Get Creative

Create a wire sculpture made up of three different flowers on a single shaped stem. The workshop is designed so that each flower you make builds on your skills, with two basic petal shaped ones of different sizes and one stylized twist and bead flower. There will be a selection of beautiful, coloured wires to create your flowers and an array of beads to adorn your twisted feature flower.  (Or, of course, you could bring along your own special beads to use in your design).

You will be provided with a shaped mild steel stem and some base forms to enable you to finish on the day.  Once your flower shapes are made Anna will guide you on constructing your sculpture and adding your centres.

The workshop is suitable for beginners as well as those with more experience. Please note though, the technique is repetitive, and wirework is tiring on your hands, so please bear this in mind if you have any issues with hand strength.

All materials are included.

This day school will look at how to make your writing accessible to a wider audience. This might mean publication (exploring both DIY and traditional publishing routes ) so the submission process and current markets will be some of the areas covered. However, the session is also aimed at those people who are simply interested in learning about ways of redrafting and editing so that the final version of their piece – whether that is prose, poetry or script – is as polished as it can be. Suitable for all levels of experience.

Author Chris Goodwin will give a short talk followed by a Q&A as part of the workshop. Chris has been published by Sonicbond Press in the 'proper' conventional way but has also self-published around 120 books with Kindle Direct Publishing.

He publishes using three different names: Christopher R Goodwin for education books, Opher Goodwin for Rock Music and Ron Forsythe for a number of sci-fi books.

This is a great opportunity to hear from someone who has extensive experience in all forms of publishing

Two Creative Writing workshops for £65; Friends and Patrons £30, please book at the Craft Gallery

Learn to make this very useful round basket with a handle, perfect for eggs or fruit. Using traditional techniques and a variety of willows this little basket is a great introduction to further willow work.

Please remember to wear sensible closed toe shoes.

Butterflies, bees, dragonflies & flowers- be inspired by the colours & shapes of nature to create your own original stained glass hangings.

You will learn all the techniques needed to create your own original stained glass works including cutting, foiling & soldering. Follow a design provided or be supported to achieve your own designs. At the end of the workshop you will have at least 2 original works to gift or keep. Suitable for beginners or those with previous experience.

Jaqueline Warrington, a jeweller and silver smith with many years of experience, will teach you how to make a silver flower pin using silver, brass and copper.

You will each have a circular piece of silver which you will carve and texture with needle files, chasing punches and hammers. You will then texture the central piece of brass and dome both pieces. Then you will solder the two together.

You will then make the stalk from copper wire which you will twist and then sharpen the end. Lastly you will solder the two parts together, polish it up and there you have your flower pin. 

Do you have an old stool, small dining room/bedroom chair or ottoman that needs some new life breathing into? Here you will learn how to upholster an item of your choice. Lesley will be on hand to help at every stage and will have a full range of upholstery tools for you to use and materials to purchase. All you will need to bring is a piece of furniture and the top fabric.

Please note we advise you have previous upholstery experience as it can be difficult to complete a project in one day.

During the course of the morning, you will learn this useful weaving technique to create a large Garden Obelisk. These add instant height to any garden and are perfect for your climbing tender annuals such as Sweet Peas. This course is suitable for beginners.

Make a coptic bound notebook sketchbook or journal.

Coptic binding is the most ancient of bindings and is characterised by visible stitching forming rows of chain stitch across the spine.

You'll cover boards with your choice of paper. Michaela will have a lovely collection of patterned papers for you to forage through. 

You'll then stitch together your pages made from recycled materials and textile industry waste with traditional linen thread. There will be a rainbow of colours for you to choose from. 

You will go home with a small hardback book made by you that will be ideal to use as a journal sketchbook or photo album. 

Join punch needle artist Katie.R.Veall for a day bursting with colour, texture and uplifting creativity, and create your very own Spring Flowers Punch Needle Panel. 

 Katie will guide you through the Oxford technique of rug making to create a panel approx. 20x20cm, using monks cloth and 100% British rug wool, an Oxford punch needle and gripper frame.  This technique creates hard wearing pieces that will stand the test of time, as well as being beautiful! 

 After the workshop, you can turn your versatile panel into a number of different things, depending on your preference.  Examples include, a throw cushion, bag, denim jacket embellishment, trivet or a wall hanging.  Katie will be on hand to give you plenty of inspiration as well as share her knowledge as an Oxford Certified Instructor. 

 This workshop is suitable for those new to punch needle as well as those with more experience.  All materials are provided within the cost of the workshop and a selection of supplies and tools will be available to purchase at the end of the day. 

These willow sheep or pigs are full of character and a great extension to random weaving with willow. Alison will guide you to make a large scale 4-legged animal in willow. Some experience preferred.

Please wear clothes that you are happy getting a bit grubby and full shoes that cover your toes.