Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns is a unique creative venue offering an inspiring range of art, craft and heritage workshops from a C17th listed farmhouse in the pretty village of Greystoke. We're placed 5 miles equidistantly from Penrith, Eden Valley & Ullswater, on the northern fringes of the Lake District, west of Penrith, in beautiful Cumbria, north west England. We have been running around 1440 craft courses each year, since 2005.
During the lockdown of May 2020, we renovated an old hay loft and now host the majority our indoor courses and workshops in this wonderful, new, light, airy and spacious studio - 'the Swallow Barn’ ; although some tutors still prefer the cosy atmosphere and ground floor easy access nature of the original studio, 'Squirrel Barn'. Many of the courses (especially art and calligraphy) feature live streaming of tutor demos onto a large screen at the front, allowing students to watch closely, whilst seated at their desks. This practice was started during Covid but has been continued as very helpful with many workshops.
Please see our website https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria for full details of upcoming courses in date order.
Workshop days are relaxing, friendly and informal. They are delivered by hand picked professional and or expert tutors, many leaders in their chosen fields. Students often travel considerable distances to take part, staying in this lovely village of Greystoke or finding somewhere special close by . . .Keswick, Ullswater, Penrith and the Eden Valley are all within easy driving distance.
One, two or three day courses in:
- stone carving (relief or letter carving), wood carving, bird whittling, spoon carving, willow weaving and rush basket making.
- Lino cut printing, Fused glass, Stained Glass panels and Stained Glass mirrors, Sterling Silver jewellery and Silver Ring making courses, Porcelain plates and vases, and inspiring Mosaics
- Many textile courses including weaving, Needle felting Garden Bird pictures (robin/blue tit/wren) , Herdwick sheep and Pet Portraits, Felt art, Paint Print and Stitch, Felt Slippers, Ecoprinting, Leather Bag making, Learn to Spin and Lampshade Making, 'Hole House' bag making,
- Art courses : Introduction to Pen and Wash , Discovering Watercolours , Botanical and Wildlife illustration, Art courses with John Harrison, Frances Winder, Lyn Evans, Margaret Jarvis, Roy Simmons, Lis Bramwell, Calligraphy with Claire of byMoonandTide (our live streamed onto a large screen is especially useful for this course .. no more struggling to see the tutor demo close up from the back of the group!)
All day courses include tasty homemade lunch, fresh coffees and Aga cream teas. Drinks are served at desks do students may continue working Lunches to be taken at desks or in the garden during summer months.
Our workshop days are popular as gifts for special occasions. Quirky Open Vouchers make perfect and original presents and mean a lovely day can be shared together if preferred. Our Christmas Open vouchers are especially popular.
A full list of our courses can be found at https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria or please phone 017684 83984
We look forward to welcoming you here in Greystoke!
Location
We are in the picturesque village of Greystoke, just 5 miles west of Penrith/Junction 40 of the M6 and a few miles north of the A66 and Ullswater. Keswick is approx 15 minutes further west
Greystoke boasts several B B's, as well as self catering options and has its own website greystokevillage.co.uk We have a playing field, an outdoor heated swimming pool open from June through to August, a Castle, a church, a shop and post office and a cosy pub serving evening meals.
Bird Whittling - two day course with Dave Harter
Complete a beautiful whittled and carved bird over two days with Dave Harter . . . from start to finish.
Whittling is addictive! Many consider it therapeutic - it is relaxing, absorbing, creative and richly rewarding giving a a sense of personal achievement. Another bonus it that it has a small and low tech kit list ~ a lump of wood, a craft knife and your lap. This means whittling can be done almost anywhere in and spare time available- and it is also easily transportable.
During this 2 day course you will start from a lump of wood and Dave will teach you traditional hand carving techniques and whittling skills, using craft knives and other specialist hand tools provided to enable you to complete your beautiful carved bird over the two days . There will also be a chance to make the legs and a realistic stone/ wood base and also have a go at pyrography to create feathered effects. Suitable for all abilities.
The photos below are from last year's one day course. The new two day course will enable students to understand better the entire process and work to greater detail including a chance to try pyrography and creating their own bird legs and base mount. An new example of what might be achieved is the main photo above.
Lino Cut Print - Botanical & Natural forms with Laura Sowerby
Printing in Lino Cut ' Botanical and Natural Forms' with Laura Sowerby.
Laura's evocative designs on cushions, lampshades and gift-ware have recently been widely featured in Country Living, Gardens Illustrated and several Interior design magazine. ‘Discovering that I am a direct descendant of James Sowerby, famous 18th-century botanical illustrator is a delight.’ she smiles.
We are delighted that Laura has agreed to take a ‘Botanical and Natural forms’ Lino Cut workshop here in Greystoke. Students are encouraged to bring any inspiration they can, be it fresh/ pressed leaves or flowers, prints, pictures and any other references that may inspire you. Laura too will bring plenty of material ideas.
Over the day you will learn how to plan your original design, the principles of lino cut and master various cutting techniques with the goal of producing your own multi-coloured linocut print by the end of the day. (up to A4 in size) All abilities are welcome. The print blocks you create can be taken home and used to print onto fabrics and soft furnishings such as cushion covers etc.
Paint Print Stitch - Botanics with Kay Leech
A lovely day with Kay being guided through the process of 'creating' using paint, then print, and then stitch. Working in mixed media you will create a picture based on flowers or trees. You can bring your own image or use one of the ones provided for inspiration.
You will paint the background directly onto calico and then add layers with simple stencils and print blocks that you have created. Finally, you will add stitch which can be machine and or hand embroidery and embellish with beads and buttons.
The finished piece will be 30cmx30cm which will fit into a standard 40cmx40cm frame. Kay's work centres on textured pieces using paint, print and collage coupled with hand and machine embroidery with stitch on textiles.
'Paint Print Stitch in Nature' with Kay Leech
A lovely day with Kay Leech, being guided through the process of creating using paint, print and then stitch. Working in mixed media you will create a picture based on flowers, you can bring your own image or use one of the ones provided for inspiration. You will paint the background directly onto a base fabric and then add layers with simple stencils and print blocks that you have created. Finally you will add stitch which can be by machine and/or hand embroidered and embellished with beads and buttons. The finished piece will be 30cmx30cm which will fit into a standard 40cmx40cm frame. Kay's work centres on textured pieces using paint, print and collage coupled with hand and machine embroidery with stitch on textiles. Please note there will be a materials charge of £10, payable directly to the tutor on the day.
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
Shortcut to Nature Journalling - with Steve Pardue
Have you wanted to create a nature journal but don’t know where to start or how to do it?
This half day workshop will - hopefully - fix that. I will take you through the process I follow for creating my journals which are really an expression of the joy I feel when out and about in the woods or the river. I will be using my own journals of nature captured over the last 5 years and show how you can create a body of work by simply recording in your own way the things you see every day. I now look back on my earlier journals and can not only see how my artistic style has evolved and changed but more importantly I can look up the dates when I first saw sand martins arrive for the summer, or when the last swift left, or when the first chiff chaff … well chiff chaffed!
And it is so easy - no rules - no great artistic skill required - just observation and a daily habit of drawing. I will show you the materials I use and the techniques I employ. Weather permitting, we can spend some time outdoors looking at the nature around us and we can then come back indoors and draw our observations.
I will provide a small kit of materials which will include: 2 fineliners ~ My Shortcut to Nature Journalling guide ~ A blank concertina nature journal , all of which are yours to keep.
I will also have a variety of fountain pens and journals available to try and buy.
'Shortcut to Urban Sketching Workshop' with Steve Pardue
Following on from my Nature Journal Workshops I am now turning my attention to the built environment.
What is an urban sketch? An urban sketch is a drawing created on location, indoors or out, capturing what the sketcher sees from direct observation. Urban sketchers use any kind of media to tell the story of their surroundings, the places they live, and where they travel. See: https://urbansketchers.org
What we will do is to take an accessible and approach to this method. Whilst we hope to sketch outdoors, (using the beauitful architecture around Greystoke village) we will also finish off indoors. I will take you through the process I use for my own urban sketching which blends sketching outdoors with finishing off indoors.
I will show you some of my sketchbooks, materials and techniques and will be inviting you to develop your own style in order for you to develop your own Urban Sketching practice. If you have your own materials such as pens, paper and watercolours then bring these along.
I will also provide some materials to get you started:
Seawhite A5 Landscape Watercolour Travel Journal and 2 x fineliners plus I will have some sets of watercolours for shared use and will demonstrate my own fountain pens that I use myself for urban Sketching.
During the morning it is likely a Nature Jounralling workshop will be taking place. Please see separate entry.
'Loose Botanical Watercolours' with Lyn Evans
Painting a Looser Botanical in Watercolour with Lyn Evans
Lyn likes to paint her watercolours largely from life, choosing blooms which will stay open for a couple of days. She likes interesting shapes so Iris, Lilies and Tulips feature largely in her work. Of course sometimes she uses a photograph, as flowers like peonies have a habit of exploding into life when you least expect it and its better to capture a required image in such cases.
Lyn will teach you how to employ loose watercolour techniques, allowing the pigment and water combination to work their own magic without to much interference being necessary and also using other tools, such as pens, inktence pencils, watercolour pencils, salt and twigs to be used along side your paints can also be used to obtain the beautiful effects from the watercolour.
At the end of the day everyone should have at lease one lovely piece of work to take home. During the morning, Lyn will teach, step by step, the techniques she employs and builds on for different effects - and although some basic experience of watercolours is preferred, it is by no means essential, especially as the painting style is relaxed and loose.
