Run from our indoor workshop in Tenterden, Kent, we’ve put this one-day leather working course together for anyone with an interest in leather, craft, or who simply wants to explore another avenue of bushcraft. You don’t need any previous experience with leather working as you will learn the core skills and techniques on the course. It’s a perfect introduction to making traditional leather items. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable day, join our experienced craftsman, Paul Bradley, in a leather working day that focuses on leather work tools, design and construction. We have designed this course around the making of a simple notebook holder. We have chosen this as a project as it covers all the basic skills required to produce almost any small leather goods. There is also large scope for customisation of your project. Along the way you will learn about different leathers, techniques and tools. Typically, you will, under the expert guidance and instruction of Paul Bradley: - Use the provided pattern to produce a leather cover for a standard 5.5 x 3.5 notebook - Be guided on how to design and draw out and customise a pattern - Learn all about the different tools used in leather working and how to use them - Learn how to cut out, assemble and mark for stitching - Learn and practice the techniques of the traditional saddle stitch to complete the assembly of your notebook - Learn how to finish your project with edge burnishing techniques and other small but important details that add to the overall professional look. A really great chance to begin a lifetime of making beautiful things! About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. This course is held in a purpose built indoor workshop. What's included in the price? All tools, equipment and materials are provided, as well as a free notebook to take away with you. Tea and coffee provided. Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts
Come get creative with the Includes us too team with themed craft activities to enhance your imagination… you only need to pay for EACH child attending.
Commission an original, traditional and quirky Portrait in oils, acrylics or digital sketches
Learn the Essentials of Gift Wrapping & have some fun with your team this festive season What’s included (and how it will help): Step by step tuition covering all the Essential Techniques of gift wrapping so they never need to grab a gift/bottle bag again Practical guidance on tying different styles of Ribbon Bow so they can confidently use them on any gift (and when it’s best to use each one) Learn Pro tips so you feel less overwhelmed & can gift wrap quickly at busy times Plus all materials are provided A class is a great opportunity for team building/bonding so that people get to know each other outside of a work setting and/or meet people in person. It’s an inclusive alternative to a Christmas party (boozy meals/discos aren’t for everyone) and everyone gets to take away a gift at the end of the class. Packages start from £597 for groups of up to 10 people. Dates & times can be booked to suit. Book a call below to discuss your requirements.
Fish and small game made up an important part of our hunter gatherer ancestors diet, meaning that hand knitted net making was a crucial skill to master. A net is an openwork fabric in which threads are fused, looped or knotted at their intersections at regular intervals and have long been used for fishing and trapping animals, as hammocks, or simply as a means of carrying things around. So we’ve put together this net making course to show you how to make your own net from entirely natural materials so that you can go away and make your own net for a variety of situations. You’ll start the day by looking at natural cordage as you’ll need cordage to make your net! We’ll discuss various plants and trees that can be used to make cordages, such as nettles, brambles, lime bast and the inner bark of sweet chestnut. With the materials prepared, we’ll show you how to make a simple 2 ply cord and then, How to plait, braid or ply them. From there you’ll move on to net making itself and will cover: The various netting tools available and different materials they can be made from, How to begin a net, How to change the size and shape of your net, How to finish off your net, How to join nets together to make a bigger one. By the end of this net making course you will have the skills and knowledge to make your own nets from scratch, either for fishing or trapping small game, or even to make your very own net bag! Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. What's included in the price? We'll supply all tools and materials for the course. We'll make sure the kettle is on the go and supply tea, coffee and biscuits. Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts
Working bone is a skill that was fundamental in our journey towards making evermore effective and reliable tools. Not only that, but making bone tools allowed our hunter gatherer ancestors to share a deeper connection with, and understanding of, the animals that they were so dependent upon. Bone is a versatile material that can be used to make all manner of tools and craft items ranging from simple designs to very intricate. The use of bone allowed us to create more effective clothing utilising tools such as needles and pins. In a recent find, 500,000 year old bone tools were found in Britain, highlighting just how far back in time they stretch. During this one day course you will learn techniques on how to work bone using other natural materials such as flint and abrasive stones, as well as selecting specific bones to create different tools. The day will start by discussing some of the points above and looking at a selection of bone tools such as: Needles, Awls, Harpoons, Spear tips and Arrow heads. After that it will be time for you to warm up those fingers and start shaping some bone! About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. What's included in the price? We include all tools, equipment and materials. The kettle is always on for tea and coffee. Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts
This pole lathing course has been carefully designed for those who would like to develop their craft skills working with traditional, sustainable materials in a stunning ancient woodland location. Don’t worry if you don’t have any previous greenwood working skills, we’ll guide you through the prcocess from start to finish. Whilst we’re certain that you’ll leave us with some great hand crafted items, you’ll also leave us with new found confidence and ability and an appreciation of the wondeful material that wood is. We’ll start the course by showing you how to safely use an axe. We’ll look at selecting your wood, splitting techniques and a variety of methods to cross cut the wood for the raw materials. You will be shown how to cleft greenwood and use an axe, draw knife and a shave horse to shape the wood. You will then get to use a traditional woodland pole lathe where students have turned dibblers, rolling pins, spirtles, honey drizzlers, chair legs and even potato mashers!! All of the materials you use are sustainably sourced from our own woodland in line with our management plan. About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. What's included in the price? Turning tools, froes, draw knives, a selection of axes are all provided. Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts
Located between Canterbury and Ashford, join us on the beautiful Kent Downs for this introductory 1 day basket weaving course. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were particularly skilled at making baskets using a host of different materials for a wide range of uses, from purely practical to ceremonial. We’ve put together this basket weaving course for anyone who would like to learn this fabulous skill. This day course will look at the ancient craft of willow basketry. You will be introduced to the materials and tools required and then be guided through the process to make your own round, handled, willow basket. About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. Through the day we will also look at: - Alternative weaves such as randing and wailing - How to make oval and rectangular shaped baskets - Different border designs, - Collecting and preparing your own materials from the hedgerow. Time permitting we will also explore other methods of basketry such as coiled and rubbed baskets. What's included in the price? We will provide all tools and materials as well as a plentiful supply of tea and coffee. Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts
Located between Canterbury and Ashford, join us on the beautiful Kent Downs for this introductory 1 day coiled basket course. Coiled baskets are baskets made from bunches of plant fibres such as straw or hay, Those fibres are wound in a continuous spiral around themselves. The coils are kept in place using thread, the work being done stitch by stitch and coil by coil. Coiled basketry was practiced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors all around the world. They were commonplace in the British Isles, although more so in Scotland; in England they were often referred to as lip work baskets. We’ve put together this coiled basketry course for anyone who likes to use their hands and would like to learn this fabulous ancestral skill. You will be introduced to the materials and tools required and then be guided through the process to make your own round, coiled basket. Throughout the day you will: Learn how to create all the elements of a coiled basket, so the base, the sides, stitching and how to finish it all off with a border. We will discuss care of your basket, making different basket shapes, and alternative materials that can be used as well as hay. At the end of the day you will come away with the satisfaction of having created a wonderful basket that’s unique and has a wide range of practical uses. About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. What's included in the price? We'll supply all tools and materials for the course. We'll make sure the kettle is on the go and supply tea, coffee and biscuits. Cancellation policy Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts