2711 Recreational courses

Within this day you will learn how to mould a part of your/your partners/ your childs body in a safe, non toxic, water based material called alginate. You will then learn how to make a cast from that mould using a sculpture plaster. Once the cast is removed from the mould you will learn how to 'fettle' the cast in other words make it perfect, then you'll have the option of adding a colour to the cast or mounting it on a stand. What you learn during the course can be used to cast your children's hands and feet when you're back at home, I can supply all the materials you need to do this. I've been running this type of workshop for 25 years so I'm very experienced in the process. I cast my own mothers hands about a year before she died and they are my most prized possessions as they have picked up so much detail

During this class we will explore the creation of abstract sculpture starting with the development of ideas, shapes and forms, then we will use some composite sculpture material to transfer your ideas from a sketch to a 3 dimensional work. The material we use is rigid but very easily worked with rasps and reduction paper so you'll quite quickly gain confidence in working with it. We will supply a dust mast if requred You don't need any prior experience in sculpture or a background in art to enjoy this course, I'll take you through all aspects of the creative process. At the end of the day you'll have a piece of work to take away but we will also have discussed how to take your original to the next stage which will be moulding and casting to re-produce it in a hard wearing material.

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!! *

Two Day Hand Stitched Leather Bag Workshop Evancliffe Leathercraft

Our classes are friendly open & flexible in their scope, covering all aspects of stone carving for all skill levels.

Masterful use of shape can take your work to new heights, add vitality and energy to your work with improvised free cut shapes is the goal of this workshop. Exercises will focus on sharpening your awareness of the role shape can play in your work. Ideas will be developed by using fused fabric studies. Fabric compositions will be developed using piecing and raw edge fused collage. Learn to use shape and colour confidently by fusing, appliqueing, piecing or stitching them to add movement and direction to your work. Working with a variety of shapes you will learn how to add a new graphic quality by stitching or overlapping colour to make an individual free-form composition.  You may choose to work by hand or machine or both.

This course is ideal for all, from beginners to confident makers. You will learn the basics of leather craft for accessories and be introduced to techniques including machine stitching on leather, hand finishing and hand cutting. You will also be working with the full spectrum of leather types from soft leathers and suedes to a hard sturdy veg tanned leather. This is a perfect introductory course to start your journey into leatherwork and bag making as you will experience the wide variety of tasks involved in the work. In order to complete your bag in a day we will use part pre-prepared components and the bag will be made from a ‘Hands of Tym’ pattern but do not fear there is still plenty of work for you to do. During the day you will be directed by your tutor Leathersmith and London College of Fashion Lecturer Georgie Tym to make a 'Turned seam' Leather backpack with drawstring and flap closure. It will have raw edge straps with buckles to adjust and one flat pocket. The dimensions of the bag are 250mm x 310mm x 200mm. The bag is fully lined and it will be the same construction as the bag in the photos - please contact for more info or view online Parking available on the drive with easy access via the M40. Banbury train station is a 30 min walk. Trains run from both London Marylebone and Birmingham to Banbury in 50mins. Also well connected to Reading, Oxford, Leamington Spa to name a few. Maximum class size is 3-4 What's included in the price? There are no additional costs. All leather, hardware and other materials will be included. There will be a selection of leather and hardware colours for you to choose from.There will be lunch served at midday and tea/ coffee breaks throughout. Cancellation policy Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts About Georgie at Hands of Tym During training at Cordwainers, London College of Fashion in 2010 I learnt how to design, make and manufacture bags professionally. Following a varied career in Accessories design and development across many roles and international brands I set up Hands of Tym in 2016. The courses I offer are suitable for all, from experienced to total novice. Come along to learn something new, and design and make your own leather bag in a day.

Learn how to solder silver clay jewellery on this one day intermediate class in Edinburgh's City Centre.