Needle Felt a Herdwick portrait ~ with Jane Makes
'Paint with Wool' and Needle Felt Your Own Herdwick Sheep ... The iconic breed of the Lake District ~ with Jane Makes
Learn how to paint with wool to create a beautiful Herdwick sheep, crafted with real wool fibres into a hessian background.
Over the duration of the day Jane will show you how to create a 2D Herdwick head using the needle felting technique. You don’t need any drawing skills, and everyone is welcome, from beginners to improvers. Jane will guide you through the tools & techniques needed and go through the various attributes of different breeds of sheep and their wool, which fibres work well and why - as well as which needles to use for different finish’s and effects, and also how to correct mistakes.
You will be working on a hessian background and build your picture through the manipulation and layout of fibres, from colour choices and blending to the beautiful intricate detailed effects to bring your herdy to life!
You will take home a beautiful felted picture, and as a bonus you will also get to keep the tools you used over the day, meaning you can continue your new found love of felting when you get home.
Jane will bring along a selection of 100% real Wool fibres, a foam mat as a working surface, Hessian for your background and 2 felting needles and all these materials will be yours to take home at the end of the day - just in case you feel the need for a final tweaking of your piece. There will be £15 materials charge payable to Jane on the day.
Needle Felt a Hare
Needle Felt a Life Sized sitting hare , with Annis McGowan
Make a lovely hare of sitting height approx 34 cm plus the ears. You can decide your own pose, either with ears up, or "moongazing" with the ears back. We will be using natural brown and grey blended wool, all materials and tools are provided. This course is suitable for ALL abilities, even those who are new to needle felting.
To create such an impressively detailed and large hare in just one day is quite a task! A lot of carefully prepared and detailed instructions are shared and demonstrated to the whole group in managed stages by Annis. Please be aware this course runs until 5.30pm and can sometimes run over to 6pm. This means its not possible to accommodate folk needing to leave early. The class is methodically taught as a whole group, step by step. Please bear this in mind if you have other engagements that evening or a lift organised.
A full day workshop learning new methods which will inspire you to make more felted creations in future. Annis is highly accomplished in needle felting and her work is for sale in local galleries in Cumbria . She also sells needle felt kits online. This type of felt is produced by locking the wool together through repeatedly stabbing it with your needle, it sounds complicated but can easily be learned and some beautiful pieces can be created in this way.
Build a Cob Pizza Oven Day with David Alty
Learn how to build your own Cob Clay pizza or bread oven with David Alty
Over this busy one day course you will together learn how to build a cob pizza oven and so take the knowledge home with you to recreate your very own outdoor pizza oven in your own garden.
Starting with an existing plinth you will prepare, level and install the fire brick base and learn all about the importance of materials to use and insulation levels. Covering also the clay and material selection and dimension options you will then start mixing the cob with bare feet and others will create a sand forma for the actual oven shape - tasks will be shared to ensure experience of every stage is acquired. Once the cob is ready the group will prepare the loaves to cover the sand form and start creating the oven shape.
'Botanical Art for the Terrified' with Lis Bramwell
How to paint beautiful flowers using watercolours, even if you're not sure where to start!
Join Lis on this informal, fun and relaxed day where you will gradually build up your botanical skills and techniques as the day progresses. A perfect course for those with a love of flowers and plants who are keen to learn how to represent them using watercolour paints. Lis will spend the morning taking you step by gentle step learning how to paint petals, leaves, stems and buds, followed by a wander around the garden here at the Craft Garden in Greystoke, after lunch, to find inspiration for your own flower painting.
Needle Felt a Herdwick sheep doorstop with Annis McGowan
Create your own gorgeous needle felted Herdwick sheep using soft blended wool, with Annis McGowan.
Create your own unique and characterful heavy Herdwick doorstop, weighing around 3.5kg and measuring 38cm long, using all quality wools including that of the local Cumbrian Herdwick sheep... although this piece heavy enough to hold back a door, most their proud makers allow them to be admired on tables and shelves! .
A full day workshop ideal for beginners or those with experience learning inspiring needle felting techniques. Needle felting is the locking the wool fibres together through repeat stabbing with barbed needles, it sounds complicated but can easily be learned and some beautiful pieces can be created in this way.
Please note that this workshop will take place in a first floor studio up a flight of stairs.
A Rush Garlic Basket with Rachel Frost
Weave a unique Garlic Basket in rush with Rachel Frost
A really useful basket for your kitchen!
Breathable and beautiful in its own right, and perfect for storing garlic, keeping it both fresh and dry. Your rush basket will be woven by hand, using the native English common bulrush (Scirpus Lacustris). You will learn how to weave this pliable supple material using techniques common to basketry, to create a unique basket to use and treasure.
These are lovely 'hands on and very tactile' courses using natural rush which is harvested by hand from the various special waterways of England such as the Fenns that are slow moving and perfect as a rush habitat. Each is carefully cut and gathered to bolts that are dried in the sunshine and air alongside hedges by the river. The process is an entirely natural one and there are no chemicals used in the rush harvesting process.
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
Build a Cob Pizza Oven Day with David Alty
Learn how to build your own Cob Clay pizza or bread oven with David Alty
Over this busy one day course you will together learn how to build a cob pizza oven and so take the knowledge home with you to recreate your very own outdoor pizza oven in your own garden.
Starting with an existing plinth you will prepare, level and install the fire brick base and learn all about the importance of materials to use and insulation levels. Covering also the clay and material selection and dimension options you will then start mixing the cob with bare feet and others will create a sand forma for the actual oven shape - tasks will be shared to ensure experience of every stage is acquired. Once the cob is ready the group will prepare the loaves to cover the sand form and start creating the oven shape.
'Trees in the Landscape' in pastels ~ with Roy Simmons
'Trees in the Landscape' ~ in Oil pastels/ mixed media - with Roy Simmons
Is there anyone who does not like trees in landscape painting? In my own experience, people looking at my work often say ‘I love trees’. In short, they are a universal treasure!
However, just as there is far more to the actual tree that meets the eye (the underground mycelium and invisiible communication with other trees, for example) there's also so much more to painting them - and it's the light and light effects often make or break a picture. Also, for a painterly style, as we will use on this course, textures play a very important part in depiction.
We will be using mainly oil pastel, and some other media. I find oil pastel to be a very forgiving medium, by that I mean it can be overpainted and re-worked with ease. I have developed techniques that are easy to use and will surprise you!
Trees add structure to any art work, for example look at the poplar tree series by the French impressionist, Claude Monet. Or, indeed the painting called ‘Entrance to the village of Voisins’ by Camille Pissarro. We can certainly do something similar.
On this course I will begin by introducing the materials, (which are provided) then we will do a step by step exercise to learn the techniques. Following that we will paint a full ‘treescape’, again, step by step. Once these are completed you will be free to paint your own versions using the supplied reference photos, I will be on hand to help.
''The Forager Bag' - Two day Bag Making Workshops with Emma of 'Hole House Bags'
The Forager is an outdoorsy, cross body bag that looks great made in oilskin and tweed. The bag has a zipped outer pocket as well as optional pockets in the lining and a long, adjustable strap. The top of the bag is designed to slouch a little, while the main body has more structure, so that the whole bag is practical, comfortable to wear and the perfect day to day bag for chucking everything in! It comes in three sizes too, so you can choose whether you want a large messenger bag look, handbag size or handy dog walking bag!
Suitable for those with a little bag making experience or adventurous beginners, if you can confidently use your sewing machine, you can make this!
'Paint Print Stitch in Nature' with Kay Leech
A lovely day with Kay Leech, being guided through the process of creating using paint, print and then stitch. Working in mixed media you will create a picture based on flowers, you can bring your own image or use one of the ones provided for inspiration. You will paint the background directly onto a base fabric and then add layers with simple stencils and print blocks that you have created. Finally you will add stitch which can be by machine and/or hand embroidered and embellished with beads and buttons. The finished piece will be 30cmx30cm which will fit into a standard 40cmx40cm frame. Kay's work centres on textured pieces using paint, print and collage coupled with hand and machine embroidery with stitch on textiles. Please note there will be a materials charge of £10, payable directly to the tutor on the day.
Paint Print Stitch - Botanics with Kay Leech
A lovely day with Kay being guided through the process of 'creating' using paint, then print, and then stitch. Working in mixed media you will create a picture based on flowers or trees. You can bring your own image or use one of the ones provided for inspiration.
You will paint the background directly onto calico and then add layers with simple stencils and print blocks that you have created. Finally, you will add stitch which can be machine and or hand embroidery and embellish with beads and buttons.
The finished piece will be 30cmx30cm which will fit into a standard 40cmx40cm frame. Kay's work centres on textured pieces using paint, print and collage coupled with hand and machine embroidery with stitch on textiles.
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
Try your hand at “line and wash” – the creation of a pen and ink sketch tinted with a wash of coloured ink or watercolour – with landscape artist John Harrison. You will start the day with an introduction to John’s particular style of line and wash, and the importance he places on drawing and sketching.
John's favoured subject matter features built structures in the wider landscape, exploring the contrast between the man-made and the natural.Largely self-taught, he doesn’t consider himself a painter, but uses the unpredictable yet exciting medium of watercolour to high lght his drawings. He is an active Urban Sketcher, and runs many workshops and classes, details of which are posted on his website. His work is in many private collections both in the UK and internationally, he undertakes commissions both private and corporate and has just come to the end of a year-long monthly feature in the Dalesman.
Suitable for all abilities
Relief Carving in Hardwood with Alister Neville
Join Alister Neville and learn to carve a design for a decorative plaque, board, bowl, house sign - or another project perhaps!
