Applied Craft Workshops

COURSE NOW FULLY BOOKED This course is held over two dates and you must be able to attend both, places are limited to six people. All the course takes place in Barbel's cosy workshop behind the Cromarty Pottery, Shore Street, Cromarty. Saturday 3 February 10am - 4pm Saturday 17 February 10am - 2pm This day and half course will teach you: how to throw a pot on the wheel hand building techniques using slabs and coils how to sculpt small pieces decorating fired and unfired surfaces, glazing and slip trailing With building and throwing all completed on the first full day, your pieces are left to dry for a week to 10 days, then fired by Barbel the potter. Over the second, half-day, part of the course, you will decorate and glaze your work. One week later your finished masterpieces will be ready to collect from Barbel’s pottery in Cromarty. Pieces can be shipped for cost. This course is suitable for complete beginners and the more advanced potter or ceramist. Barbel Dister originally trained as a tile-stove builder in Hamburg, before travelling across Europe working in potteries in Germany, France and Scotland. In 1990 she came to Cromarty to work in Alison Dunn’s Cromarty Pottery and has been here ever since. She specialises in hand-making beautiful and distinctive ‘terracotta’ domestic ware and decorating and painting it by hand using ceramic pigments, white slips and slip-trailing. Her favourite motifs include cavorting ladies, flowers, birds and animals. £140 per person, booking or to go on waiting list :email [email protected] or call 01381 600354.

WRITING WORKSHOP - Old Brewery Loft Studio Getting your writing out into the world. Whether you're a short story writer, novelist, life writer, or poet, sharing your writing can be a daunting prospect. There's a fear of criticism and vulnerability. But when you do share, you are welcoming in a whole new writing community and a support network that not only makes your writing stronger, but makes the prospect of publication even more likely. This half-day workshop by award-winning writer Sian Meades-Williams will cover everything from finding your writing tribe and building your own writing network, to entering your work into competitions and submitting for publication. The gentle practical exercises will help you shape your writing goals for 2024, and guide you towards dusting off your writing from your desk drawer and help you get it seen and shared with a new audience. Sian Meades-Williams is a poet, author and freelance writer living in North London. Her work has been published by the New York Times, National Geographic, and Sunday Times. Her poems have been published by Little Living Room and Green Ink. Her latest book, The Pyjama Myth: the Freelance Writer’s Survival Guide, was published by Unbound and in 2022, her historical novel-in-progress, Belville, won the Yeovil Literary Prize. £35, tea & coffee provided. Booking: download booking form here or email [email protected] or 01381 600354 Photo by Julie Kim  

Lotta Dress * Cleo Dungaree Dress * Stevie Tunic Dress or Top Rebecca the Sewist is back! Have you ever fancied making your own clothes?  Picked up a pattern but felt unsure about where to start well this is the perfect course for you.  Suitable for people who have a basic knowledge of how to use a sewing machine. The class will give you the skills and confidence to make your own clothes from patterns in the future. You will have the option of making the following beginners patterns from Tilly and the buttons.  The Stevie Tunic or Top, Cleo Dungaree Dress or the Lotta Dress. You will be guided through how to copy the pattern, cut the fabric and construct the garment.  All sewing tools will be provided though you are welcome to bring your own kit too. Sewing Machine  You will be required to bring your own sewing machine (which can be left securely overnight within the sewing room) this allows you to learn and become familiar with your own machine. There are a limited amount of extra machines available if you do not have your own machine please enquire upon booking.  £125, includes pattern, haberdashery, tea and coffee, bring a packed lunch. You will need to buy the material to make your dress, instructions will be emailed 3 weeks before the class.  Booking: download the booking form here and email it back to [email protected]

This one-day workshop is a brief introduction to the world of coiled basketry The coiling technique for basketry has been used across the globe for millennia. Tutor Aurore Whitworth will introduce you to some of the many materials and techniques that can be used by beginners. At the end of the day you will go home with a least one coiled basket crafted with your very own hands and the confidence and experience to do more! Materials and tools will be provided. Aurore started her basketry journey with coiled baskets, a craft she learnt with the late Jeanette Nowak in Shetland.  Coiling is a technique used in basketry the world over for millenia. Its used to make practical items but also items for purely aesthetic value, they are items of beauty and ceremony. Traditionally coiling has used materials growing and available in local environments, but modern society offers makers the chance to use almost any material available easily and this offers us a chance to be infinitely creative in how we approach our individual making projects. A selection of materials will be available for experimentation. If you have materials you would like to try and incorporate into your project please feel free to bring them along. The workshop will involve extensive stitching and threading so be prepared for that! Needles and some basic tools will be provided but if you have favourite scissors bring them along. £75, includes tea, coffee and all materials. Please bring a packed lunch. Booking download the booking form here, or email [email protected]  

