Craft NI

Willow Flower Workshop
2026-04-25 12:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | Castle Coole, Enniskillen, BT74 6JY, United Kingdom
In this workshop participants will learn traditional basketry techniques to create their very own beautiful willow flowers – these are a decorative piece that can adorn the inside of homes or outside in the garden.

Silver Jewellery Making: Earring Workshop
2026-05-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Crescent Art Centre, 2-4 University Rd, Belfast, BT7 1NH, United Kingdom
Participants will learn basic metalsmithing techniques and create silver earrings. They will learn how to saw and shape silver, try simple soldering techniques, and receive some tips and tricks on how to finish the piece to a high standard. The workshop is intended for complete beginners, but if you already have experience in jewellery making, you will be able to advance or refresh your skills as well.

Crochet Beginners Workshop
2026-05-09 10:30 - 13:00 | Midtown Makers, 51-53 Church Street, Ballymena, BT43 6DD, United Kingdom
Learn the basics of crochet in this workshop with Amanda Jones from Cabinet of Curious Crafts. The workshop is suitable for complete beginners or those looking to improve their skills.

Amanda will teach participants how to make a crochet bracelet, as well as learn the basic stitches. For improvers, Amanda will show how to follow a basic pattern to make a crochet tote bag.
All required materials are included in this workshop, as well as tea and coffee.

Two-Week Ghost Making Workshop
2026-05-16 10:00 - 2026-05-23 13:00 | James & The Kiln, 90d Carryduff Rd, The Temple, Lisburn, BT27 6YL, United Kingdom
Join James Stanley Watson for a two-part workshop, where participants will make their own ceramic ghosts.
In the first session, participants will learn how to use press moulds to create ghost forms, working with clay to build character and personality into each piece. James will discuss tips for shaping, adding details, and preparing the creations for firing. Between sessions, the pieces will be fired.
In the second session, participants will learn techniques for using underglazes and oxides to decorate the fired work.
No prior ceramics experience is needed. All materials and firings are included.
Please note this workshop is not suitable for people under 16 years old.

Hand Stitched and Dyed Leather Satchel Workshop: 18+
2026-05-22 10:00 - 2026-05-23 16:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
Learn to make a statement hand stitched and punched leather satchel in this two-day course under the guidance of textile artist and designer Enda Kenny. Participants will work with vegetable tanned leather and learn how to cut leather by hand, hand dye the leather to a chosen colour, use leather punches to create stitching holes and saddle stitch the satchel using waxed thread. For a beautiful, refined finish, you will seal the leather to make your satchel waterproof and add straps for the perfect fit.

Moon Jars and Bowls Workshop
2026-05-22 10:00 - 2026-05-23 16:00, 2026-08-28 10:00 - 2026-08-29 16:00 | Adam Frew Studio, 21 Cullycapple Park, Aghadowey, BT51 4AS, United Kingdom
Join Adam Frew for a 2 day throwing workshop – classes will be small groups of 5-7 students, suitable for intermediate and advanced levels. The emphasis of the class will be on using the potter’s wheel to make bowls and moon jars in porcelain. Students will be guided through the basics of throwing these forms and also turning their pots. Adam will demonstrate his various decoration techniques and students will be encouraged to be experimental in their approach.
Finished pieces will be glaze fired in the gas kiln and ready 3-4 weeks after the course for collection, or shipping can be arranged.
This 2 day course will run from 10am – 4pm. Tea and coffee is provided and a simple lunch of soup and bread .

Silver Linked Bracelets
2026-05-23 10:00 - 16:00 | Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre, 585 Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 5RZ, United Kingdom
Participants will make their own linked bracelet 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 pair of rings to take home. No previous experience is required.