Arriving in a large van weighed down with 3 workbenches Alister brings a full set of wood carving tools for each student, plenty of resources and pieces of hardwood to choose from including sycamore, ash, oak, birch. Many people opt for house name boards but other items are carved as well; animals, numbers and sayings. Anything is possible - time allowing - in the day. The workbenches are placed under canopies if it looks like rain. Four people to each bench, plenty of space still and very solid.
Relief Carving in Hardwood with Alister Neville - a Quirky Workshop at Greystoke
Join Alister Neville and learn to carve a design for a decorative plaque, board, bowl, house sign - or another project perhaps!
Arriving in a large van weighed down with 3 workbenches Alister brings a full set of wood carving tools for each student, plenty of resources and pieces of hardwood to choose from including sycamore, ash, oak, birch. Many people opt for house name boards but other items are carved as well; animals, numbers and sayings. Anything is possible - time allowing - in the day. The workbenches are placed under canopies if it looks like rain. Four people to each bench, plenty of space still and very solid.
Traditional Spoon Carving with David Alty
Traditional Spoon Carving with David Alty
From a variety of timbers you will learn how to choose, prepare and split timber and the various methods and styles of carving you could incorporate into your piece. This will entail using a variety of specialist tools which are all provided.
The course will take place on the lawn of the original Tea Garden at the venue, if it is raining we will work under gazebos or use the Squirrel Barn
The use of sharp knives etc in this class means it is only suitable for sensible 16 to 18's when accompanied by responsible paying adults.
Relief Carving in Hardwood with Alister Neville - a Quirky Workshop at Greystoke
Join Alister Neville and learn to carve a design for a decorative plaque, board, bowl, house sign - or another project perhaps!
Arriving in a large van weighed down with 3 workbenches Alister brings a full set of wood carving tools for each student, plenty of resources and pieces of hardwood to choose from including sycamore, ash, oak, birch. Many people opt for house name boards but other items are carved as well; animals, numbers and sayings. Anything is possible - time allowing - in the day. The workbenches are placed under canopies if it looks like rain. Four people to each bench, plenty of space still and very solid.
Willow Sculptures 'Hares,' with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures
It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.
People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden.
2024 Curlews Wed 27 Mar ~ Hares Wed 10 July ~ Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct ~ Deer Wed 13 Nov
Relief Carving in Hardwood with Alister Neville
Join Alister Neville and learn to carve a design for a decorative plaque, board, bowl, house sign - or another project perhaps!
Arriving in a large van weighed down with 3 workbenches Alister brings a full set of wood carving tools for each student, plenty of resources and pieces of hardwood to choose from including sycamore, ash, oak, birch. Many people opt for house name boards but other items are carved as well; animals, numbers and sayings. Anything is possible - time allowing - in the day. The workbenches are placed under canopies if it looks like rain. Four people to each bench, plenty of space still and very solid.
Build a Cob Pizza Oven Day with David Alty
Learn how to build your own Cob Clay pizza or bread oven with David Alty
Over this busy one day course you will together learn how to build a cob pizza oven and so take the knowledge home with you to recreate your very own outdoor pizza oven in your own garden.
Starting with an existing plinth you will prepare, level and install the fire brick base and learn all about the importance of materials to use and insulation levels. Covering also the clay and material selection and dimension options you will then start mixing the cob with bare feet and others will create a sand forma for the actual oven shape - tasks will be shared to ensure experience of every stage is acquired. Once the cob is ready the group will prepare the loaves to cover the sand form and start creating the oven shape.
Make a Stained Glass Mirror with Lizzy Hippisley-Cox
Join Lizzy Hippisley-Cox for a one day Stained Glass 'taster' ... Design and make a beautiful Leaded Mirror.
An opportunity to dip your toe into and try this intensive one day Stained Glass taster day with Lizzy making a leaded stained glass mirror. All glass, tools, equipment, expertise and enthusiasm is provided by Lizzy, who is highly skilled in preserving these jewels of our heritage and has spent many years advising on and restoring original stained glass windows in our cathedrals and churches countrywide
Lizzy will have some prepared design templates ready for you and there will be a choice of coloured glass along with some pre cut panels mirror as needed. Firstly she will explain the various aspects of creating a stained glass panel, and will then let you have a go at learning the safe glass cutting technique. Once practised, you can then choose your template from a selection supplied, depending on your cutting abilities and at this stage you can decide whether you wish to incorporate a mirrored panel within this or alternatively keep the whole panel as glass. If mirror is required Lizzy can cut this for you.
Once all the pieces are cut , the panel is carefully leading up the mirror according to the design. You will then finish by soldering everything together in your panel and finally cleaning and polishing using demonstrated techniques. You will leave with your own bespoke stained glass (mirrored) panel.
Make a Stained Glass Mirror with Lizzy Hippisley-Cox
Join Lizzy Hippisley-Cox for a one day Stained Glass 'taster' ... Design and make a beautiful Leaded Mirror.
An opportunity to dip your toe into and try this intensive one day Stained Glass taster day with Lizzy making a leaded stained glass mirror. All glass, tools, equipment, expertise and enthusiasm is provided by Lizzy, who is highly skilled in preserving these jewels of our heritage and has spent many years advising on and restoring original stained glass windows in our cathedrals and churches countrywide
Lizzy will have some prepared design templates ready for you and there will be a choice of coloured glass along with some pre cut panels mirror as needed. Firstly she will explain the various aspects of creating a stained glass panel, and will then let you have a go at learning the safe glass cutting technique. Once practised, you can then choose your template from a selection supplied, depending on your cutting abilities and at this stage you can decide whether you wish to incorporate a mirrored panel within this or alternatively keep the whole panel as glass. If mirror is required Lizzy can cut this for you.
Once all the pieces are cut , the panel is carefully leading up the mirror according to the design. You will then finish by soldering everything together in your panel and finally cleaning and polishing using demonstrated techniques. You will leave with your own bespoke stained glass (mirrored) panel.
Hearts of Flowers' in fused glass with Michelle of 'Lakeshore Arts'
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass Flower Heart - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will arrive with her ready prepared heart shapes and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating the lovely flowes and leaves for your piece to assemble together to create your own beautiful floral heart.
You will learn about different types of glass used in fusing work and also about the all important COE (Coefficient of expansion) – vital to understand in glass fusing as it makes sure the right types of glass are used and fuse together. Your finished heart designs will then be taken away and fired and returned to Greystoke. If there is time you maybe be able to make a second heart for additional materials cost tbc). The flower hearts can be collected from here a few weeks later, once they have been fired and fused. Alternatively Michelle can post these directly to your home for approx £5.50
We first saw Michelle's beautiful fused glass pieces at a local farm show and just loved them. We are absolutely delighted she has agreed to take some workshops here at Greystoke.
You will learn how to cut and trim the flowers and leaves and get an idea of what can be done with glass in a kiln in terms of fusing, stacking, tack fusing and slumping. You will also learn about various inclusions and their different applications, using frits, stringers, glassline pens and sheet glass along with other fragments.
Lino Cut Print - Botanical & Natural forms with Laura Sowerby
Printing in Lino Cut ' Botanical and Natural Forms' with Laura Sowerby.
Laura's evocative designs on cushions, lampshades and gift-ware have recently been widely featured in Country Living, Gardens Illustrated and several Interior design magazine. ‘Discovering that I am a direct descendant of James Sowerby, famous 18th-century botanical illustrator is a delight.’ she smiles.
We are delighted that Laura has agreed to take a ‘Botanical and Natural forms’ Lino Cut workshop here in Greystoke. Students are encouraged to bring any inspiration they can, be it fresh/ pressed leaves or flowers, prints, pictures and any other references that may inspire you. Laura too will bring plenty of material ideas.
Over the day you will learn how to plan your original design, the principles of lino cut and master various cutting techniques with the goal of producing your own multi-coloured linocut print by the end of the day. (up to A4 in size) All abilities are welcome. The print blocks you create can be taken home and used to print onto fabrics and soft furnishings such as cushion covers etc.
Build a Cob Pizza Oven Day with David Alty
Learn how to build your own Cob Clay pizza or bread oven with David Alty
Over this busy one day course you will together learn how to build a cob pizza oven and so take the knowledge home with you to recreate your very own outdoor pizza oven in your own garden.
Starting with an existing plinth you will prepare, level and install the fire brick base and learn all about the importance of materials to use and insulation levels. Covering also the clay and material selection and dimension options you will then start mixing the cob with bare feet and others will create a sand forma for the actual oven shape - tasks will be shared to ensure experience of every stage is acquired. Once the cob is ready the group will prepare the loaves to cover the sand form and start creating the oven shape.
'Needle Felted Garden Birds ~ 'The Blue Tit' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
An exciting new addition for 2023 from Helen Hammond in her needle-felted Birds series .... creating one of our bird tables' most frequent visitors - the 'colourful and lovable' Blue Tit.
Join Helen for a lovely day being guided through how to make this beautifully detailed garden friend using the needle felting process. Once again, your piece will have a slightly sculpted low relief appearance, subtly enhancing the natural features of this characterful little bird.
Whatever your ability, Helen will provide you with tools, materials, knowledge and guidance to create your own delightful bird over the day, before applying the legs & fixing it to the 'branch'. The birds will then be mounted in a special box frame, for a really professional finish.
You will be using a variety of natural wool fibres and Helen will teach you all about needle felting and how to blend your fibre colours. You will be using specialist needle felting needles (not sewing needles) for this purpose. These specialist tools/ needles are designed to entangle, compact, control and shape the soft carded wool fibres into firm felted pieces. It is a slow and very therapeutic process.