Join artist and experienced tutor Jill Welham on this day and a half course and learn all about cyanotype, aslo known as sun printing. You'll take home your own tote bag. The course will teach you: how to create traditional cyanotypes on  both paper and fabric a brief history of the process mixing the required chemicals applying the chemicals creating the finished design on a canvas tote bag On day one you will learn the basic process of cyanotype and create traditional blue and white photograms on paper using leaves, flowers, feathers and lace. In the afternoon you will have chance to make some wet cyanotypes on paper. You will then prepare some fabric samples and a tote bag with chemicals which will be left to dry overnight. On the second day you will create cyanotypes on the fabric samples and a finished design on your tote bag. You will have the opportunity to make your own paper stencils to use for your tote bag design as well as using plant materials This course is suitable for complete beginners and those with a basic knowledge of the process. Jill has been making cyanotypes for over ten years and in 2019 was the overall winner of the International Garden Photographer of the year with one of her wet cyanotype photograms.  Saturday 10am - 4pm (bring a packed lunch) : Sunday 10am - 1.30pm Tickets £120, includes tea,coffee and all materials. Booking: download the booking form here or email [email protected] : 01381 600354  

Rebecca the Sewist is back! Ilford Jacket Class from the Friday Pattern Company The amazing Ilford Jacket is a unisex pattern, suitable for confident beginners. This jacket can be made in a light linen or floaty woven fabric perfect to cover up as the evening draws in. A versatile pattern that can be made in many different fabrics, with lots of options for Pockets! Learn to sew pockets, collars, buttonholes and most importantly your very own jacket! £125 includes pattern, haberdashery, tea and coffee, Bring a packed lunch. You will need to bring the fabric for your jacket. Requirements will be sent out 3 weeks before the class. Booking: Download the booking form here and email it to [email protected].

TWO DAY JEWELLERY WORKSHOP - SILVER RING & SILVER EARRINGS Taught by talented jeweller and tutor Ailsa Wilde, over this two day course you will learn: ● to work with metals in sheet and wire form; copper and silver ● skills in fine jewellery making ● the hot connection process of soldering ● how to file, texturise, shape and finish in silveR DAY 1: Silver Ring During the first half of day one, you will be introduced to working with copper, developing skills in texturising and mark making through samples and learning the hot connection process of soldering, by creating a simple prototype ring in copper. Over the second half of the day, you will develop and consolidate your fine jewellery skills through the design and making of a final silver ring. DAY 2: Silver Earrings During the morning of day two, you will complete any final soldering or finishing required on your silver ring from the first day. You will then be introduced to working with silver wire, where you will create a pair of silver drop earrings. This will combine and consolidate your skills developed over the course of the two day workshop. This course is suitable for complete beginners and the more advanced jeweller. £170, includes tea, coffee and all materials. Please bring a packed lunch. Booking: Download a booking form here and email it to [email protected] or 01381 600354 Ailsa Wilde is the founder of Wilde Workshops and the jeweller behind the jewellery. Ailsa’s own passion for jewellery making began in 2005 when she embarked on her BA (hons) in 3 Dimensional Design at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, specialising in jewellery making. After living in New Zealand for 3 years, she came back to Scotland to set up a small jewellery business, Crafty Wolf, and study a PGDE to become a secondary Design & Technology Teacher. After 6 years of teaching at a private school in Edinburgh, Ailsa has returned to her hometown in the Highlands with her family, where she continues to teach full time as a Design & Technology teacher. Ailsa has written course material and introduced an SQA approved National Progression Award (NPA) in Jewellery. This is the first, and currently only school in the Highlands to offer this qualification to young people. Ailsa is a dedicated and driven teacher and a passionate jeweller, who strives to educate and create with each delivery of Wilde Workshops.

A one-day introduction to traditional leaded stained glass with Anne Ferguson. FULLY BOOKED - Still places on sunday. You will experience each stage of creating your own small panel from selecting and cutting the glass, through to assembly and completion - no experience required.  All materials will be provided. Age 16+ £90  Bring a packed lunch, tea and coffee provided.

