Contact Name: Stephen Stockbridge
This craft course provider has been awarded Platinum status for receiving 50 or more 5 star ratings from previous students.
The Students' Choice award ensures that course providers get recognised for their efforts in the teaching and practice of UK craft.
They also allow tutors to gain valuable feedback on their courses and for new students to find the course that's right for them.
Creative Nature HQ is a London based creative space that offers a range of craft courses that help to develop new skills and a knowledge of a wide variety of natural materials and processes. These activities can help deepen a sense of well-being through connection to natural materials and simple repetitive actions.
My name is Stephen Stockbridge, I run Creative nature HQ, I'm a trained sculptor and worked as an engineer. I have over 30 years of experience professionally making and teaching.
Stephen creates a wonderful atmosphere of group togetherness which produces a feeling of working as a team in a safe environment. Guidance, assistance and encouragement provided is there as and when required allowing scope for all involved to feel that they are contributing to a collective objective.
I had a amazing day at Creative Nature HQ. The teacher/artist, Stephen, was very friendly and has incredible knowledge of wood carving/sculpture and wood working tools. Stephen started by welcoming me and making me a nice cup of tea. I enjoyed my tea as he gave me a tour of the studio/workshop and its facilities. During the walk around he explained and demonstrated what the tools are and how they are used. After this introduction I was shown how to make a mallet out of a solid piece of Ash. This is a very simple and clever process which was really satisfying to do. After lunch I learnt how strip the bark from a large oak tree trunk. I then got involved in some large tree trunk carving (be warned this is highly addictive :-) ). I sculpted by using a variety of specialist carving chisels and of course the mallet I had made earlier. All in all the day was very enjoyable. The studio is spacious and bright and Stephen was extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgable.
Highly recommend this class.......Great day. Thank you Stephen.
Really great experience! My husband and I went along to the space last week and had the best time. I have never carved before, but found my self instantly involved in the process. Not only a great way to learn a new skill, but also to get to know new people, share stories and have a laugh! More than worth it!
What a great day out! Stephen was a great trainer and facilitator. We started with an outline of the group and how it helps people, a safety briefing and course objectives. Stephen then took us through tools and techniques, demonstrated what he wanted us to achieve and some top tips. We were then left to try out what we learnt.
As the day progressed we tried other tools, techniques and projects. Stephen kept and eye and ear on what we were doing and was able to help us correct course in a positive manner.
The atmosphere was relaxed, friendly and positive. Plenty of breaks for tea, biscuits and chat.
Overall we came away with feeling happily tired out with new skills and the feeling that we had contributed to a community project.
Highly recommended. Thank you!