Impressions Of Nature Printmaking Workshop
2024-01-31 19:00 - 2024-03-06 21:00 (Europe/London) | Millenium Court, 2 William Street, Portadown, Co Armagh, BT62 3NX, United Kingdom
Tutor Ruth Osborne will be teaching a six-week printmaking course with a nature theme. Participants will be introduced to and experiment with a series of printmaking processes with a focus on working with and/or representing nature.
Sessions are suitable for beginners and all materials are supplied.
This class is suitable for age 16+

QEST Northern Ireland Showcase Exhibition
2024-02-01 18:00 - 2024-05-10 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI have partnered with QEST to bring to you the QEST Northern Ireland Showcase Exhibition in February 2024.
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) supports the training and education of talented and aspiring craftspeople through Scholarships, Emerging Maker Grants and Apprenticeships. We are delighted that by means of this joint exhibition, craft audiences in Northern Ireland will be able to see the work of 16 local Scholars glass, handloom weaving, luthiery, willow sculpture, wrought iron putter making and silversmithing.
This unique event, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, will open on Thursday, February 1st at 6pm at Craft NI Gallery, Belfast’s only craft dedicated venue, and run until May 10, 2024.
The participating QEST Scholars include: Aaron Leach (wrought iron putter making); Andrea Spencer (glass); Anne-Marie O’Sullivan (basketry); Bob Johnston, basketry; Cara Murphy, silversmith; Caitlin Murphy, silversmith; Damien McKeown, Mourne Textiles; James Adair, saddler; Kurtis Scott, Pict Guitars; Laura Quinn, glass artist; Lucy Cushley, saddler; Mario Sierra, Mourne Textiles; Patrick Davison, silversmith; Stephen McClenaghan, Hawthorne Lutherie; Tara Osborough, Irish Artisan Yarn; Scott Benefield, Benefield Spencer Glass.

Quill-lumination Workshop
2024-02-04 12:00 - 15:00 | Stone Row Artisans, 1st Floor, 2-6 Stone Row, Coleraine, BT52 1EP, United Kingdom
Quilling dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries and is the coiling and pinching of paper strips into different shapes, which can then be used to decorate a variety of items.
During this 3 hour workshop participants will learn how to make simple shapes and curls with paper strips, creating a colourfully decorated initial set in a deep picture frame.
This workshop is suitable for beginners. All materials and tools for making your quilled letter will be supplied. Refreshments will also be available throughout the workshop.

Quilled Pendant Workshop
2024-02-18 12:00 - 14:30 | Stone Row Artisans, 1st Floor, 2-6 Stone Row, Coleraine, BT52 1EP, United Kingdom
Participants will learn the art of paper quilling and create a quilled pendant; guided by Emma Thorpe from Atlantic Rose participants will learn the basics of paper quilling and craft their own quirky colourful flower pendant.
All materials and equipment supplied. Refreshments available throughout the workshop.
Suitable for aged 12+. No experience necessary.

Silver Necklace or Earrings Workshop
2024-02-24 10:00 - 16:00 | Down County Museum, The Mall, English St, Downpatrick, Down, BT30 6AH
Under the guidance of goldsmith Diane Lyness, each participant will be taught traditional jewellery making techniques such as piercing, soldering, shaping, texturing and polishing to create a beautiful piece of jewellery to take home. No previous experience is required.
Sandwich lunch & materials included.

Pottery Taster for 2 with Adam Frew
2024-02-25 10:00 - 2024-08-31 16:00 | Adam Frew Studio, 21 Cullycapple Park, Aghadowey, BT51 4AS, United Kingdom
This is an opportunity to try out pottery in your own private 3 hour lesson for 2 with Adam. Suitable for all levels, from beginners to improvers. The emphasis will be on having fun and making a variety of pots. Students will each select their best pots to be fired. These will be glaze fired in the gas kiln and ready 3-4 weeks after the session for collection/shipping can be arranged.
Tea and coffee provided.
Additional students can be added at a cost of £80 per person. Sessions are for a max of 4 people. Contact Adam for more info and to arrange a suitable date.

