44 Leather courses

If you’re a beginner bag maker, this Retreat is perfect for you. A whole weekend to immerse yourself in fabrics, stabiliser, professional techniques and tips to boost your confidence and your skills. Hopefully, there’ll be a lot of chat and laughter too! **This retreat is a little different from many others in that making a bag isn’t the point of the weekend, although you will indeed make one. The focus is on learning new transferable techniques and skills that you will be able to use on so many bags you make in the future. We have our own ‘Retreat Suite’ of rooms, including a spacious, light and airy sewing room which is equipped with a display screen so everyone can easily see demonstrations from a working viewpoint. We also have our own bathroom and kitchen facilities. If you wish, you are free to continue work after dinner and until as late (or early!) as you like. You will need to bring your own sewing machine, fabric scissors and any other favourite sewing tools, but everything else is provided. Come and join us in the exclusive Facebook group Bag Makers Retreat at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bagmakersretreat/ for all the latest retreat info, chat, gossip and more, plus a chance to meet other like-minded folks.  If you have dietary requirements, please tell me before you book, so I can be sure we can meet your needs. All meal main courses are included in the retreat fee, as are Saturday and Sunday lunches and breakfasts. Starters, desserts and drinks with meals are not included but the meals are so huge you probably won’t want starters and desserts anyway!! Tea and coffee is available whenever you need, but you do have to make it yourself!  If you’d like to stay an extra night or two, maybe to arrive on Thursday or leave on Monday if you have a long drive, let me know and I’ll check availability with our host. If you’d prefer to travel by train, we are happy to ferry you to and from the station, just ask. Please aim to arrive no later than 2pm as we have a lot of pattern cutting and fabric choosing to get through on Friday! Friday The fun starts here as you arrive at your weekend home-from-home – a beautifully refurbished, 4-star 18th century coaching inn with all the comforts you would expect. You’ll have time to settle into your own delightfully comfortable en-suite room which has all the anticipated little luxuries, before an introductory get-together with me and your companions in the sewing room at 2pm. You’ll be given your own copy of the bag pattern, which is very beginner- and domestic machine-friendly but which will incorporate a lot of features and techniques that are also in much more complex designs, making this an excellent springboard to any bag you want to make. Then you can wallow in the plentiful stash of fabrics to choose from, including some of my exclusive feature panel prints which aren’t available anywhere else. All the materials, interfacing, stabiliser, threads and bag hardware you need are supplied. As soon as you’re ready, you can start preparing and cutting out your pattern and some of the bag pieces so we can hit the ground running in the morning. After a superbly-cooked and substantial evening meal at around 6pm or so, you are welcome to continue working in the sewing room or to simply relax and chat there before bed. Saturday After an excellent breakfast, we can really start work adding to and adapting your bag pattern. You’ll work at your own pace from around 9am with no pressure – I want your weekend to be fun and not stressful! We will walk through the techniques together and I will be there the whole time to answer questions and troubleshoot any tricky bits. You’ll also have the chance to try sewing with faux leather , if you haven’t already, and we’ll explore ways and techniques to use and apply rivets.  Refreshments are freely available all day and you can take a break whenever you wish. A light lunch (with homemade cake!!) is also provided and we’ll have a short break in the middle of the day. The rest of the day will be similar to Friday – sewing, dinner at 6ish and more sewing if you wish to before bed. Do feel free to have a walk or just sit outside for a breather if the weather is kind. Sunday How can it be Sunday already?? Breakfast over, we’ll get back to work. You will need to allow a few minutes to pack and check out of your room, as it has to be made ready for Monday’s guests. Apart from that, it’s uninterrupted sewing (with refreshments and lunch breaks!) until your bag is finished. We’ll be heading off for lunch at 12.30pm or so. We have the sewing room for the rest of the day. If you don’t quite get done, there’s absolutely no need to worry as you’ll easily be able to complete your bag at home. If you finish earlier feel free to head home whenever you’re ready. Amongst loads of other hints and tips, you’ll learn – Interfacings – what to use and not to use Using stabilisers – which is best and why How to create a zipped pocket the pro way Adding a recessed zipper main closure to almost any bag Installing hardware Incorporating a built-in key fob Installing a rectangular base Sewing the bag together and topstitching A sneaky way of getting your bag right-sides-out without ugly seams! An easy way to add a zipper pull without tools Working with different types of rivet machine Faux leather on a domestic machine You’ll have handouts on all the techniques to take home. And I hope you have a lot of fun and make new friends while you learn!!  I never abandon my students at the end of the course so if you get stuck on anything at home, you are welcome to give me a shout on Messenger and we’ll sort out your problem together. The not-so-small print Book your place using the simple booking system below – just click on your choice of dates and go from there. The full price is £395.00. The deposit of £60 is non-refundable if you cancel but can, however, be credited towards a future retreat booked within the next 6 months. It is completely refundable if I or the venue cancel. The booking page only shows the Friday, but the course is running until Sunday. The balance of £335.00 is payable by approx 6 weeks before the retreat date and payment instructions will be sent to you in good time. Cancellations 4 weeks or less before the retreat date can only be refunded if someone on the waiting list can come instead. *Don’t worry that your booking confirmation may be headed Unicorn Studios – it’s just the site that I’ve run my booking system from for years… it’s not a scam!! *

