Crafts 2018
Mosaic Pavement Weekend
- Date:
- Fri 27 – Sun 29 April
- Price:
- Price £60 residential, £45 non-resident (meals provided)
- with…
- Lizzy Bean and farm residents
A chance to learn mosaic-making skills, while contributing to a new beautiful feature at the farm!
The aim of this weekend is to make some mosaic tiles for a new paved area outside our dining room.
Come and experience the creative and therapeutic process of making mosaics, a craft that has combined form and function for thousands of years. You will learn all the techniques you need to complete a paving slab-sized mosaic - the initial design and preparation of tiles to the final grouting and polishing. There may also be time to make a small item to take home!
We will begin on Friday evening with an introductory talk, exploring the history of the mosaic-making, and looking at some community mosaic projects.
On Saturday you will learn how to safely smash tiles and crockery and prepare them for use. You are welcome to bring your own broken china or ceramic tiles to incorporate. Lizzy will be on hand to guide you through the design process, using the farm surroundings as inspiration. By the end of the day, you will have an artwork ready to grout on Sunday.
Basic tools and materials will be provided.
Lizzy Bean is an established artist who has worked with children and adults for many years. She uses recycled and sustainable materials to explore the creative process both indoors and out. Her lively and inspiring workshops enable people to engage with their imagination and her relaxed, encouraging approach ensures that people are able to realise their creative ideas.
Booking has closed for this event
Textile Crafts Short Break
- Date:
- Fri 1 – Sun 3 June (begins 12 noon on the Friday, with lunch)
- Price:
- £175 (Veranda room), £195 (Farmhouse room) • both prices include 2 nights’ accommodation, meals and refreshments and 2 1/2 days tuition • Non-resident price: £150 (includes meals and tuition)
- with…
- Mary Maguire
A chance to immerse yourself in a tactile world of textile crafts.
Learn the art of needle felting (sculpting using wool and a barbed needle) to make soft toys, pincushions, or small sculptures. We will also use this technique two dimensionally to make a picture, cushion, or bag, embellish clothes or a hat, or to make decorative repairs to holes in jumpers.
You will learn embroidery stitches, which you can use creatively to make a work of art, or up-cycle a garment, or combine with the needlefelting. The warm and friendly atmosphere of a small group will be conducive to creativity!
No previous experience necessary. Tools provided. £20 charge for materials.
Mary Maguire has been creating and making beautiful things with textiles for over 40 years. She holds an MA from the Royal College of Arts and is a graduate of Goldsmiths College, where she specialised in creative embroidery. Mary is the author of craft books covering a wide range of art and design techniques
Booking has closed for this event
Willow Basket Making (fully booked, see below)
- Date:
- Fri 1 – Sun 3 June • Begins 12 noon on the Friday, finishes 4pm on Sunday
- Price:
- £175 (Veranda room), £195 (Farmhouse room) • both prices include 2 nights’ accommodation, meals and refreshments and 2 1/2 days tuition • Non-resident price: £150 (includes meals and tuition)
- with…
- Norah Kennedy
An opportunity to make willow baskets, garden structures, plant supports, sculptures, and decorations. Learn an eco-friendly skill using local renewable materials!
There will be time to make at least two small baskets, or one larger one. Advice will be available for those wanting to grow their own willow.
The course begins on Friday with lunch at 12.30pm. Tuition begins after lunch. On the Saturday and Sunday, tuition and basket-making will take place from 9.30am until 4pm.
This weekend is suitable for both beginners and for those with experience. (There will be an extra charge of £5 – £20 for materials.)
Norah is an experienced, practising basket maker, and has been teaching this age-old craft all over the country for many years.
Fully Booked, but please email us to request an alert when dates for 2018 are available -
Autumn Art and Craft Weekend For All
- Date:
- Fri 26 – Sun 28 October
- Price:
- £175 • Child 2–21 yrs £90
- with…
- Mary Maguire, Vicky Hirsch and farm residents
As the season turns and nights draw in, we mark the change by getting together to spark our creative imaginations. We shall carve and hollow pumpkins and fill them with light; decorate small lanterns to shine brightly and drive away the darkness; make marzipan skeletons; experiment and play with drawing, painting, and print to produce mixed media artworks; and light fires and make fire sculptures to remind us of the sun.
A weekend for all ages to get together and be imaginative, and have fun, in autumn!
Booking has closed for this event