Atelier Beside the Sea

Get prepared for Christmas and minimise your impact on our planet by joining textile artist Deborah Manson in exploring natural dye and the Japanese craft of ‘Furoshiki’. Translating into ‘Japanese bath spread’, this traditional practice was originally used to bundle clothes while at the sento or public baths. Fast forward to current times, the wrapping cloths have been adopted as a method to wrap gifts and other items with the advantage of being reusable time and time again. Using the technique of Bundle Dye and Shibori, Deborah will teach you...

This one-day course is an exciting way to work with papers, collage and Printmaking. As an accessible medium you will discover the freedom of expression, experimentation and joy that combining print and collage can create. Covering a variety of techniques, you will be able to experiment with different papers. Printing your own collage papers and using pre made samples, we will look at how these can be used to create a set of printed impressions. The nature of this course allows you to let your creativity roam free and will...

Learn how to make cordage (string) from a variety of plants, including common garden plants and a vegetable or two. You will learn different ways of preparing the various plants to extract their fibres for making into natural cordage. A range of samples will be shown to inspire you on how to incorporate cordage into your own craft projects. String has many varied uses, and can be seen as the basis of human culture. Some would argue that it’s one of the main skills that make us human as it...

Join jeweller Laila Smith over three Wednesday's on this course starting 5th January that will introduce you to the many fundamental skills in jewellery making. Whilst creating beautiful, unique jewellery you will learn about techniques such as forming, shaping, texturing and soldering metal during this 3-week course. A number of projects will be covered starting with a textured silver ring, moving onto a shaped pendant or earrings. You will learn about working with sheet metal and wire and you will be able to customise each project to your own style....

You will leave this two-day course (two Mondays) with knowledge of gemstones and the ability to complete a rub over setting into either a ring or pendant that you have made. Suited for someone who has some basic knowledge of jewellery making (soldering, piercing and filing metal) you will be taught how to select gemstones based on the suitability of your design, colour and budget choices. A selection of gemstones will be on hand to select from. Starting with an introduction to gemstone properties and a technical demonstration you will:...

During this two day highly experimental course with Mary Dalton you will be able to explore a range of printmaking methods in combination to create some truly unique, dynamic pieces. With the space and support to develop your own language of expression, you will be able to create hybrid prints through demonstrations and support from your tutor. You will learn the basic techniques of: • Lino print • Collagraph • Paper Dry-point • Monoprint • Hand printing • Table top press printing The course will involve a mixture of demonstrations,...

Join textile artist Deborah Manson in this one-day workshop to make a unique 40cms x 40cms hand sewn patchwork quilt. Deborah will begin by talking about her own practice and showing you examples inspiring you to design your own unique patchwork composition using colour and shape, a selection of Deborah’s naturally dyed fabrics, and your own fabric scraps. Using a basic hand stitch technique, you’ll learn to piece your fabrics together using both straight and curved lines then add texture with hand quilting using Japanese sashiko threads and finishing your...

Join renowned textile artist Anne Kelly for a day of hand embroidery and textiles collage to create a beautiful piece of work referencing the stunning beach front surroundings at Atelier Beside the Sea. Using coastal plants, shells and the famous beach huts as inspiration, the aim is to produce a central image, collaged and added to with lace, ribbon and stitch. Anne will expertly guide you through the process of layering materials, using mixed media textiles and hand stitching to create a piece of truly unique art work. Anne Kelly...

Course summary: This exciting course will appeal to anyone who is interested in creating 3D sculptures, forms and vessels. Working with paper porcelain, you will learn how to create complex structures and how to introduce a range of textures using a variety of methods and materials. A versatile medium, you will be able to run away creatively with the support of Tamar to create an object of your choice to proudly display at home. At the end of the session Tamar will take your work back to her studio to...

In this course you will learn the process of carving and printing a linocut, experimenting with colour and technique to create printed artworks. The perfect course for a beginner over the three sessions you will work towards creating and developing your own designs and imagery through supportive discussions with Melissa. Working from source materials the group will work on creating sketches and drawing to then transfer onto the Lino. Melissa will demonstrate how to use a variety of cutting tools to create your print block to then ink up and...

This Sewing for Beginners course is an ideal way to get into making your own garments, bags and accessories. In this warm, friendly atmosphere under the expert tuition of Bennet, you will learn everything you need to know to get started on a domestic sewing machine. Through making a zip-up case, you will learn all of the features of the machines and the fundamental skills and techniques in home-sewing. The case is ideal to use as a make-up bag, sewing essential kit or even a good old fashioned pencil case!...

Working from your own photographs and using layers and pieces of silk organza you will work to build a delicate collage. Once your collage is built and using your photographs as a reference point, Emily will guide you through the process of hand stitching the details. Careful consideration and instruction will be given to the eyes, nose and mouth, with an emphasis on less is more. Using colour selection, direction and density of stitches you will be able to add depth and character to your portraits. Emily Jo Gibbs is...

During this relaxed session, Sarah Elwick will demonstrate a range of techniques used in visible mending. These techniques are specifically aimed at mending or darning knitwear rather than woven garments. Garments can be hand or machine knitted. Working with your own garments she will help you plan an approach to mend these to revitalize it into a beautiful original work of art. With a mindful approach and a passion for sustainability, Sarah will host this session trading tips, techniques and anecdotes about her textiles career. Sarah Elwick is an experienced...

This course gives you an exciting introduction to the world of wax carving for jeweller’s. Flexible and accessible, it is a method that offers beginners a way to work without expensive equipment. For the more experienced it can open a world of new forms and structures that are not able to be made other ways. During the first three sessions you will be taught how to take jeweller’s carving wax and using cutting, filing and heating methods, create a wax carved ring. Your wax will be cast into sterling silver...

Learn how to make a small coiled basket from grass, learning what grasses you can harvest and how to process them. The basketry technique of coiling is an ancient one and as an option there’ll be bone needles available to make your basket the way our Stone Age ancestors may have. The sturdy basket that you will make is perfect for storing eggs and other similar sized objects. You will also leave the course with all the knowledge you need to make another yourself at home. Suitable for all levels,...