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.
'Needle Felted Garden Birds ~ 'The Blue Tit' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
Needle Felted Garden Birds . . 'The Blue Tit' with Helen Hammond (see 'The Wren' under a separate heading)
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!
9.30am – 4.30pm
£80 inc. inc a tasty Lunch & home baking.
Material Charges: £25
'Autumn Colours' in mixed media with Frances Winder
Autumn Colours in Mixed Media' with Frances Winder
An exciting workshop with this popular tutor, well known for her landscapes and skill at depicting beautiful reflections on water.
Frances will be dealing with colour theories, adjacent and opposite colour designs, and the drama of tonal changes. Light and shade emphasis and how to add that wow factor to your work. Demonstrating in watercolour techniques, the flow and excitement of wet in wet methods, and in acrylic paint the value of texture and richness of overlaying colour. The techniques can be reversed and used to add intensity and drama to each medium.
For beginners I advise a simple range of gouache paints, designers white, primary red, yellow, ultramarine, black, burnt umber and primary blue. Round brushes, small medium and large, a plastic palette. Luxury colours would be green gold, and orange.
Good watercolour paper is fine for acrylic, watercolour, and gouache paints.
This class is suitable for every standard of student from beginner to experienced student. I try to cover or develop what I think will help your individual aims or expertise in this work
Discovering 'Pen & 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.
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.
9.30am – 4.30pm
Quirky Lino Cut Printing' with 'Bun Head'!! aka Polly Marix Evans
'Quirky Lino Cut Printing' with 'Bun Head'!! aka Polly Marix Evans
Those of you who follow this talented printer selling her amazing pieces on Etsy, under the name PollysUtterlyMe, may delighted in the opportunity to print alongside her, using some of her sassy blocks!
Spend a day with Polly devising your own meaningful, printed 'piece' from a word, picture, name or letter, to make someone smile! Draw it out, transfer to Lino under Polly's careful guidance and create your own original Lino Cut Print into which you can incorporate Polly's wonderful ready-cut blocks of figures and/ or symbols if you wish.
You’ll be working predominantly in black and white, with the option to add splashes of colour, to produce a bold and striking print, or prints - and you can work on a lino block of either A6 or A5, or cut these to any size, or shape, you choose. There'll also be an option to display your lino cut print in a mount to pop into a 10x12" frame, if that's the size you prefer. Generally working larger is easier; but of course, Polly will advise.
You could bring a silhouette of a beloved pet, somthing else iconic and relevant to you, a hobby or sport, a friend's name, or maybe even a food? Anything goes really - come with any ideas you have and Polly will advise how best to create your own piece of original, quirky printwork.
For those who lack confidence to draw your own images, Polly will have sample blocks of borders, words, letters and Bun-Head figures which you can use. There will also be materials available to trace fonts or images.
Needle Felt an Animal -or Pet - Portrait ~ with Jane Makes
'Paint with Wool' and Needle Felt your favourite Animal or Pet Portrait ~ with Jane Makes
DATE CHANGE... to SUNDAY 4th October 2026
Learn how to paint with wool to create a beautiful animal portrait; you don’t need to be artistic or have drawing skill, really... There is a great way around this!
In this course Jane will teach you how to create a 2D needle felted picture use a animal photo of your own. Not only will you take home an amazing animal portrait, you also get to keep the tools you used, so you can do more at home.
Working from your own photograph, Jane will guide you through the tools & techniques needed to create your own beautiful felted picture.
You will begin by transferring your chosen image onto some cotton fabric, to get an accurate outline of your animal. Then, with Jane's guidance, you will be shown how to manipulate the fibres - from laying out the initial colurs to the beautifully intricate detailed effects to bring your animals to life.
Firing pottery 'In The Raku Style' with Bob and Denise Park
Come and enjoy an exciting workshop experimenting in this ancient Japanese RAKU technique of glazing and firing pottery.
Exciting and fast moving, using heat, sawdust, fire and smoky bins, this stunning firing technique is irresistible and very much in vogue.
Raku firing is unique and one of the most dramatic and exciting ways to fire pottery. It was developed in Japan in the 16th century for the Japanese tea ceremony. The pieces are glazed with copper based glazes, dried and put directly into a hot kiln outside for half an hour at a temperature of approximately 1000°c. They are then put into a reduction chamber – a nest of sawdust covered with a metal cover - and this atmosphere and temperature changes ‘reduce the oxygen content in the glazes and clay’ producing the wonderfully colourful, lustrous copper, blue and green finishes associated with Raku Pottery.
Every result is different, nothing is predictable and happy accidents are frequent. In fact, Raku literally translates into 'Happiness in the accident!' You will be using raku glazes combined with colouring oxides.
Bob and Denise will arrive with a selection of bisque fired pots in varying styles, that he has made and fired in the weeks prior to the course - providing 3 pots for each student. It is this preparedness that enables such a course to be run in a morning or afternoon. The materials charge of £27 (payable directly to the tutor) covers the cost of making these pots, as well as the glazing and firing costs during your session. Bob and Denise will distribute pots so each student has a similar selection of shapes at the start of each class. This is a collaborative class so your payment details may include direct payment to Bob.
Firing pottery 'In The Raku Style' with Bob and Denise Park
Come and enjoy an exciting workshop experimenting in this ancient Japanese RAKU technique of glazing and firing pottery.
Exciting and fast moving, using heat, sawdust, fire and smoky bins, this stunning firing technique is irresistible and very much in vogue.
