Crafts 2019
Textile Crafts
- Date:
- Fri 3 – Sun 5 May
- Price:
- £175 (Veranda room), £195 (House room) • Begins 12 noon on the Friday, finishes 4pm on Sunday • 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!
Towards the end of the weekend we combine some of the techniques, and incorporate beads to make wearable textile jeweller.
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.
Book Textile CraftsMosaic Weekend
- Date:
- Fri 28 – Sun 30 June
- Price:
- £175 residential, Non-resident £120 (includes meals and tuition)
- with…
- Lizzy Bean
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. Or you may prefer to make two smaller items – you can choose.
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 a friend of the farm, and an 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 creativeideas.
Book Mosaic WeekendWillow Basket Making
- Date:
- Fri 7 – Sun 9 June • Begins 12 noon on the Friday, finishes 4pm on Sunday
- Price:
- £175 (Veranda room), £195 (House 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.
Book Willow Basket MakingWomen’s Weekend
- Date:
- Fri 27 – Sun 29 September
- Price:
- Price: £175 (Veranda Room), £195 (House Room)
A much requested return of this weekend! – to enjoy some favourite activities: being together, making things, mosaics, jewellery, reading, talking, walking, listening, yoga, singing, and being, together. We can do whatever we like, and, of course, eat plenty of good farm food.
The weekend begins on Friday evening and finishes after lunch on the Sunday.
Book Women’s Long Weekend Break - AutumnAutumn Art and Craft Weekend For All
- Date:
- Fri 25 – Sun 27 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! This weekend begins on Friday evening and finishes after lunch on the Sunday.
Book Autumn Art and Craft Weekend