2344 Courses

Make this unusual Ying Yang with an integrated rustic handle. During the course you will use several different natural coloured willows and apply different weaving techniques to make your basket completely individual. Enjoy a day of craft with refreshments provided. Please bring your own lunch.

Come along and make three attractive willow bird feeders. One to fill with fat balls, one for seeds and a hanging bird table. These make great additions to your garden or thoughtful handmade gifts. You will learn how the willow is cut and processed and learn some of the key willow weaving techniques. Refreshments included, please bring your own lunch

Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting

Stone Carving made a return to the Phoenix last year when we welcomed Mark Stonestreet to come teach us the joys of creating free-standing abstract sculpture. It was an absolutely fantastic course! This year Mark is coming back for more and this time we’re giving the students more stone to create with and more time – 5 days to be precise! The dusty nature of stone means that we will be working under a marquee set within the studio’s beautiful meadow – what better way to spend your summer – especially when none of us can go abroad? Outside of a global pandemic, Mark spends half the year creating sculpture in the South Downs and the other half in Mamallapuram in India – a village of over 200 stone carving workshops. His life is in stone and I liked him the instant we met. He is everything you would expect a stone carver to be – sturdy, weathered (meant in the nicest possible way, I promise Mark!) with a warm, no-nonsense personality that immediately puts you at ease. Our students are in safe hands working with him and I cannot wait to see what they will achieve this year! 23/08/2021 - 27/08/2021 10:00 am - 4:30 pm Location: The Phoenix Studio This fun course includes: Informal, relaxed & attentive guidance for every student, provided by Mark Stonestreet Step-by-step demonstrations covering… How to work with the tools and stone safely, How to create an abstract design that will look good and have structural integrity, How to transfer your design to the stone and carve into it efficiently to create the basic shape, How to add detail and refine the carved form, How to finish and present the form (looking at finishes, treatment, and mounting). This course is for you if: You want to realise drawings and 2D designs into 3D or have an introduction to visualizing your ideas in 3D You want to explore your creativity but lack the confidence to do so on your own You want to learn how to work safely and competently in stone You want to get away from it all and immerse yourself in a fun, creative environment Suitable for? Anyone, but please note that you will be using a chisel and mallet throughout the three days and this will take it’s toll on your arms and body. We generally limit the age to 16 years old+ though exceptions can be made where appropriate. Please contact James Orts and ask. What is included in the price? Five full days tuition (10 am-4.30 pm) Materials, including a piece of Portland stone (approximately 55cm x 25cm x 22cm), safety gear, and the tools you will need for when on the course You could consider making a simple printed course handout outlining the technique’s main principles and useful links/suppliers – Totally your choice though! Tea, coffee, biscuits/cakes Use of a beautiful, purpose-built art studio with all the equipment & materials you will need Beautiful countryside setting Pre-course prep It would be useful to gather, sketch out or think about what abstract shapes you are drawn to. Mark will be able to provide ideas as well and advise you on which of your ideas may work best so having some ideas to work from would be useful. You will be working outdoors so come prepared for the forecasted weather and all students must work in sturdy shoes. You will be sent an automated email on booking which prompts you towards documents that help you prepare for your time here. If this does not happen then please email James before the course.   Beyond The Course Having completed a Phoenix Studio course many of our students choose to explore the medium further. They may come on another weekend course, start coming to our Phoenix Art Club Sessions or our Creative Monday Sessions, or carry on independently at home. We are more than happy to help and advise you in taking those first creative steps! Need accommodation? If you are travelling from further afield and would like to stay in the area for your visit then have a look at our recommend B&Bs and hotels. Click here for the list.

In this starter course you will learn the basics of silversmithing, like soldering, polishing, saw piercing, stamping and texturizing.

During this 12 week course you will have the opportunity to work on your own project ideas to explore your different media choices.

Taking our inspiration from everyday objects, (cups, bowls etc) collections  of natural forms (shells, feathers, leaves) or other types of personal memorabilia as a starting point for developing themes we will create our own layered, collage and stitch ‘Still Life’ or ‘Landscape/Nature Study’

During this 12 week course you will have the opportunity to work on your own project ideas to explore your different media choices.

Sketchbooks are for more than just sketching! In this series of workshops, we’ll explore ways of using a sketchbook to experiment, research, and develop your own creative ideas, leading you towards developing your own unique body of work. Incorporating drawing, painting, collage, writing, and crafting, this workshop will get you trying new things in a small, welcoming group all summer long. During the live Zoom sessions, we'll try out specific ways of using your sketchbook to develop creative ideas. You'll also have a chance to share what you've been working on, and be inspired by the work of others (sharing is encouraged but always completely optional). In between live sessions, we’ll fill our sketchbooks up with writing and images prompted by a series of creative assignments which will have us out exploring the natural and built environment (although many of them can also be completed from the comfort of home). Each participant will be encouraged to deepen their explorations in whatever direction interests them most - be it a series of written reflections, sketches, collages, photographs, mixed-media pieces, or a unique, personal combination of all these. This small-group course includes six live sessions (via Zoom) with Julie, and ‘homework assignments’ for participants to complete in between live sessions. There will be an optional Facebook group for participants to stay connected and share their creations with each other between sessions. You are welcome to join in from any place in the world. The group will be kept small to ensure plenty of opportunities for interaction, sharing, and feedback.

LEARN TO CONSTRUCT A SIMPLE CHEST