Raku firing is unique and one of the most dramatic and exciting ways to fire pottery. It was developed in Japan in the 16th century for the Japanese tea ceremony. The pieces are glazed with copper based glazes, dried and put directly into a hot kiln outside for half an hour at a temperature of approximately 1000°c. They are then put into a reduction chamber – a nest of sawdust covered with a metal cover - and this atmosphere and temperature changes ‘reduce the oxygen content in the glazes and clay’ producing the wonderfully colourful, lustrous copper, blue and green finishes associated with Raku Pottery.
Every result is different, nothing is predictable and happy accidents are frequent. In fact, Raku literally translates into 'Happiness in the accident!' You will be using raku glazes combined with colouring oxides.
Bob and Denise will arrive with a selection of bisque fired pots in varying styles, that he has made and fired in the weeks prior to the course - providing 3 pots for each student. It is this preparedness that enables such a course to be run in a morning or afternoon. The materials charge of £27 (payable directly to the tutor) covers the cost of making these pots, as well as the glazing and firing costs during your session. Bob and Denise will distribute pots so each student has a similar selection of shapes at the start of each class. This is a collaborative class so your payment details may include direct payment to Bob.
'Intro to Flower Painting in Watercolours' with Lis Bramwell
'Intro to Flower Painting in Watercolours' with Lis Bramwell - for those 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.
Recent feedback ... Hi Annie, I'm hoping to do some more painting of my Hydrangea today. I really enjoyed the day & as I said to you Liz is a fantastic teacher, in fact I would say that she is the best teacher I've had at any of the many workshops I have attended anywhere in the country! Thank you for organising it & giving me the experience. Best wishes Cath
Needle Felted Garden Birds - 'The Wren' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
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!
'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'
We will start with a 'loosening up' painting, this will introduce my way of working. On this course each student will produce at least two paintings (but that is not a rule)!
All materials and instruction provided, you will take home a mounted painting at the end of the day
'Expansive Landscapes in Acrylics ' with Tim Watson
Expansive Landscapes in Acrylics' with Tim Watson Beginners and intermediates.
We're thrilled to introduce this talented local artist who spends much of his time running across the Cumbrian fells, bringing a great knowledge of this local landscape - that he then depicts on paper in many surprising and beautiful ways!
Tim will start the day with a quick step by step - ( pperhaps using the camera / screen) where student follow the techniques and create their own test piece. Students will be guided through the application of paint, colour, and particularly texture, including a wash over the create areas of light and dark- and further texture. By the end of the day you should be leaving with your test piece as well as one or two pieces of work, depending on how quickly you work.
Tim will be bring his boards and you will be working on panoramic size paper between A3 and A4.
Autumn Series ... Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash ... Castles, Cottages and more - with Lyn Evans
Thu 29 Oct ~ Thu 5 Nov ~ Thu 19 Nov 2026 Thursday Mornings 9.30-12.30am
A 'Local Artist' collaborative 3 week course with Lyn Evans - please pay your £20 course deposit and your details will be passed to Lyn to collect the balance
Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash - Autumn Series .3 Thursday AM's, fortnightly - with local artist, Lyn Evans
Join Lyn in the Swallow Barn for these three Thursday mornings in October/ Nov 26 to help you develop and refine your watercolour practice, extending to using line as well as wash, through structured exercises ad gentle feedback. The group will be focusing on the iconic and beautiful buildings of Cumbria., and celebrating the local vernacular where possible.
These painting classes are suitable for the beginner and improver, and will help you to gain confidence in your ability to use Watercolours along with Ink. We love listening in on Lyn's classes up in the Swallow Barn - always lots of fun.
Deposit payments to be paid by Card only please - please select 'Stripe' at checkout and then we will forward your details to Lyn for final payment.
Total course cost for 3 weeks £108 inc tea/coffee/biscuits - comprising £20 non refundable deposit. We will fwd your booking to Lyn who will contact for £88 balance.
9.30-12.30am
£110 inc coffee tea biscuits
£20 deposit and £90 payable to Lyn
Material Charges : bring your own
Autumn Series ... Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash ... Castles, Cottages and more - with Lyn Evans
Thu 29 Oct ~ Thu 5 Nov ~ Thu 19 Nov 2026 Thursday Mornings 9.30-12.30am
A 'Local Artist' collaborative 3 week course with Lyn Evans - please pay your £20 course deposit and your details will be passed to Lyn to collect the balance
Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash - Autumn Series .3 Thursday AM's, fortnightly - with local artist, Lyn Evans
Join Lyn in the Swallow Barn for these three Thursday mornings in October/ Nov 26 to help you develop and refine your watercolour practice, extending to using line as well as wash, through structured exercises ad gentle feedback. The group will be focusing on the iconic and beautiful buildings of Cumbria., and celebrating the local vernacular where possible.
These painting classes are suitable for the beginner and improver, and will help you to gain confidence in your ability to use Watercolours along with Ink. We love listening in on Lyn's classes up in the Swallow Barn - always lots of fun.
Deposit payments to be paid by Card only please - please select 'Stripe' at checkout and then we will forward your details to Lyn for final payment.
Total course cost for 3 weeks £108 inc tea/coffee/biscuits - comprising £20 non refundable deposit. We will fwd your booking to Lyn who will contact for £88 balance.
9.30-12.30am
£110 inc coffee tea biscuits
£20 deposit and £90 payable to Lyn
Material Charges : bring your own
"The Charcoal Hare' ... The Art of Expressive Animal Portraiture' with Sarah Stokes
The Charcoal Hare' with Sarah Stokes
We are delighted to welcome back much acclaimed, professional wildlife artist Sarah Stokes, joining us for a fascinating long weekend in October 2026 of charcoal study and painting.
