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.

Autumn SERIES of 4 'Dynamic Floral & Landscape Abstracts in Ink and Watercolour' - with Lyn Evans. Thursdays.

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

Learn to paint a Looser Ink and Watercolour  ~ a four-week Series with local artist, Lyn Evans 

Join Lyn in the Swallow Barn for four Thursday mornings this Autumn to help you become looser in your watercolour and ink practice, through structured exercises, gentle feedback, guidance and encouragement.

Lyn says ' We will use watercolours and acrylic inks and experiment in producing exciting and vibrant landscapes, florals and abstracts.  Beginners will love having the ability to produce lovely work quickly and those with more experience will enjoy learning new techniques and putting them into practise. We will start at 9.30 am and paint til 12.30 with coffee to help concentration! If you are new to painting I think you will love this as much as workshop painters do! '

These painting classes are suitable for the beginner and improver, will help you to gain confidence in your ability to paint and use Watercolours and Ink. We love listening in on Lyn's classes up in the Swallow Barn -  always lots of fun. 

 


A textured Porcelain Plate or Jug ~ with Cath Ball of 'Stitched Ceramics'

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

           AM workshop     Porcelain Plate    10.30am -12.30pm 

+/or     PM workshop     Porcelain Jug       1.30pm -  3.30pm   

Choose either the morning or afternoon sessions depending on the piece you wish to make.  If both sessions are booked a tasty lunch is included.

We are delighted to welcome talented Cumbrian artist, Cath from Stitched Ceramics offering these two lovely short courses over one day.

You will be using hand building techniques to make your very own beautiful plate, or vase, using gleaming white porcelain clay. Once rolled out using special 'guides', Cath will show you how to add special textures to the surface of the clay using a collection of laces and fabric. If you have any of your own textured fabrics/lace, that you'd like to include, please bring them along. 

Your piece will then be carefully tranpsorted to Cath’s studio, based in Thursby, near Carlisle,to be glazed and fired. When complete you can collect your Porcelain from either Thursby, or Greystoke or can choose to have it then posted out at an extra charge (around £6).

We hope you'll love using your special textured Porcelain for many years to come. They are also safe for you to use in the oven or dishwasher.


'Impressionist sketching - light effects in oil pastels' with Roy Simmons

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

Impressionist sketching; light effects in oil pastel with Roy Simmons ...  Beginners and intermediates.

The French impressionists changed art, just about everyone agrees on that. What interests me is how they worked in colour to create those memorable paintings. In your resource pack will be a number of reproductions of impressionist paintings. We will discuss them, and find ways to use the effects and colour designs in our own work. A little Colour theory, a lot of fun! Our first oil pastel painting will be a copy of a Claude Monet painting, I will demonstrate and you will follow along, step by step. We will try to think like Monet! Then we will make paintings based on these techniques, bringing impressionist ideas into our work, initially ‘borrowing’ their light and colour effects. Then using our own design ideas, to make colourful and dramatic paintings.

We will start with a 'loosening up' sketch, 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

10.00am – 4.00pm
£78 Lunch included
Material Charges: £5 everything is provided 


Willow Sculptures 'Hens and Cockerels,' with Phil Bradley

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures

It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.

People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden. 

2024     Curlews Wed 27 Mar    ~  Hares Wed 10 July  ~   Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct   ~   Deer Wed 13 Nov 


Autumn Colours' in mixed media with Frances Winder

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

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


'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy in Summer ' with Claire from by Moon and Tide

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more!  This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!

The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her,  for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!

You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours! 

By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.


'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy in Summer ' with Claire from by Moon and Tide

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more!  This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!

The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her,  for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!

You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours! 

By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.


Discovering Watercolours with Margaret Jarvis

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

First Steps in Watercolour paints looks in depth at colours, colours mixing techniques washes shading and brush techniques. It is the most useful place to start for those wishing to learn the basics in an enjoyable, thorough day of discovering the world of watercolours. Even those with considerable experience say they learn a lot from this class.

If you are new to painting and would like to start somewhere, we can highly recommend Margaret Jarvis, an outstanding local tutor for Beginners and Improvers in both Watercolours. Margaret brings a wealth of knowledge and confirms that you don't need to be able to 'draw' to paint with watercolours. It's all about technique. This course provides a good grounding in watercolour techniques.

Sunday 24 November 2019 Discovering Watercolours & Christmas Cards if wished


Two Day Sterling Silver Jewellery making Course Quirky Workshop

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones

On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.

Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.


Sterling Silver Jewellery 2 days with Melinda Scarborough

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones


On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace.   Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.  

Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time.  All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.

10.00am – 4.30pm
£195 Lunch included
Material Charges from approx £25 in 2023


Sterling Silver Jewellery - 3 Silver Rings in a day - with Melinda Scarbrough

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones


On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.

Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.


Loose Botanicals for Christmas ... with Lyn Evans

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

Lyn will teach you how to employ loose watercolour techniques, allowing the pigment and water combination to work their own magic without too much interference being necessary.  You could also include other tools, such as pens, inktence pencils, watercolour pencils, salt and twigs, to be used along side your paints, to obtain the beautiful effects from the watercolours. 

