Blended Monkey was founded by husband and wife team, Simon and Louise Taggart, whose woodturning and pottery studios are based in a small village on the Norfolk/Cambridgeshire border, where the surroundings and changing seasons provide ample inspiration for some of the designs and ideas that can be found in their pieces.

"Our Blended Monkey gardens provide ample inspiration for our work, and is the perfect setting for woodturning & pottery courses. Louise (ceramicist) - I studied at the Falmouth School of Art & Design and I am interested in various art forms, design and applied arts. Simon (woodturner) - I have been teaching woodturning for many years and I love working with wood & exploring its versatility." - Louise & Simon

They offer half- and full-day 1-2-1 or pairs experiences, including their unique "2 Crafts in 1 Day" workshops where the students gets to explore woodturning in the morning and then pottery in the afternoon.

All workshops include refreshments; the full-day workshops also provide lunch - catering to all requirements and allergies.

Simon and Louise are keen supporters of and fundraisers for the Mind charity, and the past few years have seen Simon and Louise focus their efforts on offering creative therapy workshops to provide rehabilitation and therapy for people of all ages who are suffering with brain trauma, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. They are also increasingly seeing students who are coping with poor mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSD …) often resulting from stressful jobs which take their toll physically & psychologically.

The regular practice of any art or craft is incredibly beneficial in the treatment of those with poor mental health or who are rehabilitating after a brain trauma. Simon and Louise have seen amazing results in some of their students who come to them regularly to create with wood & clay. They work together with care associations, council departments & individuals to tailor their half- or full-day workshops to suit the individual needs of the student. They really enjoy sharing their woodturning and ceramics expertise and their lovely environment to contribute towards the rehabilitation and therapies of people in need.