Sarah's visit will begin on Friday 9th with a day course focussed on drawing this beautiful Hare portrait in Charcoal.
(Sarah will be teaching the same weekend .. 'Girls Night In' 2 day Watercolours - 7th/8th Nov 2026 - bookable separately)
In the morning you will get to explore the importance of tone, as we draw a full face depiction of the Hare, capturing its wary gaze as it looks straight at the artist. We will use charcoal, concentrating on creating convincing fur, eyes and expression.
After a tasty home made lunch - hopefully in the garden - we will finish this characterful heathland friend creating a beauitful finished piece with detail and poise.
9.30am - 5.00pm each day
Taking place in the first floor Swallow Barn - accessed by stairs
£145 home made lunch/ fresh coffee/ home baking etc included
Material Charges £none
"Girls’ Night In' ~ A Two-Day Watercolour Workshop' ~ with Sarah Stokes
Part of a Long Weekend of Watercolours and Charcoal, with Sarah Stokes
'Girls’ Night In' ~ A Two-Day Watercolour Workshop with Sarah Stokes - all abilities.
This cheerful two-day workshop focuses on painting a trio of hens in watercolour — full of character and charm, and all achieved with just three colours and black. All materials will be provided.
Day 1 – Getting Started
We’ll begin by tracing the Hens onto watercolour paper so you can concentrate on painting rather than drawing accuracy. From there, we’ll move on to colour mixing practice, exploring how to create a surprising range of tones and shades from a limited palette.
You’ll spend time getting to grips with the behaviour of watercolour — how it moves, blends, and reacts on the paper — before applying your first loose washes, working mostly wet-into-wet to establish soft shapes and gentle transitions.
By the end of the first day, you’ll have a lovely underpainting with the mood and structure of the piece already in place.
Day 2 – Layering, Detail and Finishing Touches
On day two, we’ll add the third and final layers, deepening tones, strengthening shapes, and starting to bring out each hen’s personality.
You’ll learn how to add texture, form, and fine detail while keeping that expressive, light-handed feel that makes watercolour so fresh.
We’ll also look at simple mark-making and decorative touches to tie the composition together and give your finished piece character and polish.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have:
- A completed painting of three lively chickens full of warmth and charm
- A solid grasp of limited-palette colour mixing
- Confidence in layering, tonal control, and brushwork
- A better understanding of how to handle watercolour with both control and freedom
This workshop is relaxed, friendly, and ideal for anyone who wants to build confidence in their painting while enjoying a creative couple of days with like-minded people. Beginners and intermediates welcome!
9.30am - 5.00pm each day
Taking place in the first floor Swallow Barn - accessed by stairs
£295 home made lunch/ fresh coffee/ home baking/all materials included
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.
'Needle Felted Sheep Portrait of "The Cheviot" ' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
Needle Felted Portraits . . 'The Cheviot' with Helen Hammond
Spend a lovely day being guided through how to make this very popular native Sheep breed 'The Cheviot' using the needle felting process. The piece will have a slightly sculpted low relief appearance, subtly enhancing the natural features and onece mounted, will give the appearance of almost escaping from the frame .
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.
Helen will provide suitable images to encourage individual observational skills to support your creation of this beautiful sheep portrait for you to take home displayed in a supplied deep box frame. Helen loves to inspire and shares her passion for both needlefelting and Cumbria.
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!
9.30am – 4.30pm
£80 inc. fresh coffee, a tasty home lunch, and a cream tea.
Material Charges: £25
Christmas Fused Glass..'Robins and Tea Light Holders' with Michelle of Lakeshore Arts
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass festive Tealight holder/ Robins for Christmas - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will have prepared all the specialist glass set out and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating both a cheerful robin to hang on your tree, or a festive tea light holder for your table. This can be slumped (melted into a shallow bowl shape) if required. You can choose whether to make one of each, or alternatively two of the same.
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 can fuse together correctly. Your finished designs will then be taken away to Michelle's studio and fired, before being returned to Greystoke some weeks later. The finshed pieces 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 the Keswick 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 glass to get an idea of what can be created. You will also learn about 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.
Christmas Fused Glass..'Robins and Tea Light Holders' with Michelle of Lakeshore Arts
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass festive Tealight holder/ Robins for Christmas - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will have prepared all the specialist glass set out and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating both a cheerful robin to hang on your tree, or a festive tea light holder for your table. This can be slumped (melted into a shallow bowl shape) if required. You can choose whether to make one of each, or alternatively two of the same.
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 can fuse together correctly. Your finished designs will then be taken away to Michelle's studio and fired, before being returned to Greystoke some weeks later. The finshed pieces 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 the Keswick 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 glass to get an idea of what can be created. You will also learn about 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.
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.
Autumn Series ... Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash ... Castles, Cottages and more - with Lyn Evans
Thu 29 Oct ~ Thu 5 Nov ~ Thu 19 Nov 2026 Thursday Mornings 9.30-12.30am
A 'Local Artist' collaborative 3 week course with Lyn Evans - please pay your £20 course deposit and your details will be passed to Lyn to collect the balance
Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash - Autumn Series .3 Thursday AM's, fortnightly - with local artist, Lyn Evans
Join Lyn in the Swallow Barn for these three Thursday mornings in October/ Nov 26 to help you develop and refine your watercolour practice, extending to using line as well as wash, through structured exercises ad gentle feedback. The group will be focusing on the iconic and beautiful buildings of Cumbria., and celebrating the local vernacular where possible.