Material Matters: Textile Knowledge, Sustainability and Fashion Futures in Ireland
2026-05-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Ulster Museum, BT9 5AB, United Kingdom
This lecture by Dr Lyndsey McDougall explores how textile knowledge, both historical and contemporary, can offer vital insights for more sustainable approaches to fashion.
Drawing on examples from Irish textile history alongside contemporary practice, the talk considers how makers, designers and communities have worked with local materials, natural dyes and traditional techniques to create garments and textiles that carry cultural memory as well as material value.
From the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement to present-day initiatives focused on local fibre and sustainable production, textiles reveal a long history of material awareness and environmental responsibility. The lecture reflects on how textile practices, including repair, mending and reuse, can challenge cycles of fast consumption and encourage deeper relationships with the materials that shape our everyday lives.

Visible Mending: Decorative Stitch & Sashiko Skills
2026-06-07 13:30 - 15:30 | Ulster Museum, BT9 5AB, United Kingdom
Explore the art of caring for your favourite clothes through creative repair in this hands-on workshop with Dr Lyndsey McDougal.
Learn foundational techniques that extend the life of textiles while celebrating their history and individuality. Start with a short, illustrated introduction to visible mending in contemporary fashion and sustainable repair practices. Then dive into Sashiko-inspired stitching, a traditional Japanese running stitch method that reinforces fabric with beautiful patterning.
In the second half of the workshop, discover simple decorative embroidery stitches, such as seeding and feather stitch, for covering marks and small imperfections. With all materials provided and expert guidance throughout, you’ll leave with sample pieces demonstrating your new skills, ready to apply them to garments and textiles at home.

Throwing workshop with Adam Frew
2026-06-16 10:00 - 2026-06-19 16:00 | Adam Frew Studio, 21 Cullycapple Park, Aghadowey, BT51 4AS, United Kingdom
Join Adam Frew for a 4 day throwing workshop – classes will be small groups of 5-7 students, suitable for all levels, from beginners to improvers. The emphasis of the class will be on using the potter’s wheel to make a variety of thrown porcelain vessels. Students will be guided through the basics of throwing and also turning (finishing) pots. Adam will demonstrate his various decoration techniques and students will be encouraged to be experimental in their approach. There will be flexibility in the teaching allowing students to request specific demonstrations or help with a particular technique.
Finished pieces will be glaze fired in the gas kiln and ready 3-4 weeks after the course for collection, or shipping can be arranged.
This 4 day course will run from 10am – 4pm. Tea and coffee is provided and a simple lunch of soup and bread .

Pottery Throwing Class
2026-06-27 10:00 - 12:30 | James & The Kiln, 90d Carryduff Rd, The Temple, Lisburn, BT27 6YL, United Kingdom
Join James Stanley Watson in his studio for a throwing workshop.
Workshops are relaxed, hands-on pottery sessions suited to anyone curious about clay, whether they are a complete beginner or keen to build confidence on the wheel.
Participants will be guided through each stage of the process – from centring and opening the clay, to pulling up walls and shaping their own forms. Expect a mix of demonstration, guidance, and plenty of time to practise.
By the end of the session, each participant will have created their own pieces to be dried, fired, and glazed, ready to collect at a later date. One piece is included in the price, with any additional pieces available for £5 each.
Please note this workshop is not suitable for people under 16 years old.

Basket Making
2026-09-19 10:00 - 16:30 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
Beginners will learn from Welig Heritage Crafts’ expert basket maker and return home with their own beautiful handmade basket.

Make a John Surlis Leitrim Chair
2026-10-03 10:00 - 2026-10-11 18:00 | Green Woodwork Ireland Workshop, Minnowburn, Ballynahatty Rd, Belfast, Minnowburn, BT8 8LG
The Leitrim Chair is a traditional Irish Hedge Chair last produced by John Surlis in the 1980s. John was a skilled carpenter who mastered a craft that had been in his family for 400 years, distinctly traceable for 6 generations.
In this 4 day workshop, Stephen Ryan from Green Woodwork Ireland will teach participants the skills needed to produce their own Leitrim Chair using the same traditional techniques as John used during his life.
Participants will use traditional tools and equipment to cleave and shape wood that will then be assembled using round mortise and tenons secured with Oak wedges, typical of old Irish furniture, completed with a finish of linseed oil and beeswax.
This course is suited to all levels including complete beginners.
