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Elka

Contact name: Ellie Fisher
78
Total bookings
Rating
(130)
over 6 years
with CraftCourses

Maker's bio

ELKA is a weaving and natural dye studio based in Hampshire. Ellie spent a large part of her childhood living abroad and travelling. The vibrant markets of the Middle and Far East triggered her passion for colour, texture and pattern and this influence is expressed through her textiles. She completed both her BA in Textile Design, specialising in woven textiles, and MA in Design for Textile Futures at Central St Martins College of Art and Design, graduating in 2006. After graduating, she moved back to Winchester to set up her weaving business which she has been running full time since 2015. In 2018 Claudia (Ellie's mum) started working with the business to produce naturally dyed yarns for Ellie to weave with, and to sell on our website. If you are too far afield to join us on an in-person workshop, we have a growing range of online self-paced courses which have been designed to get you confidently weaving and natural dyeing from you home.

Courses, kits & gifts

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An Introduction to Natural Dyeing with Starter Kit. A self-paced online course.
98 items left
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An Introduction to Natural Dyeing. A self-paced online course
96 items left
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Frame Loom Weaving Starter Kit with Online Beginner Weaving Course
89 items left
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Frame loom weaving: A comprehensive guide to becoming a weaver - a self-paced online course
9 items left
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Frame loom weaving: A comprehensive guide to becoming a weaver - a self-paced online course PLUS kit
17 items left
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Hand woven dress belt
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Hand woven dress belt with tassel
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Hand Woven Scarf 'F*** It #5'
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Hand woven scarf 'F*** It #6'
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Hand woven scarf 'F*** It #8'
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Hand woven scarf 'F*** It #9'
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Handwoven Key Lanyard - Flame
2 items left
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Handwoven Key Lanyard - Ocean
2 items left
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Handwoven Lined Key Lanyard - Flame (gold lining)
1 item left
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Handwoven Lined Key Lanyard - Ocean (marine lining)
2 items left
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Introduction to Botanical Inks and Paints
6 hours
Next date: 27th Oct 2024
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Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving, Crawley Village Hall, Hampshire
6 hours
Next date: 16th Oct 2024
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Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury, Wiltshire
6 hours
Next date: 23rd Nov 2024
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Introduction to frame loom weaving: beginners guide - a self-paced online course PLUS kit
99 items left
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Introduction to frame loom weaving: beginners guide - a self-paced online course
97 items left
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Introduction to Inkle Loom Weaving Workshop, Crawley Village Hall, Hampshire
6 hours
Next date: 13th Nov 2024
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Introduction to Inkle Loom Weaving Workshop, Salisbury
6 hours
Next date: 14th Feb 2025
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Introduction to Natural Dyeing, Mere, Wiltshire
6 hours
Next date: 26th Oct 2024
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Introduction to Off-Loom Weaving Workshop, Crawley, Hampshire
6 hours
Next date: 22nd Jan 2025
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Introduction to Off-Loom Weaving Workshop, Salisbury
6 hours
Next date: 14th Dec 2024
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Introduction to Table Loom Weaving, Crawley Village Hall, Hampshire - Two Day Workshop
12 hours
Next date: 11th Dec 2024
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Introduction to table loom weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury - Two day workshop
2 days
Next date: 24th Jan 2025
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Rainy Days Wall Hanging Fibre Pack (Materials & E-book)
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Rainy Days Wall Hanging Weaving Kit (Loom, Materials & E-book)

Recent reviews

All maker's reviews
15 Oct 24'

Nicola reviewed: Introduction to Botanical Inks and Paints

"I attended this day course in September and it was an absolute joy. The host was so friendly, professional and what she doesn't know about making inks and dyes from botanicals isn't worth knowing. It was actually really relaxing too, nothing was rushed, which was great and the class size is small and intimate so you can ask as many questions as you like without feeling you're holding things up. The colours were magnificent, making oil and watercolour paint, although the process from start to finish would have taken over 24hrs, there was lots of stuff already prepared, yet we were still shown each step and talked it over. We were supplied wit booklet full of all the step by step notes was perfect so I feel comfortable doing it at home. Although I was reassured I could email questions at any time. Equipment was very professional quality and clean too It was fun, we had some laughs, it was just magical. I can not recommend highly enough. Well worth the long drive!"

6 Oct 24'

Stephanie Lester reviewed: Introduction to Botanical Inks and Paints

"I loved the introduction to natural inks and paints course. Firstly the setting was perfect and Claudia is a very welcoming and knowlegable host and teacher. The course numbers are limited so you get very personal tuition. We made ink, oil paint and watercolour and we took samples away with us. I feel so inspired to equally grow plants and forage in our new home. I want to have jars of pigment on my shelf which represent my local area. I was the only one on the course that currently paints, so this course is not just for artists, it really is for anyone who is interested in their surroundings and how to naturally create inks, paints and pigments. Congratulations on such a wonderful course."

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely and detailed review Stephanie (and to Steve for his posts on social media), it is hugely appreciated and so valuable to us, especially in these early days of introducing a new workshop. It was a pleasure to meet you, we’re delighted that you enjoyed the day and will really look forward to following progress with your new adventure! We’ve been busy saving seeds from our dye garden this year so do let us know if you’d like any and we can pop them in the post. Best wishes, Ellie & Claudia "

4 Oct 24'

Hannah Boot reviewed: Introduction to table loom weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury - Two day workshop

"I had an absolutely fabulous time on this workshop. I've been weaving on a rigid heddle for a few years and wanted to try my hand at weaving on a shaft loom. It was as great as I expected and Ellie was a fantastic tutor. Had a great time. Thanks Ellie. 🙂"

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much for the lovely review Hannah. It was a real pleasure to meet you. Your weaving was beautiful, you're a natural! Thank you for coming 😊"

1 Oct 24'

Jillian reviewed: Introduction to table loom weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury - Two day workshop

"Thanks to Ellie I had a fabulous 2 days of table loom weaving, learning how to set it up took one day and the next we progressed on to weaving and introducing patterns into our eork.She was so patient when I messed things up a bit! Not only a btillisnt course but Fisherton Mill is a pretty special venue. Would highly recommend. "

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much for coming Jillian, and for the lovely review. It was great to spend two days with you and your weaving was beautiful. Without the odd hiccup we'd never learn anything, and I was so impressed that you worked out how to get back on track so quickly! 😊"

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