Workshops for Craft Festival 2024

At Craft Festival, we have a range of bookable and drop-in workshops for all ages. Our workshops are very popular and most sell out quickly.

Click the workshop link and you can book direct. All 2 hour workshops are £25 + Booking fee, which is payable at the time of booking.

The workshop fee does not include entry into the show. To book a workshop you must be over 16 years of age. Some workshops are 18+ please, check carefully before booking. We have a range of free workshops for children and young people from ages 2-18 years in the Craft Lab.

To Book Your Workshops, hover and click over the workshops. You will be directed to our booking system. 

Friday June 6th 2025

BT1 Friday June 6th 11am-1pm Suminagashi ink marble a Japanese bound book with Rachel O'Connell from Rocworx V1

Suminagashi ink marbling, is an ancient endangered heritage craft, first originating from Japan, dating back as far as the 8th Century. It is a perfect introduction to marbling and is known to help calm anxiety.  During this workshop, you will make several organic patterns, using the movement of air and simple tools to create concentric circles and organic shapes in the ink on the surface of the water.  We will use both black and coloured inks to create patterns.  We will then make a simple stitched Japanese bound book using the patterned paper, some needle and thread.  All materials, tools, aprons and gloves are provided.

BT2 Friday June 6th  11am-1pm Stitched Paper Brogues with Jenniver Collier V2      

Creating decorative paper shoes from found and recycled papers. You will be show a range of paper construction techniques to create your Brogue(s), as well as a range of hand stitches to embellish it.  You will also have the option to decorate a shoebox to take it home in.

BT3 Friday June 6th 2pm-4pm Make a silver charm bangle with Naomi Davies V1

Learners will form silver wire into a bracelet which will be soldered to form a round or oval bangle using mallets and mandrels. Learners can then cut charms from silver sheet using piercing saws which can be joined to the bangles using jump rings.

BT4 Friday June 6th 2pm-4pm Spooncarving Taster with Alex Finberg

Discover the joy of carving your very own wooden cooking spoon in this beginner-friendly workshop led by author and award winning spooncarver Alex Finberg. Learn essential knife techniques, safety tips, and the basics of working with green wood in a relaxed, supportive environment. Perfect for those new to carving, this hands-on session will leave you with newfound skills and a beautiful handmade spoon to take home.

Saturday June 7th 2025

BT5 Saturday June 7th 11am-1pm Make a lap jointed trivet out of English timbers with Jo Weaden From Studio Arvor V1

Learn how to hand cut a lap joint using a variety of English timbers and create a trivet to keep your kitchen or dining table surfaces safe from hot items. This is suitable for complete beginners and for anyone that would like to learn about some of the woodworking tools and how to correctly use them. We will be working with a combination of hand tools such as a chisel, saw and plane. The workshop is for 18+.

BT6 Saturday June 7th 11am-1pm Everlasting Plants in Paper Plants in Pots with Jennifer Collier V2

Creating everlasting paper plants in handmade paper plant pots that you can enjoy all year round, from found and recycled papers and botanical illustrations. Jennifer will demonstrate every step of the process, from constructing your plant pot, creating the soil, selecting which illustration to use and will be embellished with hand stitch. All materials and equipment are provided but you may wish to bring your owns special papers, books, maps, botanical illustrations and ephemera to personalise your work.

BT7 Saturday June 7th 2pm-4pm Hand-Tied Broom Making Workshop with Bristol Broomworks V1

Join us for an engaging and hands-on Hand-Tied Broom Making Workshop, where you'll learn the traditional craft of creating your very own hand broom from natural materials! This workshop will guide you through the process of selecting materials, the fundamentals of hand-tied broom making, tying the broom itself and learning a little about broom history and lore. Whether you're a crafting novice or a seasoned maker, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, explore your creativity, and leave with a beautifully crafted broom that you can proudly use in your home. All materials will be provided, and no prior experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to learn! 18+ only and hand strength and dexterity in both hands required.

BT8 Saturday June 7th 2pm-4pm Darn it! Beginners Darning Workshop with Darn Good Studio V2

Join Molly Rooke from Darn Good Studio to learn the basics of darning knitwear. A great skill to learn to keep your knitwear for longer and bring in beautiful colours and patterns to accentuate the repairs you have done. You'll learn how to sew a traditional woven darn that can be used in a multitude of ways. Samplers will be provided but do feel free to bring knitwear that you'd like to get advice on repairing.

Sunday June 8th 2025

BT9 Sunday June 8th Make a personalised silver ring with Naomi Davies 11am-1pm  V1

Learners will cut strips of silver to their ring size and shape into rings and learn by demonstration how they are soldered together. rings can be stamped and/or textured using punches and hammers. Learners will finish with a unique silver ring.

BT10 Sunday June 8th 11am-1pm Carve a simple Celtic Design on limestone with Sculptworks V2

A celtic design will be supplied and transfered onto the limestone.Tequinques of chopping and chasing, layering and finishing will be learnt using hand carving tools  The final achievement  will be the finished result of a celtic relief carving.

BT11 Sunday June 8th 2pm-4pm Make a marbled leather key fob with Rachel O'Connell from Rocworx V1

Choose from a range of coloured marbled leather made from repurposed leather ballet slippers received from Royal Ballet and Opera.   In this workshop you will use simple tools to make your key fob.  You will learn how to cut, edge and rivet your leather.  You will thin the leather if required, using a skiving tool and finish by using a rivet puncher and a hammer to finish assemble your key fob with a hand forged copper rivet.  Option to emboss the key ring with your initials.

BT12 Sunday June 8th 2pm-4pm Carve a small soapstone sculpture with Maria Moorhouse from Sculptworks V2

Create a small soapstone sculpture using hand carving  tools hammer and chisels, files and learning  the creative technique of intuitive carving your leave the session with your own unique hand carved sculpture.

Our workshops are hosted in Workshop Venue 1 & Workshop Venue 2. Please present your ticket to your tutor. Upon arrival at Craft Festival, turn immediately left at the entrance. The workshop venues are ahead of you, beyond First Aid.