant colour to the joy of working with found materials and running a sustainable business. She also touches on Portobello’s rich glassmaking history, her mission to make craft accessible to everyone, and the sense of calm that comes from creating beside the sea.Full of laughter, warmth, and gentle wisdom, this episode captures the essence of coastal creativity. Caroline’s story is a reminder that inspiration can come from the simplest of places: a walk along the beach, a handful of tumbled glass, and the quiet decision to make something beautiful from what the waves have left behind.So pour a cup of tea, settle in, and let this seaside conversation inspire you to slow down, make with your hands, and maybe start your own little creative revival.I also hope, you’ll enjoy the little historic backstory to Scotland’s glassmaking industry just before the conversation with Caroline begins. Get in touch with Caroline here:https://joyrevivaldesign.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/joy.revival.design/As always, thank you for listening to the podcast. I would love to know what you’re taking away from this episode.If you are a crafter in Scotland and would like to be a guest on this podcast, then please complete this short form - https://form.typeform.com/to/kUUWIPfRTo stay in touch and find out about upcoming guests then visit me over on Instagram and follow along - https://www.instagram.com/devinetoursofscotland/In case this inspires you not only to be more creative but also plan a creative holiday in Scotland and would like to find out more about craft days out or tours, then use the contact form via my website to get in touch:https://devinetoursofscotland.co.uk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit devinetoursofscotland.substack.com