A one-day introduction to traditional leaded stained glass with Anne Ferguson.  You will experience each stage of creating your own small panel from selecting and cutting the glass, through to assembly and completion - no experience required.  All materials will be provided. Age 16+ £90 Booking : download a booking form here, fill it in and return as an attachemet to [email protected] or 01381 600354 Bring a packed lunch, tea and coffee provided.

In this two day workshop you will start your journey into the colourful world of Fair Isle knitting. - SOLD OUT, contact us by email if you would like to be added to the waiting list. [email protected] You will learn about the history of Fair Isle knitting and why it is such an important part of the Shetland islands history. You will learn how to stand two colours at a time using specific techniques and how colour is so importantly put together in fair isle knitting. We will use Shetland yarn to create either a headband or cowl and will work on this during the weekend.  You will also learn how to read fair isle charts, whilst knitting in the round. This workshop is suitable for those with basic knitting knowledge, and can knit, purl, rib, cast on and off confidently and are looking to start out on their fair isle journey. Your tutor Sophie, pictured below, has been knitting from a young age and now teaches knitting and fibre work all over the Highlands. All Shetland yarn is included in the price, please bring one pair of circular needles, 40cm long and 3.25mm needle size.  £125, included tea and coffee, bring a packed lunch.     

An intensive, six-day workshop in cutting fine lettering in stone with Master Craftsman, Robbie Schneider.  The focus will be equally on tools and cutting technique and essential drawing skills for letter design, spacing and layout.  The object of the course is to give a firm foundation through an understanding of both carving technique and purpose-drawn lettering.  Stone and all tools will be provided.  This course is suitable for basic level entry as well as apprentices or those with previous experience in lettering and working with stone carving tools. £600, includes all materials, tea, coffee and lunch every day. Booking call 01381 600354 or [email protected] Comfortable accommodation available at the Old Brewery. Six nights bed and fully cooked breakfast for £200. Robbie Schneider specialised in letter design, lettering sculpture and inscriptional letter carving after studying sculpture at Camberwell and Byam Shaw Art Schools in London. Working in Stone, wood, metals and other media, Robbie’s interest in the integration of text, material and form has gained him a reputation for both technically accomplished and innovative work, winning him many public and private commissions. Robbie exhibits regularly and is chairman of the Scottish Lettercutters Association, former chairman of Letter Exchange and an elected member of the Royal Society of Sculptors. Robbie teaches regularly and has run courses in Britain, Europe and Australia. His work can be found throughout Britain from Kent in the south to Shetland in the far north.

TWO DAY JEWELLERY WORKSHOP - SILVER STACKING RINGS & SILVER BANGLE Taught by talented jeweller and tutor Ailsa Wilde, over this two day course you will learn: ● to work with metals in sheet and wire form; copper and silver ● skills in fine jewellery making ● the hot connection process of soldering ● how to file, texturise, shape and finish in silveR DAY 1: Silver Stacking Rings During the first half of day one you will be introduced to working with silver, developing skills in texturising and mark making through samples in copper and learning the hot connection process of soldering, by creating a texturised ring. This will be the first of your stacking rings. Over the second half of this workshop, you will develop and consolidate your fine jewellery skills through the making of two further silver rings, which will complete your trio of silver stacking rings. DAY 2: Silver Bangle During the first half of day two, you will be working with thicker silver wire, developing skills in texturising, mark making and soldering, by creating a silver bangle. Over the second half of the day, you will develop and consolidate your fine jewellery skills through texturising, filing and finishing of your silver bangle. This course is suitable for complete beginners and the more advanced jeweller. £170, includes tea, coffee and all materials. Please bring a packed lunch. Booking: Download a booking form here and email it to [email protected] or 01381 600354 Ailsa Wilde is the founder of Wilde Workshops and the jeweller behind the jewellery. Ailsa’s own passion for jewellery making began in 2005 when she embarked on her BA (hons) in 3 Dimensional Design at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, specialising in jewellery making. After living in New Zealand for 3 years, she came back to Scotland to set up a small jewellery business, Crafty Wolf, and study a PGDE to become a secondary Design & Technology Teacher. After 6 years of teaching at a private school in Edinburgh, Ailsa has returned to her hometown in the Highlands with her family, where she continues to teach full time as a Design & Technology teacher. Ailsa has written course material and introduced an SQA approved National Progression Award (NPA) in Jewellery. This is the first, and currently only school in the Highlands to offer this qualification to young people. Ailsa is a dedicated and driven teacher and a passionate jeweller, who strives to educate and create with each delivery of Wilde Workshops.