These painting classes are suitable for the beginner and improver, and will help you to gain confidence in your ability to use Watercolours along with Ink. We love listening in on Lyn's classes up in the Swallow Barn - always lots of fun.
Deposit payments to be paid by Card only please - please select 'Stripe' at checkout and then we will forward your details to Lyn for final payment.
Total course cost for 3 weeks £108 inc tea/coffee/biscuits - comprising £20 non refundable deposit. We will fwd your booking to Lyn who will contact for £88 balance.
9.30-12.30am
£110 inc coffee tea biscuits
£20 deposit and £90 payable to Lyn
Material Charges : bring your own
'Needle Felted Garden Birds ~ 'The Robin' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
Another exciting and inspiring workshop from Helen Hammond in her needle-felted Birds series .... creating one of our bird tables' most frequent visitors - the 'joyful' Robin!
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!
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
reate beautiful lettering using 'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' - with Claire from By Moon and Tide
Discover the joy of lettering at this modern calligraphy workshop, perfect for absolute beginners.
You’ll learn how to use a traditional dippy ink pot and old-fashioned calligraphy nibs to create beautiful, playful lettering in a relaxed and inspiring setting.
Each booking includes your own pen, nib, and ink to take home after the class!
Led by our friendly and experienced tutor Claire, this calligraphy workshop will show you how to get the very best from your tools. You’ll start with swoops and swirls to build confidence, then follow easy templates to progress to simple letters and playful techniques to create your own piece of elegant modern calligraphy art.
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or have tried calligraphy before, you’ll find this workshop welcoming, creative, and lots of fun.
10.00am-12.30pm OR 1.30pm to 4.00pm
£55 inc fresh coffee/tea/home made biscuits
Material Charges : included , and to take home
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
reate beautiful lettering using 'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' - with Claire from By Moon and Tide
Discover the joy of lettering at this modern calligraphy workshop, perfect for absolute beginners.
You’ll learn how to use a traditional dippy ink pot and old-fashioned calligraphy nibs to create beautiful, playful lettering in a relaxed and inspiring setting.
Each booking includes your own pen, nib, and ink to take home after the class!
Led by our friendly and experienced tutor Claire, this calligraphy workshop will show you how to get the very best from your tools. You’ll start with swoops and swirls to build confidence, then follow easy templates to progress to simple letters and playful techniques to create your own piece of elegant modern calligraphy art.
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or have tried calligraphy before, you’ll find this workshop welcoming, creative, and lots of fun.
10.00am-12.30pm OR 1.30pm to 4.00pm
£55 inc fresh coffee/tea/home made biscuits
Material Charges : included , and to take home
Willow Sculptures ~ Deer with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures : Curlew for summer or a small Deer for Christmas
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.
Hole House Bag making - 'Sew your own Satchel Bag' with Emma Redfern
'Sew your own Satchel' - a two day workshop with Emma Redfern of Hole House Bags
The satchel is a traditional shape, perfect for wearing either cross body or on the shoulder. It's a practical, but smart looking bag that can be made in tweed or canvas weight fabric, with lots of options so it's perfect for personalising.
As this is a two day workshop, you will have the chance to really work on the details of your bag, including which flap shape you choose (or draft your own), the closure, how many pockets to include and whether you make the large or medium size. The outer can also be stitched in two different fabrics for some lovely colour blocking if that's your thing!
We will be stitching a fabric strap too which will be fully adjustable. You will work through these design details at the beginning of the workshop with the tutor, so that you can create your own unique bag with confidence.
This is suitable for adventurous beginners / intermediate sewists: you should be able to thread and use your own sewing machine confidently, a zipper foot is useful if you have one. There isn't any technically difficult sewing but there are some bulky seams to handle.
All specialist materials will be provided, along with full written instructions and a paper pattern to take away with you.
Willow Sculptures ~ Curlews, or Deer with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures : a small Deer for Christmas
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.
Christmas Fused Glass..'Robins and Tea Light Holders' with Michelle of Lakeshore Arts
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass festive Tealight holder/ Robins for Christmas - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will have prepared all the specialist glass set out and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating both a cheerful robin to hang on your tree, or a festive tea light holder for your table. This can be slumped (melted into a shallow bowl shape) if required. You can choose whether to make one of each, or alternatively two of the same.
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 can fuse together correctly. Your finished designs will then be taken away to Michelle's studio and fired, before being returned to Greystoke some weeks later. The finshed pieces 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 the Keswick 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 glass to get an idea of what can be created. You will also learn about 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.
Christmas Fused Glass..'Robins and Tea Light Holders' with Michelle of Lakeshore Arts
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass festive Tealight holder/ Robins for Christmas - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will have prepared all the specialist glass set out and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating both a cheerful robin to hang on your tree, or a festive tea light holder for your table. This can be slumped (melted into a shallow bowl shape) if required. You can choose whether to make one of each, or alternatively two of the same.
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 can fuse together correctly. Your finished designs will then be taken away to Michelle's studio and fired, before being returned to Greystoke some weeks later. The finshed pieces 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 the Keswick 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 glass to get an idea of what can be created. You will also learn about 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.
'Loose Botanicals in Watercolours' with an optional hint of Christmas ...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. Students will need to provide thei own materials as outlined below.
Discovering 'Pen & Wash' - Christmas themed - 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 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.