All reference images will be provided and will form an important part of your working process. This course is suitable for all abilities including beginners. This is a dry felted process and a 'clean' method of working. No aprons or gloves are required. However, please bring plasters!
Discovering Soft Pastels, with Lyn Evans.
This will be a step by step class with beginners going slowly and learning a lot, while the more experienced practice new techniques with as much support as they need.
During the day, Lyn will guide you through the composition process of creating your picture and will introduce you to the various ways of using pastels. She will help you to recreate a scene or landscape that Lyn will provide. The day will start with students following me in mark making. It is important to see just what pastel is capable of, the joy it gives in its use and the effects that can be created.
Lyn prefers not to spend a lot of time demonstrating as it eats into students time, but will willingly demo if a student is facing a problem. At that time, everyone who wants to, can watch. We will work on during the day, each student will be working on pastel paper but will have the opportunity to buy and use the special sanded paper which is widely udes for chalk pastel work, if preferred in the afternoon. Each student should have a small painting to take home at the end of the day, something to be proud of.
Sterling Silver Jewellery - 3 Silver Rings in a day - with Melinda Scarbrough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
Urban Landscapes in Mixed Media - fast & free with Roy Simmons
On this course, we will be working in a fast, fun and intuitive way and will move through this exciting step by step technique to producing a really effective piece of art.
Using a variety of media we will find new ways to work, both as sketches and more finished work. We will work towards producing a painting which includes buildings. At the end of the day you will complete at least 2 paintings, one of which will be mounted. Our first step will be to review the different media we will use, these include: Charcoal, Water Soluble oil pastel, wet wipes, sennelier oil pastel, pencil and white gouache paint. That may seem like a crazy mix, but the results can be surprising! To introduce the materials, we will do a step by step painting of an imaginary still life of a pot or vase on a table. This will help us loosen up and get a feel for this way of working. Next, students will work from the supplied source photos, as I demonstrate each step in turn to make a view of cottages on a harbourside.
After lunch I will probably paint another urban view, start to finish, using the techniques we have tried and discussed. Students will then do their version using their choice from the supplied reference photos. This way of working is superb for working outdoors ‘en plein-air’. The amount of ‘stuff’ you need is not excessive, and fits in a small bag. You can produce urban sketches with a great sense of light. Or even produce charcoal sketches with written colour notes that can be ‘worked up’ later at home
Two Day Sterling Silver Jewellery making Course Quirky Workshop
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
Sterling Silver Jewellery 2 days with Melinda Scarborough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
10.00am – 4.30pm
£195 Lunch included
Material Charges from approx £25 in 2023
Breaking the rules of Painting' ~ Landscapes with Roy Simmons
Breaking the 'Rules of Painting' with Roy Simmons ... Beginners and intermediates.
This one day course is for anyone who wants to discover their own natural way of painting. We will be using acrylics.
I tend to paint in a very intuitive way, and believe that with guidance you can learn to 'let go' of the limiting beliefs that prevent your own way of painting coming through. If you are completely new to painting – Great! You have the advantage of the 'beginners mind' without trying! If you do paint already, be prepared to adopt that beginners mind to liberate your own style. Forget any 'rules' you may have picked up even without realising. Some rules to break.
'Start by painting the background' ~ 'Carefully draw your subject' ~ 'Only use the best materials' ~ 'Work from a sketch' ~ 'Paint slowly' ~ 'Don't try to paint until you can draw accurately'
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
Try your hand at “line and wash” – the creation of a pen and ink sketch tinted with a wash of coloured ink or watercolour – with landscape artist John Harrison. You will start the day with an introduction to John’s particular style of line and wash, and the importance he places on drawing and sketching.
John's favoured subject matter features built structures in the wider landscape, exploring the contrast between the man-made and the natural.Largely self-taught, he doesn’t consider himself a painter, but uses the unpredictable yet exciting medium of watercolour to high lght his drawings. He is an active Urban Sketcher, and runs many workshops and classes, details of which are posted on his website. His work is in many private collections both in the UK and internationally, he undertakes commissions both private and corporate and has just come to the end of a year-long monthly feature in the Dalesman.
Suitable for all abilities
'Water and Waves in Pastels' with Roy Simmons
Painting Seascapes and Water in Oil Pastels with Roy Simmons ... Beginners and intermediates.
Join Roy for another enjoyable and relaxed day, experimenting with oil pastels under his enhtusiastic guidance.
They say oil and water do not mix, true, but they can dance together and produce dramatic effects!
After some initial exercises to introduce the materials, I will demonstrate a seascape step by step and you will follow along using the materials provided. It is here we will take full advantage of the oil pastel and white gouache paint to create that watery sparkle. It is rather magical, the oil pastel repels the wet paint and helps make effects that will amaze you!
After this we will produce more paintings using reference photos provided. You will take home several paintings, one will be in a supplied mount.
The Walton Tote ~ Two day Bag Making Workshops with Emma of 'Hole House Bags'
The Walton Tote - 2 days
Fri 4th & Sat 5th Oct 2024
The Walton Tote is an elegant handbag, not too big but not too small, with a handy zipped dividing pocket in the lining and an elegant twist lock closure. It looks perfect made in tweed, but you could also use a heavy weight linen or canvas and the design allows you to play with two different outer fabrics if you'd like.
It's suitable for those with a little bag making experience or adventurous beginner bag makers! As long as you can use your sewing machine, you will be guided carefully through each step.
'Needle Felted Garden Birds - 'The Wren' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
Needle Felted Garden Birds . . 'The Wren ' with Helen Hammond
Spend a lovely day being guided through how to make this beautifully detailed Wren using the needle felting process. Your Wren will have a slightly sculpted low relief appearance, subtly enhancing the natural features of this little characterful bird.
You will be using a variety of natural wool fibres and Helen will teach you all about needle felting and how to blend your fibre colours. You will be using specialist needle felting needles (not sewing needles) for this purpose. These specialist tools/ needles are designed to entangle, compact, control and shape the soft carded wool fibres into firm felted pieces. It is a slow and very therapeutic process.
All reference images will be provided and will form an important part of your working process. This course is suitable for all abilities including beginners. This is a dry felted process and a 'clean' method of working. No aprons or gloves are required. However, please bring plasters!
Willow Sculptures 'Hares,' with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures
It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.
People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden.
2024 Curlews Wed 27 Mar ~ Hares Wed 10 July ~ Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct ~ Deer Wed 13 Nov
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
Willow Sculptures 'Hares,' with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures
It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.
People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden.
2024 Curlews Wed 27 Mar ~ Hares Wed 10 July ~ Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct ~ Deer Wed 13 Nov
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
Discovering Watercolours with Margaret Jarvis
First Steps in Watercolour paints looks in depth at colours, colours mixing techniques washes shading and brush techniques. It is the most useful place to start for those wishing to learn the basics in an enjoyable, thorough day of discovering the world of watercolours. Even those with considerable experience say they learn a lot from this class.
If you are new to painting and would like to start somewhere, we can highly recommend Margaret Jarvis, an outstanding local tutor for Beginners and Improvers in both Watercolours. Margaret brings a wealth of knowledge and confirms that you don't need to be able to 'draw' to paint with watercolours. It's all about technique. This course provides a good grounding in watercolour techniques.
Sunday 24 November 2019 Discovering Watercolours & Christmas Cards if wished
Two Day Sterling Silver Jewellery making Course Quirky Workshop
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
Sterling Silver Jewellery 2 days with Melinda Scarborough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
10.00am – 4.30pm
£195 Lunch included
Material Charges from approx £25 in 2023
Sterling Silver Jewellery - 3 Silver Rings in a day - with Melinda Scarbrough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
Hand Printed Christmas Cards & Tags in Lino Cut with Sue Rowland
A lovely, festive printmaking day with Sue, suitable for beginners or improvers, learning the basics of cutting and hand printing of your own unique lino design to create an edition of stunning Christmas cards on a selection of different coloured backgrounds and using different inks. Friends and family always love to receive handmade cards and they are fun to make!
You will also have the opportunity to create a range of hand printed gift tags to use on your Christmas presents. You can use your card design for this or if there is time you can cut a new image to use.
You will learn how to plan out your design and transfer this to a piece of lino approx. 15 x 15 cm before learning how to cut your design using lino tools. Sue will demonstrate importance of mark making and texture which you will use first in a sample piece and then in your own design. The close up demonstrations by Sue will be live streamed and projected to a large screen, meaning everyone will be abe to follow instructions from the comfort of their desks with ample spacing.
You will learn hand printing and burnishing techniques so that you will be equipped with the skills and confidence to repeat this process after the course at home if you like the technique. Sue will arrive with many ink colours, so you'll be able to produce both one colour and multicolour designs by varying the inking up. Plus there will be some exciting and festive metallic inks to use as well.
The course will be fun and informative and allow for developing your creative ideas.Please bring along some of your own Nature / Foliage based ideas, 'though don't worry if you're feelng uncreative, Sue will be able to supply some simple templates too.
Please note: People with arthritis in their hands/ arms or severely strained wrists or hands may struggle with cutting the lino and find this course difficult.
Willow Weaving ~ Angels with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating a small Willow Angel
We are so happy that Phil runs several courses here at Greystoke, he has been teaching here since 2005 - his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing. People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. This course is one of the easiest of the Willow weaving courses often yielding the best and most effective results.
Angels are frequently kept in homes all year round nowadays and then for the festive season decorated with fine fairy lights and tinsel to make a wonderful additions to any Christmas room - especially in a fireplace. Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day and by the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to take home and last for many many years to come.