Private soap making class run by The Scottish Soapworks at The Arienas Collective in Edinburgh City Centre

Launch your Detailing Career. Are you looking to launch a detailing career and need to start on the right foot? Level One is ideal for those just about to enter the detailing industry, or those who wish to reset, update and refresh their skills. The aim is to teach you the foundations of vehicle care from assessment up to entry-level machine polishing, to have a successful and reputable business from the very start. Business practices and health and safety are explored covering areas such as pricing, marketing, target clientele, SDS and environmental conformity. This is much more than just a 'how to wash a car'. It gives your new detailing business the best possible start, optimising it for success and backed with a resource for any issues you may encounter. Complete course guide book, ongoing support and certification exam fee are all included in the cost. The Level 1 Course is available as either this standard vehicle course or alternatively a motorbike-focused course. You can also book the Level 1 + Motorbike course as a bolt-on day, if you wish to cover both aspects and open your target market even further.   Available start dates are highlighted in the calendar below, all days are one-to-one so can be booked to suit your schedule. The aim of Level One is ideal for those just about to, or have recently entered the detailing industry, or those who wish to reset and refresh their skills. the aim is to familiarise the candidate with the processes and maintenance of vehicles from a professional and business view, teaching the foundations of correct vehicle cleaning up to the final familiarisation of entry-level dual action machine polishers. Business practices and health and safety are explored covering areas such as pricing, marketing, SDS and environmental conformity. The Level 1 Course is available as either a car or motorcycle course. Alternatively, candidates can book an additional day on Motorcycle Detailing as a bolt-on to an automotive Level 1 Course here. Modules covered on the course are: Washing stages Wash media Environmental considerations Drying methods Bonded contamination and its removal Wheel care and maintenance Glass and hard surfaces Engine bay cleaning Vulnerable surfaces Efficiency and process PPE and safety Clothing and working practices Risk assessment Chemical knowledge Van set-ups Interior detailing Leather and soft surface care Fillers/glazing Dual action machine polishers intro Minor defect identification Paint types LSPs Final presentation Marketing Conflict resolution and customer care Financing Insurance Pricing and quotes Business Administration Memberships Social Media Manual handling Safe working practices Pre-work inspection All levels are accompanied by a full course booklet to jog your memory when needed. Practical assessment takes place as part of the original training session, at the end of the course you will be assigned a (manageable) series of case studies and exercises to complete over 3 months to cement the knowledge. There is then a short externally assessed exam before the optional commencement of Level Two, to ensure there are no weak areas. After which the Level One accreditation is awarded and you can either progress or choose to practice the skills gained with ongoing support. Course Length 3 Days (0930 - 1600) Group Size One-to-One Location UK Detailing Academy, 2 Purlieus Barn, Ewen, Cirencester, GL7 6BY Experience / Qualification Open to all Refreshments or Lunch Refreshments included

Learn the art of leatherwork in a fun, empowering space. Create unique, stylish pieces while connecting with like-minded women. Craft, create, and take home something truly special!

If you've been looking for a welcoming space to explore your creativity, come along to our community art & craft workshops. From ceramics to painting, papercraft to hand printing, you're free to explore your creativity, make new friends & relieve some stress in our relaxed, social environment.