'Needle Felted Garden Birds ~ 'The Blue Tit' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
Needle Felted Garden Birds . . 'The Blue Tit' with Helen Hammond (see 'The Wren' under a separate heading)
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!
9.30am – 4.30pm
£80 inc. inc a tasty Lunch & home baking.
Material Charges: £25
'Autumn Colours' in mixed media with Frances Winder
Autumn Colours in Mixed Media' with Frances Winder
An exciting workshop with this popular tutor, well known for her landscapes and skill at depicting beautiful reflections on water.
Frances will be dealing with colour theories, adjacent and opposite colour designs, and the drama of tonal changes. Light and shade emphasis and how to add that wow factor to your work. Demonstrating in watercolour techniques, the flow and excitement of wet in wet methods, and in acrylic paint the value of texture and richness of overlaying colour. The techniques can be reversed and used to add intensity and drama to each medium.
For beginners I advise a simple range of gouache paints, designers white, primary red, yellow, ultramarine, black, burnt umber and primary blue. Round brushes, small medium and large, a plastic palette. Luxury colours would be green gold, and orange.
Good watercolour paper is fine for acrylic, watercolour, and gouache paints.
This class is suitable for every standard of student from beginner to experienced student. I try to cover or develop what I think will help your individual aims or expertise in this work
Discovering 'Pen & 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.
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.
9.30am – 4.30pm
Quirky Lino Cut Printing' with 'Bun Head'!! aka Polly Marix Evans
'Quirky Lino Cut Printing' with 'Bun Head'!! aka Polly Marix Evans
Those of you who follow this talented printer selling her amazing pieces on Etsy, under the name PollysUtterlyMe, may delighted in the opportunity to print alongside her, using some of her sassy blocks!
Spend a day with Polly devising your own meaningful, printed 'piece' from a word, picture, name or letter, to make someone smile! Draw it out, transfer to Lino under Polly's careful guidance and create your own original Lino Cut Print into which you can incorporate Polly's wonderful ready-cut blocks of figures and/ or symbols if you wish.
You’ll be working predominantly in black and white, with the option to add splashes of colour, to produce a bold and striking print, or prints - and you can work on a lino block of either A6 or A5, or cut these to any size, or shape, you choose. There'll also be an option to display your lino cut print in a mount to pop into a 10x12" frame, if that's the size you prefer. Generally working larger is easier; but of course, Polly will advise.
You could bring a silhouette of a beloved pet, somthing else iconic and relevant to you, a hobby or sport, a friend's name, or maybe even a food? Anything goes really - come with any ideas you have and Polly will advise how best to create your own piece of original, quirky printwork.
For those who lack confidence to draw your own images, Polly will have sample blocks of borders, words, letters and Bun-Head figures which you can use. There will also be materials available to trace fonts or images.
Needle Felt an Animal -or Pet - Portrait ~ with Jane Makes
'Paint with Wool' and Needle Felt your favourite Animal or Pet Portrait ~ with Jane Makes
DATE CHANGE... to SUNDAY 4th October 2026
Learn how to paint with wool to create a beautiful animal portrait; you don’t need to be artistic or have drawing skill, really... There is a great way around this!
In this course Jane will teach you how to create a 2D needle felted picture use a animal photo of your own. Not only will you take home an amazing animal portrait, you also get to keep the tools you used, so you can do more at home.
Working from your own photograph, Jane will guide you through the tools & techniques needed to create your own beautiful felted picture.
You will begin by transferring your chosen image onto some cotton fabric, to get an accurate outline of your animal. Then, with Jane's guidance, you will be shown how to manipulate the fibres - from laying out the initial colurs to the beautifully intricate detailed effects to bring your animals to life.
Firing pottery 'In The Raku Style' with Bob and Denise Park
Come and enjoy an exciting workshop experimenting in this ancient Japanese RAKU technique of glazing and firing pottery.
Exciting and fast moving, using heat, sawdust, fire and smoky bins, this stunning firing technique is irresistible and very much in vogue.
Raku firing is unique and one of the most dramatic and exciting ways to fire pottery. It was developed in Japan in the 16th century for the Japanese tea ceremony. The pieces are glazed with copper based glazes, dried and put directly into a hot kiln outside for half an hour at a temperature of approximately 1000°c. They are then put into a reduction chamber – a nest of sawdust covered with a metal cover - and this atmosphere and temperature changes ‘reduce the oxygen content in the glazes and clay’ producing the wonderfully colourful, lustrous copper, blue and green finishes associated with Raku Pottery.
Every result is different, nothing is predictable and happy accidents are frequent. In fact, Raku literally translates into 'Happiness in the accident!' You will be using raku glazes combined with colouring oxides.
Bob and Denise will arrive with a selection of bisque fired pots in varying styles, that he has made and fired in the weeks prior to the course - providing 3 pots for each student. It is this preparedness that enables such a course to be run in a morning or afternoon. The materials charge of £27 (payable directly to the tutor) covers the cost of making these pots, as well as the glazing and firing costs during your session. Bob and Denise will distribute pots so each student has a similar selection of shapes at the start of each class. This is a collaborative class so your payment details may include direct payment to Bob.
Firing pottery 'In The Raku Style' with Bob and Denise Park
Come and enjoy an exciting workshop experimenting in this ancient Japanese RAKU technique of glazing and firing pottery.
Exciting and fast moving, using heat, sawdust, fire and smoky bins, this stunning firing technique is irresistible and very much in vogue.