Your enquiry will be sent directly to Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses. Please fill in as much detail as you can.
Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns is a unique creative venue offering an inspiring range of art, craft and heritage workshops from a C17th listed farmhouse in the pretty village of Greystoke. We're placed 5 miles equidistantly from Penrith, Eden Valley & Ullswater, on the northern fringes of the Lake District, west of Penrith, in beautiful Cumbria, north west England. We have been running around 1440 craft courses each year, since 2005.
During the lockdown of May 2020, we renovated an old hay loft and now host the majority our indoor courses and workshops in this wonderful, new, light, airy and spacious studio - 'the Swallow Barn’ ; although some tutors still prefer the cosy atmosphere and ground floor easy access nature of the original studio, 'Squirrel Barn'. Many of the courses (especially art and calligraphy) feature live streaming of tutor demos onto a large screen at the front, allowing students to watch closely, whilst seated at their desks. This practice was started during Covid but has been continued as very helpful with many workshops.
Please see our website https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria for full details of upcoming courses in date order.
Workshop days are relaxing, friendly and informal. They are delivered by hand picked professional and or expert tutors, many leaders in their chosen fields. Students often travel considerable distances to take part, staying in this lovely village of Greystoke or finding somewhere special close by . . .Keswick, Ullswater, Penrith and the Eden Valley are all within easy driving distance.
One, two or three day courses in:
- stone carving (relief or letter carving), wood carving, bird whittling, spoon carving, willow weaving and rush basket making.
- Lino cut printing, Fused glass, Stained Glass panels and Stained Glass mirrors, Sterling Silver jewellery and Silver Ring making courses, Porcelain plates and vases, and inspiring Mosaics
- Many textile courses including weaving, Needle felting Garden Bird pictures (robin/blue tit/wren) , Herdwick sheep and Pet Portraits, Felt art, Paint Print and Stitch, Felt Slippers, Ecoprinting, Leather Bag making, Learn to Spin and Lampshade Making, 'Hole House' bag making,
- Art courses : Introduction to Pen and Wash , Discovering Watercolours , Botanical and Wildlife illustration, Art courses with John Harrison, Frances Winder, Lyn Evans, Margaret Jarvis, Roy Simmons, Lis Bramwell, Calligraphy with Claire of byMoonandTide (our live streamed onto a large screen is especially useful for this course .. no more struggling to see the tutor demo close up from the back of the group!)
All day courses include tasty homemade lunch, fresh coffees and Aga cream teas. Drinks are served at desks do students may continue working Lunches to be taken at desks or in the garden during summer months.
Our workshop days are popular as gifts for special occasions. Quirky Open Vouchers make perfect and original presents and mean a lovely day can be shared together if preferred. Our Christmas Open vouchers are especially popular.
A full list of our courses can be found at https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria or please phone 017684 83984
We look forward to welcoming you here in Greystoke!
Location
We are in the picturesque village of Greystoke, just 5 miles west of Penrith/Junction 40 of the M6 and a few miles north of the A66 and Ullswater. Keswick is approx 15 minutes further west
Greystoke boasts several B B's, as well as self catering options and has its own website greystokevillage.co.uk We have a playing field, an outdoor heated swimming pool open from June through to August, a Castle, a church, a shop and post office and a cosy pub serving evening meals.
Bird Whittling - two day course with Dave Harter
Complete a beautiful whittled and carved bird over two days with Dave Harter . . . from start to finish.
Whittling is addictive! Many consider it therapeutic - it is relaxing, absorbing, creative and richly rewarding giving a a sense of personal achievement. Another bonus it that it has a small and low tech kit list ~ a lump of wood, a craft knife and your lap. This means whittling can be done almost anywhere in and spare time available- and it is also easily transportable.
During this 2 day course you will start from a lump of wood and Dave will teach you traditional hand carving techniques and whittling skills, using craft knives and other specialist hand tools provided to enable you to complete your beautiful carved bird over the two days . There will also be a chance to make the legs and a realistic stone/ wood base and also have a go at pyrography to create feathered effects. Suitable for all abilities.
The photos below are from last year's one day course. The new two day course will enable students to understand better the entire process and work to greater detail including a chance to try pyrography and creating their own bird legs and base mount. An new example of what might be achieved is the main photo above.
Lino Cut Print - Botanical & Natural forms with Laura Sowerby
Printing in Lino Cut ' Botanical and Natural Forms' with Laura Sowerby.
Laura's evocative designs on cushions, lampshades and gift-ware have recently been widely featured in Country Living, Gardens Illustrated and several Interior design magazine. ‘Discovering that I am a direct descendant of James Sowerby, famous 18th-century botanical illustrator is a delight.’ she smiles.
We are delighted that Laura has agreed to take a ‘Botanical and Natural forms’ Lino Cut workshop here in Greystoke. Students are encouraged to bring any inspiration they can, be it fresh/ pressed leaves or flowers, prints, pictures and any other references that may inspire you. Laura too will bring plenty of material ideas.
Over the day you will learn how to plan your original design, the principles of lino cut and master various cutting techniques with the goal of producing your own multi-coloured linocut print by the end of the day. (up to A4 in size) All abilities are welcome. The print blocks you create can be taken home and used to print onto fabrics and soft furnishings such as cushion covers etc.
Paint Print Stitch - Botanics with Kay Leech
A lovely day with Kay being guided through the process of 'creating' using paint, then print, and then stitch. Working in mixed media you will create a picture based on flowers or trees. You can bring your own image or use one of the ones provided for inspiration.
You will paint the background directly onto calico and then add layers with simple stencils and print blocks that you have created. Finally, you will add stitch which can be machine and or hand embroidery and embellish with beads and buttons.
The finished piece will be 30cmx30cm which will fit into a standard 40cmx40cm frame. Kay's work centres on textured pieces using paint, print and collage coupled with hand and machine embroidery with stitch on textiles.
'Paint Print Stitch in Nature' with Kay Leech
A lovely day with Kay Leech, being guided through the process of creating using paint, print and then stitch. Working in mixed media you will create a picture based on flowers, you can bring your own image or use one of the ones provided for inspiration. You will paint the background directly onto a base fabric and then add layers with simple stencils and print blocks that you have created. Finally you will add stitch which can be by machine and/or hand embroidered and embellished with beads and buttons. The finished piece will be 30cmx30cm which will fit into a standard 40cmx40cm frame. Kay's work centres on textured pieces using paint, print and collage coupled with hand and machine embroidery with stitch on textiles. Please note there will be a materials charge of £10, payable directly to the tutor on the day.
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
Shortcut to Nature Journalling - with Steve Pardue
Have you wanted to create a nature journal but don’t know where to start or how to do it?
This half day workshop will - hopefully - fix that. I will take you through the process I follow for creating my journals which are really an expression of the joy I feel when out and about in the woods or the river. I will be using my own journals of nature captured over the last 5 years and show how you can create a body of work by simply recording in your own way the things you see every day. I now look back on my earlier journals and can not only see how my artistic style has evolved and changed but more importantly I can look up the dates when I first saw sand martins arrive for the summer, or when the last swift left, or when the first chiff chaff … well chiff chaffed!
And it is so easy - no rules - no great artistic skill required - just observation and a daily habit of drawing. I will show you the materials I use and the techniques I employ. Weather permitting, we can spend some time outdoors looking at the nature around us and we can then come back indoors and draw our observations.
I will provide a small kit of materials which will include: 2 fineliners ~ My Shortcut to Nature Journalling guide ~ A blank concertina nature journal , all of which are yours to keep.
I will also have a variety of fountain pens and journals available to try and buy.
'Shortcut to Urban Sketching Workshop' with Steve Pardue
Following on from my Nature Journal Workshops I am now turning my attention to the built environment.
What is an urban sketch? An urban sketch is a drawing created on location, indoors or out, capturing what the sketcher sees from direct observation. Urban sketchers use any kind of media to tell the story of their surroundings, the places they live, and where they travel. See: https://urbansketchers.org
What we will do is to take an accessible and approach to this method. Whilst we hope to sketch outdoors, (using the beauitful architecture around Greystoke village) we will also finish off indoors. I will take you through the process I use for my own urban sketching which blends sketching outdoors with finishing off indoors.
I will show you some of my sketchbooks, materials and techniques and will be inviting you to develop your own style in order for you to develop your own Urban Sketching practice. If you have your own materials such as pens, paper and watercolours then bring these along.
I will also provide some materials to get you started:
Seawhite A5 Landscape Watercolour Travel Journal and 2 x fineliners plus I will have some sets of watercolours for shared use and will demonstrate my own fountain pens that I use myself for urban Sketching.
During the morning it is likely a Nature Jounralling workshop will be taking place. Please see separate entry.
'Loose Botanical Watercolours' with Lyn Evans
Painting a Looser Botanical in Watercolour with Lyn Evans
Lyn likes to paint her watercolours largely from life, choosing blooms which will stay open for a couple of days. She likes interesting shapes so Iris, Lilies and Tulips feature largely in her work. Of course sometimes she uses a photograph, as flowers like peonies have a habit of exploding into life when you least expect it and its better to capture a required image in such cases.
Lyn will teach you how to employ loose watercolour techniques, allowing the pigment and water combination to work their own magic without to much interference being necessary and also using other tools, such as pens, inktence pencils, watercolour pencils, salt and twigs to be used along side your paints can also be used to obtain the beautiful effects from the watercolour.
At the end of the day everyone should have at lease one lovely piece of work to take home. During the morning, Lyn will teach, step by step, the techniques she employs and builds on for different effects - and although some basic experience of watercolours is preferred, it is by no means essential, especially as the painting style is relaxed and loose.
Needle Felt a Herdwick portrait ~ with Jane Makes
'Paint with Wool' and Needle Felt Your Own Herdwick Sheep ... The iconic breed of the Lake District ~ with Jane Makes
Learn how to paint with wool to create a beautiful Herdwick sheep, crafted with real wool fibres into a hessian background.
Over the duration of the day Jane will show you how to create a 2D Herdwick head using the needle felting technique. You don’t need any drawing skills, and everyone is welcome, from beginners to improvers. Jane will guide you through the tools & techniques needed and go through the various attributes of different breeds of sheep and their wool, which fibres work well and why - as well as which needles to use for different finish’s and effects, and also how to correct mistakes.
You will be working on a hessian background and build your picture through the manipulation and layout of fibres, from colour choices and blending to the beautiful intricate detailed effects to bring your herdy to life!
You will take home a beautiful felted picture, and as a bonus you will also get to keep the tools you used over the day, meaning you can continue your new found love of felting when you get home.
Jane will bring along a selection of 100% real Wool fibres, a foam mat as a working surface, Hessian for your background and 2 felting needles and all these materials will be yours to take home at the end of the day - just in case you feel the need for a final tweaking of your piece. There will be £15 materials charge payable to Jane on the day.
Needle Felt a Hare
Needle Felt a Life Sized sitting hare , with Annis McGowan
Make a lovely hare of sitting height approx 34 cm plus the ears. You can decide your own pose, either with ears up, or "moongazing" with the ears back. We will be using natural brown and grey blended wool, all materials and tools are provided. This course is suitable for ALL abilities, even those who are new to needle felting.
To create such an impressively detailed and large hare in just one day is quite a task! A lot of carefully prepared and detailed instructions are shared and demonstrated to the whole group in managed stages by Annis. Please be aware this course runs until 5.30pm and can sometimes run over to 6pm. This means its not possible to accommodate folk needing to leave early. The class is methodically taught as a whole group, step by step. Please bear this in mind if you have other engagements that evening or a lift organised.
A full day workshop learning new methods which will inspire you to make more felted creations in future. Annis is highly accomplished in needle felting and her work is for sale in local galleries in Cumbria . She also sells needle felt kits online. This type of felt is produced by locking the wool together through repeatedly stabbing it with your needle, it sounds complicated but can easily be learned and some beautiful pieces can be created in this way.
Build a Cob Pizza Oven Day with David Alty
Learn how to build your own Cob Clay pizza or bread oven with David Alty
Over this busy one day course you will together learn how to build a cob pizza oven and so take the knowledge home with you to recreate your very own outdoor pizza oven in your own garden.
Starting with an existing plinth you will prepare, level and install the fire brick base and learn all about the importance of materials to use and insulation levels. Covering also the clay and material selection and dimension options you will then start mixing the cob with bare feet and others will create a sand forma for the actual oven shape - tasks will be shared to ensure experience of every stage is acquired. Once the cob is ready the group will prepare the loaves to cover the sand form and start creating the oven shape.
'Botanical Art for the Terrified' with Lis Bramwell
How to paint beautiful flowers using watercolours, even if you're not sure where to start!
Join Lis on this informal, fun and relaxed day where you will gradually build up your botanical skills and techniques as the day progresses. A perfect course for those with a love of flowers and plants who are keen to learn how to represent them using watercolour paints. Lis will spend the morning taking you step by gentle step learning how to paint petals, leaves, stems and buds, followed by a wander around the garden here at the Craft Garden in Greystoke, after lunch, to find inspiration for your own flower painting.
Needle Felt a Herdwick sheep doorstop with Annis McGowan
Create your own gorgeous needle felted Herdwick sheep using soft blended wool, with Annis McGowan.
Create your own unique and characterful heavy Herdwick doorstop, weighing around 3.5kg and measuring 38cm long, using all quality wools including that of the local Cumbrian Herdwick sheep... although this piece heavy enough to hold back a door, most their proud makers allow them to be admired on tables and shelves! .
A full day workshop ideal for beginners or those with experience learning inspiring needle felting techniques. Needle felting is the locking the wool fibres together through repeat stabbing with barbed needles, it sounds complicated but can easily be learned and some beautiful pieces can be created in this way.
Please note that this workshop will take place in a first floor studio up a flight of stairs.
A Rush Garlic Basket with Rachel Frost
Weave a unique Garlic Basket in rush with Rachel Frost
A really useful basket for your kitchen!
Breathable and beautiful in its own right, and perfect for storing garlic, keeping it both fresh and dry. Your rush basket will be woven by hand, using the native English common bulrush (Scirpus Lacustris). You will learn how to weave this pliable supple material using techniques common to basketry, to create a unique basket to use and treasure.
These are lovely 'hands on and very tactile' courses using natural rush which is harvested by hand from the various special waterways of England such as the Fenns that are slow moving and perfect as a rush habitat. Each is carefully cut and gathered to bolts that are dried in the sunshine and air alongside hedges by the river. The process is an entirely natural one and there are no chemicals used in the rush harvesting process.
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
Build a Cob Pizza Oven Day with David Alty
Learn how to build your own Cob Clay pizza or bread oven with David Alty
Over this busy one day course you will together learn how to build a cob pizza oven and so take the knowledge home with you to recreate your very own outdoor pizza oven in your own garden.
Starting with an existing plinth you will prepare, level and install the fire brick base and learn all about the importance of materials to use and insulation levels. Covering also the clay and material selection and dimension options you will then start mixing the cob with bare feet and others will create a sand forma for the actual oven shape - tasks will be shared to ensure experience of every stage is acquired. Once the cob is ready the group will prepare the loaves to cover the sand form and start creating the oven shape.
'Trees in the Landscape' in pastels ~ with Roy Simmons
'Trees in the Landscape' ~ in Oil pastels/ mixed media - with Roy Simmons
Is there anyone who does not like trees in landscape painting? In my own experience, people looking at my work often say ‘I love trees’. In short, they are a universal treasure!
However, just as there is far more to the actual tree that meets the eye (the underground mycelium and invisiible communication with other trees, for example) there's also so much more to painting them - and it's the light and light effects often make or break a picture. Also, for a painterly style, as we will use on this course, textures play a very important part in depiction.
We will be using mainly oil pastel, and some other media. I find oil pastel to be a very forgiving medium, by that I mean it can be overpainted and re-worked with ease. I have developed techniques that are easy to use and will surprise you!
Trees add structure to any art work, for example look at the poplar tree series by the French impressionist, Claude Monet. Or, indeed the painting called ‘Entrance to the village of Voisins’ by Camille Pissarro. We can certainly do something similar.
On this course I will begin by introducing the materials, (which are provided) then we will do a step by step exercise to learn the techniques. Following that we will paint a full ‘treescape’, again, step by step. Once these are completed you will be free to paint your own versions using the supplied reference photos, I will be on hand to help.
''The Forager Bag' - Two day Bag Making Workshops with Emma of 'Hole House Bags'
The Forager is an outdoorsy, cross body bag that looks great made in oilskin and tweed. The bag has a zipped outer pocket as well as optional pockets in the lining and a long, adjustable strap. The top of the bag is designed to slouch a little, while the main body has more structure, so that the whole bag is practical, comfortable to wear and the perfect day to day bag for chucking everything in! It comes in three sizes too, so you can choose whether you want a large messenger bag look, handbag size or handy dog walking bag!
Suitable for those with a little bag making experience or adventurous beginners, if you can confidently use your sewing machine, you can make this!
'Paint Print Stitch in Nature' with Kay Leech
A lovely day with Kay Leech, being guided through the process of creating using paint, print and then stitch. Working in mixed media you will create a picture based on flowers, you can bring your own image or use one of the ones provided for inspiration. You will paint the background directly onto a base fabric and then add layers with simple stencils and print blocks that you have created. Finally you will add stitch which can be by machine and/or hand embroidered and embellished with beads and buttons. The finished piece will be 30cmx30cm which will fit into a standard 40cmx40cm frame. Kay's work centres on textured pieces using paint, print and collage coupled with hand and machine embroidery with stitch on textiles. Please note there will be a materials charge of £10, payable directly to the tutor on the day.
Paint Print Stitch - Botanics with Kay Leech
A lovely day with Kay being guided through the process of 'creating' using paint, then print, and then stitch. Working in mixed media you will create a picture based on flowers or trees. You can bring your own image or use one of the ones provided for inspiration.
You will paint the background directly onto calico and then add layers with simple stencils and print blocks that you have created. Finally, you will add stitch which can be machine and or hand embroidery and embellish with beads and buttons.
The finished piece will be 30cmx30cm which will fit into a standard 40cmx40cm frame. Kay's work centres on textured pieces using paint, print and collage coupled with hand and machine embroidery with stitch on textiles.
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
Try your hand at “line and wash” – the creation of a pen and ink sketch tinted with a wash of coloured ink or watercolour – with landscape artist John Harrison. You will start the day with an introduction to John’s particular style of line and wash, and the importance he places on drawing and sketching.
John's favoured subject matter features built structures in the wider landscape, exploring the contrast between the man-made and the natural.Largely self-taught, he doesn’t consider himself a painter, but uses the unpredictable yet exciting medium of watercolour to high lght his drawings. He is an active Urban Sketcher, and runs many workshops and classes, details of which are posted on his website. His work is in many private collections both in the UK and internationally, he undertakes commissions both private and corporate and has just come to the end of a year-long monthly feature in the Dalesman.
Suitable for all abilities
Relief Carving in Hardwood with Alister Neville
Join Alister Neville and learn to carve a design for a decorative plaque, board, bowl, house sign - or another project perhaps!