For those seeking perfection in polishing techniques. The UKDA Advanced Machine Polishing (professional) Course is a day for those who would like to develop their technique further on all machine styles to produce the high-end, high-efficiency finish that is the marque of the most accomplished detailers. Taking cues from any existing experience, we will push the boundaries of your polishing abilities over the edge, running rotary DA and forced drives to their limit to give to the skills to drive up your efficiency and perfect paint like never before. The UKDA Advanced Machine Polishing (professional) Course is a 2 day for those who would like to develop their technique further on all machine styles to produce the high-end, high-efficiency finish that is the marque of the most accomplished detailers. Far from there being a consistent method - there are a number of subtle variations you can make to what would be termed a 'standard' technique which will speed up your process, enhance further your gloss extracting capabilities and make the right choice in machine based on paint types, conditions and ancillary equipment. On this day we will run through variables in speed and pad choices, show the differences ambient temperature and rebound can make to a job, explain the different approaches based on clear coat solids, look at how far you can push a painted surface, and much much more. The course is run over two full days (9.30 am - 4.30 pm) and picks up where both our introduction course and the Flexxpert Seminar leave off, so is also the perfect follow-up to those who have attended either course, in addition to those who want to learn all about machine polishing in every style. Alternatively, if you are machine polishing in your day-to-day work outside of detailing and feel you have scope to improve, or you keep coming up against small issues, this is the course for you. Not sure if it suits you? Why not call or message one of our team, and we'll be happy to discuss which course is right for you. Course Length 2 Days (0930-1600) Group Size One-to-One, Up to 2 people Location UK Detailing Academy, 2 Purlieus Barn, Ewen, Cirencester, GL7 6BY Experience / Qualification Competent with preparation and decontamination procedures Refreshments or Lunch Lunch NOT included, Refreshments included

Add a specialism and tap a new detailing market. Motorbike detailing is an untapped market for many detailers. Designed specifically for established Professional Detailers, this course will give you the best-practice knowledge and skills required to perform in-depth detailing and related work on motorcycles in a safe and effective manner, taking the guesswork out of a new sector. You are not required to hold a Motorbike Licence as no riding will be taking place, and all training vehicles will be provided for you. Professional Motorcycle Detailing Designed specifically for established Professional Detailers, this course will give you the best-practice knowledge and skills required to perform in-depth detailing and related work on motorcycles. At the end of the course, you will sit a brief theory assessment to ensure the specific, and general, knowledge has been taken on board prior to the award of your qualification. You are not required to hold a Motorbike Licence as no riding will be taking place and all training vehicles will be provided for you   Course Details: Health & Safety How to market yourself as a Motorcycle Detailer Safe handling of motorcycles - side/centre stands, paddock stands, jacking Assessment of motorbike condition Cleaning, decontamination & preparatory work of the tank, fairings, screen and exposed surfaces: Washing processes, pre-wash & snow foam, acids and alkalis, fallout removers and in-depth cleaning practices Cleaning, decontamination & preparatory work of wheels Suspension, running gear, swing arm and fork degreasing and cleaning Safe fairing panel removal Engine cleaning Chain and sprockets inspection, cleaning and re-lubrication Paintwork inspection and defect identification Introduction to small-area machine polishing equipment Perspex polishing Paint, plastic, wheel, metal, chrome, anodised, powder coat and anti-corrosion protection options Helmet and visor care Theory assessment   This is a very intensive course if you have little experience, and we recommend that those new to the industry or with little experience use it as a bolt-on to another of our training courses. When you leave the Academy it will then be up to you to build on the knowledge you have gained by putting it into practice, with ongoing support from the training team. Course Length 1 Day (0930-1600) Location UK Detailing Academy, 2 Purlieus Barn, Ewen, Cirencester, GL7 6BY Experience / Qualification Completion of Level 1, Level 1 Experience Refreshments or Lunch Refreshments included Group Size One-to-One