Sculpting a Seated Figure Workshop
2024-03-02 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Belfast Ceramics Studio, Unit 10E Owen O'Cork Mill, 288 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT55DX, United Kingdom
Join Sandra Robinson for this 2 day workshop: through the use of paper templates, photographs and drawings provided, you will be guided through demonstrations, anatomy and 1-2-1 support to create a small seated figure in clay.
Day 1: Demonstrations and formation
Day 2: Refinement and Preparation for firing.

Instruction, materials and firing included in the cost, pick up of sculpture 6 weeks later. Sculptures will be finished with stains and oxides or can be left at bisque for you to glaze yourself. Limited seating of 10 students max, ages 18+ (minors accompanied by an adult). All abilities are welcome.

Colourful Beaded Loom Weave Bracelet Workshop
2024-03-03 11:00 - 14:00 | Stone Row Artisans, 1st Floor, 2-6 Stone Row, Coleraine, BT52 1EP, United Kingdom
Participants will learn a new skill and create their own beaded bracelet using the bead loom weaving technique with Emma Thorpe from Atlantic Rose.
During this 3 hour workshop, they will learn how to set up and thread their loom; bead weave their bracelet and finish it off with a beaded toggle and loop. This workshop is suitable for beginners, or those with some beading experience who would like to refresh their skills.
All materials and tools for designing and making your loom weave bracelet will be supplied. Refreshments will also be available throughout the workshop.

Dogwoods and Dollars
2024-03-07 10:00 - 2024-04-05 16:00 | Down Arts Centre, 2 - 6 Irish Street, Downpatrick, Down, BT30 6BP, United Kingdom
An exhibition by Down Arts Centre artist in residence Áine McKenna. Specialising in porcelain, this ceramics design exhibition marks the end of her Down Art Centre residency, during which time she had the opportunity to experiment and create this new body of work. Dogwood and Dollars is a reflection of a specific time and place and how once changed by a new experience one will never be the same again. The work is beautiful and delicate with a nod to spirituality and symbolism.

Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Glassblowing workshop
2024-03-09 11:00 - 14:00 | Helen Hancock Glass Studio, Derry
Join tutor Helen Hancock for a glassblowing workshop, a fun introduction to this craft! Participants will be working with specialist equipment and tools and with a furnace running at 1150 degrees. During this workshop, they will be creating their own bespoke blown glass art.
Protective eyewear is essential and long sleeves; strictly over 16 years old. Suitable for beginners and stage 2 students.

Memory Sampler - Applique & Embroidery
2024-03-13 10:30 - 13:30 | The Workshop, 4a Church Street, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AF, United Kingdom
Enjoy a few relaxed, creative hours learning basic hand stitching, embroidery and appliqué techniques as we create a unique vintage-style sampler. These are wonderful ways to celebrate births or christenings but you can make the project your own by celebrating a beloved pet or to remember a trip that left a lasting impression, too.
All tools and fabric will be provided but you are also most welcome to bring small pieces of fabric, ribbon, labels, lace, buttons, etc to incorporate into your project and make it even more cherished. These could be from baby/child’s clothing, blanket, toy or perhaps a pet’s bandana, for example.
You will design/plan your layout and learn basic hand stitching, embroidery and appliqué techniques in the class. Should you not finish on the day, you’ll have the skills and tools required to finish.
No experience necessary.
Ages 15+

Earth Made
2024-03-15 10:00 - 2024-04-28 16:00 | Oriel Gallery, Clotworthy House,, Antrim Castle Gardens, Antrim, BT41 4LH, United Kingdom
EARTH MADE reflects the creative processes of textile artist Ruth Osborne and ceramic artist Patricia Millar. In this collaborative exhibition, earth materials and stories were collected and exchanged t create sustainable land Art.
Ruth Osborne is textile artist working primarily on Irish Linen, which is chosen for its aesthetic qualities, sustainability, and heritage on the island of Ireland. Her work focuses on connection and communion with nature and a sense of place, taking inspiration from folklore and heritage innate within the local landscape and changing seasons. Working primarily with sustainably foraged natural materials as part of the creative process, her practice often draws upon the historical process of Nature Printing, as used by both artists and botanists since the 15th Century, alongside natural dyeing and ink making, eco-print, and printmaking processes.
Patricia Millar is a ceramic artist from the Causeway Coast. She references archaic domestic forms preserved within the landscape. The potency of these ancient vessels inspires not only form but the methods by which she works. Using Ice Age gravels from ditches that criss-cross fields, glacial clays deposited from springs along basalt cliffs and ash glaze from coppiced woodland, rushes and grasses, her vessels celebrate form, colour and texture of their geological and anthropological origins.

