Craft Community – Workshops for Everyone

Devon Guild of Craftsmen in collaboration with the Arts Council are offering a series of craft workshop opportunities which can be accessed by anyone who has been affected by loneliness throughout the past year. 

The workshops include materials, sent by post, two practical taught sessions - delivered online - and access to a film of the making process.

You can take part in the workshops by teaming up with a friend or family member, mix the generations (grandparent and grandchild for example) or join in by yourself.

Running throughout May, the workshops are between 1 and 2 hours in length and there are two sessions (parts1and 2) for each activity. 

There is no charge for these workshops but we would like to know your age, your reason for taking part and if you are taking part with a friend or a member of your family or by yourself. 

No previous experience is required for any of these activities; Moths to a Flame and Cut Paper Chandeliers are suitable for children working with an older person. Teenagers could take part in any of the workshops. Basket making will require a pair of secateurs. Older people are particularly welcome to take part. 

Workshops will be delivered with Zoom so you will need a computer and wifi to take part. There will be no more than 6 -8 people taking part in each session so will be able to ask questions.  Each activity will consist of two sessions of approximately 1.5 hours. 

The workshops are:

Imaginary Landscapes, concertina sketchbooks with Charlotte Turner

Charlotte will show you how to make a concertina sketchbook and fill it with the landscapes of your imagination. 

Starting from Scratch, Drypoint Printmaking with Louise Scammell

Louise will show you the steps involved in making a print from a perspex ‘block’ and will print and return your finished work. 

Zoom baskets (and birds) with Stefan Jennings

Using green willow, Stefan will show you, step-by-step, how to make a traditional basket and, if time allows, you can progress to a willow bird. 

(Please note that this workshop is the only one where the materials will not be posted, they will be delivered, so participants will need to be resident in Devon.) 

No Place Like Home: Unlocking Lockdown, papier mache dwellings with Elizabeth Jardine

Elizabeth will show you how to use papier maché as a sculptural material and help you to make a dwelling from your mind’s eye. 

Cut Paper Chandeliers with Mandy Biscoe

Based on Pajaki, pronounced ‘pah-yonk-ee’, traditional Polish chandeliers made from coloured paper and straw, Mandy will show you how to cut and assemble your own eco-friendly chandelier. 

Moths to a Flame with Jenny and Naomi from Art and Energy

Using recycled plastic, Jenny and Naomi will show you how to make beautiful painted moths – some of which will become part of a mass participation art installation for COP26, the UN conference on climate change in Glasgow, November 2021. 

Please use the link below that will take you to further information about the workshops and then to Eventbrite to book your space.

You will be sent your materials by post a few days before the workshop date and a link to the accompanying short film. https://www.crafts.org.uk/craft-community