Add a specialism and tap a new detailing market. Motorbike detailing is an untapped market for many detailers, but with the right skills can be an excellent source of revenue, especially at the start and end of the summer when many bikes are removed from or put away for storage. Designed specifically for established professional detailers, this group session 1-day course will give you the best practice knowledge and skills required to perform in-depth detailing and related work on motorcycles in a safe and effective manner. This helps you take the guesswork out of a new sector and introduces you to the techniques to safely work on and handle motorbikes, correctly assess and decontaminate them, and perform a full motorbike detail. You will need a basic level of competency as an existing valeter or detailer, as there is a certain assumption of existing technique to build on. You are not required to hold a motorbike licence however as no riding will be taking place and all training vehicles will be provided for you.   Availability If no dates are showing as available in the calendar, you can sign up for updates to find out when new dates are released and new course developments. Professional Motorcycle Detailing Group Day Designed specifically for established Professional Detailers, this group course will give you the best practice knowledge and skills required to perform in-depth detailing and related work on motorcycles. As this relies on prior basic knowledge, you will need a basic level of competence in a professional car care environment. You are not required to hold a Motorbike Licence as no riding will be taking place and all training vehicles will be provided for you.   Course Details: Health & Safety How to market as a Motorcycle Detailer Safe handling of motorcycles - side/centre stands, paddock stands, jacking Assessment of motorbike condition Cleaning, decontamination & preparatory work of the tank, fairings, screen and exposed surfaces: Washing processes, Pre-wash & snow foam, acids and alkalis, fallout removers and in-depth cleaning practices Cleaning, decontamination & preparatory work of wheels Suspension, running gear, swing arm and fork degreasing and cleaning Safe fairing panel removal Engine cleaning Chain and sprockets inspection, cleaning and re-lubrication Paintwork inspection and defect identification Introduction to small-area machine polishing equipment Perspex polishing Paint, plastic, wheel, metal, chrome, anodised, powder coat and anti-corrosion protection options Helmet and visor care Course Length 1 Day (0930-1600) Location UK Detailing Academy, 2 Purlieus Barn, Ewen, Cirencester, GL7 6BY Experience / Qualification Level 1 Experience Refreshments or Lunch Refreshments included Group Size Up to 10 people

Level Three, the final learning stage of our professional development courses, aims to bring you to the highest standard of advanced detailing skill through the spectrum of; rotary polisher techniques, wet sanding by machine and refinement, a full understanding of SMAT and DAT polishes and compounds and their role in efficiency and correction on different paint types, a wide selection of pads and equipment such as nano polishers and attachments. Mechanical training in wheel removal and jacking on multiple vehicle styles allowing deep cleaning access to vehicle arch and components, and specialist finishes on carbon fibre, GRP and gel coat are examined, demonstrated and explained. Level Three aims to bring you to the highest standard of advanced detailing skill, through the spectrum of rotary polisher techniques, wet sanding by machine, a full understanding of SMAT and DAT polishes and compounds, a wide selection of pads and equipment such as nano polishers and attachments. Mechanical training in wheel removal and jacking on multiple vehicle styles allowing deep cleaning access to vehicle arch and components, and specialist finishes on carbon fibre, GRP and gel coat are examined and explained. • DAT/SMAT technology • Pneumatic polishers and sanders • Advanced Dual Action technique • Rotary machine polishers • Glass polishing • Wheel removal • Under-arch cleaning • Cleaner chemistry • Time management and planning • Trim and seat removal • In-depth interior detailing • Cloth types • Advanced Dual Action technique • Rotary machine polishers • Mini/nano machine polishers • Wet-sanding • Advanced pad types • GRP, carbon and insulative substrates • Badge and trim removal • Texture levelling • Show preparation • Ceramic coatings • Polymer coatings • Coating troubleshooting • Coatings after-care • Fillers and glazes for show finishes • Business management • Business administration • Safe working practices • Safe vehicle lifting - ramp/jacking • Workshop planning • Advanced chemical knowledge • Risk assessments • Gloss meter usage • PPE • Employee management Following completion of training and ongoing assessment, case studies and exercises will lead to the level three exam and, upon grading, award of our advanced detailing Level 3 Detailing. Course Length 3 Days (0930 - 1600) Group Size One-to-One Location UK Detailing Academy, 2 Purlieus Barn, Ewen, Cirencester, GL7 6BY Experience / Qualification Completion of Level 2 Refreshments or Lunch Refreshments included

Everyone has what it takes to become an effective leader, but first you must learn the skills needed to succeed in a position of responsibility. Our program will help people nurture the talent within and allow managers to lead confidently. Sometimes, working longer hours isn’t the right approach, as you risk burning out and abandoning the task at hand. Instead, effective leadership teaches you how to organise your workload, practice better time management and learn the power of delegation.