This exhibition is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Silver Bracelet Workshop
2024-03-16 10:00 - 16:00 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
Join tutor Diane Lyness and spend a fun day creating a beautiful sterling silver bracelet. Each participant will be taught traditional jewellery making techniques by Goldsmith Diane Lyness, such as piercing, soldering, rolling, annealing and polishing. Diane will work alongside the participants as they design and make their own unique piece of jewellery to take home.

No previous experience is required. Suitable for adults (over 18).

Causeway Craft Trail
2024-03-16 10:00 - 2024-03-30 17:00 | Cawseway Coast and Glens, United Kingdom
The Causeway Craft Trail makes it easy to discover the traditional and contemporary arts and crafts businesses that thrive in the Causeway Coast and Glens of Northern Ireland.
Drop in, meet the makers and listen to their stories whilst you acquire a new skill with a workshop in pottery, painting, felting, glass-making and more. Take a tour of their studios and workshops on an Open Studio Day, where you’ll gain a behind-the-scenes insight in to the creative processes that go in to every lovingly-crafted handmade item.
To see the full details, participating makers and current events, please click here.

Macrame Workshop
2024-03-16 10:30 - 13:00 | The Designerie, 88 Main Street, Antrim, Bushmills, BT57 8QD, United Kingdom
Discover the soothing art of macramé, a calming and creative pastime. Join Caitlin McCracken at The Designerie for an engaging workshop where you’ll master the fundamentals of macramé. Learn to craft a stunning wall hanging using three classic knots: Lark’s head, square knots, and double half hitches. Suitable for beginners will receive step-by-step guidance in a welcoming atmosphere. Take home your own creation at the end of the session.

Adam Frew - Open Studio
2024-03-23 10:00 - 15:00 | Adam Frew Studio, 21 Cullycapple Park, Aghadowey, BT51 4AS, United Kingdom
Adam Frew will host an Open Studio day as part of the Causeway Craft Trail on Saturday, March 23rd, 10am -3pm. Stop by for a chat and to see a selection of his pots, including seconds.

3D Needlefelt Bluetit
2024-03-23 14:00 - 16:00 | The Workshop, 4a Church Street, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AF, United Kingdom
Wendy from Little Woolly Sheep will welcome spring with this adorable 3D Needlefelted Bluetit project – enjoy an afternoon bringing your wee bird into life while enjoying tasty buns, tea and coffee.

Attendees will all keep the basic needlefelting kit used in the class.

No experience necessary.

Ages 15+

Making space: Tapestry Knotted Bookmark Workshop
2024-04-18 18:00 - 20:30 | ASTRL Fibres Studio, 412 Woodstock Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT6 9DQ, United Kingdom
Making Space is a series of workshops that will encourage you to think with your hands, embrace a willingness to play, allow yourself the space to be creative and find connection in the act of making.
Join Alison of ASTRL Fibres and learn how to handcraft a beautiful tapestry knotted bookmark to take home with you. Over the course of this 2.5hr session, Alison will guide you through a 4 way colour pattern using the reverse double hitch knot and the 4 strand braiding technique, using recycled cotton cord in one of the four available colour combinations.
This workshop is suitable for those looking to try a new handcraft and no previous experience is required. The session will be seated in a relaxed setting but the knotting technique is repetitive so you will need to be able to knot for the duration of the session. This session is open to ages 12 + but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Handbuilding Workshop (evenings)
2024-04-24 18:30 - 2024-06-06 21:00 | Belfast Ceramics Studio, Unit 10E Owen O'Cork Mill, 288 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT55DX, United Kingdom
Have you become hooked on The Great Pottery Thrown Down? Have you ever wanted to make your own teapot? With expert tuition from Helen Faulkner you will learn step by step how to create your own ceramics pieces.
Learn a range of skills including slab building and coil work to design and craft beautiful pottery. This course is ideal for beginners or even experienced potters who want to refine their skills. Each week, you will learn a new pottery skill that builds on the previous week’s lesson with a personal project at the end.

Please note, the course will take place every Wednesday during the time frame indicated.

