From mastering the art of silversmithing to learning how to make your own sweetly scented soaps, there's something for every crafter to turn their hand to at New Brewery Arts.
With sessions suitable for absolute beginners, as well as more skilled hobbyists, try something new and get creative with SoGlos’s pick of weekend workshops to try at the Cirencester arts venue this summer.
Weaving at New Brewery Arts
Suitable for all abilities, including absolute beginners, textile artist Amy Hodson teaches participants contemporary tapestry and classic hand weaving techniques using unique framed loops in a half-day workshop; Mairi Gillies shares the meditative process of yarn windings in her off-loom weaving workshop; while handweaver and sustainability advocate Jade Ogden shows crafters how to create a Zapotec-inspired wall panel using organic wool from the south west.
Beginners Handweaving with Amy Hodson takes place on Saturday 3 June 2023 and costs £55; Off-loom Weaving with Mairi Gillies takes place on Saturday 24 June 2023 and costs £55; while Organic Handwoven Wall Panel with Jade Ogden takes place on Saturday 1 July 2023 and costs £90.
Jewellery making at New Brewery Arts
Whether you're keen to master the art of silversmithing or want to get creative with recycled materials, New Brewery Arts has a variety of jewellery making workshops on offer this summer. Silversmith Charlotte Duckworth hosts two workshops teaching budding jewellers how to make a silver brooch or pendant using techniques like cutting, shaping, hammering and soldering; jeweller Hayley Kruger teaches more experienced makers how to set cabochon cut gemstones in silver; while Rachel Colley shows visitors how to make jewellery out of food waste.
Charlotte Duckworth's Make Your Own Silver Brooch session takes place on Saturday 3 June 2023 and Make Your Own Silver Pendant session takes place on Saturday 15 July 2023, with both costing £95; Cabochon Setting in Silver with Hayley Kruger takes place on Saturday 1 July 2023 and costs £95; while Rachael Colley's Biodegradable Jewellery drop-in takes place on Saturday 10 June 2023 and is free to attend.
Plastic-smithing at New Brewery Arts
Jeweller Deborah Beck is literally turning trash into treasure with a workshop on how to make art from discarded single-use plastics. Participants will get to see and feel samples of her innovative items, made using repurposed plastic litter and recycled silver; and have a go at making their own artwork, with visitors encouraged to bring along things like clean plastic bottle tops to use on the day.
Plastic-smithing with Deborah Beck is a free drop-in session taking place on Saturday 17 June 2023, as part of the Meanings and Messages exhibition.
Printmaking at New Brewery Arts
Learn the basics of lino printing with Steph Renshaw's playful half-day workshop, or join her for a full-day session on collagraph printing to learn how to make a printing plate using collage techniques to create interesting, tactile prints. Keen printmakers also won't want to miss Brian Britton's full-day workshop where participants will learn how to design and cut their own lino print and use it to create a set of greetings cards to take home.
Steph Renshaw's Rubber Stamp Printmaking session takes place on Saturday 17 June 2023 and costs £60, with her Collagraph Printing session taking place on Saturday 1 July 2023 and costs £95; while Lino Print Greetings Cards with Brian Britton takes place on Saturday 8 July 2023 and costs £95.
Mixed media at New Brewery Arts
Max Hale introduces budding artists to the endless possibilities of mixed media in this full-day workshop, where participants can use a combination of acrylics, charcoal, ink, pen, pastel and watercolours to create an eclectic selection of experimental artworks in the morning, before progressing onto a larger composition in the afternoon.
Mixed Media in a Day with Max Hale takes place on Saturday 24 June 2023 and costs £95.
Product photography at New Brewery Arts
Dubbed 'London's best product photographer', Yeshen Venema shows crafters and micro business owners how to take their product photography to professional levels, with a half-day workshop covering a variety of different photographic styles; what audiences want; and top tips on lighting, styling and equipment, whether you're shooting at home or in a studio.
Product Photography for Craftspeople with Yeshen Venema takes place on Saturday 8 July 2023 and costs £45.
Soap making at New Brewery Arts
Kelly Allan from Bristol-based Happy Holistics shows participants how to make their own unique, natural soaps using essential oils and herbal ingredients, guiding them through the whole process from understanding aromatherapy, selecting ingredients and building a recipe to creating the finished product.
Soap Making with Kelly Allan takes place on Saturday 8 July 2023 and costs £90.
Sewing at New Brewery Arts
Keen needleworkers can hone their skills in this full-day workshop with Lauren Holloway, learning how to create a zipped pouch and a Japanese-style wax canvas washbag with outer pockets, waterproof lining and a zip closure, using a variety of techniques including boxing corners, edge stitching and interfacing.
Improvers Sewing with Lauren Holloway takes place on Saturday 29 July 2023 and costs £90.
Hand stitching at New Brewery Arts
Get creative with thread and try your hand at a variety of contemporary hand stitch techniques like French knots, herringbone stitch, hand couching and running stitch to create an eclectic sampler to take home in this afternoon workshop with Anne Ward, that's suitable even for complete beginners.
Contemporary Hand Stitch Sampler with Anne Ward takes place on Saturday 29 July 2023 and costs £55.
Bunting making at New Brewery Arts
Nothing says celebration like bunting — and in this full-day workshop, participants can create their very own festive bunting inspired by fairytales and folk art. Ideal for those with some basic hand stitching experience, participants will create a set of colourful pennants featuring charming motifs like birds, flowers, dancing figures and Wycinanki patterns, that they'll want to have on display all year round!
Folk Art Bunting Banner with Kathleen Murphy takes place on Saturday 5 August 2023 and costs £95.