Arriving in a large van weighed down with 3 workbenches Alister brings a full set of wood carving tools for each student, plenty of resources and pieces of hardwood to choose from including sycamore, ash, oak, birch. Many people opt for house name boards but other items are carved as well; animals, numbers and sayings. Anything is possible - time allowing - in the day. The workbenches are placed under canopies if it looks like rain. Four people to each bench, plenty of space still and very solid.
Relief Carving in Hardwood with Alister Neville - a Quirky Workshop at Greystoke
Join Alister Neville and learn to carve a design for a decorative plaque, board, bowl, house sign - or another project perhaps!
Arriving in a large van weighed down with 3 workbenches Alister brings a full set of wood carving tools for each student, plenty of resources and pieces of hardwood to choose from including sycamore, ash, oak, birch. Many people opt for house name boards but other items are carved as well; animals, numbers and sayings. Anything is possible - time allowing - in the day. The workbenches are placed under canopies if it looks like rain. Four people to each bench, plenty of space still and very solid.
Traditional Spoon Carving with David Alty
Traditional Spoon Carving with David Alty
From a variety of timbers you will learn how to choose, prepare and split timber and the various methods and styles of carving you could incorporate into your piece. This will entail using a variety of specialist tools which are all provided.
The course will take place on the lawn of the original Tea Garden at the venue, if it is raining we will work under gazebos or use the Squirrel Barn
The use of sharp knives etc in this class means it is only suitable for sensible 16 to 18's when accompanied by responsible paying adults.
Relief Carving in Hardwood with Alister Neville - a Quirky Workshop at Greystoke
Join Alister Neville and learn to carve a design for a decorative plaque, board, bowl, house sign - or another project perhaps!
Arriving in a large van weighed down with 3 workbenches Alister brings a full set of wood carving tools for each student, plenty of resources and pieces of hardwood to choose from including sycamore, ash, oak, birch. Many people opt for house name boards but other items are carved as well; animals, numbers and sayings. Anything is possible - time allowing - in the day. The workbenches are placed under canopies if it looks like rain. Four people to each bench, plenty of space still and very solid.
Willow Sculptures 'Hares,' with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures
It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.
People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden.
2024 Curlews Wed 27 Mar ~ Hares Wed 10 July ~ Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct ~ Deer Wed 13 Nov
Relief Carving in Hardwood with Alister Neville
Join Alister Neville and learn to carve a design for a decorative plaque, board, bowl, house sign - or another project perhaps!
Arriving in a large van weighed down with 3 workbenches Alister brings a full set of wood carving tools for each student, plenty of resources and pieces of hardwood to choose from including sycamore, ash, oak, birch. Many people opt for house name boards but other items are carved as well; animals, numbers and sayings. Anything is possible - time allowing - in the day. The workbenches are placed under canopies if it looks like rain. Four people to each bench, plenty of space still and very solid.
Build a Cob Pizza Oven Day with David Alty
Learn how to build your own Cob Clay pizza or bread oven with David Alty
Over this busy one day course you will together learn how to build a cob pizza oven and so take the knowledge home with you to recreate your very own outdoor pizza oven in your own garden.
Starting with an existing plinth you will prepare, level and install the fire brick base and learn all about the importance of materials to use and insulation levels. Covering also the clay and material selection and dimension options you will then start mixing the cob with bare feet and others will create a sand forma for the actual oven shape - tasks will be shared to ensure experience of every stage is acquired. Once the cob is ready the group will prepare the loaves to cover the sand form and start creating the oven shape.
Make a Stained Glass Mirror with Lizzy Hippisley-Cox
Join Lizzy Hippisley-Cox for a one day Stained Glass 'taster' ... Design and make a beautiful Leaded Mirror.
An opportunity to dip your toe into and try this intensive one day Stained Glass taster day with Lizzy making a leaded stained glass mirror. All glass, tools, equipment, expertise and enthusiasm is provided by Lizzy, who is highly skilled in preserving these jewels of our heritage and has spent many years advising on and restoring original stained glass windows in our cathedrals and churches countrywide
Lizzy will have some prepared design templates ready for you and there will be a choice of coloured glass along with some pre cut panels mirror as needed. Firstly she will explain the various aspects of creating a stained glass panel, and will then let you have a go at learning the safe glass cutting technique. Once practised, you can then choose your template from a selection supplied, depending on your cutting abilities and at this stage you can decide whether you wish to incorporate a mirrored panel within this or alternatively keep the whole panel as glass. If mirror is required Lizzy can cut this for you.
Once all the pieces are cut , the panel is carefully leading up the mirror according to the design. You will then finish by soldering everything together in your panel and finally cleaning and polishing using demonstrated techniques. You will leave with your own bespoke stained glass (mirrored) panel.
Make a Stained Glass Mirror with Lizzy Hippisley-Cox
Join Lizzy Hippisley-Cox for a one day Stained Glass 'taster' ... Design and make a beautiful Leaded Mirror.
An opportunity to dip your toe into and try this intensive one day Stained Glass taster day with Lizzy making a leaded stained glass mirror. All glass, tools, equipment, expertise and enthusiasm is provided by Lizzy, who is highly skilled in preserving these jewels of our heritage and has spent many years advising on and restoring original stained glass windows in our cathedrals and churches countrywide
Lizzy will have some prepared design templates ready for you and there will be a choice of coloured glass along with some pre cut panels mirror as needed. Firstly she will explain the various aspects of creating a stained glass panel, and will then let you have a go at learning the safe glass cutting technique. Once practised, you can then choose your template from a selection supplied, depending on your cutting abilities and at this stage you can decide whether you wish to incorporate a mirrored panel within this or alternatively keep the whole panel as glass. If mirror is required Lizzy can cut this for you.
Once all the pieces are cut , the panel is carefully leading up the mirror according to the design. You will then finish by soldering everything together in your panel and finally cleaning and polishing using demonstrated techniques. You will leave with your own bespoke stained glass (mirrored) panel.
Hearts of Flowers' in fused glass with Michelle of 'Lakeshore Arts'
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass Flower Heart - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will arrive with her ready prepared heart shapes and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating the lovely flowes and leaves for your piece to assemble together to create your own beautiful floral heart.
You will learn about different types of glass used in fusing work and also about the all important COE (Coefficient of expansion) – vital to understand in glass fusing as it makes sure the right types of glass are used and fuse together. Your finished heart designs will then be taken away and fired and returned to Greystoke. If there is time you maybe be able to make a second heart for additional materials cost tbc). The flower hearts can be collected from here a few weeks later, once they have been fired and fused. Alternatively Michelle can post these directly to your home for approx £5.50
We first saw Michelle's beautiful fused glass pieces at a local farm show and just loved them. We are absolutely delighted she has agreed to take some workshops here at Greystoke.
You will learn how to cut and trim the flowers and leaves and get an idea of what can be done with glass in a kiln in terms of fusing, stacking, tack fusing and slumping. You will also learn about various inclusions and their different applications, using frits, stringers, glassline pens and sheet glass along with other fragments.
Lino Cut Print - Botanical & Natural forms with Laura Sowerby
Printing in Lino Cut ' Botanical and Natural Forms' with Laura Sowerby.
Laura's evocative designs on cushions, lampshades and gift-ware have recently been widely featured in Country Living, Gardens Illustrated and several Interior design magazine. ‘Discovering that I am a direct descendant of James Sowerby, famous 18th-century botanical illustrator is a delight.’ she smiles.
We are delighted that Laura has agreed to take a ‘Botanical and Natural forms’ Lino Cut workshop here in Greystoke. Students are encouraged to bring any inspiration they can, be it fresh/ pressed leaves or flowers, prints, pictures and any other references that may inspire you. Laura too will bring plenty of material ideas.
Over the day you will learn how to plan your original design, the principles of lino cut and master various cutting techniques with the goal of producing your own multi-coloured linocut print by the end of the day. (up to A4 in size) All abilities are welcome. The print blocks you create can be taken home and used to print onto fabrics and soft furnishings such as cushion covers etc.
Build a Cob Pizza Oven Day with David Alty
Learn how to build your own Cob Clay pizza or bread oven with David Alty
Over this busy one day course you will together learn how to build a cob pizza oven and so take the knowledge home with you to recreate your very own outdoor pizza oven in your own garden.
Starting with an existing plinth you will prepare, level and install the fire brick base and learn all about the importance of materials to use and insulation levels. Covering also the clay and material selection and dimension options you will then start mixing the cob with bare feet and others will create a sand forma for the actual oven shape - tasks will be shared to ensure experience of every stage is acquired. Once the cob is ready the group will prepare the loaves to cover the sand form and start creating the oven shape.
'Needle Felted Garden Birds ~ 'The Blue Tit' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
An exciting new addition for 2023 from Helen Hammond in her needle-felted Birds series .... creating one of our bird tables' most frequent visitors - the 'colourful and lovable' Blue Tit.
Join Helen for a lovely day being guided through how to make this beautifully detailed garden friend using the needle felting process. Once again, your piece will have a slightly sculpted low relief appearance, subtly enhancing the natural features of this characterful little bird.
Whatever your ability, Helen will provide you with tools, materials, knowledge and guidance to create your own delightful bird over the day, before applying the legs & fixing it to the 'branch'. The birds will then be mounted in a special box frame, for a really professional finish.
You will be using a variety of natural wool fibres and Helen will teach you all about needle felting and how to blend your fibre colours. You will be using specialist needle felting needles (not sewing needles) for this purpose. These specialist tools/ needles are designed to entangle, compact, control and shape the soft carded wool fibres into firm felted pieces. It is a slow and very therapeutic process.