Felting with Bees in The Walled Garden, Helen's Bay
2024-04-27 14:00 - 17:00 | The Walled Garden, 47 Craigdarragh Road, Helen's Bay, Bangor, Down, BT19 1UB, United Kingdom
On arrival at The Walled Garden Helen’s Bay, participants will be welcomed by host Lorraine with a small glass of locally produced honey mead, followed by a visit to the apiary, at a safe distance, for a brief talk about the importance of Black Irish bee conservation, their role in cross pollination in the garden and what bee-friendly plants you can introduce into their own gardens to make them a haven for butterflies, bees and hoverflies. Guests will be given a take-home pot (30ml) of Walled Garden honey.
They will then join local crafter Karen Stevenson who will guide them step by step in the creation of a bee-autifully detailed piece of felted 2D bee themed artwork, which will be mounted on a wooden block of repurposed scaffolding board for display, using a combination of wet and needle felting using sustainable wool.
Nestled within the garden walls, participants can relax further and enjoy a delicious homemade ‘bee inspired’ afternoon tea.
Things to note
Over 18 yrs only.
The experience is suitable for beginners and advanced felters.

Pottery Course - beginners/ intermediate
2024-05-01 19:00 - 2024-06-05 21:00 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
Join tutor Andrea McCullough-Alderdice and explore the potter’s wheel and full range of hand-building techniques from pinch pots to coil and slab building, whilst experimenting with slips, velvet underglazes and a full range of glazes.
Please note, the course will take place on Wednesdays 1 May – 5 June.

Keith Sheppard - Art In Glass
2024-05-04 16:00 - 2024-06-01 17:00 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
The Island Arts Centre are delighted to invite you to the preview for two new exhibitions on Saturday 4 May at 4pm.
KEITH SHEPPARD – Art In Glass | 4 May – 1 June
Following a life changing accident in 2009, resulting in paralysis from the waist down, Keith defied medical opinion by walking seven months later, and beginning his life again as a glass artist. The metal fused vertebrae that enables him to walk has a relevance to the works he now creates. From producing tableware to high-end bespoke pieces, which include sculptures and installations, Keith’s artistry involves infusing glass with metals to create unique, vibrant colourations in interesting forms
ARTEAST – The Magic Brush | 4 May – 18 May
A group of female Chinese artists got together in 2015 with aims to foster excellence and promote appreciation of Chinese culture and art in Northern Ireland. Since 2017 a series of exhibitions and workshops with the theme of Magic Brush have occurred in Lisburn, Belfast and elsewhere. 2024 marks the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, and this exhibition promises to bring powerful, confident, beautiful works celebrating Chinese art’s rich heritage.
No booking necessary. All Welcome!

Silver Jewellery Making Workshop
2024-05-07 18:30 - 2024-06-25 21:00 | Down Arts Centre, 2 - 6 Irish Street, Downpatrick, Down, BT30 6BP, United Kingdom
An exciting course which includes a traditional and contemporary approach to jewellery making and design. You will be guided through the basics of annealing, cutting, soldering, doming, texturing and the use of safe enamelling to build towards a little jewellery collection.
Materials and tools: basic materials including copper sheet and wire will be given as part of the class. Individuals may wish to purchase precious metal, stones, etc. as they go along. The price of these can be discussed and advised individually with your tutor. If you have some jewellery making hand tools you can bring them along. The course will take place on Tuesday evenings, details below.
Course tutor: Karen Daye-Hutchinson, owner of ‘Ghost & Bonesetter’ jewellery.

Exhibiting at Collect - Maker Talk
2024-05-09 12:30 - 14:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
The Crafts Council’s Collect showcase every spring in London is the UK’s leading international fair for contemporary craft & design in the UK. In the last two years, ceramist Patricia Millar and glass artist Andrea Spencer have been selected to exhibit at Collect Open, the fair’s platform for pioneering individual artists.
We’re delighted that Patricia and Andrea will give a lunchtime maker talk on Thursday 9th May on their experience of Collect – how they prepared for the show and their experience of exhibiting, we’re looking forward to their reflections.
Thursday 9th May
12-30pm-2pm
Craft NI Gallery

Reserve your place here.
If you have any access requirements, please contact info@craftni.org or call the gallery on 028 9032 9342.

