Workshop Day Tag: Sunday

SAPPHIRE MOON SILVER PENDANT with Tracey Spurgin – 09.40

Join Tracey Spurgin, International Metal Clay Artist, as she takes you step-by-step through the process of creating an adorable and stunning pendant using Art Clay Silver. You will have a choice of designs as illustrated. You will get to grips with all the essential foundation skills and proudly walk away with your finished creation. The workshop fee includes silver clay and the sapphire-coloured gemstone but does not include the jump ring and chain.

Advisory Note:

Aimed at the complete beginner, but this class is not suitable for children under the age of 16 due to the nature of the tools used to make the pendant.

Meet the Tutor

Tracey Spurgin

Tracey Spurgin is a qualified Senior Art Clay instructor having completed courses with Artclay World UK. She has trained to the highest level with some of the world’s leading metal clay artists & tutors. With more than 20 years’ experience, Tracey teaches in her own studio in East Yorkshire as well as travelling extensively in the UK and internationally to deliver courses, workshops and master classes in colleges, museums, galleries and shops. She has also been a guest designer on Jewellery Maker TV.

Tracey loves to challenge herself and work on projects that she considers to be almost engineering in clay. Hinges and lockets and threaded vessels are something that fascinate her. So she will spend days, weeks and months on troubleshooting problems and ideas until she finds a solution. She is passionate about sharing her discoveries and the joy of metal clay.

WILLOW SWALLOW with Rachel Harwood – 09.40

As the swallows return for summer join weaver Rachel to make a willow one of your own. Using traditional weaving techniques you will create an outline before weaving over. These are a perfect decoration for inside or out.

Advisory Note:

Suitable for all abilities; Adults over 16 years only.

Meet the Tutor

Rachel Harwood

Drawing on her experiences of wildlife and nature, Rachel uses British grown willow from Somerset to create sculptures for the home and garden. Connecting with the natural environment is her passion and she tries to capture the movement of nature in her sculptures. Rachel loves to teach, passing on her practices and inspiring people on the use and beauty of natural materials to reconnect with the natural world.

MAKE YOUR OWN CERAMIC HARE with Ros Ingram – 12.00

Join ceramic artist Ros Ingram and learn how to create your own characterful clay hare in this step-by-step workshop.

All materials and off-site firing included. Return P&P is an extra cost, payable on the day.

Advisory Note:

Suitable for all ages and beginners; no children under 16 years.

Meet the Tutor

Ros Ingram

Born in Stratford upon Avon, Ros Ingram trained in ceramics and print at Wolverhampton University. Ros runs ceramic workshops on a regular basis in Warwickshire. She has exhibited worldwide, currently showing at a number of galleries in the Cotswolds, Cornwall, and Germany. As well as undertaking commissions, Ros also works as a visiting artist in residence creating permanent ceramic installations and recycled art projects. One of her projects working with young children was on display at the National Gallery, London. Recently The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust commissioned Ros to create five unique ceramic murals of each iconic property for permanent display in her hometown.

FABULOUS WOODLAND SHROOM with Alex Hellawell – 14.20

Add a little woodland scene into your home, with a beautiful Shroom dome. In this 2-hour workshop you will be using Quick Cure Clay (QCC) to sculpt your own unique piece of magic and release your inner artist.

In this workshop you will sculpt your own Shroom with Alex’s guidance:

  • Paint your Shroom using acrylics.
  • Hot glue the Shroom to a wooden base
  • Glue organic materials and moss around the base of the Shroom
  • Finish off by placing a glass dome over your finished piece.

Advisory Note:

Intermediates recommended. Not suitable for children under 16 years of age (this is due to fumes the clay gives off). Open to ALL abilities.

Meet the Tutor

Alex Hellawell

Alex is a mixed media clay artist who creates whimsical, colourful, dark imaginative sculptures. She uses clay, paint, paper and found objects to craft sculptures and wall pieces, these can be playful, quirky and charming or dark and brooding.

MONOPRINTING USING GEL PLATES with Hannah Blowes – Submerge Art – 13.30

Explore a variety of Gel Plate Printing techniques (with Hannah from Submerge Art). Experiment with layering colour and texture using plants, stamps, stencils and household items onto paper and fabric. 

Gel Plate printing is simple and fun without the need for a printing press or for any carving or drawing skills. The reward is immediate and each print is truly unique. 

By the end of the workshop, participants should feel confident enough to use and experiment with the gel plate printmaking technique in their own environments. 

Advisory Note:

This workshop is suitable for children over the age of 12 with parental supervision.

Meet the Tutor

Hannah Blowes

Hannah Blowes creates hand carved and hand printed lino printed artworks and develops educational printing kits and equipment in her workshop near Bude in Cornwall.

Hannah trained as a Theatre/Film Designer and then later spent 15 years teaching Art & Design in secondary schools where it was magical to inspire students with a love of creativity and skill based learning. She still really enjoys teaching printmaking techniques and runs workshops throughout the year.

PRINTS AND PATTERNS: EXPLORING FABRIC PRINTING with Alison Hulme, Eau Brink Studio – 11.30

In this engaging session, students will have the opportunity to unleash their creativity and explore the art of fabric printing using Thermofax screens. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just beginning your creative journey, this workshop is designed to cater to all skill levels.