Although Lyn usually likes to paint her watercolours from life, (and you are welcome to bring specimens if freely available)  we will be using references photos for this course as well. 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 their own materials as outlined below.

The iconic shapes of winter's Christmas foliage and flowers ...  holly, ivy, berries, snowdrops, hellebores and pointsettia - along with their festive colours, make lovely subjects for this festive workshop.  Your pieces could later be 'reproduced' (at the local print shop) and used along with 'blank card/ envelope sets' (widely available online)  to make some really special hand painted Christmas cards this year.

At the end of the day everyone should have at least one lovely piece of work to take home.


Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'

This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.


Hand Printed Christmas Cards & Tags in Lino Cut with Sue Rowland

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

A lovely, festive printmaking day with Sue, suitable for beginners or improvers, learning the basics of cutting and hand printing of your own unique lino design to create an edition of stunning Christmas cards on a selection of different coloured backgrounds and using different inks. Friends and family always love to receive handmade cards and they are fun to make!

You will also have the opportunity to create a range of hand printed gift tags to use on your Christmas presents. You can use your card design for this or if there is time you can cut a new image to use.

You will learn how to plan out your design and transfer this to a piece of lino approx. 15 x 15 cm before learning how to cut your design using lino tools. Sue will demonstrate importance of mark making and texture which you will use first in a sample piece and then in your own design. The close up demonstrations by Sue will be live streamed and projected to a large screen, meaning everyone will be abe to follow instructions from the comfort of their desks with ample spacing.

You will learn hand printing and burnishing techniques so that you will be equipped with the skills and confidence to repeat this process after the course at home if you like the technique. Sue will arrive with many ink colours, so you'll be able to produce both one colour and multicolour designs by varying the inking up. Plus there will be some exciting and festive metallic inks to use as well.

The course will be fun and informative and allow for developing your creative ideas.Please bring along some of your own Nature / Foliage based ideas, 'though don't worry if you're feelng uncreative,  Sue will be able to supply some simple templates too.

Please note:  People with arthritis in their hands/ arms or severely strained wrists or hands may struggle with cutting the lino and find this course difficult.


Willow Weaving ~ Angels with Phil Bradley

Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses

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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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.

Autumn SERIES of 4 'Dynamic Floral & Landscape Abstracts in Ink and Watercolour' - with Lyn Evans. Thursdays.


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
24 October - 14 November 2024

Learn to paint a Looser Ink and Watercolour  ~ a four-week Series with local artist, Lyn Evans 

Join Lyn in the Swallow Barn for four Thursday mornings this Autumn to help you become looser in your watercolour and ink practice, through structured exercises, gentle feedback, guidance and encouragement.

Lyn says ' We will use watercolours and acrylic inks and experiment in producing exciting and vibrant landscapes, florals and abstracts.  Beginners will love having the ability to produce lovely work quickly and those with more experience will enjoy learning new techniques and putting them into practise. We will start at 9.30 am and paint til 12.30 with coffee to help concentration! If you are new to painting I think you will love this as much as workshop painters do! '

These painting classes are suitable for the beginner and improver, will help you to gain confidence in your ability to paint and use Watercolours and Ink. We love listening in on Lyn's classes up in the Swallow Barn -  always lots of fun. 

 

Full Details »

A textured Porcelain Plate or Jug ~ with Cath Ball of 'Stitched Ceramics'


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
08 November 2024

           AM workshop     Porcelain Plate    10.30am -12.30pm 

+/or     PM workshop     Porcelain Jug       1.30pm -  3.30pm   

Choose either the morning or afternoon sessions depending on the piece you wish to make.  If both sessions are booked a tasty lunch is included.

We are delighted to welcome talented Cumbrian artist, Cath from Stitched Ceramics offering these two lovely short courses over one day.

You will be using hand building techniques to make your very own beautiful plate, or vase, using gleaming white porcelain clay. Once rolled out using special 'guides', Cath will show you how to add special textures to the surface of the clay using a collection of laces and fabric. If you have any of your own textured fabrics/lace, that you'd like to include, please bring them along. 

Your piece will then be carefully tranpsorted to Cath’s studio, based in Thursby, near Carlisle,to be glazed and fired. When complete you can collect your Porcelain from either Thursby, or Greystoke or can choose to have it then posted out at an extra charge (around £6).

We hope you'll love using your special textured Porcelain for many years to come. They are also safe for you to use in the oven or dishwasher.

Full Details »

'Impressionist sketching - light effects in oil pastels' with Roy Simmons


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
09 November 2024

Impressionist sketching; light effects in oil pastel with Roy Simmons ...  Beginners and intermediates.