Raku firing is unique and one of the most dramatic and exciting ways to fire pottery. It was developed in Japan in the 16th century for the Japanese tea ceremony. The pieces are glazed with copper based glazes, dried and put directly into a hot kiln outside for half an hour at a temperature of approximately 1000°c. They are then put into a reduction chamber – a nest of sawdust covered with a metal cover - and this atmosphere and temperature changes ‘reduce the oxygen content in the glazes and clay’ producing the wonderfully colourful, lustrous copper, blue and green finishes associated with Raku Pottery.
Every result is different, nothing is predictable and happy accidents are frequent. In fact, Raku literally translates into 'Happiness in the accident!' You will be using raku glazes combined with colouring oxides.
Bob and Denise will arrive with a selection of bisque fired pots in varying styles, that he has made and fired in the weeks prior to the course - providing 3 pots for each student. It is this preparedness that enables such a course to be run in a morning or afternoon. The materials charge of £27 (payable directly to the tutor) covers the cost of making these pots, as well as the glazing and firing costs during your session. Bob and Denise will distribute pots so each student has a similar selection of shapes at the start of each class. This is a collaborative class so your payment details may include direct payment to Bob.
'Intro to Flower Painting in Watercolours' with Lis Bramwell
'Intro to Flower Painting in Watercolours' with Lis Bramwell - for those 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.
Recent feedback ... Hi Annie, I'm hoping to do some more painting of my Hydrangea today. I really enjoyed the day & as I said to you Liz is a fantastic teacher, in fact I would say that she is the best teacher I've had at any of the many workshops I have attended anywhere in the country! Thank you for organising it & giving me the experience. Best wishes Cath
Needle Felted Garden Birds - 'The Wren' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
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!
'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'
We will start with a 'loosening up' painting, this will introduce my way of working. On this course each student will produce at least two paintings (but that is not a rule)!
All materials and instruction provided, you will take home a mounted painting at the end of the day
'Expansive Landscapes in Acrylics ' with Tim Watson
Expansive Landscapes in Acrylics' with Tim Watson Beginners and intermediates.
We're thrilled to introduce this talented local artist who spends much of his time running across the Cumbrian fells, bringing a great knowledge of this local landscape - that he then depicts on paper in many surprising and beautiful ways!
Tim will start the day with a quick step by step - ( pperhaps using the camera / screen) where student follow the techniques and create their own test piece. Students will be guided through the application of paint, colour, and particularly texture, including a wash over the create areas of light and dark- and further texture. By the end of the day you should be leaving with your test piece as well as one or two pieces of work, depending on how quickly you work.
Tim will be bring his boards and you will be working on panoramic size paper between A3 and A4.
Autumn Series ... Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash ... Castles, Cottages and more - with Lyn Evans
Thu 29 Oct ~ Thu 5 Nov ~ Thu 19 Nov 2026 Thursday Mornings 9.30-12.30am
A 'Local Artist' collaborative 3 week course with Lyn Evans - please pay your £20 course deposit and your details will be passed to Lyn to collect the balance
Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash - Autumn Series .3 Thursday AM's, fortnightly - with local artist, Lyn Evans
Join Lyn in the Swallow Barn for these three Thursday mornings in October/ Nov 26 to help you develop and refine your watercolour practice, extending to using line as well as wash, through structured exercises ad gentle feedback. The group will be focusing on the iconic and beautiful buildings of Cumbria., and celebrating the local vernacular where possible.
These painting classes are suitable for the beginner and improver, and will help you to gain confidence in your ability to use Watercolours along with Ink. We love listening in on Lyn's classes up in the Swallow Barn - always lots of fun.
Deposit payments to be paid by Card only please - please select 'Stripe' at checkout and then we will forward your details to Lyn for final payment.
Total course cost for 3 weeks £108 inc tea/coffee/biscuits - comprising £20 non refundable deposit. We will fwd your booking to Lyn who will contact for £88 balance.
9.30-12.30am
£110 inc coffee tea biscuits
£20 deposit and £90 payable to Lyn
Material Charges : bring your own
Autumn Series ... Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash ... Castles, Cottages and more - with Lyn Evans
Thu 29 Oct ~ Thu 5 Nov ~ Thu 19 Nov 2026 Thursday Mornings 9.30-12.30am
A 'Local Artist' collaborative 3 week course with Lyn Evans - please pay your £20 course deposit and your details will be passed to Lyn to collect the balance
Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash - Autumn Series .3 Thursday AM's, fortnightly - with local artist, Lyn Evans
Join Lyn in the Swallow Barn for these three Thursday mornings in October/ Nov 26 to help you develop and refine your watercolour practice, extending to using line as well as wash, through structured exercises ad gentle feedback. The group will be focusing on the iconic and beautiful buildings of Cumbria., and celebrating the local vernacular where possible.
These painting classes are suitable for the beginner and improver, and will help you to gain confidence in your ability to use Watercolours along with Ink. We love listening in on Lyn's classes up in the Swallow Barn - always lots of fun.
Deposit payments to be paid by Card only please - please select 'Stripe' at checkout and then we will forward your details to Lyn for final payment.
Total course cost for 3 weeks £108 inc tea/coffee/biscuits - comprising £20 non refundable deposit. We will fwd your booking to Lyn who will contact for £88 balance.
9.30-12.30am
£110 inc coffee tea biscuits
£20 deposit and £90 payable to Lyn
Material Charges : bring your own
"The Charcoal Hare' ... The Art of Expressive Animal Portraiture' with Sarah Stokes
The Charcoal Hare' with Sarah Stokes
We are delighted to welcome back much acclaimed, professional wildlife artist Sarah Stokes, joining us for a fascinating long weekend in October 2026 of charcoal study and painting.