All reference images will be provided and will form an important part of your working process. This course is suitable for all abilities including beginners. This is a dry felted process and a 'clean' method of working. No aprons or gloves are required. However, please bring plasters!
Discovering Soft Pastels, with Lyn Evans.
This will be a step by step class with beginners going slowly and learning a lot, while the more experienced practice new techniques with as much support as they need.
During the day, Lyn will guide you through the composition process of creating your picture and will introduce you to the various ways of using pastels. She will help you to recreate a scene or landscape that Lyn will provide. The day will start with students following me in mark making. It is important to see just what pastel is capable of, the joy it gives in its use and the effects that can be created.
Lyn prefers not to spend a lot of time demonstrating as it eats into students time, but will willingly demo if a student is facing a problem. At that time, everyone who wants to, can watch. We will work on during the day, each student will be working on pastel paper but will have the opportunity to buy and use the special sanded paper which is widely udes for chalk pastel work, if preferred in the afternoon. Each student should have a small painting to take home at the end of the day, something to be proud of.
Sterling Silver Jewellery - 3 Silver Rings in a day - with Melinda Scarbrough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
Urban Landscapes in Mixed Media - fast & free with Roy Simmons
On this course, we will be working in a fast, fun and intuitive way and will move through this exciting step by step technique to producing a really effective piece of art.
Using a variety of media we will find new ways to work, both as sketches and more finished work. We will work towards producing a painting which includes buildings. At the end of the day you will complete at least 2 paintings, one of which will be mounted. Our first step will be to review the different media we will use, these include: Charcoal, Water Soluble oil pastel, wet wipes, sennelier oil pastel, pencil and white gouache paint. That may seem like a crazy mix, but the results can be surprising! To introduce the materials, we will do a step by step painting of an imaginary still life of a pot or vase on a table. This will help us loosen up and get a feel for this way of working. Next, students will work from the supplied source photos, as I demonstrate each step in turn to make a view of cottages on a harbourside.
After lunch I will probably paint another urban view, start to finish, using the techniques we have tried and discussed. Students will then do their version using their choice from the supplied reference photos. This way of working is superb for working outdoors ‘en plein-air’. The amount of ‘stuff’ you need is not excessive, and fits in a small bag. You can produce urban sketches with a great sense of light. Or even produce charcoal sketches with written colour notes that can be ‘worked up’ later at home
Two Day Sterling Silver Jewellery making Course Quirky Workshop
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
Sterling Silver Jewellery 2 days with Melinda Scarborough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
10.00am – 4.30pm
£195 Lunch included
Material Charges from approx £25 in 2023
Breaking the rules of Painting' ~ Landscapes with Roy Simmons
Breaking the 'Rules of Painting' with Roy Simmons ... Beginners and intermediates.
This one day course is for anyone who wants to discover their own natural way of painting. We will be using acrylics.
I tend to paint in a very intuitive way, and believe that with guidance you can learn to 'let go' of the limiting beliefs that prevent your own way of painting coming through. If you are completely new to painting – Great! You have the advantage of the 'beginners mind' without trying! If you do paint already, be prepared to adopt that beginners mind to liberate your own style. Forget any 'rules' you may have picked up even without realising. Some rules to break.
'Start by painting the background' ~ 'Carefully draw your subject' ~ 'Only use the best materials' ~ 'Work from a sketch' ~ 'Paint slowly' ~ 'Don't try to paint until you can draw accurately'
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
Try your hand at “line and wash” – the creation of a pen and ink sketch tinted with a wash of coloured ink or watercolour – with landscape artist John Harrison. You will start the day with an introduction to John’s particular style of line and wash, and the importance he places on drawing and sketching.
John's favoured subject matter features built structures in the wider landscape, exploring the contrast between the man-made and the natural.Largely self-taught, he doesn’t consider himself a painter, but uses the unpredictable yet exciting medium of watercolour to high lght his drawings. He is an active Urban Sketcher, and runs many workshops and classes, details of which are posted on his website. His work is in many private collections both in the UK and internationally, he undertakes commissions both private and corporate and has just come to the end of a year-long monthly feature in the Dalesman.
Suitable for all abilities
'Water and Waves in Pastels' with Roy Simmons
Painting Seascapes and Water in Oil Pastels with Roy Simmons ... Beginners and intermediates.
Join Roy for another enjoyable and relaxed day, experimenting with oil pastels under his enhtusiastic guidance.
They say oil and water do not mix, true, but they can dance together and produce dramatic effects!
After some initial exercises to introduce the materials, I will demonstrate a seascape step by step and you will follow along using the materials provided. It is here we will take full advantage of the oil pastel and white gouache paint to create that watery sparkle. It is rather magical, the oil pastel repels the wet paint and helps make effects that will amaze you!
After this we will produce more paintings using reference photos provided. You will take home several paintings, one will be in a supplied mount.
The Walton Tote ~ Two day Bag Making Workshops with Emma of 'Hole House Bags'
The Walton Tote - 2 days
Fri 4th & Sat 5th Oct 2024
The Walton Tote is an elegant handbag, not too big but not too small, with a handy zipped dividing pocket in the lining and an elegant twist lock closure. It looks perfect made in tweed, but you could also use a heavy weight linen or canvas and the design allows you to play with two different outer fabrics if you'd like.
It's suitable for those with a little bag making experience or adventurous beginner bag makers! As long as you can use your sewing machine, you will be guided carefully through each step.
'Needle Felted Garden Birds - 'The Wren' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
Needle Felted Garden Birds . . 'The Wren ' with Helen Hammond
Spend a lovely day being guided through how to make this beautifully detailed Wren using the needle felting process. Your Wren will have a slightly sculpted low relief appearance, subtly enhancing the natural features of this little characterful bird.
You will be using a variety of natural wool fibres and Helen will teach you all about needle felting and how to blend your fibre colours. You will be using specialist needle felting needles (not sewing needles) for this purpose. These specialist tools/ needles are designed to entangle, compact, control and shape the soft carded wool fibres into firm felted pieces. It is a slow and very therapeutic process.
All reference images will be provided and will form an important part of your working process. This course is suitable for all abilities including beginners. This is a dry felted process and a 'clean' method of working. No aprons or gloves are required. However, please bring plasters!
Willow Sculptures 'Hares,' with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures
It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.
People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden.
2024 Curlews Wed 27 Mar ~ Hares Wed 10 July ~ Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct ~ Deer Wed 13 Nov
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
Willow Sculptures 'Hares,' with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures
It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.
People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden.
2024 Curlews Wed 27 Mar ~ Hares Wed 10 July ~ Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct ~ Deer Wed 13 Nov
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
Discovering Watercolours with Margaret Jarvis
First Steps in Watercolour paints looks in depth at colours, colours mixing techniques washes shading and brush techniques. It is the most useful place to start for those wishing to learn the basics in an enjoyable, thorough day of discovering the world of watercolours. Even those with considerable experience say they learn a lot from this class.
If you are new to painting and would like to start somewhere, we can highly recommend Margaret Jarvis, an outstanding local tutor for Beginners and Improvers in both Watercolours. Margaret brings a wealth of knowledge and confirms that you don't need to be able to 'draw' to paint with watercolours. It's all about technique. This course provides a good grounding in watercolour techniques.
Sunday 24 November 2019 Discovering Watercolours & Christmas Cards if wished
Two Day Sterling Silver Jewellery making Course Quirky Workshop
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
Sterling Silver Jewellery 2 days with Melinda Scarborough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
10.00am – 4.30pm
£195 Lunch included
Material Charges from approx £25 in 2023
Sterling Silver Jewellery - 3 Silver Rings in a day - with Melinda Scarbrough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
Hand Printed Christmas Cards & Tags in Lino Cut with Sue Rowland
A lovely, festive printmaking day with Sue, suitable for beginners or improvers, learning the basics of cutting and hand printing of your own unique lino design to create an edition of stunning Christmas cards on a selection of different coloured backgrounds and using different inks. Friends and family always love to receive handmade cards and they are fun to make!
You will also have the opportunity to create a range of hand printed gift tags to use on your Christmas presents. You can use your card design for this or if there is time you can cut a new image to use.
You will learn how to plan out your design and transfer this to a piece of lino approx. 15 x 15 cm before learning how to cut your design using lino tools. Sue will demonstrate importance of mark making and texture which you will use first in a sample piece and then in your own design. The close up demonstrations by Sue will be live streamed and projected to a large screen, meaning everyone will be abe to follow instructions from the comfort of their desks with ample spacing.
You will learn hand printing and burnishing techniques so that you will be equipped with the skills and confidence to repeat this process after the course at home if you like the technique. Sue will arrive with many ink colours, so you'll be able to produce both one colour and multicolour designs by varying the inking up. Plus there will be some exciting and festive metallic inks to use as well.
The course will be fun and informative and allow for developing your creative ideas.Please bring along some of your own Nature / Foliage based ideas, 'though don't worry if you're feelng uncreative, Sue will be able to supply some simple templates too.
Please note: People with arthritis in their hands/ arms or severely strained wrists or hands may struggle with cutting the lino and find this course difficult.
Willow Weaving ~ Angels with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating a small Willow Angel
We are so happy that Phil runs several courses here at Greystoke, he has been teaching here since 2005 - his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing. People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. This course is one of the easiest of the Willow weaving courses often yielding the best and most effective results.
Angels are frequently kept in homes all year round nowadays and then for the festive season decorated with fine fairy lights and tinsel to make a wonderful additions to any Christmas room - especially in a fireplace. Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day and by the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to take home and last for many many years to come.
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