We are all looking forward to the autumn programme. Inspired by our success with Gabriel’s drawing classes and a request to have more, we have put together an all singing all dancing programme which has something for everyone… from metalwork to working with wool to more drawing… and of course weekly forest school we will have something for everyone!
Thank you to Iona Shop in Holywood and Eden Pottery for supporting us. And of course all the wonderful people whom we have worked with… and will be working with in the future. You make everything possible.
So here it goes!!!
Copper Smithing: 25 Sept, 2 October
Learn how to work copper with our new Forest School teacher Matthew Walton. Matthew graduated from the Art College recently and brings his many skills to our party! Copper smithing is only one of them. During this session learn to beat and fold copper. From a copper pipe Matthew will take you through the process of creating your own piece of art or jewelery.
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Venue: The Quarries
Cost: £60
All material and equipment provided.
Book here
Fungi Drawings with Gabriel Knight
As the autumn gets underway fungi start to read their little heads. These most mysterious members of the botanical world have fascinated us for millennia. The original superfood they have been used by humans to have deeper insight into their lives. Have deeper insight into them with Gabriel. Gabriel’s course was so popular the last time that it was sold out at the end. Make sure you book early! Use this form to book.
| Dates: | 9, 16, 23, 30 October |
| Time: | 10 am – 12 pm |
| Age range: | 12 + |
| Cost: | £20 per person per session or £70 for 4 week black booking in advance |
Fleece to Fabric: The Hidden Magic of Handcrafting Wool
Book here for this course.
Emma has written a short introduction about herself!
Hello, I’m Emma and it is my pleasure and my privilege to welcome you to this course.
Textiles, Costume and Folklore are the passions I carry throughout my professional life and these courses are an incredible opportunity
to share that passion with you. It is my great hope that you will feel and embrace the tactile power of the materials under your fingers and the transformative power of creation in your minds and hearts. I am here to facilitate this for you with over 25 years of experience, expertise and enthusiasm. Above all else, ‘Making’ is a way to connect to yourself and to the world around you. Creativity is a process and a practice which just cannot be overrated.
My experience as a teacher over the years ranges from Kindergarten handwork classes and soft crafts through to extensive felting and fibre
workshops, interiors and dressmaking classes and the pursuit of my own practice as a writer and fibre artist.
The only warning I issue is that working like this is addictive, get ready to be seduced by the integrated worlds of artisan craft and story!
Here is an outline of her course:
Welcome to this creative, productive, hands-on exploration of the culture, history and evolution of wool textiles.
This workshop celebrates wool and its intrinsic connection to oral traditions, cottage industry and industrial processes.
It includes insight into the materials used and a discussion of the folklore and rich traditions of textiles in our part of the world and beyond.
Over the three weeks participants will gain skills in the traditional arts of Fibre Preparation, Wet-felting, Needle-felting, Spinning and Nalbinding.
The course will feed your creative and artistic self while deepening your appreciation of sheep’s wool and all its uses.
You’ll leave with a new insight and passion for working with this incredible material and also your own beautiful, useful pieces of craft and art.
I sincerely look forward to sharing my passion and practical knowledge with you and to enjoying this textile journey together.
Day One. 06/11/21
Handling your wool.
The linguistics of textiles.
A short introduction to needle-felting.
Wet-Felting project to take home.
Day Two. 13/11/21
Processing your wool.
Experience the tactile stages of wool-crafting.
Scouring, carding, combing, hand-spinning, wheel-spinning, and weaving.
Make and learn to use your own hand spindle.
Day Three. 20/11/21
Transforming your wool.
A look at the wide use of wool in human culture.
The properties, composition and function of common and exotic animal fibres.
Create your own tailored choice of nalbinded accessory or fabric.
(Nalbinding is a type of proto-knitting with a single needle)
All natural, high quality, organic and locally sourced materials.
All materials and equipment are provided.
Environmentally conscious. Perfect for gift making.
5 to 8 participants.
4 hours duration.
Important Note.
If you are pregnant or immune-compromised please notify me in advance of booking.
Time: 10 – 2 pm
Cost: £50 per person of £142 for advanced block booking