The French impressionists changed art, just about everyone agrees on that. What interests me is how they worked in colour to create those memorable paintings. In your resource pack will be a number of reproductions of impressionist paintings. We will discuss them, and find ways to use the effects and colour designs in our own work. A little Colour theory, a lot of fun! Our first oil pastel painting will be a copy of a Claude Monet painting, I will demonstrate and you will follow along, step by step. We will try to think like Monet! Then we will make paintings based on these techniques, bringing impressionist ideas into our work, initially ‘borrowing’ their light and colour effects. Then using our own design ideas, to make colourful and dramatic paintings.

We will start with a 'loosening up' sketch, 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

10.00am – 4.00pm
£78 Lunch included
Material Charges: £5 everything is provided 

Full Details »

Willow Sculptures 'Hens and Cockerels,' with Phil Bradley


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
13 November 2024

A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures

It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.

People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden. 

2024     Curlews Wed 27 Mar    ~  Hares Wed 10 July  ~   Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct   ~   Deer Wed 13 Nov 

Full Details »

Autumn Colours' in mixed media with Frances Winder


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
15 November 2024

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

Full Details »

'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy in Summer ' with Claire from by Moon and Tide


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
16 November 2024

Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more!  This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!

The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her,  for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!

You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours! 

By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.

Full Details »

'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy in Summer ' with Claire from by Moon and Tide


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
16 November 2024

Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more!  This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!

The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her,  for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!

You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours! 

By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.

Full Details »

Discovering Watercolours with Margaret Jarvis


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
17 November 2024

First Steps in Watercolour paints looks in depth at colours, colours mixing techniques washes shading and brush techniques. It is the most useful place to start for those wishing to learn the basics in an enjoyable, thorough day of discovering the world of watercolours. Even those with considerable experience say they learn a lot from this class.

If you are new to painting and would like to start somewhere, we can highly recommend Margaret Jarvis, an outstanding local tutor for Beginners and Improvers in both Watercolours. Margaret brings a wealth of knowledge and confirms that you don't need to be able to 'draw' to paint with watercolours. It's all about technique. This course provides a good grounding in watercolour techniques.

Sunday 24 November 2019 Discovering Watercolours & Christmas Cards if wished

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Two Day Sterling Silver Jewellery making Course Quirky Workshop


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
22 November 2024

Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones

On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.

Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.

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Sterling Silver Jewellery 2 days with Melinda Scarborough


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
22 November 2024

Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones


On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace.   Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.  

Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time.  All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.

10.00am – 4.30pm
£195 Lunch included
Material Charges from approx £25 in 2023

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Sterling Silver Jewellery - 3 Silver Rings in a day - with Melinda Scarbrough


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
24 November 2024

Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones


On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.

Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.

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Loose Botanicals for Christmas ... with Lyn Evans


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
30 November 2024

Lyn will teach you how to employ loose watercolour techniques, allowing the pigment and water combination to work their own magic without too much interference being necessary.  You could also include other tools, such as pens, inktence pencils, watercolour pencils, salt and twigs, to be used along side your paints, to obtain the beautiful effects from the watercolours. 

Although Lyn usually likes to paint her watercolours from life, (and you are welcome to bring specimens if freely available)  we will be using references photos for this course as well. 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 their own materials as outlined below.

The iconic shapes of winter's Christmas foliage and flowers ...  holly, ivy, berries, snowdrops, hellebores and pointsettia - along with their festive colours, make lovely subjects for this festive workshop.  Your pieces could later be 'reproduced' (at the local print shop) and used along with 'blank card/ envelope sets' (widely available online)  to make some really special hand painted Christmas cards this year.

At the end of the day everyone should have at least one lovely piece of work to take home.

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Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
01 December 2024

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.

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Hand Printed Christmas Cards & Tags in Lino Cut with Sue Rowland


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
04 December 2024

A lovely, festive printmaking day with Sue, suitable for beginners or improvers, learning the basics of cutting and hand printing of your own unique lino design to create an edition of stunning Christmas cards on a selection of different coloured backgrounds and using different inks. Friends and family always love to receive handmade cards and they are fun to make!

You will also have the opportunity to create a range of hand printed gift tags to use on your Christmas presents. You can use your card design for this or if there is time you can cut a new image to use.

You will learn how to plan out your design and transfer this to a piece of lino approx. 15 x 15 cm before learning how to cut your design using lino tools. Sue will demonstrate importance of mark making and texture which you will use first in a sample piece and then in your own design. The close up demonstrations by Sue will be live streamed and projected to a large screen, meaning everyone will be abe to follow instructions from the comfort of their desks with ample spacing.

You will learn hand printing and burnishing techniques so that you will be equipped with the skills and confidence to repeat this process after the course at home if you like the technique. Sue will arrive with many ink colours, so you'll be able to produce both one colour and multicolour designs by varying the inking up. Plus there will be some exciting and festive metallic inks to use as well.

The course will be fun and informative and allow for developing your creative ideas.Please bring along some of your own Nature / Foliage based ideas, 'though don't worry if you're feelng uncreative,  Sue will be able to supply some simple templates too.

Please note:  People with arthritis in their hands/ arms or severely strained wrists or hands may struggle with cutting the lino and find this course difficult.

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Willow Weaving ~ Angels with Phil Bradley


Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
05 December 2024

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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