We're so excited to be back and functioning the way we originally intended and, as we head into the Festive Season, we wanted to do a round-up and let you know what's going on at Stoke Bridge Workshops:
First things first, this week we've still got places on our last workshop of the year: Impressed metal Mexican-style decorations. Your tutor is Andrea Wright - our multi-talented jeweller. You can make something for Christmas or something that'll look great all year round in your home - or as a gift for someone else? To book your place, click here
Also, coming up this week is our Christmas Makers' Market. Join us on Friday evening for some festive shopping - many of our tutors have stalls and you'll be able to support independent makers and get some of your Christmas list ticked off - we'd all love to see you:
Stallholders that'll be joining us for your shopping delight are:
Dale Devereaux Barker
Andrea Wright
Annie Debrick
Darren Ritchie Makes
Hannah Tooke
Catalina Carvajal
Zoe Rubens
Martin Carter
Henry Moore and
Dial Lane Books
Since we opened up and began running real life classes again this year, we've had so much fun and welcomed many new and familiar faces in to the Workshops - it's been great to see everyone and to enjoy learning new things from our fabulous band of tutors:
Hannah Farthing's been back to teach a letterpress workshop this month. Fresh from graduating in Edinburgh with a Masters in Illustration, we always love having Hannah in the building and our guests always learn so much too
The great thing about learning this traditional art with Hannah is that you'll learn about the history of letterpress, about the machinery, the inks and the intricate and detailed process of setting letters - it's not as simple as it looks... there's absolutely a lot to learn in order to become an expert in the art of letterpress!
Our Danielle Hopkinson has been running stained glass workshops for beginners, and fused glass flowers / Christmas decorations classes too - look at these fabulous results. Glass classes will always be regulars here ... well, they would wouldn't they? New dates for next year have been added - take a look
The massive talent that is Henry Moore has been back in the Workshops quite a bit - he's been using our newly-kitted-out, dedicated clay room, complete with drying racks, two potters' wheels and kiln, to complete some of his own work - it's always fun with the Pot Punk in the house!
Here's a few images of his pottery weekend glass and glazing lessons that some of our lucky guests took part in recently.
Henry's sorting lots of dates out for next year - keep an eye on our Workshops page - we'll be adding beginners, and more advanced pottery lessons soon!
Here's our dedicated clay room - it's a joy to work in. Recently serviced kiln too!
Our good friend and tutor Wayne Tanswell's been back teaching this incredible traditional art - he's also given us a new date for a beginners' Signwriting class in March 2022 (sounds like such a long way away but it scarily isn't really!)
We've been joined this year by a new tutor (but an old friend), print maker and artist, Dale Devereaux Barker. Dale has led two workshops : Vitreous Enamelling and Screen Printing - enamelling took place over a weekend whilst screen printing was a whole day class. Both of them were hugely popular and the results - the spectacular pieces that people achieved and got to take home with them - were works that all of our guest should be proud.
Dale's added new dates for both Vitreous Enamelling and Screen Printing for 2022 - you'll learn so much on both workshops - we defy you not to want to ditch your day job and become an artist yourself!
Lastly, and by no means leastly - we've enjoyed having Andrea Wright in the Workshops with us too, teaching a workshop on hoop earrings. Our multi-talented jewellery tutor has also added new dates for 2022 - silver stacking rings and a new class where you'll make a silver ring with an organic pebble that sits perfectly with your stacking rings (or is perfectly beautiful on its own!)
If rings aren't your things, what about making a stunning stamped silver cuff bracelet in March? Best to book early with Andrea, or hint at a Christmas present gift voucher - we've taken bookings for some of these jewellery making classes already!
Soooo many exciting things going on next year. As well as those artists and makers that have signed up to bring workshops to our creative space, we'll be introducing new classes too - keep your eyes peeled and we'll promise not to leave it so long next time!
Hopefully see you on Friday evening ... bring a bag, wear a mask and get your Christmas shopping on!