We are very pleased to announce that Stephen Goldsmith aka the Gold polishing Guru is coming to our workshop 925 to teach his Masterclass June 2023 . If you’re in the industry, he needs no introduction but for anyone who hasn’t heard of him, he is a master of the polishing craft with over 50 years experience, his client list past and present includes, Asprey, Garrard, Theo Fennell, Hamilton and Inches Crown Jewellers of Scotland, The Royal Mint, The Royal Society. He has polished and restored many famous silverware pieces including the Americas Cup; Davis Cup; Wimbledon Cup and the Premier League Cup and he has also advised the Tower of London Jewel House on the upkeep of their silver collections. He also judged the polishing section of Goldsmiths craft and design awards. WHEN: Thursday 20th and Friday 21st February 2025 WHERE:  Workshop 925 based at The Mayford Centre, just outside of Woking and very close to Guildford. Unit F9 The Mayford Centre, Mayford Green Woking, Surrey  GU22 0PP TUTOR: Stephen M Goldsmith ABOUT STEPHEN: Stephen M Goldsmith started out at Rochester Art college, now known as University for the Creative Arts and was apprenticed at C.J Vander’s in 1971 and indentured with The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths’. Now a Master Polisher of over 50 years’ experience, originally working for the Crown Jewellers Asprey & Garrards and well-known society jeweller Theo Fennell. Many of the pieces polished are now seen in Palaces, Museums and the rich and famous across the world. Stephen is one the most respected jewellery & silver polishers and is currently is teaching polishing across Europe and is known affectionately as “The Gold polishing Guru”. He has polished and restored many famous silverware pieces including the Americas Cup; Cricket World cup, Wimbledon Cup, Dubai Gold Cup, Premier League Cup. He has also been privileged to work in the jewel house at the Tower of London restoring The Grand Punch bowl made in 1830 and used by the Royal family on many occasions. Also known for polishing the largest pure gold coins made by the Royal Mint the largest being the James Bond 7kg pure gold coin. He is a fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths (IPG) and their official ambassador and a Master of The Dutch Guild of Goldsmiths. He shares his trade skills by teaching nationally and internationally including at Goldsmiths Centre, School of Master Jeweller’s Birmingham and VanTol & Breet Academy (Netherlands), The School of Jewellery Dublin & The Design & Craft Irish Craft Council in Kilkenny, Vannilla Ink, Aka_bespoke Manchester, Sheila Fleet in Orkney, Patrick Mavros in Zimbabwe and Mauritius. Stephen is a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths’ and was granted the Freedom of the City of London in 1975. He has also had the very rare honour of winning The Goldsmith’s Company Award twice, plus many other prestigious awards and served as a council member for The Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council and a published authority on polishing precious metals “Polishing and Finishing for Jewellers and Silversmiths by the Crowood Press. WHAT DOES THE DAY INVOLVE? We are very pleased to announce that Stephen Goldsmith aka the Gold polishing Guru is coming to our workshop 925 to teach his Masterclass June 2023 . If you’re in the industry, he needs no introduction but for anyone who hasn’t heard of him, he is a master of the polishing craft with over 50 years experience, his client list past and present includes, Asprey, Garrard, Theo Fennell, Hamilton and Inches Crown Jewellers of Scotland, The Royal Mint, The Royal Society. He has polished and restored many famous silverware pieces including the Americas Cup; Davis Cup; Wimbledon Cup and the Premier League Cup and he has also advised the Tower of London Jewel House on the upkeep of their silver collections. He also judged the polishing section of Goldsmiths craft and design awards.You can get a glimpse of what he does on his instagramWHAT HAPPENS DURING THE MASTERCLASS?First, Stephen will talk about his career giving you an insight into the makings of a master craftsman. Then he will demonstrate just why he is known as master polisher. After this demonstration you will be guided by Stephen to try and replicate what you have been shown in the demonstration.After working through a few more exercises you will set to work on your own jewellery, receiving guidance on not just how to achieve the finish you would like for your jewellery but to reach a standard of finish you didn’t know you could.These Masterclasses are a great opportunity to learn from someone who is:a) A true master in our tradeb) Not a grump or condescending because you don’t know somethingc) Happy to chat and share his knowledge!All you need to bring is some of your own jewellery (around 6 items) at the point where it’s ready for polishing.You will have a spindle that is yours for the duration of the masterclass, mops, materials etc will be provided. It can be a messy business so make sure your clothing is workshop friendly!You will also have full access to our workshop, benches, tools and equipment if needed.This Masterclass will leave you with the knowledge and skills to take your polishing to a highly professional standard. EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: This class will benefit jewellers with some experience who are looking to learn to polish their work to a professional level. Our small classes mean we are able to provide each student with the support they require. CLASS SIZE: 6 WHAT TO BRING: For safety reasons, during each class, you are required to wear appropriate footwear, we request that no open toed shoes are worn within Workshop 925. Long hair should also be tied back when working with the equipment. You may also wish to bring a notebook. We have handouts for many demonstrations, but there are always many tips and tricks given verbally by the tutor, which some might like to keep note of. We have a microwave, kettle and fridge to store or cook your lunch choices. PAYMENT OPTIONS: You can pay via our website or in our workshop in person using our card machine. If you prefer to pay directly, you can email us on hello@workshop925.com and we can invoice you manually to arrange a bank transfer. For classes over £80, instalment options are also available. Please email us on hello@workshop925.com to arrange. Gift Voucher – if you have a voucher to redeem, please email us before booking on hello@workshop925.com Please check your dates carefully before booking a class as we are unable to offer refunds. See our Terms & Conditions for full details.

If you would rather have a one-to-one tutoring rather than a group lesson, I can acommodate for this.  I teach broad pen, pointed pen and brush styles.