Intro to linocut
2024-05-10 18:30 - 21:00 | The Workshop, 4a Church Street, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AF, United Kingdom
Linocut is an artform that can be as simple or as intricate as you can dream and combines well with other mediums. But first, you have to learn the basics!
In this class, participants will learn about the basic tools, materials, and methods used from the types of mediums they can carve into, different kinds of inks, and different printing methods. They will then be trying their hand at making their own piece, then spend some time practicing different cuts before choosing a subject to carve and print.

Animal Themed Tiles with Figment Ceramic
2024-05-11 10:00 - 2024-05-18 13:00 | Belfast Ceramics Studio, Unit 10E Owen O'Cork Mill, 288 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT55DX, United Kingdom
In this 2 part workshop Jakki Trainor will guide you through each step of the process to design, make and decorate an animal or bird themed panel, the following week you will then learn how to use glaze to enhance your design and highlight texture.
Established in 2016, Figment Ceramics draws inspiration from Jakki’s love of nature and folklore producing illustrative ceramics that depict both real and imagined flora and fauna. Pattern and impressed decoration are an intrinsic part of Jakki’s trademark style along with her palette of shimmering green and blue glazes. Jakki aims to tell a story in every tile and panel, taking the viewer on a journey into their own imagination.

Making Space: Macramé Masterclass
2024-05-12 13:00 - 17:00 | ASTRL Fibres Studio, 412 Woodstock Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT6 9DQ, United Kingdom
Making Space is a series of workshops that will encourage you to think with your hands, embrace a willingness to play, allow yourself the space to be creative and find connection in the act of making.
Join Alison of ASTRL Fibres for a deep dive into macramé pattern design. Over the course of this 4hr session, Alison will introduce you to an intermediate library of knots and techniques that you will use to create your own wall hanging to take home with you (measurements not exceeding W40cm x L60cm). All the required materials and tools will be provided along with pattern instructions to take home with you for reference. Techniques covered in this course:

Intermediate Mounting Knots
Double Hitch Knot (Horizontal / Vertical / Diagonal)
Square Knot Patterns
Double Hitch Knot Patterns
Finishing Techniques

There will be a short break halfway through this session for a cuppa and homemade treats. Please get in touch if you have any dietary requirements.
Who is this workshop for: This workshop is suitable for those looking to develop their existing macramé skills. Participants must have a basic grasp of tying knots such as the square knot and alternating square knot. The session will be seated and standing in a relaxed setting but the knotting technique is repetitive so you will need to be able knot for the duration of the session. This session is open to ages 12+ but children must be accompanied by an adult. If you have any questions about whether this course is for you, please get in touch: astrlfibres@gmail.com

Open Studio Weekend in Broughshane
2024-05-17 18:00 - 2024-05-19 17:00
Members of County Antrim Open Studios who live in or near Broughshane are welcoming visitors to their studios on the weekend of 17/18/19 May!
Stop by and meet furniture maker Noel McCullough, Rosanne from Willow Leaves Handmade Books, jeweller Vera McCullough or visit The Black Sheep Gallery. Open studio days are ideal for meeting makers in an informal setting, learning about their craft and discussing their work, possible commissions or simply having a leisurely browse!
Please take note of the addresses for individual participants and the opening times below:
Noel McCullough, 100 Cloughwater Road, BT436SZ
Black Sheep Gallery, 125 Knockan Road, BT437JA
Willow Leaves Handmade Books, 105 Knowehead Road, BT437JD
Vera McCullough Jewellery, 18 Hazelbank Road, BT424LP
Opening times:
Friday: 6 – 9pm
Saturday: 11 – 4pm
Sunday: 2 – 5pm

Kids Fused Glass Fish Workshop
2024-05-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Millenium Court, 2 William Street, Portadown, Co Armagh, BT62 3NX, United Kingdom
Come along and make 3 tropical fused glass fish! Kids can use their vivid imaginations to dive into the under sea world and experience new skills to help them complete their designs in mesmerising glass colour, using a variety of glass materials to create different tones and textures.
The children can decide if they want to add hooks before the kiln firing process, so they can choose to either create a mobile with their fish at home afterwards or glue it into a box frame, creating a stunning wall art piece for their room.
Under the guidance of experienced tutor Natasha Duddy, you will be given the opportunity to plan and design your wave template. Glass cutting skills will then be demonstrated individually.
This class is suitable for kids age 8 +