Sarah's visit will begin on Friday 9th with a day course focussed on drawing this beautiful Hare portrait in Charcoal.
(Sarah will be teaching the same weekend .. 'Girls Night In' 2 day Watercolours - 7th/8th Nov 2026 - bookable separately)
In the morning you will get to explore the importance of tone, as we draw a full face depiction of the Hare, capturing its wary gaze as it looks straight at the artist. We will use charcoal, concentrating on creating convincing fur, eyes and expression.
After a tasty home made lunch - hopefully in the garden - we will finish this characterful heathland friend creating a beauitful finished piece with detail and poise.
9.30am - 5.00pm each day
Taking place in the first floor Swallow Barn - accessed by stairs
£145 home made lunch/ fresh coffee/ home baking etc included
Material Charges £none
"Girls’ Night In' ~ A Two-Day Watercolour Workshop' ~ with Sarah Stokes
Part of a Long Weekend of Watercolours and Charcoal, with Sarah Stokes
'Girls’ Night In' ~ A Two-Day Watercolour Workshop with Sarah Stokes - all abilities.
This cheerful two-day workshop focuses on painting a trio of hens in watercolour — full of character and charm, and all achieved with just three colours and black. All materials will be provided.
Day 1 – Getting Started
We’ll begin by tracing the Hens onto watercolour paper so you can concentrate on painting rather than drawing accuracy. From there, we’ll move on to colour mixing practice, exploring how to create a surprising range of tones and shades from a limited palette.
You’ll spend time getting to grips with the behaviour of watercolour — how it moves, blends, and reacts on the paper — before applying your first loose washes, working mostly wet-into-wet to establish soft shapes and gentle transitions.
By the end of the first day, you’ll have a lovely underpainting with the mood and structure of the piece already in place.
Day 2 – Layering, Detail and Finishing Touches
On day two, we’ll add the third and final layers, deepening tones, strengthening shapes, and starting to bring out each hen’s personality.
You’ll learn how to add texture, form, and fine detail while keeping that expressive, light-handed feel that makes watercolour so fresh.
We’ll also look at simple mark-making and decorative touches to tie the composition together and give your finished piece character and polish.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have:
- A completed painting of three lively chickens full of warmth and charm
- A solid grasp of limited-palette colour mixing
- Confidence in layering, tonal control, and brushwork
- A better understanding of how to handle watercolour with both control and freedom
This workshop is relaxed, friendly, and ideal for anyone who wants to build confidence in their painting while enjoying a creative couple of days with like-minded people. Beginners and intermediates welcome!
9.30am - 5.00pm each day
Taking place in the first floor Swallow Barn - accessed by stairs
£295 home made lunch/ fresh coffee/ home baking/all materials included
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.
'Needle Felted Sheep Portrait of "The Cheviot" ' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
Needle Felted Portraits . . 'The Cheviot' with Helen Hammond
Spend a lovely day being guided through how to make this very popular native Sheep breed 'The Cheviot' using the needle felting process. The piece will have a slightly sculpted low relief appearance, subtly enhancing the natural features and onece mounted, will give the appearance of almost escaping from the frame .
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.
Helen will provide suitable images to encourage individual observational skills to support your creation of this beautiful sheep portrait for you to take home displayed in a supplied deep box frame. Helen loves to inspire and shares her passion for both needlefelting and Cumbria.
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!
9.30am – 4.30pm
£80 inc. fresh coffee, a tasty home lunch, and a cream tea.
Material Charges: £25
Christmas Fused Glass..'Robins and Tea Light Holders' with Michelle of Lakeshore Arts
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass festive Tealight holder/ Robins for Christmas - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will have prepared all the specialist glass set out and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating both a cheerful robin to hang on your tree, or a festive tea light holder for your table. This can be slumped (melted into a shallow bowl shape) if required. You can choose whether to make one of each, or alternatively two of the same.
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 can fuse together correctly. Your finished designs will then be taken away to Michelle's studio and fired, before being returned to Greystoke some weeks later. The finshed pieces 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 the Keswick 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 glass to get an idea of what can be created. You will also learn about 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.
Christmas Fused Glass..'Robins and Tea Light Holders' with Michelle of Lakeshore Arts
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass festive Tealight holder/ Robins for Christmas - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will have prepared all the specialist glass set out and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating both a cheerful robin to hang on your tree, or a festive tea light holder for your table. This can be slumped (melted into a shallow bowl shape) if required. You can choose whether to make one of each, or alternatively two of the same.
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 can fuse together correctly. Your finished designs will then be taken away to Michelle's studio and fired, before being returned to Greystoke some weeks later. The finshed pieces 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 the Keswick 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 glass to get an idea of what can be created. You will also learn about 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.
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.
Autumn Series ... Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash ... Castles, Cottages and more - with Lyn Evans
Thu 29 Oct ~ Thu 5 Nov ~ Thu 19 Nov 2026 Thursday Mornings 9.30-12.30am
A 'Local Artist' collaborative 3 week course with Lyn Evans - please pay your £20 course deposit and your details will be passed to Lyn to collect the balance
Capturing Cumbria in Line and Wash - Autumn Series .3 Thursday AM's, fortnightly - with local artist, Lyn Evans
Join Lyn in the Swallow Barn for these three Thursday mornings in October/ Nov 26 to help you develop and refine your watercolour practice, extending to using line as well as wash, through structured exercises ad gentle feedback. The group will be focusing on the iconic and beautiful buildings of Cumbria., and celebrating the local vernacular where possible.