Throughout the workshop, participants will have the freedom to select a piece of dyed fabric as their canvas, on which they will bring their artistic vision to life by printing captivating pictures or designing a unique cushion cover. With guidance, you’ll discover the techniques and methods required to achieve stunning printed designs.

By the end of this workshop, you will have gained valuable skills in fabric printing, allowing you to express your creativity and produce unique pieces that showcase your artistic flair.

Advisory Note:

Not suitable for Children under 16 years.

Meet the Tutor

Alison Hulme

Alison Hulme, a talented textile artist hailing from Hampshire, UK, has made her mark in the world of stitched textiles. With a Foundation Degree in Stitched Textiles completed in 2013, Alison’s artistic journey has been filled with exhibitions, shows, and inspiring workshops.

With a passion for textiles that knows no bounds, Alison continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of stitched textiles, enchanting audiences through her captivating exhibitions, transformative workshops, and boundless creative endeavours.

SEASONAL TREE LANDSCAPE with Katharine Wright, Leicestershire Craft Centre – 10.00

Create a beautiful glass landscape in seasonal colours working with our huge range of glass, cabochons and frit. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be artistic to get a fantastic result – there are templates for you to follow if you wish.

Please note: Your glass fusion will be taken away at the end of the class to be fired in a glass kiln and returned to you by post. Price incudes firing and UK P&P.

While every precaution will be taken to ensure your piece comes back to you safely, firing is a process that can have unexpected outcomes and we cannot be held responsible should your piece crack during the process, or gets lost or broken in the mail.

Advisory Note:

Not suitable for children under 16 years.

Meet the Tutor

Katharine Wright

Owner and founder of the Leicestershire Craft Centre, Katharine has been crafting since she was seven and her mum taught her to knit – her first handmade gift was a knitted egg cosy for her Grandpa.

Patchwork and dressmaking are particular favourites, but Katharine also knits and crochets, makes jewellery and enjoys all kinds of other crafts including embroidery, felting, silversmithing, glass fusion and painting.

Katharine has taught workshops at a variety of national Craft Events including The Festival of Quilts, The Handmade Festival and Malvern Quilt Festival. She has also appeared as a Guest Demonstrator on Sewing Street TV.

INTRODUCTION TO SIZING, TRACING OFF A PATTERN & PATTERN ALTERATIONS with Helen Rhiannon – 11.15

Helen will discuss sizing and why it is so difficult to get the right size in dressmaking. You will learn how to measure yourself accurately to help you with your dressmaking projects. Helen will then introduce you to using a block to help draft your own unique patterns. You will learn how to trace off a block accurately, tackle some simple fit issues along with some more advanced techniques.

This workshop is for anyone who wants to learn how to draft dress patterns for themselves. 

All materials and equipment provided for use in the class.

Advisory Note:

All ages and abilities are welcome.

Meet the Tutor

Helen Rhiannon

Helen Rhiannon is a dressmaking expert and bestselling Author. Helen has gained extensive knowledge over the last 18 years from designing and creating bespoke clothing and bridal wear. Helen has also taught sewing and dressmaking for many years, which led her to publish her new book, ‘Dressmaking The Easy Guide’.  Helen is also a regular Guest Presenter on Sewing Street TV.

Through her new book, Helen will hand hold you through the basics of dressmaking and the skills you will learn to be able to create your own beautifully fitted dress. You will be able to choose the exact size that fits and flatters you from a bespoke sizing chart, which ranges from a UK 6 – 44.

MOSAIC BLUE BIRD with Anne Tyson – 09.45

Join Anne Tyson from Flowerpot Mosaics for a fun introduction to the world of mosaics and create a pretty mosaic bird. You will be using a mixture of glass and ceramic tiles which have all been pre-cut for you.

This workshop is a chance to relax and create something lovely to take home whilst learning about the wonderful art of mosaics.  

Advisory Note:

This workshop is suitable for children over the age of 10 when accompanied by an adult. 

Meet the Tutor

Anne Tyson

Anne Tyson based in the West Midlands, Anne has been creating and teaching mosaics for 14 years. She is passionate about the mosaic art form and specialises in creating outdoor mosaics to brighten up our outdoor spaces. Anne’s aim is to spread her passion for mosaics and shatter the misconception that it is a difficult craft

SPRING HANGING HEART DECORATION with Hannah Harrison, Leicestershire Craft Centre – 14.45

This workshop is a lovely introduction to pyrography, also known as wood burning. Learn how to use a wood-burning tool to create a beautiful decoration on natural wooden hearts. There will be lots of stencils, templates and ideas, so don’t worry; you don’t need to be ‘arty’ to get a great result from this relaxing and addictive craft.

Advisory Note:

Not suitable for children under the age of 16 due to the nature of the tools used in this class.

Meet the Tutor

Hannah Harrison

A qualified primary school teacher, Hannah, joined the Leicestershire Craft Centre in 2015 after attending lots of workshops there! 

Hannah is now the Craft Centre Manager, ensuring everything runs smoothly, and she also teaches a number of fabulous workshops in pyrography, patchwork, bag making, dressmaking, arm knitting and lots more!