These painting classes are suitable for the beginner and improver, and will help you to gain confidence in your ability to use Watercolours along with Ink. We love listening in on Lyn's classes up in the Swallow Barn - always lots of fun.
Deposit payments to be paid by Card only please - please select 'Stripe' at checkout and then we will forward your details to Lyn for final payment.
Total course cost for 3 weeks £108 inc tea/coffee/biscuits - comprising £20 non refundable deposit. We will fwd your booking to Lyn who will contact for £88 balance.
9.30-12.30am
£110 inc coffee tea biscuits
£20 deposit and £90 payable to Lyn
Material Charges : bring your own
'Needle Felted Garden Birds ~ 'The Robin' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
Another exciting and inspiring workshop from Helen Hammond in her needle-felted Birds series .... creating one of our bird tables' most frequent visitors - the 'joyful' Robin!
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!
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
reate beautiful lettering using 'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' - with Claire from By Moon and Tide
Discover the joy of lettering at this modern calligraphy workshop, perfect for absolute beginners.
You’ll learn how to use a traditional dippy ink pot and old-fashioned calligraphy nibs to create beautiful, playful lettering in a relaxed and inspiring setting.
Each booking includes your own pen, nib, and ink to take home after the class!
Led by our friendly and experienced tutor Claire, this calligraphy workshop will show you how to get the very best from your tools. You’ll start with swoops and swirls to build confidence, then follow easy templates to progress to simple letters and playful techniques to create your own piece of elegant modern calligraphy art.
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or have tried calligraphy before, you’ll find this workshop welcoming, creative, and lots of fun.
10.00am-12.30pm OR 1.30pm to 4.00pm
£55 inc fresh coffee/tea/home made biscuits
Material Charges : included , and to take home
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
reate beautiful lettering using 'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy' - with Claire from By Moon and Tide
Discover the joy of lettering at this modern calligraphy workshop, perfect for absolute beginners.
You’ll learn how to use a traditional dippy ink pot and old-fashioned calligraphy nibs to create beautiful, playful lettering in a relaxed and inspiring setting.
Each booking includes your own pen, nib, and ink to take home after the class!
Led by our friendly and experienced tutor Claire, this calligraphy workshop will show you how to get the very best from your tools. You’ll start with swoops and swirls to build confidence, then follow easy templates to progress to simple letters and playful techniques to create your own piece of elegant modern calligraphy art.
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or have tried calligraphy before, you’ll find this workshop welcoming, creative, and lots of fun.
10.00am-12.30pm OR 1.30pm to 4.00pm
£55 inc fresh coffee/tea/home made biscuits
Material Charges : included , and to take home
Willow Sculptures ~ Deer with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures : Curlew for summer or a small Deer for Christmas
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.
Hole House Bag making - 'Sew your own Satchel Bag' with Emma Redfern
'Sew your own Satchel' - a two day workshop with Emma Redfern of Hole House Bags
The satchel is a traditional shape, perfect for wearing either cross body or on the shoulder. It's a practical, but smart looking bag that can be made in tweed or canvas weight fabric, with lots of options so it's perfect for personalising.
As this is a two day workshop, you will have the chance to really work on the details of your bag, including which flap shape you choose (or draft your own), the closure, how many pockets to include and whether you make the large or medium size. The outer can also be stitched in two different fabrics for some lovely colour blocking if that's your thing!
We will be stitching a fabric strap too which will be fully adjustable. You will work through these design details at the beginning of the workshop with the tutor, so that you can create your own unique bag with confidence.
This is suitable for adventurous beginners / intermediate sewists: you should be able to thread and use your own sewing machine confidently, a zipper foot is useful if you have one. There isn't any technically difficult sewing but there are some bulky seams to handle.
All specialist materials will be provided, along with full written instructions and a paper pattern to take away with you.
Willow Sculptures ~ Curlews, or Deer with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures : a small Deer for Christmas
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.
Christmas Fused Glass..'Robins and Tea Light Holders' with Michelle of Lakeshore Arts
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass festive Tealight holder/ Robins for Christmas - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will have prepared all the specialist glass set out and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating both a cheerful robin to hang on your tree, or a festive tea light holder for your table. This can be slumped (melted into a shallow bowl shape) if required. You can choose whether to make one of each, or alternatively two of the same.
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 can fuse together correctly. Your finished designs will then be taken away to Michelle's studio and fired, before being returned to Greystoke some weeks later. The finshed pieces 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 the Keswick 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 glass to get an idea of what can be created. You will also learn about 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.
Christmas Fused Glass..'Robins and Tea Light Holders' with Michelle of Lakeshore Arts
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass festive Tealight holder/ Robins for Christmas - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will have prepared all the specialist glass set out and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating both a cheerful robin to hang on your tree, or a festive tea light holder for your table. This can be slumped (melted into a shallow bowl shape) if required. You can choose whether to make one of each, or alternatively two of the same.
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 can fuse together correctly. Your finished designs will then be taken away to Michelle's studio and fired, before being returned to Greystoke some weeks later. The finshed pieces 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 the Keswick 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 glass to get an idea of what can be created. You will also learn about 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.
'Loose Botanicals in Watercolours' with an optional hint of Christmas ...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. Students will need to provide thei own materials as outlined below.
Discovering 'Pen & Wash' - Christmas themed - 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 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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